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...

TL;DR: Visual Studio Professional 2026 delivers AI-assisted coding, cross-platform development, and real-time collaboration for $49.99 instead of the $499.99 MSRP. Every developer eventually hits the same wall at some point: lightweight editors are great — until the project stops being lightweight. Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 is currently on sale for a one-time $49.99 (MSRP $499.99) and can help streamline your work. This version leans heavily into modern workflows. It’s fully 64-bit, meaning large solutions and multi-project builds don’t grind your system to a halt. You can build Windows, Linux, web, and mobile apps from one environment using .NET MAUI, Blazor, C++, and containers without bouncing between tools. The AI features are the real time-savers. IntelliCode understands your codebase and suggests entire lines or blocks based on context, while built-in refactoring catches issues before they become bugs you spend your weekend debugging. Then there’s Live Share — teammates can jump into your running code session instantly without cloning repos or recreating environments. It turns debugging from a meeting into a shared workspace. In short: fewer plugins, fewer workarounds, fewer interruptions. Get Microsoft Visual Studio Pro 2026 on sale for $49.99 (MSRP $499.99). Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Read...

A handy little utility should be dropping on your Windows PC soon: a built-in speed test, compliments of a small feature update that Microsoft should be rolling out in the next couple of weeks. Microsoft has scheduled a “gradual” rollout of a number of features as part of its Release Preview builds for Windows 11 25H2 and 24H2, as detailed in the company’s blog post. The new Windows 11 features aren’t revolutionary, but include new emoji, tweaks to the recovery process, and so on. The speed test, though, is a personal favorite. Although there are a few speed tests available for you to try, including Ookla and Comcast, Microsoft has a built-in speed test that you can simply search for in Edge and Bing, and it shows up right in your browser. A “speed test” simply shows you what download and upload speeds your PC is achieving at that point in time, as well as your ping — and you can compare them to what plan your ISP is selling you to assess whether you need to give them a call, or adjust your router settings. One of the fun things that you can do if you’re home during a workday is compare your download speeds at, say, 11 AM, versus what the speeds are when the neighborhood arrives home from work at 5 PM. Microsoft isn’t making the new speed test easy to find, however. You can either access it via the Wi-Fi or Cellular Quick Settings, or by simply clicking the network icon on the system tray. At that point, Windows will simply open up the default Web browser and presumably will load the same screen as you see above. It’s a handy little feature, even if it’s just essentially an HTML pointer to a Web page. (The Xbox also has a speed test built into it, which appears to run natively on the console.) It’s also been quietly worked on for some time, as this new speed test feature leaked out late last year in another, earlier preview build. Note that Windows won’t do this automatically. You’ll need to manually click the icon and launch the test. (Given that Microsoft already reports your system specs as “cards” in the Windows settings, should it periodically poll the speed test and report that as well? Remember, there’s a Feedback Hub app within Windows to add these types of suggestions.) Since this is being rolled out in Release Preview, you’ll likely see it as early as in the next few weeks. Given that it’s a “gradual” rollout, though, it may take some time. Your best bet is to occasionally click on the network icon on your PC’s taskbar to see if it installs. Read...

What’s the best gaming laptop you can get for under $600? Normally, you’d be looking at tight specs and cut corners that result in a weak machine that’s barely capable of anything. Today, you can get an Acer Nitro V for just $579 thanks to a massive $350 discount at Walmart. You’ll agree this is a superb deal once you see its specs. Powered by an Intel Core i5-13420H processor, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 512GB SSD, this laptop may not blow you away with top-tier hardware and cutting-edge performance, but that’s plenty impressive in this budget-plus price range. And it’s all capped off with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5050 graphics card, which might be an entry-level GPU but it’s still a dedicated card and it supports features like ray tracing, upscaling, and multi-frame generation. It’s more than enough for modest gaming. Everything else is pretty standard, which is more than you can ask for in a sub-$600 laptop with such internals. I’m talking about a gorgeous 15.6-inch IPS screen at 1080p for crisp images and a 165Hz refresh rate for fluid visuals, plus Thunderbolt 4 and triple USB-A ports for connectivity. Battery life is passable at a stated 12 hours (so expect about half that), and the plastic chassis is no surprise. Weighing 4.63 pounds and measuring 0.79 inches thick, it’s reasonably portable. The Acer Nitro V is “old faithful” when it comes to budget-friendly gaming laptops, and it’s an absolute score with this discount. Get it now for $579 before this Walmart deal is fully snatched up! If you sadly miss out on this deal, check out our picks for the best gaming laptops under $1,000. Acer Nitro V with RTX 5050 for just $579? What a bargain!Buy now at Walmart Read...

Ring’s been in damage-control mode ever since its now-infamous “lost dog” Super Bowl ad, furiously spinning the sinister imagery of digital “bounding boxes” locking in on a wayward pooch and a simulated aerial view of dozens of homes scanning the neighborhood.  Rather than giving off warm fuzzies—your Ring camera can help find lost dogs!—the Super Bowl ad gave off serious “big brother” vibes to many viewers. Fresh memories of the ICE raids in Minneapolis along with Ring’s planned partnership with Flock, a network of security cameras with ties to ICE, didn’t help, nor did the Nancy Guthrie case, where law enforcement officials teased videos from the missing woman’s Nest camera even though the cam didn’t have an active subscription.  Adding fuel to the fire is word of a leaked email from Ring founder Jamie Siminoff in which he implies that Search Party’s functionality may eventually extend beyond just dogs, although it’s not clear whether he meant people or something else. “I believe that the foundation we created with Search Party, first for finding dogs, will end up becoming one of the most important pieces of tech and innovation to truly unlock the impact of our mission,” Siminoff reportedly wrote in the email, adding that “you can now see a future where we are able to zero out crime in neighborhoods.” Ring has previously said that Search Party may soon work with cats and other pets.  All those circumstances created a “perfect storm,” Ring’s founder says, leaving the company on the defensive about its most powerful AI-enabled features.  But while Ring has backtracked on its nascent Flock deal (Ring says the partnership was never actually implemented, and denied that any Ring videos were ever shared with ICE), it’s doubling down on Search Party, with The New York Times reporting that the brand “would move forward” with the feature. Speaking with the Times, Ring founder Jamie Siminoff admitted that the Super Bowl image of the dog-scanning houses “triggered” many viewers. But he also argued that the ubiquity of Ring cameras is “not just like mass surveillance,” noting that “you get to choose what you want to do with your individual home.”  A Ring “Search Party” can be triggered by anyone with a lost dog who registered the missing pet using the Ring app. (The feature only works with dogs for now.) Once a Search Party is initiated, nearby Ring cameras that are participating in the feature will start keeping an eye out for the lost dog, using AI to help make a match.  If a Ring camera does catch sight of a missing pooch, it will notify the camera’s owner, who then has the option to share—or not to share—the images with the dog’s owner.  While Ring users don’t have to share Search Party videos if they don’t want to, Search Party functionality is enabled by default on their outdoor (not indoor) Ring cameras, a fact that I’ve previously written about. Read...

It’s time to make your house just a tiny bit smarter and safer! Give yourself peace of mind whenever you leave for work, fun, or vacation—by being able to check in on a live home video feed from anywhere right on your phone. Home security cams are priceless these days. And right now, you can get one that’s super-easy to use at an incredibly reasonable price for all the features it has, including solar-powered battery. I’m talking about the Tapo MagCam 4K outdoor security cam, which is now just $100 on Amazon (was $150) with this crazy 33% discount. That’s an all-time low price! There are so many things to love about this camera, starting with the fact that it’s entirely wireless: it effortlessly connects to your home Wi-Fi network and it runs on built-in battery power with a solar panel for day-to-day charging. That battery can work for up to 200 days on a single charge, so you won’t have to worry about rainy weeks. The solar panel can be mounted up to 13 feet away for optimal positioning. Speaking of mounting, this thing is super easy to install thanks to its magnetic base. You can mount it on any metallic surface without drilling any holes or screwing any screws. Change your mind and want to move it? Just pop it off and pop it on to another surface. The camera itself is also ultra-high-def with 4K resolution, recording sharp images and fine details. The highly sensitive starlight sensor means it can capture in full-color night vision, and the integrated spotlights help provide extra light when needed. Other nice features include an IP66 weatherproof rating, advanced AI detection of people/vehicles/pets, and local storage on microSD cards up to 512GB. No paid subscription needed for this camera, unless you want optional cloud storage. That alone makes this worth every penny! Grab the Tapo MagCam 4K for $100 before this Amazon deal is gone. This solar-powered 4K outdoor security cam hits a new low priceBuy now at Amazon Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Excellent typing feel (“thocky”) First-class workmanship High-quality, factory-lubricated switches and stabilizers Hot-swap compatible Flexible tri-mode connectivity Long battery life Removable wrist rest Cons Very high price Armoury Crate software sluggish and prone to errors OLED display with little practical added value Limited programmability (no free FN layers) Our Verdict All in all, we highly recommend the Asus ROG Azoth X. It is aimed at advanced users who are willing to invest a little more to get an “all-inclusive package” and who may already be curious about custom features without diving completely into the world of custom keyboards. In this sense, the Azoth is a successful bridge: a ready-made brand-name keyboard that offers the feel and acoustics of a DIY project. If you can overlook the high price and the weaknesses of the software, you will thoroughly enjoy using the Asus ROG Azoth X on a daily basis. Price when reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Asus ROG Azoth X Retailer Price $199.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket With the Asus ROG Azoth X, the Taiwanese manufacturer is venturing into the world of custom gaming keyboards and presenting a high-end 75% wireless keyboard. It’s clear at first glance that this is no run-of-the-mill keyboard, but a compact luxury typewriter with an OLED display, rotary wheel and individually replaceable switches. Our Moonlight White version is particularly striking: an elegant white and silver design with a few contrasting black keys that will impress even die-hard enthusiasts. In this detailed practical test, we clarify whether the Asus ROG Azoth shines just as brightly in everyday use as it does in the display case and whether Asus can actually keep up with the boutique brands. By the way, you can find even more recommended models in our comparison test of gaming keyboards. The Asus ROG Azoth X – especially in the stylish white edition – proves to be an all-round impressive package for enthusiasts with deep pockets. Friedrich Stiemer Asus ROG Azoth X: Design Despite its compact 75% layout, the Asus ROG Azoth X weighs in at an astonishing 1.2 kilograms (326 x 136 x 40 millimetres), giving it a high-quality and robust feel. Asus achieves this with a metal frame (elegant silver on the white version) and an extremely sturdy plastic base. The plastic base is necessary to avoid interfering with wireless performance. However, this does not detract from the torsional rigidity. Everything fits perfectly, nothing creaks. Most of the keycaps are made of durable, high-quality PBT plastic using a double-shot moulding process, which means that wear and tear is hardly an issue even after prolonged use. In the white model, the keycaps are mostly white with a few black accents (such as on the arrow keys and the Esc key), which gives the board a distinctive look. The lettering is clearly visible, and all secondary functions (FN functions) are discreetly printed on the front of the caps. The caps have a slightly concave surface and a medium-height design, similar to the Cherry profile. In our tests, this resulted in a pleasant typing experience. Only the texture of the keycaps could be more grippy. Some may find them a little slippery, but in practice this does not affect typing accuracy or grip. On the plus side, thanks to PBT, fingerprints and greasy smudges are virtually non-existent. Friedrich Stiemer A 2-inch OLED display sits enthroned in the upper right corner of the Asus ROG Azoth X, flanked by a three-way rotary switch with a pressure function. This mini grayscale display serves as a versatile information center: It displays the battery level, volume, active profiles and even live system data (such as CPU temperature or utilization) and can be customized with individual animations. It’s conveniently controlled via the rotary wheel, which can be used to adjust the volume, lighting brightness or music playback, for example. In everyday use, the OLED panel proves to be a nice extra with a high coolness factor, but its practical use is rather limited. Many functions are displayed on the PC monitor anyway, and while an easily readable battery level or a funny GIF are nice, you don’t really need the display. We find the screen eye-catching and versatile, and those who enjoy personalization will appreciate it. Friedrich Stiemer The underside of the Asus ROG Azoth X reveals a slide switch for switching between 2.4 GHz operation, Bluetooth and cable mode, as well as a hidden compartment for the USB receiver. Two fold-out feet with two height settings allow you to adjust the typing angle. A palm rest was conspicuously absent from the first Azoth version. Fortunately, the Asus ROG Azoth X we tested comes with a high-quality palm rest made of soft silicone. This pad is pleasantly non-slip and noticeably relieves strain on the wrists, which is particularly welcome given the case height of four centimeters (without the fold-out feet). Friedrich Stiemer Speaking of what’s included in the box: the manufacturer provides the Asus ROG Azoth X with a whole host of accessories. In addition to the keyboard and pad, the box contains a two-meter USB-C-to-A cable (sleeved and robust), a USB extension adapter for the dongle, and tools for ambitious hobbyists. A keycap and switch puller are included – but you’ll have to do without the DIY lubrication kit that comes with the non-X version. Three additional ROG NX switches and a replacement CTRL keycap round off the package. This generous range of accessories underlines the DIY approach of the Asus ROG Azoth X: even without any modding experience of your own, you can get started right away and try out other switches, for example. Friedrich Stiemer Asus ROG Azoth X: Typing When it comes to typing, the Asus ROG Azoth X puts on a performance that will amaze many a keyboard nerd. Asus has dug deep into its bag of custom tricks: the switches are housed in a gasket mount design, meaning that the top plate (PCB) is surrounded by silicone buffers to minimize typing noise and vibrations. In addition, four layers of damping foam and silicone pads are used. The result is impressive: background noise or clattering? Not a chance! Every keystroke feels satisfying and precise, nothing wobbles or echoes. Even the large keys (space bar, return, shift) are completely clatter-free and stable thanks to generously lubricated stabilizers. The springs in the switches do not cause a metallic “ping” or scratching sound. All that remains is a muffled, pleasant clicking sound that is pleasing to the ear and acceptable in terms of volume even in quiet office environments. Until now, we’ve only seen this in elaborately modded custom keyboards. Friedrich Stiemer The test sample comes with Asus’s own “ROG NX Snow V2” switches: linear switches that are installed in the white version ex works. These are basically the same as the NX Red (linear), but are milky white in color and, according to Asus, have been fine-tuned for a particularly “clean” and rich sound. Technically, they have a short actuation distance of 1.8 millimeters with an initial force of 40 grams and a bottom-out resistance of around 53 grams. This is slightly lighter than classic Cherry MX Reds and enables very smooth, fast input. In fact, the pre-lubricated NX Snow V2s feel extremely smooth: no bouncing, no scratching, just pure linearity. In heated gameplay, the Asus ROG Azoth X registers commands without delay; the 1000-hertz polling rate in 2.4 GHz operation and N-key rollover ensure reliable, lag-free input. Even during hectic FPS battles or MOBA clicking, the wireless gaming keyboard proved to be responsive and precise. In this respect, it is in no way inferior to classic gaming keyboards. Friedrich Stiemer If you don’t like the pressure point of the included switches, that’s no problem: the Asus ROG Azoth X supports hot-swapping for 3- and 5-pin switches, so you can swap any switch for your preferred model during operation. In our test, we tentatively replaced some of the ROG NX Snow V2 switches with tactile models – thanks to the included tool, this was quick and easy, and the keyboard continued to function without a hitch. Friedrich Stiemer Another highlight is the specially tuned, lubricated stabilisers on the larger keys. They come from the factory with sufficient lubricant, preventing the usual rattling of the space bar and other keys. In our test, the space bar was one of the best we have ever experienced on a pre-built keyboard: firm and yet buttery smooth to the touch. Here you can clearly see the influence of the custom keyboard community that Asus has incorporated into the Azoth X. Friedrich Stiemer But how does it feel to type on overall? In short: excellent. The combination of springy gasket mounts and dampened switches results in a slightly springy typing feel: just enough flex for comfort without feeling spongy. Long typing sessions (such as writing this review) are a breeze. Even “counter-testers” in the editorial office noticed the difference. With the standard NX Snow V2, the keystroke is relatively light. Those coming from heavier or tactile switches may need a little time to adjust. But this is exactly where the Asus ROG Azoth X shows its strength, because switching to heavier Kailh Box White (clicky) or other switches takes just a few minutes. After that, the keyboard once again provides feedback that is perfect for your individual taste. In all cases, the typing noise remains pleasantly low thanks to the insulation. In short: right out of the box, the Asus ROG Azoth X offers a top-class typing experience that is hardly reminiscent of an “off-the-shelf keyboard”. Friedrich Stiemer Asus ROG Azoth X: Connectivity and battery life A premium keyboard is of little use if it constantly fails. But here, too, the Asus ROG Azoth X scores highly. The wireless connection via the 2.4 GHz USB dongle (manufacturer’s designation: “Asus SpeedNova”) runs absolutely smoothly and stably. There were no connection interruptions during our test period. Alternatively, Bluetooth 5.1 can also be used, for example, to pair the keyboard with up to three devices and switch quickly between them using the Fn key. Practical for multi-device users: with a single keystroke, the Asus ROG Azoth X jumps from your PC to your laptop or tablet. Of course, the keyboard can also be operated in the traditional way via a USB-C cable or simply continue to be used while charging. A switch on the back allows you to choose between Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz or cable operation. The Asus ROG Azoth X even comes with the ROG Omni Receiver, which allows a single dongle to control both the Azoth X and a compatible Asus ROG mouse at the same time. This frees up one USB port. Friedrich Stiemer The Azoth’s battery life is simply phenomenal. Asus has installed a generous 4,000 mAh battery, which gives the keyboard marathon running times. In Bluetooth mode without lighting, we achieved well over 2,000 hours (that’s over 80 days!) of runtime on a single charge. In 2.4 GHz mode, Asus also specifies around 2,000 hours without RGB/OLED. We cannot verify this information due to a lack of long-term testing, but it seems plausible. If you switch on the RGB lighting, the battery life still drops to around 130 hours. If you activate OLED and RGB at the same time, you can expect around 62 hours of continuous operation before you need to recharge. In our mixed practical use (alternating between work and gaming, moderate lighting, occasional OLED info display active), we only had to reconnect the charging cable after more than six weeks. This is a simply outstanding value. This makes the Asus ROG Azoth X perfect for LAN parties or for working on the go without having to constantly think about charging. Incidentally, charging is done via USB-C; a full charge takes a good six hours, but thanks to the aforementioned runtimes, this is a rather rare ritual. Friedrich Stiemer Asus ROG Azoth X: Software and OLED control As sophisticated as the hardware and features of the Asus ROG Azoth X are, Asus unfortunately slips up when it comes to software – and this is a recurring theme. Like almost all ROG peripherals, the Azoth X relies on the in-house management software Armoury Crate, which has an extremely dubious reputation. Our test confirmed this: the program is bulky and takes ages to load, it’s overloaded with functions and its design is confusing. Every setting for the keyboard has to be found in some submenu and it isn’t always the most intuitive to locate. Even more serious: the stability and reliability of the software left a lot to be desired in our test run. There were regular crashes, frozen menus or error messages when attempting to install firmware updates for the keyboard. In some cases, Armoury Crate did not recognize our Azoth X correctly or failed in the middle of the update process. Only after several attempts and PC restarts was it possible to update the firmware, which was extremely frustrating. Such problems should not occur with a keyboard this expensive. Friedrich Stiemer The good news is that many of the core functions of the Asus ROG Azoth X can be used without any software at all. Asus has equipped the keyboard with a number of on-the-fly options: FN combinations can be used to switch profiles, record macros, change lighting modes and brightness, or toggle Windows key lock mode and N-key rollover, among other things. In combination with the OLED display and the rotary knob, most of the settings can actually be adjusted directly on the keyboard. Here’s an example: Pressing and holding the wheel opens a menu in the OLED where you can change settings such as RGB brightness, effects or system info display by turning the wheel, without any software at all. For many users, this means that they won’t need to install Armoury Crate at all, or only once to perform any firmware updates. In fact, there is even a web-based version called “Gear Link” that is significantly less cumbersome. This is a good alternative to the sluggish Armoury Crate, which does not require installation. We hope that Asus will continue to optimize Armoury Crate, or even provide official QMK/VIA support for the Azoth X in the future, which many enthusiasts would welcome. Friedrich Stiemer Another minor drawback for power users: the Asus ROG Azoth X only allows simple assignments. The FN level (secondary assignments) is fixed and cannot be reprogrammed. Compared to genuine custom solutions with completely freely assignable layers (e.g. thanks to QMK), this is a limitation that may not matter to 99 percent of normal users, but is relevant for absolute keyboard professionals. Nevertheless, the software’s range of functions is sufficient for the target group of demanding gamers and occasional modders. You can reassign all the main keys as desired, assign macros, configure extensive RGB effects and personalize the OLED display (e.g. text, system monitor or animations). Once Armoury Crate is running, it works reliably – it’s just that getting there can be a bit bumpy. Friedrich Stiemer Is the Asus ROG Azoth X worth it? The Asus ROG Azoth X – especially in the stylish white edition – proves to be an all-round impressive package for enthusiasts with deep pockets. The workmanship is first-class, the materials are high-quality and the typing and sound quality significantly surpasses typical gaming keyboards. Rarely has a pre-built keyboard reminded us so much of a lovingly tuned custom keyboard. From the very first keystroke, everything feels “smooth” and well thought out: lubricated switches, insulated housing, discreet acoustics, long battery life. Asus has thought of almost everything. Added to this are useful extras such as the handy OLED display, hot-swap support and flexible tri-mode connectivity (USB, Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz). Of course, such luxury comes at a price: Asus currently charges around $300 for the keyboard. This makes the Azoth X one of the most expensive keyboards on the market. The price-performance ratio is therefore moderate, as there are niche brands that offer similar features without OLED for significantly less. But to be fair, if you compare the Azoth X with a custom-built keyboard (e.g. GMMK Pro, Keychron Q1 including switches, keycaps, wireless mod, etc.), the price becomes more relative. The Asus ROG Azoth X delivers near-perfect tuning straight out of the box and saves hours of tinkering – you’ll pay for this convenience though. For many enthusiasts, this is likely to be an attractive option, provided their budget allows.Apart from the price, there are only a few points of criticism, but they are significant: First and foremost, the Armoury Crate software lags behind the overall high-quality hardware and urgently needs improvement. Secondly, the OLED display is stylish, but in everyday use it’s more of a gimmick – those who can do without it will find cheaper alternatives without a screen that perform just as well. And thirdly, with its 75% layout, the Azoth is not designed for users who need a numeric keypad – but that is in the nature of things and not the fault of the product itself. The overall package though is impressive and is aimed at demanding users who are looking for a pre-configured yet modular keyboard. This is a recommended option, especially for those who want to enter the world of DIY mechanical keyboards without having to solder and screw things together themselves. Even seasoned custom keyboard fans are likely to recognize that Asus has done a lot of things right. Read...

Google is updating how links are displayed in Search’s AI results, making them clearer and more prominent, reports The Verge. According to a social media post by Robby Stein, Vice President of Google Search, internal testing shows that the new AI results interface makes it easier for users to find content on the web. New on Search: In AI Overviews and AI Mode, groups of links will automatically appear in a pop-up as you hover over them on desktop, so you can jump right into a website to learn more. And we’ll show more descriptive and prominent link icons within the response across both… pic.twitter.com/VUTtHUCwgG— Robby Stein (@rmstein) February 17, 2026 The change comes in the wake of heavy criticism levied against Google’s AI Overviews and AI Mode, which allegedly have had a negative impact on traffic to news sites, blogs, and other web publishers. Also, the European Commission has reviewed the company’s AI search features, including how content from publishers is used in AI responses and whether that content is scraped without reasonable compensation. With the coming changes, a list of sources will now appear in a pop-up window when users hover their mouse pointer over a cited source in AI Overviews or AI Mode, at least on desktop PCs. A short description of the article and an accompanying image will be displayed. At the same time, Google is introducing more visible and descriptive link icons in its AI responses, both on PCs and mobile devices. Read...

TL;DR: Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business brings AI features, faster performance, and real collaboration tools for a one-time $99.97 payment (MSRP $249.99). Subscriptions make sense for streaming — less so for writing a document. That’s the appeal of Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for $99.97: modern productivity software without permanent monthly rent. This is Microsoft’s most up-to-date standalone suite, and it shows. Word now offers AI-powered suggestions and distraction-free Focus Mode, Excel handles large datasets faster with dynamic arrays and AI insights, and PowerPoint lets you record presentations with voice, video, and captions built in — ideal for remote work or school. Outlook also gets smarter with improved accessibility checks and search, while the refreshed Fluent design makes every app feel consistent, whether you’re on Mac or PC. Unlike web-only alternatives, everything installs locally. That means full offline access and faster performance. You get real collaboration tools too — co-authoring, comments, version history, and Teams integration — but without tying your productivity to an ongoing subscription. The result is familiar apps, modern features, and long-term ownership (with no ongoing fees). Get lifetime access to Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for $99.97 (MSRP $249.99) for a little while longer. Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC Lifetime LicenseSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Read...

Powered by Blink’s custom silicon chip technology, outdoor 2K+ offers a host of leading features and efficiency, while maintaining up to two-years battery life. Read...