Concern for the impact on the environment of buying new and a desire to recycle is a big factor in younger people`s choice to buy and sell secondhand. Read...

Concern for the impact on the environment of buying new and a desire to recycle is a big factor in younger people`s choice to buy and sell secondhand. Read...

Who needs Netflix when you have Plex, the media server software that runs locally and lets you stream your own local video files? I’ve been hosting my own Plex server on a Raspberry Pi 5 for a few years now, and it’s mostly run without a hitch. But like taking your car to a mechanic even when nothing’s obviously wrong with it, you should periodically look under Plex’s hood to see if it needs the equivalent of an oil change. The thing is, I’m no expert when it comes to streaming video. I know (roughly) what an MKV video container is, and I know how to organize my Plex media libraries, but I’m clueless when it comes to the ins and outs of video transcoding. In short, I need help, and—you guessed it—I turned to AI, and specifically I turned to Gemini. (I could have turned to ChatGPT or Claude, too, but for the moment I’m a Google AI Pro subscriber.) Like any other tool, LLM models like Gemini are good at some things and terrible at others. A chainsaw is great for pruning a tree, but it’s not the right tool for cutting a wedding cake. By the same token, LLMs tend to suck at life coaching and genuine creative writing (they’d rather just plagiarize), but they excel at analyzing reams of error logs, and for a Plex checkup, that’s precisely the skill that’s needed. Now, there are a few ways to let an LLM pick over your Plex installation. One way is to tell it your basic setup (Windows, Mac, or Linux) and let it feed you terminal commands to pluck out the correct log files, which you then paste into the chatbox. It works, and it’s relatively safe, since you’re not actually letting ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini loose in your system. But it’s also slow and tedious—your CTRL-C and CTRL-V fingers will quickly tire. (If you do prefer sticking with an AI chatbox, I have a custom GPT system prompt for you below.) Instead, I chose to go cutting-edge. I’ve been playing with Google Antigravity, the Google-made IDE (integrated development environment) that lets Gemini and other LLMs (including Claude) do the coding for you, guided by your natural-language prompts. Yep, we’re talking vibe coding. I fired up Antigravity and gave Gemini a prompt: Can you give my Plex server a check-up? Google Antigravity is just one such AI-driven IDE. OpenAI has Codex (including the recently released Codex for macOS), and Claude Code and Cursor are other examples. With Antigravity, you can give Gemini access to a “workspace” on the target system (generally one or more directories that you’ve designated), and with your guidance, it will read files within the workspace and can even—gulp! — execute terminal commands. Gemini can also think about what it wants to do and present you with an “implementation plan” before actually doing it. The degree of Gemini’s autonomy in Antigravity is up to you; for example, you can have it request your approval before every terminal command, or if you’re willing to take your hands off the wheel, there’s an “always allow” setting that lets Gemini go to town, executing shell commands at will. Google recommends the safer “always approve” setting, and I tend to agree. Anyway, back to Plex. I’d previously set up a Plex workspace on my Raspberry Pi for Antigravity’s use. (I use a specific subdirectory as a staging area complete with “git” version control, perfect for retracing your coding steps in case of a foul-up.) I fired up Antigravity, opened my Plex workspace, and gave Gemini 3 Flash (a faster and cheaper “regular” version of Gemini, versus the pricier high-grade Gemini Pro 3 model) a prompt: Can you give my Plex server a check-up? Further reading: Plex’s lifetime subscription plan is getting a massive price hike Gemini went quiet for a moment (“Thinking…”) and came back with a plan. It would check my Raspberry Pi’s vitals—CPU temperature and load, memory usage, storage availability—as well as check a half-dozen Plex logs, poke at the Plex database, test-drive my server’s transcoding and networking performance, and then ensure my external storage drives were properly mounted and delivering decent data throughput. Essentially, we’re talking a full-on Plex physical. After looking over the plan, I clicked the blue Proceed button, and off Gemini went, snippets of terminal commands flying around as I occasionally clicked the “Approve” button. Like a doctor spotting a worrying test result during a routine exam, Gemini’s Plex check had unearthed a critical system issue. (This is a good time to note that in doing this analysis, I was giving Gemini full access to all my Plex media files. Needless to say, you’ll want to carefully consider whether you’re comfortable with that prospect.) About five minutes later, Gemini came back with its diagnosis, and my eyes popped open at the results. It reported that my Plex server itself was A-OK (“peak athletic condition!” it said, leaning into the check-up metaphor); but like a doctor spotting a worrying test result during a routine exam, Gemini’s Plex check had unearthed a critical system issue: evidence of a failing SD storage card. Now, this surprised me because I’d already—or so I thought—migrated from booting my Raspberry Pi from that fragile SD card to a much more robust NVMe storage module. But Gemini found scores of I/O errors originating from the old SD card that I thought I’d replaced. It’s initial hypothesis: my Raspberry Pi might still be using the flimsy SD card for bootup tasks. Um, say what? Had I completely forgotten to migrate essential system files from the SD card even after investing in a new NVMe and spending a weekend installing it? (Groan.) Like any worried patient, I sought out a second opinion. In a new Antigravity instance, I summoned the big guns—Claude Opus 4.5—and dumped Gemini 3 Flash’s prognosis into the chatbox. “Take a look at this Plex checkup report, is it true,” I asked? Clause dove in (“Thinking,” again), peeked into more system logs, and came back with a reassuring answer: No, my Raspberry Pi wasn’t booting off the old SD Card. But it was still checking the card since I’d left it plugged into my system, and those checks were clogging my logs with I/O errors. In other words, Gemini saw yellow flags in the Pi’s bloodwork and jumped to a dire—and lucky for me, incorrect—conclusion. Armed with this knowledge, I took the details back to Gemini and asked it to reassess. It soon came back; yes, my Pi was booting off the NVMe drive, as expected, and yes, the still-connected SD card was the source of all the I/O errors. Gemini’s overall Plex diagnosis? B+, it said (I had asked for a letter grade). Vitals look good, the plumbing’s in nice shape, but that old SD card is like a splinter in the Pi’s toe, it said. Yank it at the first opportunity. Oh, and maybe clear Plex’s transcoder cache in case of any stray buffering. So, there you go: a recipe for regular AI-guided Plex checkups, perfect for spotting silent Plex server ailments. Give it a shot—you might discover something unexpected, too. And if you want to try a Plex server once-over using a custom GPT in a chatbox, here’s that system prompt I promised—and yes, it’s courtesy of Gemini itself, prompted by me: # Plex Diagnostic Expert - Custom GPT System Prompt You are the **Plex Diagnostic Expert**, a specialized AI assistant designed to help Plex Media Server users troubleshoot playback issues, server instability, and library corruption without requiring advanced technical knowledge or specialized tools. ## ?? Primary Goal Your mission is to guide the user through a structured diagnostic `checkup` of their Plex server by requesting specific log snippets and interpreting the results in plain English. --- ## ?? Interaction Workflow ### Phase 1: Environment Discovery First, ask the user: 1. **What platform is Plex running on?** (e.g., Windows, Mac, Linux, Docker/Unraid, Synology). 2. **What is the main issue?** (e.g., `Buffering,` `Server unavailable,` `Files not appearing`). ### Phase 2: Log Retrieval Guide Provide the user with the path to their logs based on their platform. **Common Paths:** - **Windows**: `%LOCALAPPDATA%\Plex Media Server\Logs` - **Linux**: `/var/lib/plexmediaserver/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/Logs` - **Docker**: `[Config Path]/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/Logs` - **Synology**: `/volume1/Plex/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/Logs` **Instructions for User:** `Open `Plex Media Server.log`. Scroll to the very bottom, copy the last 100 lines, and paste them here.` ### Phase 3: The Diagnostic Checkup Once logs are provided, analyze them for the following `Vital Signs`: 1. **Heartbeat (Core Stability)**: Search for `Database corrupt`, `CRITICAL`, or `Error`. 2. **Circulation (Transcoding)**: Search for `Speed =>`. - **Diagnosis**: If speed > 1.0, the server is healthy. If speed ... > Analyze). - **Check Disk Space** (A full drive is the #1 cause of `Unknown Errors`). ## ?? Constraint **DO NOT** ask the user to run complex terminal commands unless they identify as a `Power User.` Stick to file-system paths and copy-pasting text. This story is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best media-streaming devices. Read...

Today’s a great day to score a proper gaming laptop that’ll handle almost anything you throw its way, from the newest triple-A 3D titles to your daily work tasks to all those Netflix binging sessions. B&H is currently selling the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI for just $1,299.99 with a “DealZone Savings” promotion knocking $550 off its original price. That’s crazy good—and there’s “limited supply” at this price. View this gaming laptop deal Powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor with 24 cores, a hefty 32GB of DDR5 RAM, a spacious 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, and a cutting-edge Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 graphics card, this laptop can handle pretty much anything and everything. Windows 11 is no problem, plus you get to enjoy all the features of DLSS 4 for an awesome gaming experience. It’s future-proof for years to come, that’s for sure. The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI is a gorgeous laptop with a 16-inch IPS display at a 2560×1600 resolution and a 240Hz refresh rate. With up to 500 nits of brightness and an anti-glare coating, it’s easy on the eyes in any environment. It’s also smart with its connections: Thunderbolt 4, USB-C 3.2 with 90 watts of power delivery, dual USB-A 3.2, one USB-A 3.0, a microSD slot, plus HDMI 2.1 for video output, 2.5Gbps Ethernet for stable internet, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Other niceties include a 1080p webcam, a reliable 90-watt-hour battery for comfortable usage between charges, RGB backlit keyboard, and support for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4. It’s a little heavy at 5.95 pounds, but that’s to be expected for a gaming laptop of this caliber. Grab this Acer gaming laptop for $1,299.99 while this deal’s still available! Your purchase even comes with a free 6-month subscription to Bitdefender Total Security for 5 devices. If you still want to keep your options open, see our picks for the best gaming laptops. This 16-inch Acer laptop with RTX 5070 is crazy good for the priceBuy this gaming laptop for $550 off Read...

There’s a lot that separates a good display from a bad one, and plenty more to separate a good one from an exceptional one. Color gamut, brightness, contrast, pixel density, pixel response time, and refresh rate all play big roles, but ultimately the most important factor is how well the screen can display images and how easy it is for you to see it. After testing the Acer Swift Edge 14 AI, which is the first laptop to incorporate Corning’s Gorilla Matte Pro display treatment, I’ve seen the light. I now want every laptop to have this tech and I dread testing any laptop that doesn’t have this tech. It nails the “easy to see” equation and allows the best qualities of a display to shine—literally. Matte versus glossy screens There’s a lot of debate about what’s best for display quality. Some say that a glossy screen allows the purest transmission of light from the display to your eyeballs. I can’t argue with that. But enjoying that pure transmission requires an ideal environment setup to minimize the glare and reflections that end up on such glossy displays.  Anti-glare finishes on screens can make reflections darker, and matte finishes can diffuse light that’s hitting the screen, so reflected light sources are less distracting. Traditionally, though, these anti-glare and matte options have reduced contrast (undesirable on high-quality OLED displays) and introduced sparkle to the light emitting from the display. Chris Hoffman / Foundry Corning describes this sparkle as a “grainy or even greasy” appearance to the screen. And having put matte screen protectors on a host of devices from my phone to my laptop, I can see exactly that sort of graininess and greasiness sometimes. But the trade-off is that I don’t see my mirror image or bright lights reflected on my displays. For some of us, that trade-off is worth it. It’s why my colleague Chris Hoffman now prefers matte over OLED in his laptop screens. The Gorilla Matte Pro difference Here’s the thing about the Gorilla Matte Pro display treatment on the Acer Swift Edge 14 AI I reviewed: it had all the glare-busting benefits without any of that sparkly grain or grease. In other words, it offered the best of both worlds. A true win-win for laptop screens. I love taking advantage of high-resolution laptop displays to make the most of smaller screens, by shrinking everything down as much as possible. This makes for very fine text and icons just about everywhere—yet that ultra-fineness looks crisp behind Gorilla Matte Pro. To compare, I have two additional laptops, each with a 14-inch 2880×1800 OLED display that’s almost identical to the one Acer’s Swift Edge 14 AI. One is a Lenovo laptop to which I’ve applied a matte screen protector (completed with almost zero bubbles or trapped dust, much to my satisfaction). The other is an Asus laptop with a glossy display. These are all high-quality and worthwhile laptops, by the way. The Asus laptop’s display shows fine superbly, but the second I turn my back to a bright window or light source, I’m squinting to make out what I’m looking at most of the time. Meanwhile, the Lenovo laptop avoids the glare issue most of the time with modest brightness levels thanks to the matte film I put on it, but fine details are awash in the grainy sparkle caused by the matte screen protector itself. Asus (glossy OLED) versus Acer (Gorilla Matte Pro), displays off.Mark Knapp / Foundry The Gorilla Matte Pro screen avoids both issues. Fine text is wonderfully clear without any noticeable sparkle at normal viewing distances, and the text remains clear even if I turn my back to a bright window or light source. Sure, there’s still a bright spot on the display if it’s hit by something really bright, but it’s still a night-and-day difference. With that bright window behind me, I have to turn the glossy display up to 100% brightness (about a 400-nit whitepoint) before I can comfortably focus on the screen and not the reflection. On the Gorilla Matte Pro screen, I can readily focus on content with the brightness at its lowest level (a 23-nit whitepoint) and the font displaying at a smaller size. And when it comes to performance in the dark, all I can say is that the black pixels look as pitch as they do on the glossy screen. Asus (glossy OLED) versus Acer (Gorilla Matte Pro), displays on.Mark Knapp / Foundry Just to put some numbers to it, I grabbed a light meter that I use for projector testing and a small LED fill light. I placed the light meter between the two laptops with both screens facing the sensor at an equal distance. I then shined the LED onto each display from alternating sides of the meter, this way it would pick up reflections from one display and then the other. In this test, the Gorilla Matte Pro display reflected 20 lux from the LED while the glossy display reflected 60 lux. Why it matters I love OLED displays on my laptops. Between their color and contrast, they look phenomenal—in the right conditions. But I take laptops all over the place, and unless I’m at home, I usually don’t have control over ambient lighting, overhead lights, environmental brightness, etc. When it’s too bright or there’s a strong light hitting my screen, I have to crank the brightness of that glossy OLED display to continue using it comfortably. It’s a similar issue if I want to sit in front of a window and have a decent view while I work. The light pouring in through the window will light me up and then all I see is my reflection on the screen, unless I crank up the display’s brightness in turn. Chris Hoffman / Foundry That increased brightness comes with a huge tax on the laptop’s power usage and battery life. A laptop that might’ve run all day could last just a few hours with its display brightness amped up. Good luck doing work on a lovely patio in the middle of summer. This Gorilla Matte Pro finish sidesteps those issues. I can work in front of windows. I can go outside (though I’d still avoid angling it up towards the sky for the best experience). And even in challenging conditions, I can keep the brightness level low while still clearly seeing what’s on screen, which helps extend battery life much farther. That’s huge. It’s little surprise that more high-end devices—for example, Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra, Apple’s iPhone 17, and the MacBook Pro—are offering similar glare-fighting features and that Corning’s Gorilla Matte Pro won a CES innovation award this year. This tech simply lets wonderful displays look their best more of the time in wider circumstances. As someone who loves a great-looking screen, I now want Gorilla Matte Pro on all of them. Further reading: The good, bad, and ugly of OLED laptops Read...

As the rain continues to fall, numerous flood warnings have been issued with the Environment Agency advising that river levels will continue to rise, as Helen Willetts explains. Read...

Well, this is it: After a series of delays, Apple is finally nixing support for its old Home architecture, meaning those still relying on the previous version of Apple’s Home framework have some decisions to make—quickly.  The moment of truth arrives February 10, 2026, less than a week away. If you don’t update, you face “interruptions with your accessories and automations,” Apple warns in a support article. In other words, you may lose control of your Apple HomeKit-connected smart devices.  Up until now, the new Home architecture has remained optional, meaning that Apple Home users who were either still using an iPad as their home hub or simply leery of making the switch could stick with the old framework.  But Apple announced last year that it would finally pull the plug on the old Apple Home app, first giving a fall 2025 deadline before settling on the new cutoff date of February 10, 2026. If you don’t jump ship on the legacy Home architecture, you’ll be locked out of your smart home.  So if you’re still using the old Apple Home app, here’s what you need to do before Apple finally drops support.  Make a home hub decision  Still using your iPad as a home hub? As I previously mentioned, the new Apple Home architecture only allows an Apple TV 4K or a HomePod (either the full-sized HomePod or a HomePod mini) to act as a home hub. That means you’ll need to make some tough decisions.  One option is simply to not use a home hub in your Apple Home setup. You’d still be able to control your HomeKit devices while you’re at home, but without a home hub, you’ll lose out-of-home control, and you also won’t be able to share Apple Home control with others or set up Home automations.  The other option is to cough up for a new home hub device. The cheapest way to go is a HomePod mini, which retails for $99 (discounts are relatively rare, but you can occasionally find one in the $80 ballpark). The full-size HomePod costs a lofty $299 but offers upgraded audio performance.  Meanwhile, a new Apple TV 4K starts at $129 for 64GB of storage, while a $149 model doubles the storage to 128GB while adding an ethernet port.  Update your Apple devices  Next, you’ll need to update your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, HomePod, and Apple Watch to at least iOS 16.2. Any apple devices that aren’t updated to iOS 16.2 or better will lose access to an Apple Home environment that’s using the new architecture.  Also, keep in mind that anyone else who wants access to your Apple Home devices will need to update their devices, too.  Update the Apple Home app  Finally, the last step. Open the Home app, tap the More button in the top-right corner (it’s the small circular one with three dots in the middle), tap Home Settings, then Software Update.  Follow the prompts, and voilà—you’ve updated the Home app, meaning you Apple Home is now running on the new architecture. Congrats, and good luck.  The 411 on the Apple Home upgrade Apple’s move to ditch its old Home app has been a long time in coming. The new Apple Home architecture made its debut back in December 2022, bringing with it the promise of “more reliable and efficient” operation of HomeKit-compatible smart home products.  The new Home architecture also landed with a key change—namely, that you could no longer use an iPad as your “home hub.” Instead, you had to switch either to an Apple TV 4K or a HomePod. That’s a key reason why many Apple Home users never switched to the new Home architecture.  Another reason many Home users hesitated to switch was that the transition to the “new” Home architecture was a rocky one. As soon as the revamped architecture arrived as part of iOS 16.2, Home users began reporting a variety of problems, including frozen home hubs and HomeKit devices stuck in an “Updating status” loop.  Apple ultimately pulled the new Home architecture for retooling, before finally reintroducing it in February 2023 with the release of iOS 16.4. I’ve been using the new architecture since its re-release and haven’t had any serious issues.  This news story is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best smart speakers. Read...

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Environment Canterbury says the boat was carrying 2240 litres of marine diesel fuel on board and around 120 litres of other oils in sealed containers and engines combined. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Innovative concept High-quality workmanship and materials 8,000 hertz polling rate Hot-swap sockets (3- and 5-pin) Removable wrist rest Cons High price No dedicated (but switchable) numpad Requires a lot of space Wired only Our Verdict The Corsair Galleon 100 SD is a high-quality, all-in-one gaming keyboard with integrated Stream Deck features, excellent typing performance, and versatile controls, but it’s bulky, wired, and best suited for users who will actually use its many extra functions. Price when reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Corsair Galleon 100 SD Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices With the Galleon 100 SD, Corsair is trying something new: for the first time, a mechanical keyboard integrates Elgato’s Stream Deck technology. The result is a full-size gaming keyboard that replaces the number pad with 12 freely assignable LCD keys, two rotary controls, and a 5-inch display. The concept is aimed at gamers, streamers, and creative professionals alike–in other words, anyone who needs comprehensive control and information at a glance while gaming, producing, or live streaming, without taking their hands off the keyboard. Our test report clarifies whether this innovative hybrid input device lives up to those expectations and justifies its price of $349.99. Friedrich Stiemer Corsair Galleon 100 SD: Design and workmanship At first glance, the Corsair Galleon 100 SD makes a solid impression. The housing is made of milled aluminum (CNC metal) and weighs in at a considerable 3.08 pounds, ensuring that the keyboard sits firmly on the desk. Corsair uses black PBT double-shot keycaps, which promise durability and abrasion-resistant lettering–a quality feature that’s appreciated in professional environments. Visually, the Corsair Galleon 100 SD combines classic gaming elements such as per-key RGB lighting and a discreet light bar (“mood bar”) along the upper edge of the housing with the eye-catching Stream Deck module on the right-hand side. An ergonomic palm rest with memory foam padding attaches magnetically, significantly improving long-term comfort. Corsair’s layout decisions are likely to spark discussion. Where the number pad would normally be located, the Stream Deck unit now takes pride of place, meaning the number pad has been completely omitted. Standard keys such as the arrow and navigation blocks, on the other hand, remain in their usual places. For many gamers, a keyboard without a numpad is nothing unusual, but typists will have to rethink their approach. Although the 12 LCD keys can be assigned as a numeric keypad when needed, for example, for entering numbers in Excel, this remains only a limited substitute for a physical numpad. In addition, some users may find the placement of the macro keys on the right-hand side to be a potential design disadvantage. In the heat of the moment, you have to take your right hand off the mouse to reach them. Standard gaming keyboards tend to place additional macro keys on the left-hand side, where they can be accessed with the keyboard hand. Friedrich Stiemer However, Corsair argues that the Stream Deck keys are integrated “within natural reach” and were designed as part of the keyboard from the outset. In practice, this will depend heavily on the user: right-handed users who use the mouse may find reaching the display keys on the right awkward, while streamers can easily access them with their left hand during breaks. Ultimately, the Corsair Galleon 100 SD impresses with its first-class workmanship and thoughtful design, which doesn’t feel overloaded despite the many extras. Rather, the keyboard stands out as an eye-catching feature on the desk. Corsair Galleon 100 SD: Technology and features The heart of the Corsair Galleon 100 SD is undeniably its full-fledged Stream Deck integration. A total of 12 freely programmable buttons with small LCD displays allow you to trigger complex actions, launch applications, or switch entire profile sets at the touch of a button. Sitting above the 3×4 key matrix is a five-inch (12.7 cm) color display with a resolution of 720×1280 pixels. The mini screen is topped by two multifunctional rotary controls with pressure function, which can be used as volume controls, media control, or creative fine adjustments. This entire control unit is seamlessly embedded in the keyboard, making separate macro pads or external Stream Deck devices virtually redundant. Particularly elegant is the fact that each LCD button adapts in real time to the active application or game, dynamically displaying user-defined icons or text. This effectively turns the buttons into next-generation macro keys, similar to those already familiar from Corsair’s Elgato Stream Deck product lineup. Friedrich Stiemer An entire article could be devoted to the possibilities offered by the Stream Deck keyboard combination. The range of applications is enormous: in games, predefined profiles allow you to trigger special abilities, use inventory shortcuts, or start complex command chains (“multi-actions”) at the touch of a button, without having to open menus or memorize cryptic hotkeys. Ready-made profiles and icons are already available for many popular games in the Elgato Marketplace. But the Galleon module also has a lot to offer beyond gaming: it can be used to control Spotify, operate chats or messengers, and accelerate creative workflows. Meanwhile, the integrated display provides helpful real-time information. For example, system monitoring data such as CPU/GPU load and temperatures, audio levels, or even the weather. Streamers will also appreciate having chat messages, Twitch status, timers, or viewer counts directly on the keyboard in their peripheral vision, eliminating the need to constantly look at a second monitor. Overall, Corsair’s approach is to minimize context switching: all important commands and information should be where “your hands and eyes belong,” namely on the keyboard. Corsair Galleon 100 SD: High-end technology and mechanical switches Of course, all this would be of little value if the basics weren’t done right. But the manufacturer also positions the Corsair Galleon 100 SD as an uncompromising high-end gaming keyboard. Inside, the in-house Axon chip with hyper-polling up to 8,000 hertz is at work, which, according to the manufacturer, forwards inputs to the PC up to eight times faster than standard keyboards with 1,000 hertz. Professional gamers benefit from ultra-low latency and FlashTap SOCD technology, which ensures that when opposite direction keys are pressed simultaneously, the last direction pressed is always prioritized. In plain terms, this allows for more precise movement such as lightning-fast counter-straffing in shooters without inputs blocking each other. N-key rollover with 100 percent anti-ghosting is also included, ensuring that any number of simultaneous keystrokes are reliably recognized. Friedrich Stiemer Corsair uses MLX Pulse switches. These linear mechanical switches actuate after just two millimeters and require only about 45 grams of force, giving them as a smooth feel similar to Cherry MX Red switches–exciting for enthusiasts! The switches are pre-lubricated from the factor, ensuring a smooth typing experience without scratchiness. They are also designed to offer a deliberately “thocky” sound profile, i.e. a rich, duller keystroke instead of the usual high-pitched click. To further suppress annoying ping noises, the entire key matrix rests on gaskets and six layers of sound-absorbing foam. In practice, this results in an extremely high-quality typing experience: each keystroke sounds muffled and full, while the keyboard remains highly responsive. Friedrich Stiemer Those who prefer to use their own switches in the Corsair Galleon 100 SD can swap the MLX Pulse for other 3- or 5-pin switches at any time thanks to hot-swap sockets – Corsair has also thought of the DIY community here. The technical features are rounded off by a detachable, sleeved USB-C cable (1.8 meters) and a USB pass-through port in the form of an easily accessible USB-C socket on the keyboard. This allows you to conveniently connect a headset, gamepad, or USB stick to the front without having to crawl under your desk. However, the Galleon 100 SD is a purely wired gaming keyboard. Given the power-hungry displays and 8 kHz technology, Corsair has consistently opted against wireless, which we find understandable for this device concept. Friedrich Stiemer Corsair Galleon 100 SD: Software As innovative as the hardware is, the software approach of the Corsair Galleon 100 SD is equally unusual. Surprisingly, the keyboard does not support the usual Corsair iCUE software; instead, two alternative solutions are employed. Corsair has developed a new web application called “Corsair Web Hub” for all classic keyboard functions (lighting, macros, profiles, polling rate, etc.). This is a browser-based configuration tool that requires no installation and accesses the keyboard directly when needed. Changes to lighting or key assignments are set via the web interface and then stored on the Galleon’s 8-megabyte onboard memory. The advantage? No permanent background software is required after setup. Web Hub can be closed, yet the settings remain in the device and even continue to function on another PC. We were able to easily adjust the RGB color for each key in Web Hub, define effects, and deactivate the Windows key in game mode. Macro recording and special features, such as the FlashTap SOCD settings, can also be adjusted through the Hub. Corsair’s approach of conserving system resources while still allowing extensive personalization is fundamentally commendable. Friedrich Stiemer The downside is that Elgato’s Stream Deck app must be running in parallel for the Stream Deck functions to work. The LCD buttons and display are configured entirely via the established Stream Deck software, including drag-and-drop assignment of actions, installation of plug-ins from the Marketplace, and management of profile pages. In principle, Galleon owners get the same powerful range of functions here as with a separate Stream Deck. However, the separation of the software is likely to be a thorn in the side of many Corsair fans: the recently released Corsair Vanguard keyboard (which pursued a similar special concept) was already criticized for fragmenting Corsair’s ecosystem. Users note that it’s “stupid to have to install a second piece of software just for the display.” Others ask in frustration whether Corsair is giving up on iCUE, as this is now the second product to be released without iCUE support. The fact remains that lighting synchronization or central control with other Corsair devices via iCUE is not possible with the Galleon 100 SD. If you want to control your Corsair mouse, headset, or PC lighting in sync with your keyboard, separate solutions must be used for the time being. Corsair could address this shortcoming in the future by integrating the systems more closely. For example, an iCUE plug-in that displays basic information on the keyboard display, similar to what the external iCUE Nexus display offers, would be desirable. Friedrich Stiemer On a positive note, Corsair does not require a user account or cloud access thanks to Web Hub. The settings remain local and the tool is very resource-efficient. Streamers and power users will appreciate the established Stream Deck software workflow anyway, as it offers an unrivalled range of options in its category such as plug-ins for Twitch, OBS Studio, YouTube, Discord, Philips Hue, and many other apps. In everyday use, however, this means that the Corsair Galleon 100 SD requires some initial configuration effort, as two interfaces have to be used. But once you’ve set up your profiles and settings, everything runs reliably. Thanks to onboard memory, the keyboard even starts in hardware mode with a basic profile on a foreign computer, and the Stream Deck app can automatically load profiles as needed once it’s running. Overall, Corsair’s software strategy for the Galleon 100 SD is unconventional, but it reflects the company’s focus on delivering performance without unnecessary overhead and on leveraging proven software (Elgato) rather than pushing iCUE onto the new hybrid concept. Corsair Galleon 100 SD: Gaming, streaming, and productivity In everyday use, the Corsair Galleon 100 SD proves to be a real all-rounder. For gamers, it offers everything you would expect from a modern premium keyboard: precise, responsive keystrokes, no ghosting or input lag, and, thanks to its solid construction, a stable foundation even when gameplay gets intense. The new features fit surprisingly organically into the gameplay. Take MMORPGs or MOBAs, for example: instead of memorizing complex keyboard shortcuts, you can simply assign potions, skill combos, or chat messages to the LCD keys and see the corresponding icon at a glance. Ready-made profile presets for many games make it easy to get started–for instance, you can operate instrument buttons in Flight Simulator or purchase equipment kits in Counter-Strike at the touch of a button without leaving the main game. We immediately triggered healing in a battle royale game using the Stream Deck button, giving us a slight time advantage by bypassing the inventory menu. Switching between game-specific lighting profiles (such as highlighting the WASD keys) also worked flawlessly via Web Hub and was clearly indicated on the display. Friedrich Stiemer The strengths are even more evident in everyday streaming. Here, the Corsair Galleon 100 SD transforms into a full-fledged studio deck: press two or three buttons, and the intro sequence starts, the microphone goes live, and the facecam fades in. During the stream, you can use the controls to mix the sound or switch between scenes without ever moving your fingers far from WASD or the chat keyboard. The small display is especially helpful, allowing us to constantly keep an eye on our live chat and viewer numbers. This made it easy to notice new questions in the chat and respond without taking our eyes off the game. Another practical feature: system resource indicators on the keyboard informed us if GPU usage became critical while streaming. A quick glance was all it took. For streamers who frequently switch between the game and streaming tools with Alt-Tab, the Corsair Galleon 100 SD provides noticeable relief and saves time. Everything is at your fingertips, as the keyboard becomes the command center for the entire live session. But the Galleon 100 SD also shines in productive workflows. In video and image editing programs, for example, we assigned important shortcuts to the LCD keys: a single press could control tools in Photoshop or start an export process in Adobe Premiere, among other things. The rotary knobs are ideal for continuous zooming on timelines or scrolling through long documents. If you make a lot of calls from your home office, a key can be assigned to mute your microphone in Teams or Zoom, with a red status indicator on the LCD key. Friedrich Stiemer For music lovers and frequent listeners, the Corsair Galleon 100 SD offers complete media control: skip tracks, fine-tune the volume, play and pause–all without reaching for the mouse. Even classic office users benefit. A Stream Deck plug-in, for example, can be used to execute predefined macros in Excel at the touch of a button or to control presentations in PowerPoint. In short, the Corsair Galleon 100 SD can increase productivity if you’re willing to adapt your working environment a little. Of course, there are also use cases where the Galleon concept reaches its limits. For example, anyone who spends hours every day hammering away at columns of numbers in spreadsheets will miss the real number pad, as the virtual number keys are only a makeshift solution here since you first have to switch to a suitable profile. In addition, it takes a little getting used to at first to exploit the full potential of the many extra control options. However, once you have set up your personal workflow, many things are much smoother than with separate devices or pure software control. In the test run, after a short time we couldn’t work without the additional displays and buttons, because you quickly get used to the luxury of having everything under control. The typing and writing performance of the Corsair Galleon 100 SD itself is excellent. The MLX switches feel linear and very smooth; thanks to the factory lubrication, there is no scratching or jumping. The muffled typing noise is striking: a rich “thock” with every keystroke, far removed from the sharp click of a blue switch or the hollow echo of some cheaper keyboards. Colleagues in the room found typing on it to be much more pleasant than on conventional gaming keyboards. Corsair’s efforts with seals and foam have paid off here. At the same time, we also registered every keystroke precisely, even in hectic gaming situations, no matter how fast the inputs were. The extremely high polling rate of 8,000 hertz may hardly be noticeable to the average player, but in combination with the robust construction, the keyboard feels absolutely direct and responsive at all times, which is a decisive factor for e-sports players and demanding gamers. Friedrich Stiemer Corsair Galleon 100 SD: Criticisms As impressive as the Corsair Galleon 100 SD is in terms of features and performance, there are a few points of criticism that cannot be ignored. Firstly, the price: $349.99 is a hefty sum for a keyboard. Objectively speaking, you do get two devices in one, i.e. a professional keyboard plus a Stream Deck, but the investment needs to be carefully considered. In fact, for the same money, you could buy a separate high-end keyboard and a larger Stream Deck (such as the Stream Deck XL with 32 keys) and still have some money leftover. The Corsair Galleon 100 SD is therefore clearly aimed at enthusiasts who appreciate the added value of integration and are willing to dig deep into their pockets for it. For casual gamers without streaming ambitions, the price-performance ratio is rather unfavorable, as they would leave many features unused. Secondly, the software situation: as described, Corsair is currently forcing users to use a dual setup consisting of Web Hub and the Stream Deck app. This means more configuration effort and potentially two applications running in parallel. Compared to the familiar “everything under one roof” philosophy of iCUE, this is a step backwards in terms of convenience and ecosystem. Those who already own several Corsair devices in particular will miss having centralized control. Although the setup runs stably in testing, the fragmentation remains a drawback. Especially since Corsair itself initially relied on Web Hub only for the Vanguard keyboard series and only later promised iCUE support. They could have learned from past feedback here. On a positive note, however, Corsair is taking an interesting approach with its resource-saving web configurator, which may even be more attractive to purists than the iCUE software, which is often criticized for being bloated. Friedrich Stiemer Thirdly, the lack of a wireless option. While technically understandable, the absence of wireless functionality could be a drawback for some users. In an age where even many high-end keyboards offer Bluetooth, the Corsair Galleon 100 SD is strictly tied to its USB cable. This may not be a problem on a desk with a stationary PC–on the contrary, the fixed connections (including the USB hub) have their advantages. But anyone hoping to position the keyboard more flexibly or switch quickly between multiple devices will always need to reconnect the cable. Fourthly, the space requirement. Despite the omission of the numpad, the Galleon 100 SD isn’t a space saver. Its width is roughly the same as a standard full-size keyboard, as the Stream Deck module occupies the space that would otherwise be freed up. The palm rest, combined with the height added by the display and controls, further contributes to the keyboard’s overall profile. In cramped setups, the keyboard could feel a bit bulky, though the palm rest can be removed if space is limited. Weighing 3.08 pounds, the keyboard doesn’t budge on the desk, but its heft makes it far from travel-friendly. LAN party goers, in particular, may hesitate to carry this battleship. Friedrich Stiemer Fifthly, the concept itself. As ingenious as the idea of an “all-in-one” input solution is, it’s aimed at a very specific target group. After all, a Stream Deck, whether separate or integrated, only makes sense if you actually use it. If you’re not interested in automating processes or optimizing your streaming or work setup with macros, you’ll be paying a lot for buttons and functions that may go unused. Not everyone will make full use of the keyboard’s expensive array of features in everyday life. That said, this risk is inherent to any specialized tool. Corsair at least provides everything you need to reap long-term benefits, including a large community of existing profiles and plug-ins. Read...