#### At a glance ### Expert's Rating ### Pros * Very comfortable to wear * Good, detailed stereo sound with strong localization * Simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connection * Wide compatibility (PC, PS5, Xbox, Switch, mobile) * Long battery life with quick-charging function * Intuitive operation * Extensive software ### Cons * Microphone sounds tinny and not very natural * Wide USB dongle blocks neighboring connections * Slight high-frequency sharpness in the standard sound (can be corrected via EQ) ### Our Verdict The Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 delivers a headset that’s comfortable, sounds precise, runs forever, and switches effortlessly between PC, Console, and mobile phone. The dual wireless function is not only practical, but a truly unique selling point in this price range. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today ### Best Prices Today: Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 Retailer Price Steeleseries $199.99 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket The Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 presents itself as a versatile mid-range gaming headset that wants to shine on the PC as well as on consoles and mobile devices. This is the second generation of the popular Arctis Nova 7, with Steelseries building on proven strengths and making targeted improvements. Even on paper, the technical specifications are impressive: 40-millimetre neodymium drivers, dual wireless (2.4GHz dongle and Bluetooth 5.3) with simultaneous function, over 50 hours of battery life, broad platform support, and a comfort-oriented design. This review clarifies whether the Nova 7 Gen 2 can earn these praises in the practical test, and where its weaknesses lie. ## Design and wearing comfort On the outside, Steelseries remains true to its line: The Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 relies on the classic Steelseries design with matte-black plastic and a sleek look. The metal frame in the headband provides stability, while an elasticated spring band (in the style of ski goggles) distributes the contact pressure. This combination — Steelseries calls it the “ComfortMax” system — ensures a first-class fit without pressure points. In the test, the wearing comfort actually proves to be outstanding: Several hours of continuous use are no problem, the headset remains comfortable and secure on the head. Weighing around 11.4 ounces (325 grams), it is not ultra-light, but thanks to the good weight distribution it does not feel too heavy. Friedrich Stiemer The ear pads are made from a hybrid of breathable fabric and artificial leather. This gives them a soft fit and allows some air to reach the ears, while the artificial leather on the inside minimizes sound leaks. In practice, external noise is passively dampened, although not completely shielded, as the partially open design is noticeable here. After very long sessions, however, the ear areas can get a little warm. But overall, the positive impression of a well thought-out, comfortable headset prevails. Friedrich Stiemer The build quality is also of a high standard: Nothing wobbles or creaks, the adjustment mechanism (extendable ear cup holders and three adjustment points for the spring band) appears durable and designed for a wide range of head sizes. Overall, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 feels robust and high-quality — ideal for daily gaming use. However, there is one small design criticism: The USB-C dongle supplied is unusually wide at 2.11 inches (approx. 53.8 millimeters) and can block neighboring USB ports. Although Steelseries supplies a short USB extension cable, a slimmer, longer dongle would have been more practical. Apart from this detail, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 impresses across the board with its simplicity, excellent ergonomics, and well thought-out design. ## Features and connectivity In terms of functions and connectivity options, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 packs a punch. The headset can be paired wirelessly via a 2.4GHz wireless dongle and in parallel via Bluetooth, even simultaneously to mix two audio sources. The USB-C dongle ensures a latency-free connection to PC, Mac, Playstation 5, and Nintendo Switch (both in the dock and mobile via USB-C). A slide switch on the dongle enables the special Xbox mode for the Xbox Series X/S, as Microsoft’s consoles require a proprietary wireless protocol. Important: Steelseries offers the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 in different versions: Nova 7P (PlayStation/PC) and Nova 7X (Xbox all others). The hardware is identical, but only the X version is fully compatible with the Xbox. So if you choose the Arctis Nova 7X version, you can in fact cover all platforms. In tests, the wireless connection proved to be very stable and long enough range to take a break in the next room without losing contact. In addition to Bluetooth, mobile devices also have the option of using the USB-C dongle on smartphones or tablets, for example via an adapter. Here, however, we have observed that a dongle connection plugged directly into the mobile phone can sometimes have a brief loss of connection when moving. In such cases, Bluetooth pairing is the more convenient choice when travelling. Speaking of Bluetooth: This wireless method only uses the SBC codec, which is okay for listening to music, but can lead to noticeable delays when gaming or watching videos. The 2.4GHz mode is therefore clearly recommended for gaming, as it has virtually no latency. Friedrich Stiemer In addition to wireless, wired operation is also possible: the headset has a 3.5 millimeter jack socket to connect it to a PC, controller, or handheld in the classic analog way. This even extends compatibility to older devices (e.g. for the Nintendo Switch Lite or some gaming handhelds) and serves as an emergency solution in the event of battery failure. The controls on the headset are arranged in a user-friendly way: The power button, a dedicated Bluetooth button and a wheel for the chat-game audio balance (chat mix) are located on the right ear cup: A blessing in multiplayer to be able to finely balance voice chat and game sound at all times. On the left is the volume control knob and a clearly perceptible microphone mute button. The buttons and wheels provide clear haptic feedback so that they can be operated intuitively even in the middle of a game. The Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 does not have active noise cancellation (ANC), but this is not unusual in this price range of less than $200 — most gaming headsets at this price do not offer ANC anyway. The passive isolation provided by the padding is average: Everyday noises such as keyboard clacking or quiet background chatter are noticeably muffled, but still penetrate somewhat at higher volumes. Overall, however, the features of the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 are impressively comprehensive: Multi-platform support, simultaneous connections, and analog fallback option make the gaming headset an extremely flexible companion. In fact, the Arctis model works with practically everything, from PCs to consoles and smartphones, making it a true all-rounder. Friedrich Stiemer The dual wireless function is particularly noteworthy: In the test, simultaneous playback from PC/console and mobile phone worked smoothly and without dropouts. For example, you can be in a Discord chat on your mobile phone via Bluetooth while gaming on the PlayStation, or take a call while gaming on the PC. Incoming calls are handled cleverly: If a call comes in via the mobile phone, the headset microphone is automatically muted for the game chat so that you can make the call undisturbed. When you hang up, it switches back to the game chat. This seamless integration of both audio channels is extremely practical in everyday life. ## Sound quality The sound quality of the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 is geared towards the needs of demanding gamers without compromising on all-round qualities. The 40-millimeter speaker drivers deliver precise, detailed sound across the entire frequency spectrum. Steelseries clearly emphasizes clarity in the mids and highs, which allows fine details such as footsteps or directional noises to stand out clearly. In fact, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 shines in the test when it comes to spatial localization: In shooters and action games, it was possible to make out exactly from which direction opponents were approaching — a tactical advantage that not every headset in this class offers. This is supported by the virtual surround function (Steelseries Sonar Spatial Audio on the PC and Tempest 3D Audio on the PS5), which makes the sound image even wider and more immersive if desired. In single-player games, the surround mode significantly enhances the atmosphere. In competitive games, on the other hand, we mostly used the stereo mode, as the localization is precise and without artificial effects — the Arctis Nova 7 already delivers excellent positioning information in stereo. As delivered, the sound tuning is slightly fun-orientated: The bass has plenty of body and pressure, while the upper treble sounds slightly over-sharpened. This leads to a powerful rumble during explosions, for example, but can sometimes be perceived as a little too sharp with very high tones. Voices and important game sounds in the mid-range come through clearly and dominate the action, giving the headset its “tactical” sound. Friedrich Stiemer Our music tests showed that the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 is also suitable for everyday multimedia: Songs sound dynamic and balanced, albeit not at hi-fi level, as the deepest bass and fine detail in the highest registers reach the limits of gaming tuning. Sound enthusiasts may note that the fine-tuning ex works is not completely neutral: For example, certain treble ranges are slightly overemphasized and could be a little tiring for sensitive ears in the long term. However, this is where the great strength of the Steelseries software comes into its own: The parametric equalizer in the Sonar app allows the sound image to be corrected and optimized as desired. We were able to tame the slightly sharp treble and fine-tune the bass with just a few movements of the EQ controls. The Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 then sounded very balanced. Steelseries also provides over 200 predefined EQ profiles, customized for various games, from _Call of Duty_ to _Counter-Strike 2_ , which can be loaded with a click. In the test, some of these presets actually brought audible improvements for specific scenarios, such as clearer footsteps in shooters or more powerful effects in action adventures. In short, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 delivers a strong audio performance out of the box, especially for gaming. If you want to further refine the sound, you have all the options with the software tools. In this price range, the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 is right at the top. More expensive models such as the Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro or the Elite offer even finer hi-res sound, but also cost many times more. For a $200 headset, the sound quality of the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 is absolutely convincing and left hardly anything to be desired in everyday gaming. ## Microphone and voice chat Steelseries equips the Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 with the tried-and-tested “ClearCast Gen2” boom arm microphone. This can be retracted into the left ear cup and fits seamlessly into the design when retracted — ideal if you want to use the headset as normal headphones when travelling. The microphone can be flexibly bent into position and is simply pulled out for use. However, it is not detachable; it always remains attached to the headset. The LED indicators are practical: A small red LED on the tip of the microphone signals that the microphone is muted, and a status LED also indicates the connection mode. Friedrich Stiemer In voice chat practice, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 delivers solid intelligibility. Voices are transmitted clearly and background noise is effectively suppressed. According to Steelseries, this should be up to 25 decibels thanks to AI noise cancelling. In our Discord rounds, our fellow players confirmed that our voice came through clearly and without loud background noise. Nevertheless, we have to say: In terms of sound, the microphone is only mid-range. Our criticism is that the voice transmission is somewhat unnatural and nasal, as if the voice is filtered slightly mechanically or tinny. This is a typical phenomenon with many gaming headsets that cut frequencies in favor of clarity. As a result, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 never sounds as full or natural as an external microphone. However, the result is absolutely fine for normal voice chat. However, anyone who values particularly warm or authentic voice transmission (e.g. for streaming) will see the average microphone as a weak point. In a direct comparison with some competitor headsets in this class, the ClearCast microphone performs slightly worse — the microphone on the HyperX Cloud III S Wireless or the Razer Blackshark V3 Pro, for example, sound a little fuller. On a positive note, however, the microphone of the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 is not overly sensitive: Loud ambient noises or keyboard clatter are rarely transmitted. The headset also has microphone monitoring — you can hear yourself slightly on your ear — which protects you from unconsciously speaking loudly. Tip: The microphone should actually be used extended for optimum results. Although it is technically possible to speak when the headset is inserted (it is then not automatically muted), the quality suffers significantly: The voice is barely captured and sounds muffled. You therefore have to pull out the headband to remain intelligible. This is not a problem in everyday use, as the flexible arm can be positioned easily. In particularly quiet situations, we also notice a slight background noise or white noise from the microphone and hope for firmware optimizations here. On our test device, a slight background noise was only audible when no other sounds were playing; in gaming mode, it was drowned out by the sound. Overall, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 delivers a functional microphone that is absolutely sufficient for game chat, VoIP telephony and most applications, but is not a highlight. If you’re looking for absolute top microphone quality, you’ll either have to resort to significantly more expensive headsets or consider a separate microphone. For everyone else, the level offered is acceptable. ## Battery life and charging functions A big plus of the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 is the significantly longer battery life. Steelseries has increased the capacity by around 40 percent compared to its predecessor and now promises an impressive usage time of up to 54 hours in 2.4GHz mode. In Bluetooth-only mode, the battery is expected to last around 42 hours, and even when using wireless and Bluetooth at the same time, the battery still lasts around 38 hours. In practice, over 50 hours of battery life means that the headset only needs to be charged once or twice a month with moderate daily use, making it a real long runner. Our test period extended over several days of intensive gaming (six to eight hours per day) and we didn’t actually have to charge the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 in between within a week. The battery status is displayed via the software and an LED display on the device, and the headset emits warning tones when the battery is low. However, we found the series of warning tones a little intrusive when the battery is low: three loud warning tones sound every two minutes or so, which can be annoying in the long run. Nevertheless, an empty battery is unlikely to come as a complete surprise, as the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 is really long-lasting. And even if you forget about it, help is at hand: Thanks to the quick-charging function, 15 minutes on the cable is enough to give you around six hours of playing time. The battery charges fully in around one and a half hours. Friedrich Stiemer Another practical feature is that you can continue to use the headset while it is charging. Simply connect the USB-C cable and it will charge in the background without interrupting the game. This means that spontaneous gaming sessions are never jeopardized. Overall, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 ranks at the top of the wireless headset range in terms of battery life. Only a few models (such as the HyperX Cloud III S Wireless with over 100 hours) run even longer, but over 50 hours is already more than enough for long gaming nights. ## Software and extras The GG software, including Sonar, is a real asset for Steelseries. This software suite integrates hardware and software in an exemplary manner and offers a wide range of customization options. On the PC, you can use Steelseries GG to install firmware updates for the headset, but above all you can configure the sound extensively: A parametric 10-band equalizer, various predefined sound profiles for different game genres, sliders for game/chat mix, volume, microphone level, and sidetone (monitoring) — all of this is clearly available. The user interface is designed to be beginner-friendly; if you don’t want to familiarize yourself in depth, simply select one of the many presets and get a suitable sound without any effort. Advanced users will be delighted with the ability to fine-tune every sound detail from treble filter to bass boost. Thanks to the integrated sonar technology, we were actually able to tease a lot out of the headset during the test. Steelseries Sonar is regarded by connoisseurs as one of the best headset apps on the market, and our experience confirms this: The EQ function and the continuously updated gaming presets (over 260 profiles according to the manufacturer) are unique and very useful. Remarkable: Since the second generation, the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 now also supports the Arctis smartphone app. This allows console gamers or mobile gamers to make some settings conveniently on their mobile phones. For example, the app can be used to select EQ presets, adjust the sound mix, or control lighting (if available). The parametric fine-tuning is reserved for the PC software, but basic profiles can also be changed on the move. In the test, the app pairing worked straight away; it is also pleasing that no compulsory registration is required to use the app or PC software. Friedrich Stiemer Overall, Steelseries emphasises its premium claim with the software: The possibilities go far beyond what standard drivers offer. Only those who absolutely don’t like additional software on the PC may be overwhelmed: The Sonar app can seem complex at first, but it’s worth spending 15 to 30 minutes familiarizing yourself with it. For most gamers, the software integration is a great added value that sets the Steelseries Arctis Nova 7 Gen 2 apart from more simply equipped competitor models. ## Related content * 6 practical reasons to buy a PC gaming headset (even if you don’t game) * I won’t buy a wireless PC headset if it lacks this humble feature * Are premium gaming headsets any better than cheap ones?

I don’t use a Windows Copilot+ PC as a daily driver, though I have several in my office. But there’s one absolutely critical Copilot+ feature that forces me to swap out my current laptop, attach a Copilot+ PC to my docking station, and boot it up. Very few people have bought a Copilot+ PC in the last year. So these features, which are currently locked to Copilot+ PCs and their NPU, aren’t well known: Windows Recall; Paint’s Cocreator, Generative Erase, Object Select, and Sticker Generator; Click-to-Do; Photos’ Super Resolution, Relight and Restyle Image; the intelligent search features within the Settings menu; Windows Studio Effects; and Live Captions. My editor assumed I would prefer the last feature, Live Captions, probably because it’s both useful and cool. But no! I actually have one Copilot+ feature I frequently use instead: Image Resizer, now called Super Resolution. ## What are these Copilot+ features, anyway? Our explainer on what a Copilot+ PC is focused on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite processor and laptops that can use it. Certain Intel Core Ultra (Lunar Lake) and AMD Ryzen AI 300 laptops now qualify, too. They all depend on the power of an NPU, the AI engine at the heart of these chips. Microsoft, in turn, uses the NPU to power some of its AI features that have arrived on Windows PCs with an NPU installed. Here’s a brief list of those features that I explained above, and you can use the link for a deeper dive. Note that these are features that _require_ an NPU, and you won’t receive them if you don’t own a Copilot+ PC. * Windows Recall: Microsoft’s handy but controversial tool that snapshots your PC to help you find misplaced bits of information * Paint’s Cocreator: An art tool that generates art in near-real time as you sketch, preserving the layout of your drawing. * Click-To-Do: Think of this as an intelligent right-click menu, that uses AI to guess what you want to do. * Windows Photos’ Restyle Image: If you want to turn a photo into a mosaic or a Monet, you can ask Photos’ AI to do that for you. * Windows Studio Effects: A collection of tools to blur your background, filter out noise, and help you look like you’re paying attention. * Live Captions: This provides AI-based captioning and translation of pre-recorded and streamed video. * Photos’ Image Relight: a subtle editing tool to provide additional lighting effects. * Microsoft is also testing semantic search, both for files as well as the Settings menu. The latter is now live. ## Why do I love Super Resolution? For every story we write, we need to have art to accompany it. If you’re reviewing a laptop, your work is practically done for you. We need an illustration that meets certain image size guidelines, and sometimes that means working with a very small icon — for example, the Microsoft Store icon on your taskbar, or the Copilot icon. Sometimes, you can’t find an image that’s large enough. If you choose to edit a photo within the Windows Photos app, you can turn on Super Resolution. Here, you can choose to upscale a photo to a larger resolution, and Windows performs some AI editing effects to try and smooth out any graininess. Here, I’ve taken the tiny OneDrive icon on my Windows taskbar and increased the resolution. A slider bar demonstrates the differences. Super Resolution within the Windows Photos app, for Copilot+ PCs. Mark Hachman / Foundry Super Resolution is the perfect tool for the job. I can take a small image and simply enlarge it within Paint, but a tiny icon can look blurry and indistinct when enlarged. The image resizing tool works very well for enlarging _and_ sharpening an image, so that it looks pretty good. And, of course, it’s free. Of course, _you_ can use Super Resolution for something like a scanned photo, or something else. It’s not a tool you’ll need to dig out frequently, but it’s very helpful for me when I need it. It’s not a miracle worker, and there are paid services like Topaz.ai that promise to do a better job. But again: Super Resolution is free, convenient, and right on my laptop. Why don’t I use Live Captions? I don’t watch that much video, basically. I’ll watch foreign TV (my wife is a K-drama fan on Netflix) and I’ll read foreign reporting. I don’t often find myself watching foreign TikToks or other video, and many of those platforms already have built-in translation, anyway. I’m also never sure if Live Captions is giving me the correct translation. Live Captions supplies translated captions on your screen (here, at the very top). But the translated audio is entirely different from the captions. As a non-native speaker, I’m not sure what’s correct. Live Captions is still pretty magical — it’s easy to take it for granted, but it’s something from _Star Trek_ come to life. But it’s the little things that matter in my daily work, and Image Resizer fill the bill. ## A bonus feature for you: Generative Erase One of the issues with Microsoft’s latest AI blitz is that some functions demand an NPU, while others don’t — and there’s no messaging to that effect. It’s chaotic. I do really enjoy how Microsoft has quietly taken some of the better features in apps like Photoshop and brought them inside Windows, such as layers in the Paint app. Microsoft For ages, Photos also had a tool called Spot Fix, a very early use of AI for photo editing. I don’t like to heavily edit photos, only because we often have a journalistic responsibility to show things as they are. If a laptop attracts fingerprints, it’s sometimes useful to show that. In certain cases, I’d use Spot Tool to edit out a speck of dust, a spot on a background wall, or occasionally an object. In the latter case, that’s usually because I was trying to take a photo of a device at a trade show, and something distracting intruded. Spot Fill would erase dust very easily. Generative Erase is like an improved version of it. There is a Generative Erase function inside both Photos and Paint, and neither require an NPU. I know smartphones now provide photo editing right in the phone itself, but Generative Erase is handy for stored photos in OneDrive or elsewhere. Microsoft is also testing Generative _Fill_ within Paint, which will add objects to your image — so you could add a guy in a gorilla suit to your wedding photo, or something. Generative Fill, however, will require an NPU / Copilot+ PC. Simply keeping track of what AI features are available and what hardware they require is a challenge for everyone right now! Microsoft

Even if you’ve been using Windows for decades, it’s so sprawling and complex that there might be truly helpful, yet more obscure features that can still surprise you. We’ve tracked down ten little-known Windows features that might just improve your efficiency, your comfort, or possibly even your fun while using your PC. All of them should work on both Windows 10 and 11 alike, and each only takes a few seconds to try out. Here we go, in no particular order: ## Mouse hover window activation Michael Crider/IDG Whenever I use a new PC, this is the very first feature I enable. Technically it’s part of the accessibility tools, but many users might find it useful no matter what their level of mobility. This setting allows you to activate a window simply by moving your mouse cursor over it, instead of requiring an extra click before interacting with the program. It’s a tiny change, but one that makes a huge difference, especially on a laptop trackpad. To change this setting, go to Control Panel, then click the Ease of Access Center. Click “Make the mouse easier to use.” Under “Make it easier to manage windows,” select “Activate a window by hovering over it with the mouse.” Click Okay to enable the setting. PROMOTION **Upgrade to Windows 10 Pro for $69.99, then Upgrade to 11 Pro for Free** Right now in our PCWorld Software store you can buy a Windows 10 Pro license for just $69.99, 65% off its typical price of $199.99. Once installed, you can upgrade to Windows 11 Pro for free. Jump over to our store and start upgrading. Upgrade to Pro for $69.99 ## Easy window arrangement Michael Crider/IDG With newer versions of Windows, it’s easy to move windows (sorry) around your screen. Hold down the Windows key on your keyboard, then press the arrow keys. Pressing left or right will instantly move the window to the corresponding half of the screen. Pressing up or down will alternate between halving the window in the upper or lower portion of the screen, maximizing it, or minimizing it to the toolbar. These shortcuts even work across multiple monitors. It’s a great way to quickly arrange your windows across screens and monitors with minimal effort. ## Quick taskbar launching Michael Crider/IDG If you want to quickly manage windows, you probably pin your most-used programs and tools to the taskbar. If you want to get at them even faster, simply hold down the Windows button and press the number on your keyboard that corresponds to their spot on the taskbar. On mine, opening Chrome is Win + 1, opening Photoshop is Win + 5, et cetera. ## Rearrange your system tray Michael Crider/IDG Speaking of the taskbar, the system tray (the little mini-icons on the right side) can often get crowded if you’re using a lot of software. That’s doubly true if you run a lot of programs at startup. But if it’s cluttered, you don’t have to keep it that way. Click and drag any of the icons around to re-arrange them. You can put them in the drop-down menu to hide them (just click the arrow to show them again), or set them to the right to make them permanently visible. ## Night light Michael Crider/IDG Those of us who have less-than-healthy computing habits tend to use our PCs late into the evening. You should probably cut it out, but if not, using the built-in night light feature couldn’t hurt. Simply search the Start menu for “Night light” to find the setting that will dim your computer’s screen and lower its blue light output. Once it’s set up, you can toggle this anytime in the quick settings menu (Win + A) or have it turn on and off automatically at specific times of the evening and morning. ## Instantly bring up the Task Manager Michael Crider/IDG This is an old trick, but with the expanded functions of the Task Manager in Windows 10 and 11, it’s become more useful. From any screen in any program, press Ctrl+Shift+Escape to open the Task Manager. From here you can manually close programs, quickly access the Run command, or click the Startup tab to track down programs that are sneakily starting with Windows. ## Screenshot tricks Michael Crider/IDG If you haven’t done so yet, you really need to start using the official (but obscure) Windows Snipping Tool, which expands the operating system’s rather basic screenshot tool (tied to the Print Screen button) with all sorts of new goodies. Press Win + Shift + S simultaneously to see options to instantly screenshot your entire workspace, just one window, or a freeform selection drawn with your mouse. Your screenshot is then copied and ready to be pasted into a web form or image editor. In a hurry? You can still access the old screenshot functionality (which saves a full image file in your Pictures>Screenshots folder) by pressing Win + Print Screen. Alternately, you can copy the full screenshot instead with Ctrl + Print Screen, or copy a selection of just your currently active program with Alt + Print Screen. ## Search by most recently installed programs Michael Crider/IDG One of the smallest changes in Windows that I’ve gotten the most use out of is this tweak to the way you search through programs for uninstallation. It makes it easy to find the most recent program you installed, and get rid of it if you want to. Press the Windows key, search for “Add or remove programs,” and click it to open the Settings menu. You’ll be presented with a list of every program installed on your computer. In previous versions of Windows, you’d have to hunt through this long list alphabetically. Now you can search for it, but what if it’s not listed under the same name? Just click “Name,” then “Install date.” The list is now in reverse chronological order, showing your most recently-installed programs. Click the three-dot menu on the right to get rid of any entry. Super easy! ## Quickly connect to new screens Michael Crider/IDG Most of the time Windows will automatically enable a new monitor or screen when you plug it in. But if it doesn’t, there’s a quick way to adjust your display setup. Just press Win + P to open the “Project” menu. From this pop-out you can select Duplicate (mirror your primary screen to your secondary), Extend (use more than one screen at once), or Second screen only (handy for using just a monitor and not your laptop screen). This menu is great if you’re using a multi-monitor setup and you want to quickly disable secondary screens, such as for watching a movie or playing a game, then enable them again when you’re done without diving into menus. ## Adjust text and element sizes Michael Crider/IDG You probably know that you can adjust the size of what you see in Windows by changing your resolution. But unlike the days of CRTs, your laptop screen or monitor has a very specific resolution it’s meant to run at. Changing that value isn’t a great idea; it can result in a stretched or pixelated image, and video won’t look its best. Instead of changing the resolution, go to Display Settings, scroll down a bit, and change the Scale setting. This can make text and images look bigger or smaller on your screen without changing the resolution of the image itself. Pre-set values come in 25 percent increments, but you can set a custom value if you prefer (with a system reset). There’s also an option that will adjust just the text size. Many programs come with their own scaling and text settings, especially text-heavy apps like browsers and text editors. Tweak them to your liking to find the most comfortable combination. ## Quickly adjust icon sizes in Explorer Michael Crider/IDG If you need to see icons better in an Explorer window specifically, try this quick trick. Hold down the Ctrl button and scroll your mouse wheel up and down. Thumbnail images will get bigger or smaller in response. Scroll far enough and the view will actually change from thumbnails to lists with mini-icons. This works even on the Windows desktop, with no Explorer window in use. Explorer isn’t the only program to use the Ctrl+mouse wheel shortcut to change the view. Browsers, email clients, image editors, and text editors often use it to zoom in or out or quickly change text scaling. It’s a common tool worth learning. That just about does it for this roundup of tips and tricks! If you’re looking to go even further down this rabbit hole, check out our roundup of 10 truly helpful Windows tools you might not know about, how to tune Windows for laser-focused productivity, and how to fix Windows 11’s worst annoyances.

**TL;DR:** Get lifetime licenses to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 and Windows 11 Pro for $39.97 (MSRP $418.99). A lot of people unwrap a brand-new computer on Christmas morning only to realize it is missing the software they actually need. Most new PCs no longer include Microsoft Office, and many budget models ship with limited Windows builds or older versions that need upgrading. Before long, your shiny new holiday gift starts asking you to pay extra for basic tools. But, for $39.97 (MSRP $418.99), you get lifetime access to both Microsoft Office Professional 2021 and Windows 11 Pro with no subscriptions or recurring fees. ## **What You Get With Microsoft Office Professional 2021** * Word * Excel * PowerPoint * Outlook * And, more Everything installs directly on your PC and works offline. ## **What Windows 11 Pro Adds to Your Setup** * A refreshed interface with fast, clean navigation * Snap Layouts and multiple desktops * BitLocker device protection * Smart App Control * Hardware-level security features * Faster boot times and smoother performance This is the version many users expect to come preinstalled, but often do not get. ## **The Final Step for Any New Holiday Computer** Whether your new computer arrived without Office, shipped with Windows 10, or came with the basic Home edition, this bundle fills in the missing essentials at a price that is hard to beat. You buy it once and keep it for life. Get the Microsoft Office + Windows 11 Pro Lifetime Bundle for $39.97 (MSRP $418.99) while this holiday offer is available. The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro BundleSee Deal _StackSocial_ _prices subject to change._

#### At a glance ### Expert's Rating ### Pros * Very comfortable to wear * Up to 100 hours battery life * Stable wireless connection with long range * Clear localization in the game * Simple operation, plug & play ### Cons * Microphone sounds thin * No surround sound and no software * No jack connection, no Xbox support * Bass a little weak ### Our Verdict The Cherry Xtrfy H3 Wireless is a no-frills, comfortable gaming headset with excellent battery life and precise sound localization, ideal for PC and PlayStation gamers focused on competitive play. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today ### Best Prices Today: Cherry Xtrfy H3 Wireless Retailer Price $69.99 View Deal Cherry Xtrfy $99 View Deal $156.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Cherry Xtrfy is entering the wireless headset market for the first time with the H3 wireless. The focus is clearly on comfort, durability and esports-ready sound. But is this enough to complete with established players like HyperX, Logitech, or SteelSeries? We tested the headset in everyday use and during gaming sessions. Here’s what we found. ## Cherry Xtrfy H3 Wireless: Design and ergonomics Visually, the Cherry Xtrfy remains true to its simple design philosophy. No RGB, no frills–just a functional design with a robust aluminum headband and large, oval ear cups. The headset weighs around 325 grams and sits comfortably on the head thanks to its memory foam padding. > For the typical PC gamer or PlayStation user looking for an uncomplicated, reliable headset, the Cherry Xtrfy H3 Wireless is an excellent choice. A particular highlight is the even pressure distribution, which remains comfortable even during long sessions. Glasses wearers can also play for hours without discomfort. Friedrich Stiemer The pads are covered with artificial leather on the outside and breathable mesh on the inside, helping to keep the headset at a pleasant temperature even during prolonged use. In practice, the Cherry Xtrfy H3 Wireless proved to be one of the most comfortable models in its price class during multi-hour gaming sessions. ## Cherry Xtrfy H3 Wireless: Technology and features Inside the Cherry Xtrfy H3 Wireless are 53-millimetre drivers with an impedance of 16 ohms. The result is a clear, treble-emphasized sound with precise localization, making it perfect for shooters such as _Counter-Strike 2_ or _Valorant_. Enemy footsteps and reloading noises can be localized exactly, which offers a real advantage in competitive play. The H3 Wireless is less convincing when it comes to music and films. The mids sound a little flat and the bass lacks punch. Explosions sound clean, but not powerful. This won’t be an issue for gamers who value detailed localization. However, anyone hoping for a richer sound will be disappointed. Three preset equalizer profiles (Game, Music, Movie) are supposed to provide a remedy, but only change the sound minimally. Friedrich Stiemer ## Cherry Xtrfy H3 Wireless: Microphone The detachable boom microphone with noise cancelation delivers mixed results. On the positive side, background noises such as keyboard clatter are filtered out well. The negative? Voices sound thin and slightly tinny. The quality is perfectly adequate for Discord, in-game chat, or meetings, but it falls short for streamers or professional voice recordings. The microphone can be removed and replaced via a standard socket, adding some degree of flexibility. Friedrich Stiemer ## Cherry Xtrfy H3 Wireless: Connectivity and operation The Cherry Xtrfy H3 Wireless offers two wireless modes: a latency-free 2.4 GHz connection via the supplied USB dongle and Bluetooth 5.1. Switching between the two is done at the touch of a button. In practice, this works smoothly and takes just a few seconds when switching from PC to smartphone. However, the headset does not support multipoint, meaning both connections can be used simultaneously. One clear plus is the wireless range: the connection remains stable even two rooms away. Xbox gamers, however, are left out in the cold, as the headset isn’t compatible with Microsoft consoles due to the lack of a 3.5 mm jack. Friedrich Stiemer The headset is operated directly on the ear cups. Volume, equalizer, and mute can be accessed via dedicated physical buttons. The volume control could be more finely graduated, but overall the handling is pleasantly intuitive. There is no software. Instead, the motto is “plug and play.” This reduces complexity, but also prevents customized sound adjustments. ## Cherry Xtrfy H3 Wireless: Battery life This is where the Cherry Xtrfy H3 Wireless scores highly. It gets up to 100 hours of playtime per charge, which is plain bananas. In everyday testing, the battery lasted almost two weeks with several hours of daily use. It charges via USB-C, and the headset can be used while charging. Cherry Xtrfy outperforms many more expensive competitor models. ## Cherry Xtrfy H3 Wireless: Practical impression In everyday gaming, it’s clear that the Cherry Xtrfy H3 Wireless is focused on the essentials. No superfluous bells and whistles here–just high comfort, long battery life, and stable wireless performance. The clear acoustics are particularly impressive in competitive games. In voice chat, the microphone’s weak quality is noticeable, and music lovers may be disappointed due to the neutral tuning. Friedrich Stiemer For the typical PC gamer or PlayStation user looking for an uncomplicated, reliable headset, the Cherry Xtrfy H3 Wireless is an excellent choice. On the other hand, those who value audio fine-tuning or surround sound should look elsewhere.

Microsoft has announced that Microsoft 365 subscribers with certain Copilot Plus computers will now have access to a new feature: automatic captions, or alt texts, in Word and PowerPoint. Microsoft When you add an image to a Word or PowerPoint document, the Copilot Plus computer should automatically generate a caption for it. You can choose to approve the caption directly, or edit it first. You should also be able to generate captions for images that are already in your documents. Microsoft The automatic captions should now be available to paying subscribers of Microsoft 365 version 2512 (Build 19530.20006). However, the feature requires the neural processing unit in your Copilot+ computer to be at least 40 TOPS. > **Further reading:**I’m in love with an ultra-specific Windows Copilot+ feature

If you want to follow Santa’s journey around the world in real time on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, there are two services to choose from. One is the Google Santa Tracker, a service that not only tells us where Santa is, but also how many presents Jolly Ol’ St. Nick has delivered to children across the globe. The other is Norad tracks Santa, where we are treated to really nice 3D animations of Santa’s journey. It also has a present counter for the stat nerds out there. Note that the two services have different information on the exact location of Santa — so it could be that there are actually several Santas and not just one. Or maybe our mere mortal technology isn’t able to track Christmas magic as smoothly as it does airplanes?

If you own a Raspberry Pi, you can start several operating systems from a single boot medium. All you need is a micro SD card with sufficient room (32GB or more) and a tool called PINN. This stands for _PINN is not NOOBS_ and gives the Raspberry Pi multiboot functionality. Multi-booting operating systems can be useful in many cases. For example, if you occasionally need a specialized operating system such as Libre Elec or Kali, or if you’re simply curious and want to try out different operating systems. PINN provides an installer that you integrate into your Raspberry Pi. This allows you to install as many systems as you want on the SD card, as long as there is enough space. Each time the Raspberry Pi boots up, PINN greets you with the list of installed operating systems. You select one or wait until PINN automatically starts the last operating system used. ## Installing PINN There are several ways to get PINN onto the SD card. This article recommends the Raspberry Pi Imager program. It’s included in the repositories of many distributions and can be installed with the following: sudo apt install rpi-imager After starting the program, the first step is to select the model. From Raspberry Pi 1 and Zero to the current Raspberry Pi 5 model, the entire range is represented. The selection ensures that the imager only displays images that are compatible with your Raspberry model. The next step is to install the pin image. To do this, click on _Select OS_. In the list, search for the entry _Misc Utility Images_ and click on _PINN_. In the next window, select _PINN_ again. To select the storage medium, click on the _Select SD Card_ button. You can then install the desired operating systems for the Raspberry Pi using PINN. Foundry If you want to install several operating systems, the SD card should have a storage capacity of at least 32GB. Please note that the imager completely deletes the selected drive during the installation process. Optionally, you can format the SD card beforehand using a tool such as SD Memory Card Formatter for Linux. In most cases, the correct drive is already selected in the imager. Even so, it still makes sense to activate the _Exclude System Drives_ option. Make sure all the settings are correct before click on the _Next_ button. The Raspberry Pi Imager will then write PINN to the SD card. Before this happens, a warning appears again to remind you that the storage medium will be erased. The writing process for PINN does not take long because the image is very small. The work on the Linux desktop is now complete. Insert the SD card into the card reader on the Raspberry board and start it. ## Installing operating systems When the Raspberry Pi starts with PINN for the first time, you will be taken to the operating system selection screen. If you are connecting via Wi-Fi rather than Ethernet, first enter the access data. Next, tick the checkboxes next to each operating system you want to install. You can choose from Raspberry Pi OS, Ubuntu, MX-Linux, and Kali. Other tabs contain games, minimalist operating systems, and multimedia systems. At the bottom of the window, PINN shows you how much memory space is available and how much space the selected operating systems require. Please note that this information refers to the basic configuration (see below). Once you have selected the desired operating systems, install them by clicking on the _Install_ button in the top left-hand corner. You will again receive a warning that all data will be lost during the installation of the selected operating systems. Before PINN actually starts installing the operating systems, it will ask you how much storage space you would like to allocate to each one. The _Nominal_ column shows how much storage space the base operating system requires. The _Extra_ column shows the additional amount that you allocate to each operating system. To divide the total storage space evenly between the operating systems, click on _Balance_. When you start the board, a boot menu appears and asks for the operating system you want to start. Foundry Another click on _OK_ starts the installation of the operating systems you want to use in multiboot mode. How long the installation takes depends on the speed of your internet connection, the write speed of your storage medium, and of course the size of the images. When everything is complete, you will receive a success message and be taken to the PINN multiboot screen. From now on, this screen will appear every time you start the Raspberry Pi. Select the operating system you want to boot and click on _Start_. After a few seconds, the operating system that you last started will automatically boot up on future starts, unless you make a manual selection. It’s best to boot each operating system once to set it up. Establish an internet connection, bring the system up to date, activate required services such as SSH or VNC, and install additional programs. PINN also offers a recovery mode to reinstall the operating system if it crashes or if you simply want to start from scratch. To do this, hold down the Shift key during startup. ## Interesting operating systems Beyond the standard options, the Raspberry Pi offers several intriguing, less common operating systems for a multiboot setup. Libre Elec is a media server operating system. It’s lightweight and designed specifically to run the Kodi media center on the Raspberry Pi. Booting takes just a few seconds, and numerous add-ons are available to extend its functionality. Lineage-OS by Konstakang is an Android-based system adapted to run on the Raspberry Pi. It uses a recent Android version and allows you to install and run Android apps on the device. Retro Pie makes it possible to play games from the old days. The theme and emulator can be flexibly customized through a modern user interface. The operating system does not include any copyrighted games, which is why you must install them separately. Raspberry Pi OS Lite is a minimal system without a graphical user interface. It requires only around 400 MB of storage and can be controlled via SSH. You also have the option of installing a desktop of your choice, such as KDE or MATE, giving you access to programs and functions that standard Raspberry Pi OS does not offer.

The year is 2025. Memory prices have shot through the roof. You’re a system builder who wants to sell PCs to customers. You know people won’t pay for it at crazy high cost. So, what do you do? You let people buy a desktop computer without any RAM. Yep, we’ve now entered an era of BYOR—Bring Your Own RAM. Or, at least, that’s the likely trend just kicked off by longtime custom PC maker Maingear. In the company’s own words: > _Perhaps you’ve noticed memory prices are at record highs. We’re not happy about it, either. The rapid boom in AI infrastructure has large AI companies buying up enormous amounts of memory for their data centers. As a result, major memory manufacturers are prioritizing supply for these more profitable AI players, creating severe constraints and price surges across consumer products like PCs, laptops, and smartphones._ > > _⚠️ Many DDR5 kits are seeing 100% to 400+% price increases⚠️_ > > _To ensure we can continue delivering the high quality MAINGEAR systems you expect, and to offer our customers a fair shake at a new build without the added costs, we’ve decided to try something new…_ > > _Have RAM already? Found a killer kit or sweet deal online? Place your order and send us your RAM, we’ll build it into your new MAINGEAR PC, test it, and tune it for performance and reliability._ For everyone who may have been tuned out from PC hardware news for the last few months, this move isn’t wildly out of place. At the start of October, a 64GB kit of DDR5-6000 memory cost a little over $200. That average has now climbed to $800, according to PCPartPicker’s tracker. (Yeah.) Maingear’s approach is a very welcome workaround for enthusiasts. It has a potential flaw, however. Valuable goods can (and do) get stolen in the mail. So with RAM fetching a pretty penny right now, shipping memory to Maingear for installation and tuning in a new PC build seems somewhat risky. Why not also offer an option to receive instructions for recommended tweaks (timings, etc) for a particular RAM kit? Some customers would willingly give up maxed out fine-tuning for guaranteed safety of precious, precious memory. Another sticky point: A BYOR configuration relies on the idea that a customer already has DDR5 RAM, either from having already built a system relatively recently or having caught better pricing while it existed. For everyone now looking to upgrade from a DDR4 system, finding affordable DDR5 RAM will be purely a matter of chance. The same morning Maingear announced BYOR builds, we PCWorld staff members predicted such a trend on this year’s final episode of The Full Nerd. But not just for DDR5 systems. Possibly “new” PCs that sport older hardware architecture, compatible with DDR4 RAM. With so much DDR4 memory still in the wild, hardware releases may regress in order to meet the need for affordable upgrades. After so many years of dramatic leaps in performance and efficiency, only one word properly summarizes that potential outcome. Ouch.

Your mouse settings can have a big impact on your gaming performance. The precision and accuracy of your aim can vary with settings like DPI and polling rate. Because of that you need to know how to optimize your settings to get the best performance. Below are my favorite tips for doing that. ## 1. Turn off mouse acceleration Mouse acceleration allows your mouse’s cursor speed to increase if the mouse is moved quickly. The setting can cause movement inconsistencies in games, so it’s best to switch it off. Here’s how to do that: Press **Windows Key + I** to open up Settings. Navigate to _Bluetooth and Devices_ > _Mouse_. Now scroll down and choose _Additional mouse settings_. Switch to the _Pointer Options_ tab. Uncheck the _Enhance pointer precision_ option, and click _Apply_. ### 2. Customize the DPI The DPI settings determine how fast your cursor moves on your screen. Therefore, customizing the DPI is recommended to determine the speed of the cursor movement. You can customize your DPI in your gaming mouse’s companion app, or via your mouse’s DPI up/down buttons if it has them. But you should also customize DPI in Windows too. Here’s what to do: Go to the Mouse section in Settings. Adjust the slider beside _Mouse pointer speed_ to zero. Now gauge how the mouse feels by moving it. Carefully move the slider up, gradually testing while you go until it reaches a pointer speed that you’re happy with. My happy point was about mid-way. ## 3. Update the mouse drivers Outdated mouse drivers can cause movement inconsistencies, so you’ll want to keep the drivers updated. You can update your mouse drivers through your mouse’s companion app. Most companion apps should do this automatically when you open them, so chances are your mouse is already up to date if you run the software simultaneously while using your mouse. ## 4. Increase the polling rate The polling rate refers to how many times per second a mouse reports the position of its cursor back to the computer. A higher polling rate reduces the lag between moving your mouse with your hand and seeing the cursor move on the screen. A high polling rate of 1,000Hz or more is recommended for games like first-person shooters where action is quick and reaction time is important. So, make sure you raise your polling rate to the highest you have available. This can be done in your mouse’s companion app. Pexels: Ron Lach ## 5. Enable raw input The input from your mouse usually goes through Windows before it reaches the game you’re playing. That causes some latency as it takes a little extra time for your game to read it. But you can bypass Windows with raw input. This setting allows the game to get input directly from the mouse instead of from Windows. To change to Raw Input, open your game’s settings menu and look for the option Raw Input Buffer (or something similar). You’ll want to turn this to on. ### 6. Turn on auto HDR Auto HDR is a Windows feature that’s usually switched off. But this feature improves the graphics quality of games and videos, so ideally you’ll want it switched on. The better graphics quality provided by auto HDR lets you track your mouse cursor more easily in games and helps you improve your aim. If you have a compatible display, turning it on is easy. You simply navigate to _Settings_ > _System_ > _Display_. Select the “ _HDR_ ” option and _turn on “Auto HDR_.” ### 7. Turn off angle snapping Sometimes angle snapping is turned on by default in a gaming mouse’s companion app. When this is enabled, your mouse moves at a constant horizontal angle even if you make small vertical movements. Angle snapping can be useful to improve crosshair placement, but it can also make aiming difficult. So, I recommend you switch it off. You can turn off angle snapping in your mouse’s companion app. ## Related content * Do I need a gaming mouse with a 4K polling rate? * What DPI is good for gaming mice? * Why don’t some esports mice have DPI switchers on top?

I’m always looking for helpful websites that can make life easier. Two I’ve recently discovered are TypingClub and Calculator Soup. Let’s take a peek at both! ### TypingClub I type relatively accurately and quickly now, but to get to that stage I needed to use a program to teach me how to type. There are a bunch of good ones around, but if you’re looking for low maintenance typing tutor you can just go to the website TypingClub. TypingClub shows you how to type quickly and correctly on your keyboard. You can participate in free training, and you don’t need a membership to use it. The tutorials take you through the steps to touch typing and after each tutorial there are practical activities for you to try. You also get presented with stats at the end of each one so that you can see your touch-typing speed and how you did on accuracy. Dominic Bayley / Foundry ### CalculatorSoup If you’re struggling to do anything worthwhile in Windows calculator, then it may be just too simple for you. You might need one of the calculators at CalculatorSoup. On the website you’ll find all kinds of calculators from general math calculators to loan calculators to chemistry calculators. Each calculator comes with a description and corresponding math laws so that you can apply them correctly. Dominic Bayley / Foundry That’s a wrap for this Try This. For more recommendations like these be sure to subscribe to our PCWorld Try This newsletter.

#### At a glance ### Expert's Rating ### Pros * High transfer speed * Compact design * Many upgrade options * HDMI connection ### Cons * High price * Increased power Consumption ### Our Verdict Even in its factory configuration, the QNAP TS-264-8G is an extremely fast NAS server for the 2.5GbE network. At the same time, it also commands a correspondingly high purchase price for the empty housing. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today ### Price When Reviewed $439 ### Best Prices Today: Qnap Turbostation TS-264-8G Retailer Price $439 View Deal $439 View Deal Qnap $439 View Deal $439 View Deal $439 View Deal $570.87 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide View more prices Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket The QNAP Turbostation TS-264-8G network storage is a high-priced NAS enclosure for the home and home office. Nevertheless, the two-bay NAS server enjoys great popularity. We get to the bottom of the reasons in this review. ## Features: Plenty on offer ex works Two components immediately stand out on the QNAP Turbostation TS-264-8G NAS system: The Intel Celeron N5095 processor with four cores and a clock speed of up to 2.9GHz. It comes with the graphics unit — Intel UHD Graphics — and is optimized for multiple, simultaneous tasks. It also comes with 8GB of RAM (DDR4 SODIMM). This ample RAM configuration can be expanded to 16GB with a second 8GB module — that’s quite a statement for a home server. In addition to classic 3.5-inch HDDs, the two hard drive bays can also accommodate the narrower 2.5-inch versions or SSDs. The QNAP TS-264-8G also offers flexible upgrade options: Thanks to the two M.2 slots, the network storage can be expanded with NVMe SSDs. They can be configured as caching accelerators, but also as additional storage space. A PCIe 3.0 slot is also integrated, which can be used to further expand the network storage using the manufacturer’s own expansion cards — for example, to add a 10GbE LAN port or additional NVMe SSDs. You can’t upgrade much more in this NAS class. QNAP Turbostation TS-264-8G: There are many interfaces on the back of the housing. There is even a slot for a PCIe expansion card. Foundry There is a USB 3.2 Gen2 port on the front of the case, which is equipped with a copy function. At the rear, there is a standard USB-A port, two USB 2.0 ports, and one HDMI port. The HDMI port is intended to simplify virtualization applications by allowing a display to be connected so that the NAS system can then be used like a computer. Two 2.5GbE LAN ports round off the extensive features. The two Ethernet ports can even be combined via link aggregation. ## High output power of the QNAP TS-264-8G Even without upgrade options, the QNAP Turbostation TS-264-8G NAS server proves to be powerful in the tests. Two NAS HDDs are used — more precisely the 3.5-inch Seagate Ironwolf ST4000NE001 models with 4TB capacity each, which are configured in a Raid 1 network. We only use one of the two 2.5 gigabit LAN ports for this purpose. Even the benchmark runs with NAS Performance Tester result in data transfer rates that are absolutely impressive: The QNAP model writes the 8,000MB package at a good 247MB/s and reads it at almost 285MB/s. It is even faster with smaller data packets — in the 400MB run, for example, with almost 252MB/s writing and a good 296MB/s reading. What is not self-evident: The high performance is confirmed in the practical runs. When copying the 4K film _Tears of Steel_ back and forth, the QNAP Turbostation TS-264-8G network storage achieves a good 223MB/s in writing and 261MB/s in reading. In both cases, these are new records in the test field. A good 42MB/s is also a top result when writing our 2GB backup. The TS-264-8G also ranks near the top with over 103MB/s when backups and films are written simultaneously. ## Uncomplicated setup You don’t need to be a NAS specialist to set up the QNAP Turbostation TS-264-8G NAS server. The 3.5-inch HDDs can be attached to the holders without tools using clips. The network storage can be easily identified in the home network using the free Qfinder Pro tool, which you can download from the manufacturer(www.qnap.com/qfinderpro). In the test, the device is recognised as “Server not yet initialised”. As soon as you click on the notice, the commissioning process starts with basic steps such as firmware version check, account creation and time zone selection. You can also specify here whether you want to access the NAS system via automatic or static IP. As always with QNAP, you will receive a summary of the settings made before initialisation starts. Once the firmware has been installed, you will find a guide to the next steps on the right-hand side of the screen. For example, you create the storage pool, specify the raid mode and determine the snapshot storage allocation. Again, there is a summary before the storage pools are created. This takes time – it is best to give the NAS server time overnight. After that, specify your volume(s). The firmware interface of the QNAP Turbostation TS-264-8G NAS server provides direct access to important areas such as the control panel. Foundry ## QTS firmware: Clear, with many apps You make the NAS settings in the QTS firmware. It is graphically organized — as is now the case with most NAS manufacturers. QNAP is known for its extensive app store — here called the App Center. This can be used to add additional features. For example, you can load media servers such as Plex, Minim, or Kazoo onto the NAS, but also protect the device against malware. The QTS firmware is comprehensive and offers all the important settings. Central areas such as “Storage & Snapshots” are located directly on the interface and can be accessed quickly — similar to the NAS competitor. Special feature: With this network storage, you can even switch to the QuTS hero operating system, which is particularly suitable for mixed storage consisting of HDDs and SSDs thanks to the ZFS file system. However, switching requires at least QTS version 5.2.1. ## Environment and health As always with 2.5GbE network storage, the power consumption is higher than with comparable 1GbE NAS systems. In the case of the QNAP TS-264-8G, we already notice this in the test when only HDDs are in the system. During operation, the measuring device shows up to 33.7 watts. And even in idle and sleep mode with 26.5 and 16.8 watts, the higher energy consumption is noticeable. The fact that the device still draws 1.9 watts when switched off is no longer very significant, although this value is also comparatively high. Even if the temperature in the housing rises under load, the air control works well, as the values remain in the green range throughout the test. ## QNAP Turbostation TS-264-8G: Test results and technical data QNAP Turbostation TS-264-8G : Test results| ---|--- Tested firmware version| QTS 5.2.7.3297 UHD movie write / UHD movie read (MB/s)| 223.40 / 261.41 Backup write (MB/s)| 42.43 Copy UHD film and write backup (simultaneously) (MB/s)| 103.53 NAS performance tester: 100 MB write / read (MB/s)| 253.80 / 294.39 NAS performance tester: 400 MB write / read (MB/s)| 251.67 / 296.11 NAS performance tester: 8000 MB write / read (MB/s)| 247.31 / 284.89 Installation / control panel / buttons| Simple / LEDs only / yes (copy) Changing the hard drive / changing the hard drive during operation| Without tools / yes Status messages via| Signal tone / e-mail / SMS Power consumption: Idle / sleep mode / load / off| 26.5 / 16.8 / 33.7 / 1.9 watts Temperature: Idle / load| 22 / 28.5 ° Celsius Operating noise: Idle / load| Quiet / medium Dimensions (W × D × H) / weight (unequipped)| 113 x 228 x 170 millimetres / 1.6 kilograms View QNAP Turbostation TS-264-8G at Amazon QNAP Turbostation TS-264-8G: Features| ---|--- Number of hard drive bays / built-in disks| 2 / 0 Ports: USB 3.0 (USB 3.2 Gen2) / USB 2.0 / network / anti-theft protection| 2 / 2 / 2 / yes File system(s)| EXT4 Memory: available / upgradeable| 8.192 MB DDR4 / yes Processor (clock speed)| Intel Celeron N5095 (Boost 2.9 GHz) Jumbo Frames Support| Yes Encryption| Yes Scope of delivery| Power supply unit, power cable, LAN cable (1 ×), 6 × and 8 × screws (2.5 inch, SSD), Info Extended Warranty, Quick Installation Guide, Limited Warranty Included programmes| Qfinder Pro (Download) Server services: FTP / Print / Webserver / Webaccess| Yes / no / yes / yes Media server via: DLNA / UPnP-AV / iTunes| Yes / yes / no Raid modes: 0 / 1 / 5 / 1 5 / Matrix / JBOD| Yes / yes / no / no / no / yes IPV6 compatible| Yes / yes Installation of 2.5-inch HDD/SSD possible| Yes Extras| Slot for PCIe 3.0 expansion card (5/10GbE), 2 × M.2 slots Internet| www.qnap.com/de Warranty from the manufacturer| 36 months ##

Research firm IDC predicts that the average price of computers could rise by up to 8% in 2026 due to a global shortage of memory chips (RAM and NAND). The background is the sharp increase in demand for HBM memory for AI data centers, which is prioritized over the production of consumer memory, which is less profitable for manufacturers. Meanwhile, IDC predicts that the PC market could also shrink by between 2.4 and 8.9 percent in 2026 as a result of the shortage. > “If the smartphone market is facing pressure, the PC market is bracing for disruption. The timing of the memory shortage creates a perfect storm for the PC industry, colliding with the Microsoft Windows 10 end-of-life refresh cycle and the AI PC marketing push. > > PC vendors are signalling broad price increases as cost pressures intensify into H2 2026. Lenovo, Dell, HP, Acer and ASUS have warned clients of tougher conditions ahead, confirming 15-20% hikes and contract resets as an industry-wide response. > > …White box as well as lower tier (often local) vendors, on the other hand, will bear the greatest burden of the shortage, and that would include DIY systems, oftentimes built by gamers. That in turn represents an opportunity for large OEMs to gain share from smaller assemblers in the gaming space by positioning pre-built systems as offering higher value.” In an interview on PCWorld’s Full Nerd Network channel on YouTube, Cameron Crandall of Kingston — known for its flash memory products — said that anyone looking to upgrade their system should aim to do so as soon as possible instead of waiting for lower prices. “I think the best thing to do if you’re looking at upgrading your system is to do it now and not wait because prices are going to continue to go up,” he said. “My advice today would be to not hold off on that purchase because it will be more expensive 30 days from now, and more likely it will be more expensive 30 days after that.”

#### At a glance ### Expert's Rating ### Pros * Extremely bright, with excellent color presentation * Remote control is good for quick adjustments, and saves you from the app * Ample customizability if you invest the time ### Cons * App is a bit of a mess * Preloaded themes are too similar * Quite expensive ### Our Verdict If you really need the extra brightness, Lumary’s Permanent Outdoor Lights Max live up to their name, but the app that comes with them isn’t nearly as robust as that of the competition. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today ### Price When Reviewed We reviewed the 158-foot/120-LED model priced at $649.99. Also available as a 105-foot/80-LED SKU for $449.99 and a 53-foot/40-LED SKU for $299.99 ### Best Prices Today: Lumary Permanent Outdoor Lights Max Retailer Price Lumary $649.99 View Deal Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Lumary is a newish smart home company focused heavily on lighting products, and its latest offering is a high-end (or at least high-priced) permanent outdoor strip lighting solution. The company makes three permanent lighting products, with the Lumary Max, reviewed here, being its most expensive solution Price, however, is hardly always the best signal of quality. ## Specifications The Lumary Permanent Outdoor Lights Max product features a familiar set of LEDs daisy chained along a sturdy wire, all clad in white and ready to attach to your eaves. The system comes in three length options: 40 LEDs/53 feet, 80 LEDs/105 feet, or 120 LEDs/158 feet. Prices are $300, $450, and $650 respectively. I received the 120-LED version for review. > From the moment the Lumary Permanent Outdoor Lights Max are powered on, it’s evident they are much brighter than the competition. Lumary bills its LED technology as RGBAICW, with 16 million colors supported in each LED and programmable white temperatures ranging from 2200 Kelvin to 6500K. The lights are very bright, maxing out at 60 lumens each, a significant upgrade over most other permanent lights I’ve tested. Maximum power draw is specified at 96 watts. The lighting modules and wiring are rated IP67 for weatherproofing, while the inline control box is IP65. Read TechHive’s IP code guide for a better understanding of how products are protected from the elements. We reviewed Lumary’s longest offering: 158 feet with 120 LEDs. Its Permanent Outdoor Lights Max are also available in a 53-foot length with 40 LEDs and a 105-foot length with 80 LEDs. Christopher Null/Foundry Lumary says that product lifespan varies based on production batch, with early batches specified at 15,000 hours and the latest jumping to 50,000 hours. (It’s not clear if there’s any way to tell which batch you’re purchasing.) LEDs are separated by a distance of 16.5 inches and come with 20 LEDs in each segment, which are connected to one another with waterproof seals. Extension cables of both 4- and 12 feet are included that you can use at any point in the chain of lights. Only about 3 feet of extra cabling appears at the A/C adapter side of the lights along with the control box; you’ll probably need to use one of the in-line extension cables or a standard electrical extension cable to reach an electrical outlet. Lights can be mounted with either preaffixed adhesive or screw hardware; both options are included, as are additional clips to help keep wiring in place, a handy bonus. All necessary hardware is included, as is a remote control powered by two AAA batteries (not included). Lumary’s lights connect to its mobile app via 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. Third-party support for Alexa and Google Home infrastructures is also included. ## Installation and setup Each light puck can glow in your choice of 16 millions colors or produce various temperatures of white light (from a warm 2200 Kelvin to an ice-cold 6500K). Christopher Null/Foundry Setup of the Lumary Permanent Outdoor Lights Max is a familiar process, and as with most permanent lights, you’ll spend the bulk of your time planning exactly where they should go and where to use the included extension cords before breaking out a ladder and painstakingly attaching the lights to your eaves. After installing the Lumary app, the system is designed to auto-discover new Lumary hardware via Bluetooth. I had to turn the lights on and off a few times via the single button on the control box to complete the task, but otherwise the process was quick, after which I tapped in my Wi-Fi credentials and started a firmware update to complete the onboarding. ## Using the Lumary Permanent Outdoor Lights Max From the moment they’re powered on, it becomes evident that the Lumary Max lights are much brighter than typical string lights or permanent lights. The 60-lumen LEDs sear the retinas at close range and full brightness, even though the beam is fairly wide and diffuse. The Lumary app, however, is a real oddity that is far from intuitive and is clearly a work in progress. The apparent problem is that is a clone of the Smart Life app, a multivendor application that ranks as one of the worst user experiences on the market. Lumary’s app takes Smart Life and seemingly makes it even more scattered. Lumary provides a handy remote control that saves you from needing to pull out your smartphone when you want to make changes. Christopher Null/Foundry Like Smart Life, the Lumary app first drops you into a view of all your Lumary gear. Tap the Permanent Lights Max icon to drill down and access detailed management features. The first page of device management is a bulb-by-bulb editor that lets you paint your chosen color directly to each LED. This mode however only supports static colors and white bulb—no visual effects—and bizarrely, these scenes can’t be permanently saved after you’ve painstakingly created them. One tab over you’ll find Lumary’s pre-created scenes, divided into “Scenery” (like “Lotus Reflecting the Sun”), “Life” (“Holiday,” “Working”), “Festival” (“Christmas,” “Forest Day”), and “Mood” (“Love and Fantasy,” “Spring Fishing”). There are some 55 scene modes available, and they’re all a lot alike, with few seemingly seasonally appropriate. I’m not sure why, but the Christmas theme features a variety of flashing colors instead of red and green hues, and they come off like cheap party lights. The colors and animations in the app also don’t match up well to what the lighting looks like in real life. You won’t get any kind of sense of what these themes look like unless you try them out one by one. Fortunately, the themes are adjustable—within reason—and these adjustments can be saved for future use. But again, so much trial and error is needed to make your theme look good that it really doesn’t matter which one you use as a starting point. Lastly, various music modes (which can work with either a microphone on the control box or your phone’s mic) are included. Lumary’s app leaves much to be desired. Christopher Null/Foundry The app has a basic countdown timer and scheduling system that can turn the lights on or off and set a theme from your collection, but this all needs to be done when you’re drilled down into the lights’ detail screen. You can make quick adjustments to brightness, color temperature, and the countdown clock from the Lumary home screen, but the countdown clock here is only displayed in seconds, which is awfully unintuitive for a multi-hour timer. The included remote control is fortunately a thoughtful touch, letting you cycle through scenes and adjust scene speed and brightness, in addition to cycling power. Five additional preset buttons let you turn the lights to all red, green, or blue or set them to warm white or cool white. ## Should you buy the Lumary Permanent Outdoor Lights Max? Lumary’s lights are very bright, the colors are vivid, and its remote is useful, but I really dreaded having to deal with the app. The $546 street price for the longest kit, 158 feet in length, is another potential stumbling block. For my money, Govee’s Permanent Outdoor Lights 2 is a more well-rounded offering that’s easier to use, even if it’s not as bright. If you truly need something that will make your house the brightest in the neighborhood, on the other hand, Lumary’s kit might be worth a look. _This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of thebest smart lighting._

The end of the year is always a great time to get midrange laptops at budget-tier prices. These are the kinds of laptops that will carry you through an entire day without getting on your nerves, so why settle for an entry-level clunker when you can score an awesome holiday discount instead? Right now, the HP OmniBook X Flip 2-in-1 laptop used to be $1,050 but is currently on sale for $630 at Best Buy. At the core of this machine is an Intel Core Ultra 7 256V processor with Intel Arc 140V integrated graphics, which handles tasks like a boss _and_ can handle entry-level gaming. That CPU qualifies this laptop as a Copilot+ PC, meaning it can access all the newfangled AI features in Windows 11. And with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, it’s powerful enough to handle Windows 11 without choking. In short, the HP OmniBook X Flip 2-in-1 is an all-around winner. Sporting a beautiful 14-inch 1920×1200 IPS touchscreen display, this laptop is made for an elevated viewing experience that won’t break the bank. That touchscreen will prove useful in tandem with the OmniBook’s 360-degree hinge that lets you lay the machine flat, prop it up like a tent, or swing all the way back in tablet mode. Use it to effortlessly read PDFs, scroll through websites, or watch video in absolute comfort. With 400 nits of brightness, it’s a great screen for most environments. Other bits worth noting include both HDMI 2.1 and Thunderbolt 4 ports, a few more USB ports for peripherals and external drives, up to 22 hours of battery life (real-world usage might be half that, but even then it’s still amazing), Wi-Fi 6E, a backlit keyboard, and an aluminum chassis that gives it that premium feel. Weighing just 3 pounds and measuring half an inch thick, it’s pretty darn portable, too. I mean, what else is there to say? You’d be hard-pressed to find another laptop that’s anywhere close to this in the $600 range. When’s the next time you’ll be able to snag a $1k laptop at this price? With RAM prices spiking, probably never! Don’t pass up this chance. HP's highly productive 2-in-1 laptop is a steal now that it's $420 off Buy now from Best Buy

The best thing about today’s PCs is that you don’t need a towering desktop machine to get the job done, whether that’s handling your daily workload, browsing the web, streaming media content, or even some light gaming. A mini PC can be everything you need at a much cheaper price—like the Acemagic W1 mini PC, which is now on sale for just $519 on Amazon thanks to a hefty 32% discount. Under the hood, the Acemagic W1 features an AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS processor combined with a massive 32GB of DDR5 RAM. Given the way memory has spiked in price lately, this is an amazing deal just for the fact you can snag 32GB at this price — 32GB RAM kits are going for $300 – $400 by themselves online these days. Throw in a 1TB SSD and you have a high-performance configuration that can smoothly handle Windows 11 Pro (which comes pre-installed) and all your apps and browser tabs. The Agemagic W1 is a beast when it comes to multitasking, too, with its ability to support up to three 4K/60Hz monitors for maximum screen real estate. It also has loads of other USB-A ports for peripherals and external storage drives, plus the usual connectivity needs like an Ethernet port, 3.5mm audio jack, and both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. What are you waiting for? Quit hemming and hawing! This is your chance to snag an excellent mini PC for a whopping 32% off before climbing memory prices make devices way more expensive in the near future. Get this Ryzen mini PC with 32GB RAM and Windows 11 Pro on sale Buy now at Amazon

It’s not every day that you can snatch a fantastic OLED monitor at a deep discount, but today is one of them! I just spotted this 32-inch Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 for $500 off—an absolutely amazing price drop that brings this $1,300 monitor down to a more affordable $800. That’s an all-new lowest price by a significant margin, too! This is a high-end QD-OLED display from one of the best monitor makers in the market, complete with a crisp 4K resolution on a 32-inch frame, ready to deliver sharp visuals and vibrant colors. With DisplayHDR TrueBlack 400, you’ll enjoy deep blacks and more details in darker scenes, whether you’re gaming or streaming media. The glare-free panel also helps with that since there won’t be any glossy reflections to steal away your attention or cause eye fatigue. The Odyssey OLED G8 is great for gamers, too, offering a fast 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time. Throw in compatibility with both Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and you won’t have to worry about screen tearing or any other issues during gameplay — at least if your graphics card can handle it. At 32 inches, this is sizable display that doesn’t edge into comically large territory, providing the perfect amount of screen real estate for productivity, gaming, and leisure alike. What are you waiting for? In case you missed it, this is the lowest price it’s ever been! Grab the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 for $800 before this deal expires. Save $500 on Samsung's 32-inch 4K OLED gaming monitor Buy now at Amazon

I have a drawer full of USB cables and every time I want to connect a device, I have to try them out. USB-C was supposed to simplify things: One cable for everything, that was the promise. In practice, it’s a different story: There are cables that can only charge. There are some that transfer data. Some also transmit image information, which can then be used as a monitor cable. And then there is always the question of speed: 30 or 100 watts of charging power? USB 2.0 speed with 480 megabits or USB 3.2 or even Thunderbolt with up to 40 gigabits per second? Unfortunately, the cable labelling often doesn’t help to bring order to the cable chaos. And then devices run or charge unnecessarily slowly because the wrong cable has been used. The more LEDs light up, the better the cable. ## Inexpensive cable tester solves cable problems Fortunately, this has now come to an end for me: An inexpensive cable tester from Treedix makes testing cables child’s play: Simply plug it in, check the LEDs, and I know whether my cable is “good” or whether I can stuff it in the other cable box in the basement. The one where I also keep SCART and jack cables. The tester’s small, clever circuit board is powered by an inexpensive CR2032 button battery and offers a number of USB ports. In addition to two USB-C 3.0 ports, there are two USB-A ports (USB 2.0 and USB 3.0) as well as mini-USB, micro-USB, Type-B, Lightning, and a hard drive connector (Micro-B 2.0). The functionality is as simple as it is efficient. Simply plug both ends of the cable to be tested into the device and the cable tester will display a series of LEDs. Basically, the more LEDs that light up, the better the cable. This cable has significantly fewer functions than the upper cable: For example, the data lines are missing. ## Meaning of the individual LEDs on the cable tester Unfortunately, no instructions were supplied with my cable tester — however, there is a PDF online with operating instructions for the Treedix version. Unfortunately, the cable tester does not currently support Thunderbolt or USB 4.0 — but this is not a problem, as both cable types have to be labelled as standard anyway. What’s more, these cables are relatively expensive and should therefore be easy to remember — at least that’s how it is for me. The different LEDs light up depending on the cable standard. ## No household should be without a USB cable tester For me, the small cable tester is also more of an aid to sorting the countless other cables. Ragged USB-C charging cables can look just like the high-quality cables from the digital camera — with the difference that they don’t work in the same way. The cable tester helps me a lot here — and in my opinion, no household should be without one. Especially as it’s inexpensive and easy to use. Get the Treedix cable tester from Amazon

TechHive Editors Choice #### At a glance ### Expert's Rating ### Pros * Integrated Wi-Fi adapter * Zippy performance * Clean (if not wholly inspired) industrial design * Still sports a sub-$100 price tag ### Cons * No integrated door-ajar sensor * Limited third-party ecosystem support * Fingerprint reader missed occasional scans ### Our Verdict Wyze upgrades its smart deadbolt with Wi-Fi and a new look — but keeps the rock bottom price tag about the same. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today ### Price When Reviewed $79.98 ### Best Prices Today: Wyze Lock Bolt v2 Retailer Price $79.98 View Deal Wyze Labs $79.98 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Three years ago, Wyze did what Wyze does best, introducing a capable smart lock that covered the bases and nothing more, with a no-frills offering that could be had for a song ($70 at launch). Now, Wyze is back with an update to its original Lock Bolt, redesigning and upgrading the device to keep up with the many advances that have hit the smart lock space since 2022. Good news: It’s still incredibly inexpensive, and the entire package remains a huge winner worthy of consideration by budget-minded smart home enthusiasts. ## Specifications The Wyze Bolt Lock v2 ships with eight AA alkaline batteries. Christopher Null/Foundry To start, the Wyze Bolt Lock v2 is completely redesigned, now featuring an illuminating glass touchscreen instead of physical buttons, and there’s now a mechanical key option where once there was none. (The fingerprint reader remains intact, and Wyze says it’s been upgraded with an “AI self-learning scanner that logs pressure, angle, and even tiny skin shifts” every time it’s operated in order to refine its model.) > The Wyze Lock Bolt v2 is only $10 more than the v1 was at launch. I’m doubtful we’ll see a better deal than this in the foreseeable future. The biggest change however is under the hood: While the Wyze Bolt Lock v1 was a Bluetooth-only system, the Bolt Lock v2 adds Wi-Fi (2.4GHz only) to the mix, support for which is de rigueur in the industry today. The unit is powered by eight AA batteries (included, instead of four on the model v1), which Wyze says should last about eight months. An emergency USB-C port is also available on the underside of the exterior escutcheon for emergency use. IP53 weatherproofing is a bit less impressive than what you’ll typically find on the market, but _probably_ good enough for your front door, and its commercial ANSI Level 2 certification suggests that the physical security of the lock is probably good enough for most suburban homes. For more information, read our deep dive on ANSI and BHMA entry lock certifications. The device can store a maximum of 50 PINs and 50 fingerprints, which is handy because the Wyze app includes support for a maximum of 50 users. One-time passcodes that expire on a schedule you decide—up to a week away—are also included. Auto-locking is configurable from instantaneously to 15 minutes, though there is no open/close detection system available, so the auto-lock will engage whether you’ve shut the door or not. The lock can also be set to engage at a particular time each day and on certain days of the week, helpful for automating your end-of-the-day lockdown. Lastly, integration with the Amazon Alexa or Google Home ecosystems is included. ## Installation and setup You can unlock the Wyze Bolt v2 with a fingerprint, a PIN, a physical key, or the Wyze app. Christopher Null/Foundry There’s little mystery in the setup of the Lock Bolt v2. Like its predecessor, the exterior escutcheon attaches to an interior mounting frame with two bolts. A single cable connects to the interior escutcheon, which mounts to the frame with three smaller bolts. Unfortunately, the holes into which those three bolts are set were too narrow for my standard screwdriver to fit inside without marring the interior escutcheon’s plastic case. I had to fetch a smaller screwdriver from my toolkit to complete the job, though this made things more difficult than necessary because the screwdriver head was undersized compared to the bolts. One item of note should be considered when installing the batteries, as a warning label notes that you must use 1.5-volt batteries (standard alkalines, eight of which are included as noted above) instead of 1.2-volt batteries, namely NiMH rechargeables. While NiMH batteries aren’t terribly common anymore, it’s still worth noting. I spent no more than 10 minutes getting the lock into place, after which it was time to onboard it with the Wyze app. Wyze’s now-overloaded app requires you to select the product you’re adding from a list (or search for it by name), which is becoming an unwieldy way to find your device. As I’ve noted with TP-Link, it’s high time for Wyze to embrace auto-discovery across its product line. Fortunately, Wyze only makes four smart locks at the moment, so finding the v2 isn’t difficult. The Wyze app has all the smart lock features you’d expect to find, including a complete activity log. Christopher Null/Foundry Oddly, initial onboarding failed without explanation, as did my first attempt to calibrate the lock. Persistence paid off on both fronts, however, and after trying again the lock made it through the process. After a few quick parameter settings and a brief firmware update, I was able to get started using it. ## Using the Wyze Lock Bolt v2 This smart lock’s oversized interior escutcheon won’t be the prettiest thing you’ll mount to your door, but there’s no denying the Wyze Bolt Lock v2’s security value. Christopher Null/Foundry Looking back at my review of the original Wyze Lock Bolt, it’s clear that while the hardware has seen an update, very little has changed within the app in three years. Functionally, the lock works great, which is in keeping with Wyze’s other smart lock products. I found unlocking the door to be speedy and seamless whether I was using the keypad or a thumbprint—or interacting with the lock via the app whether I was nearby or 200 miles away. User management is intuitive and fast, and Wyze makes it easy to choose among permanent, recurring, or temporary users when setting up new visitors. Fingerprints enroll quickly and the scanner was very accurate (though not perfect) in my testing. One-time codes worked flawlessly as well, and logging is robust and detailed for all of this. From a hardware perspective, the lock motor is quiet, though it chimes quite a bit during operation, which ultimately led me to turn its “status and operation” volume off altogether. That’s a personal preference more than anything. ## Should you buy the Wyze Lock Bolt v2? The Wyze Lock Bolt v2 is only $10 more than the v1 was at launch, which says a lot about how far this industry has come in just three years. Better looking and far more powerful thanks to integrated Wi-Fi, it’s arguably now the best value available on the smart lock market, at least for the moment. (Numerous other locks are available for less than $100, but they either don’t have Wi-Fi or lack a fingerprint reader—or both.) That, of course, is a situation that changes rapidly, but I’m doubtful we’ll see a better deal than this one hit in the foreseeable future. _This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of thebest smart locks._

One of the drawbacks to most AI implementations is that much of the processing is performed in the cloud, which usually means uploading your personal information to servers you have no control over. That raises a host of privacy concerns for many, including yours truly. Is it worse than using the typical online search engine? No, but then again…. Displace TV intends to minimize your exposure to the online powers-that-be by endowing the company’s new Displace Pro TV 2 with _local_ AI. It’s said to often keep your personal information on the TV rather than broadcasting it to mega-corporation that might–but probably won’t–have the proper ethics or your best interests in mind. ## Onboard processing The “Pro TV 2 features dedicated native Neural Processing Units (NPUs) and Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) that allow for secure, on-device AI processing,” the company says. Quoting the company further, “Displace’s commitment to privacy sets it apart in an industry where many products depend on cloud-based data storage. The Pro TV 2 has a browser-based OS 2.0 that ensures sensitive information remains secure on the device, delivering a personalized experience without compromising user trust. The local processing capabilities provide peace of mind, characteristic of Displace’s effort to stay at the forefront of consumer technology.” Four Displace TVs plus two soundbars. Some of the features that use local AI are pause-to-shop, where products from a scene are presented for you to purchase; a personalized video news agent; live conversational search (for better voice control); and gesture control, where you can wave and make gestures at your TV to control it instead of grabbing a remote. From all that you’d think that Displace aims to be the Duck Duck Go of the TV industry. Sounds good, but there’s still info to track going in and out, even if it doesn’t identify you personally. Your IP address might still be exposed. ## The Displace Hub promises to make _any_ TV totally wireless Displace TV will also show its new Displace Hub at CES in January. This device promises to bring the whiz-bang features of its Displace TVs–battery power, suction-powered wall mounting that doesn’t require drilling holes in the wall, and more–to almost any TV. Well, any TV with a screen size between 55- and 100 inches and weighing up to 150 pounds. The magic? An Intel N-150 quad-core CPU, 16GB of RAM, 128GB of internal storage, and of course, a 15,000 mAh battery system that should power most TVs without an AC cord for five to 10 hours, according the company. ## Who is Displace TV? Displace TV is famous (in TV circles at least) for its wireless HDMI connectivity, battery power, and suction-based wall-mounting. You can read more about these fascinating departures from the norm here and here. If Displace TV truly does keep your personal info local, then we like it. We wish more vendors would hop on board the true privacy train. Sadly, it’s left the station–and most of them–behind.

Asus announced that next year it will release a new laptop in collaboration with GoPro, which is mainly known for its action cameras. Judging by a teaser video, the Asus ProArt GoPro edition looks to be designed with an extra focus on rugged portability. The computer will also have a dedicated GoPro button. Exactly what it does is unknown. > The ProArt @GoPro edition creator laptop is about to break cover. > > Join the ASUS CES 2026 Livestream and witness the ultimate creator laptop: 👉 https://t.co/xJbeu2uDdC#ASUS #CES2026 #AlwaysIncredible pic.twitter.com/4QrD6Rufd9 > > — ASUS (@ASUS) December 21, 2025 Earlier in October, Asus ProArt and GoPro also announced a collaboration to streamline creative workflows using AI. The Asus ProArt GoPro edition will be unveiled in detail during the CES technology show in Las Vegas, the first week of January 2026.

The Apple Mac Mini is aimed at users who are looking for a compact desktop computer for everyday use, business, and multimedia, but do not want to compromise on performance. Thanks to its small housing, it can be used flexibly, for example on the desk, in the home office or in the living room. Typical for Apple is the close integration of hardware and macOS, which is reflected in performance and smooth processes. The M4 Apple Mac Mini is currently available on Amazon for just $479. That’s 20 percent off the usual $599 price. So if you order directly from Apple, you pay significantly more. The Mac Mini M4 is extremely popular, with over 10,000 orders in the last month alone, making it the **number 1 bestseller** among Mini PCs. And our colleagues at Macworld adores the beefier M4 Pro version of the Mac Mini they reviewed. ## What the Apple Mac Mini M4 has to offer Under the bonnet is Apple’s M4 chip with a 10-core CPU consisting of four performance and six efficiency cores, as well as a 10-core GPU. The system is supported by 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. This configuration is primarily designed for everyday tasks, productive work, multimedia applications, and light creative work. The Mac Mini remains true to its lineage as a particularly compact computer. With dimensions of 5 inches by 5 inches and a height of 2 inches, it takes up hardly any space and weighs just 1.5 pounds. This means it can easily be placed under a monitor or in small work environments without dominating your workspace. Bestselling Mac Mini M4 for only $499 There are two USB-C ports with USB 3 support and a 3.5 millimeter headphone connection on the front. Three Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI and Gigabit Ethernet are available at the rear. 10 Gigabit Ethernet is also available as an option. This makes the Mac Mini suitable for both modern peripherals and wired networks. You can operate up to three monitors simultaneously, including resolutions of up to 6K or even 8K at 60 Hertz (if only 2 monitors are connected). This also makes the Mac Mini interesting for multi-monitor setups in the work environment. This is complemented by extensive video and audio functions, including support for common HDR formats, Dolby Atmos and numerous audio and video codecs. For users in the Apple ecosystem, collaboration with iPhone and iPad also plays a role. Content can be copied across devices, messages can be answered and Facetime calls can be made directly on the Mac. ## Why the offer is worthwhile At the current price of $479, the Apple Mac Mini M4 is positioned well below MSRP and only just above the previous lowest price during Black Friday week. Between the compact design, the modern M4 platform, and the solid core specifications, you’ll be very satisfied with the price-performance ratio. If you’re looking for a powerful, space-saving desktop computer for everyday use and can get by with the basic configuration, the Amazon offer is a significant saving compared to Apple’s price. Bestselling Mac Mini M4 for only $499

Earlier this week, several LG owners drew attention to the fact that Microsoft Copilot had suddenly appeared pinned to their smart TV’s home screen, with no option to uninstall it. The Copilot icon was supposedly added during a recent webOS update. Although the shortcut could be hidden, there was no way to remove it completely. Something many felt was forced and unacceptable. LG previously announced that it has partnered with Microsoft as part of its “AI TV” initiative. According to the company, Copilot will be used to provide AI-based search and recommendation assistance directly in the TV interface. After the backlash, LG has announced that the company will “take steps to allow users to delete the shortcut icon if they so desire,” Engadget reports. LG also clarified that the Copilot icon is not an installed app, as many believed, but a shortcut that opens the AI chatbot in the TV’s browser.

The Epic Games Store is once again giving away a free PC game every day for the holiday season. Every day at 11am Eastern, a new title is unlocked, which is only available for free for 24 hours and then remains in your library permanently. You can currently get the horror game “Sorry We’re Closed” for free until 11 today. The next free game will follow immediately afterwards. ## Daily free games in the Epic Games Store The promotion is part of Epic Games’ ongoing holiday sale, where you can get up to 75 percent off selected games. The sale started on December 11 and runs until January 8 2026, but the sale also includes free titles that start every day at 5 p.m. and are then available for free for 24 hours. Anyone who adds the game to their library within this time window will keep it permanently. There is no official list of all upcoming free games. Which games will follow next remains unknown until they are activated. The free games can be surprisingly popular, too. On December 19, for example, Epic Games offered the blockbuster _Hogwarts Legacy_ for free. In the past, we’ve seen Epic give away hits like _Control, Death Stranding, Grand Theft Auto V,_ and the _Batman: Arkham Asylum_ trilogy. Be sure to check the store every day to make sure you don’t miss out on these freebies! Maybe there will be even more great game highlights.

Valve has decided to end production of the Steam Deck LCD, the cheapest version of the company’s handheld gaming computer, reports Windows Latest. As part of the Steam Winter Sale, Valve added a note to the Steam Deck page saying that once the last stock of the LCD model are sold, it will no longer be available for purchase — and it’s now sold out. Launched in 2022, the Steam Deck LCD played an important role in establishing Steam Deck as a popular option in the handheld gaming PC market, launching at an affordable $399. Going forward, Steam Deck OLED will be the only version Valve sells. That model has a starting price of $549 and offers, among other things, improved screen technology and longer battery life. Valve has not commented on why production of the LCD model is being discontinued, but one possible explanation could be rising prices for components such as memory and storage. The company recently said a potential Steam Deck 2 remains a long way off.