Tag: gaming

PS5 vs. PS5 Slim vs. PS5 Pro: What’s the Difference, and Which Console Should You Get?

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The PlayStation 5 was arguably one of Sony’s most controversial designs. After a few years, I have to admit it’s growing on me. The only downside is its gargantuan size, which made the PS5 Slim a welcome redesign. The upcoming PS5 Pro further iterates on the design, adding some welcome hardware upgrades. If you’re unsure which model is for you, we have some insight.

Unlike past midcycle refreshes like the PS4 Pro, the PS5 Slim is more of a replacement than an addition to the lineup. When inventory of the original sells out, you’ll only be able to find the Slim. The Slim model doesn’t upgrade any of the core specs like processor or RAM, though it does come with a bit of extra storage; the original PS5 came with 825 GB of internal storage, while the PS5 Slim bumps that to a full 1 TB.

Meanwhile, the PS5 Pro is more in line with what we expect from a midcycle refresh. It features significant processing upgrades, a relatively large 2 TB of internal storage right out of the gate, and a price to match. At $700, the sticker shock is real. Let’s dive into the details.

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PS5 Slim: A Space Saving Successor

The biggest difference between the PS5 and the PS5 Slim is the size. The original PS5 was an absolute unit, easily one of the biggest consoles ever. The PS5 Slim is about 30 percent smaller by volume than its big brother, and like the original, the discless versions take up even less space. Here are the dimensions of all four models:

You can see a comparison of all four sizes here and rotate the models around in 3D space to get a sense of the difference. The drop in size is significant, and your entertainment unit will appreciate the extra space, though it’s worth pointing out that even the Slim models are still substantially bigger than, say, the Xbox Series X/S consoles.

Photograph: Eric Ravenscraft

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September 26, 2024
How to Preorder Sony’s PS5 Pro (Before a Scalper Bot Does)

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We’re barely done with the years-long period where it was almost impossible to get your hands on a PlayStation 5, and now Sony is launching the PlayStation 5 Pro. It has a more powerful graphics processor, better AI upscaling, and tons more storage, with a higher price to match. If you want to get your hands on one when it launches, though, it might take some effort.

It’s no secret at this point that scalpers are, metaphorically, armed to the teeth with tools that can snag dozens of PS5s before you can click the Buy button on one. There’s little reason to expect this new console launch will be any different. (Even if the $700 price makes it one of the most expensive consoles of all time.) Still, there are things you can do to improve your odds of nabbing one of these consoles. And while you’re at it, check out our Best PS5 Accessories and Best PS5 Games guides for more.

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When Do Preorders Start?

Photograph: Sony PlayStation

Preorders for the new PlayStation 5—as well as the extremely limited-edition 30th-anniversary PS5 Pro models designed to be reminiscent of the original PlayStation—will begin in stages. The PlayStation Direct website will get first dibs, followed by other retailers a couple of weeks later. Here are all of the important dates:

The PS5 Pro is $700 for the disc-less version. If you want to add a disc drive, it’s a separate purchase. You can read more about the differences between all the PS5 models here.

Tips to (Hopefully) Score Your Preorder

Photograph: Walmart

Unfortunately, there’s no way to guarantee that you’ll be able to get a console, even if you’re at your computer the minute sales go live. But there are things you can do to increase your odds:

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September 26, 2024
Struggling to Unlock Your Phone? You Might Have Lost Your Fingerprints

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Terri Krejci, 60, from Huntsville, Alabama, was working as an overnight manager at CVS in 2014 when she discovered she had breast cancer. She had six months of chemo, then surgery. Her medical team warned her that she might lose her hair, that she would get nauseous. She had no idea she could lose her fingerprints.

“It was just after my second round of chemo, and I had a Samsung phone that had a touch ID, and it kept saying ‘fingerprint not detected,’” says Krejci, who is now retired. “Then one of the nurses said, ‘Oh yeah, I guess we forgot to tell you about that. That’s gonna happen.’ They said it could be quite a while before I would see those fingerprints come back again.”

This caused a particular problem—as Krejci needed to use fingerprint ID to get into the cancer unit. Someone had to let her into the center each time, until they finally gave up and gave her the code. Ten years later, her hands are mostly back to normal, she says, but she still has to reset the fingerprint scan on her phone regularly.

Langenburg, the forensic scientist, says issues with fingerprints aren’t going to go away any time soon. He predicts the trend will be to use multiple biometric factors to compensate for potential fingerprint issues—a retinal scan or face ID and a fingerprint, for example.

He says that for people who know they have fingerprint issues—construction workers, rock climbers—there are ways to make your hands easier to read. Make sure to hydrate, and use sanitizer gel or hand lotion right before scanning. In Minnesota and Wisconsin, professionals tasked with taking fingerprints use “udder balm,” typically used on cows, because it makes the fingers a little sticky, and that helps with fingerprint recording.

Of course, there are some people who want their fingerprints to be obscured—particularly criminals. “They often will pay large sums of money to try to obfuscate their fingerprints through acid or surgery or whatever,” says Thomas Busey, a professor of psychological and brain sciences at Indiana University, who studies the use of fingerprints and accuracy of fingerprint analysis.

But Langenburg says that going through those extensive procedures often has the opposite effect to what’s desired, creating a more unique mark. He points to the American gangster John Dillinger, who cut his fingers and then poured acid into them, which scarred the middles of his fingers but left all the tips, joints, and sides all identifiable. “As soon as we see those kinds of red flags, we immediately know this person’s trying to hide their identity. It’s such a nonsense thing that’s been going on for 100 years, and it does not work,” Langenburg says.

Busey believes thinks that it’s odd that we’ve ended up focusing on using fingerprints for biometric identification. A criminal fingerprinting usually involves recording all 10 fingers as well as the palms, capturing a vast amount of detail, whereas something like a phone or computer or airport scanner may use only a single finger, or just an area on that finger. It’s a very limited identifier if something goes wrong—and also something that gets around.

“You probably have a password for your computer, and you probably don’t get into the habit of sharing your password with other people,” Busey says. “But when your fingerprint is your password, you’re literally leaving your password on every object you touch.”

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August 26, 2024
MSI Claw Review: Don’t Buy This Gaming Handheld

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In the world of Transformers toys, there’s a concept known as “redecos.” This is when the manufacturer takes the mold for one figure but uses a different color plastic or paint and calls it a new figure. As I was testing the MSI Claw, a gaming handheld from a PC manufacturer, all I could think of was that it felt like a redeco of the Asus ROG Ally.

That’s not great because I rated the Ally quite poorly (though Asus’ new ROG Ally X fared a bit better). So we’re left with what feels like a reskin of a poor product, but other factors make the Claw even worse. Our review unit took some time to arrive at our doorstep, yet in June—mere months after the launch of the Claw—MSI announced two new successors expected to arrive this fall. Bizarrely, despite the poor reception at launch and the rush of sequels coming soon, the Claw remains for sale. So here’s a PSA: Don’t buy it.

Outdated Hardware

Where the MSI Claw differs from the original ROG Ally is minimal. It uses an Intel processor instead of AMD on the Ally, has a 53-watt-hour battery instead of 40 Wh, and the power button with a built-in fingerprint sensor is on the left instead of the right. Yes, there are a couple of other minor hardware differences, but the similarities are so much more prominent. The button layout is nearly identical, right down to the two rear, customizable paddles. It has the same 7-inch 1,080p, 120-Hz screen, the same 16 GB of LPDDR5 memory, and the same 512 GB solid-state drive.

Photograph: Eric Ravenscraft

You can get a slightly upgraded model with a 1-terabyte SSD and an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor (which is the model I tested), but with the recent release of the ROG Ally X, you probably shouldn’t. The Claw’s replacement, the MSI Claw 8 AI+, has better specs and it’s not far off.

Frankly, I could end the review here. Hardware iterations might move fast, but it’s rare to see a company announce a product’s successor three months after the original drops. There’s no good reason to buy the MSI Claw rather than wait until the follow-up. But we should still talk about how this one performs as a baseline. And, well, the bar is already set pretty low.

Square One

At this point, when I open up a new Windows-based gaming handheld, I know to expect a lengthy period of wrestling with the interface to get even basic things working. I don’t like grading on a curve—the kind of user interface issues that get a pass on devices like this would be inexcusable on, say, the Nintendo Switch or even the Steam Deck—but even with my expectations adjusted, I was constantly frustrated.

Photograph: Eric Ravenscraft

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August 2, 2024
NZXT Relay Headset and SwitchMix Review: Innovative Convenience

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The NZXT Relay Headset isn’t noteworthy on its own. It’s a solid gaming headset with decent audio quality, comfortable earcups, and an understated design. But NZXT swung for the fences with its foray into the world of audio. Paired with NZXT’s SwitchMix accessory, the Relay Headset gets far more interesting.

The NZXT Relay Headset ($100) and the NZXT SwitchMix ($130) are sold separately, but they’re designed to be used together (along with NZXT’s Relay Speakers and Subwoofer). The headset plugs into the SwitchMix, which plugs into your PC, and you can use the SwitchMix to adjust the volume with the giant stylish knob or balance between game audio and voice chat with a simple slider.

But the headset hangar is the star of the show. It has a built-in pressure plate switch that tells the SwitchMix mixer to change devices between the headset and your external speakers. No more fiddling with device settings in Windows, forgetting to swap outputs, and accidentally waking your partner with your game. Just take the headset off the hangar and your PC will switch to it. Put the headset back on and audio will come out of your speakers. It’s a dream come true—when it works.

One Simple Switch

The SwitchMix accessory doesn’t come with the Relay Headset, and it costs slightly more than the headset itself, but that feels appropriate. It’s pretty unique. It comes in two parts: a mixer and a headphone stand.

The mixer is a sturdy yet sleek brick with a large stylish knob and a slider along the right side. The bottom of the mixer has four circular rubber pegs on the bottom that fit neatly inside a grid of holes on the base of the stand. It’s a nice little design touch that lets you rotate the mixer so it’s positioned best for your desktop setup. The knob and slider are large and distinct, making it easy to adjust them without looking, which can be crucial when you’re trying to adjust audio in-game.

Photograph: Eric Ravenscraft

The switch in the stand is easily the most appealing part of this setup, and it pulls off this party trick in a low-tech way that’s both a blessing and a detriment. A small 3.5-mm connector runs from the base of the stand into a port on the rear of the mixer. A USB-C port on the rear of the mixer runs to your computer, while two more 3.5-mm ports run to a speaker and (wired) headset.

This setup, unfortunately, means that the hangar switch works only with wired headsets, and can only connect to external speakers via a single 3.5-mm port. That limits the amount of hardware this setup will work with. But when it does work, it’s delightful. I prefer to watch videos on my desktop with my speakers but put on my headphones while I play Overwatch 2 with my friends. Picking up the headset from the stand, the audio switched over before I even got the headphones on my head. The word “seamless” was invented for experiences like this.

The SwitchMix also functions as a standalone digital-to-analog converter (DAC), though in my experience, this isn’t a particularly noteworthy benefit. The SwitchMix supports 24-bit/96-kHz audio output, but I didn’t notice a meaningful difference in the audio compared to plugging the headset directly into my PC.

One Solid Headset

The Relay is a solid first entry from NZXT. The earcups have a smooth matte surface in either black or white. I tested the white version and it looked particularly stylish. The foam inside the cups is soft and comfortable, and the headset is lightweight enough to wear for hours without discomfort.

Photograph: Eric Ravenscraft

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June 16, 2024
Alpine’s A290 EV Has a Built-In Gran Turismo-Style Driving Instructor

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Another win over its Renault 5 sibling is a multi-link rear suspension, which promises a pointy front end, while Alpine-engineered front and rear anti-roll bars should add further balance and poise.

Alpine has also spent time perfecting the feel of the brake pedal, promising an “imperceptible natural transition between regenerative braking at the beginning of the pedal travel and hydraulic braking”. Large Brembo units do much of the heavy lifting here, but we’ll let you know if this has been a success when we review the EV properly.

One stat as a result of this weight loss and superior brake setup is impressive, however: This EV can drop from 62 mph to a standstill in just 3 seconds—so interested parties should perhaps start training up their neck muscles.

Interior Tech

There are other ways Alpine is looking to engage the driver. There are four driving modes, Save, Normal, Sport and Personal, the last of which allows a customized throttle response, steering assistance and “Alpine Driving Sound”. The latter is a newly developed system, which accentuates the noise coming from the electric motor and pumps it through the audio system into the car. So, while there’s still trickery going on here, at least the noise generated isn’t entirely fake.

Speaking of audio, Alpine has patriotically partnered with Devialet, a respected French audiophile brand, for its sound system. An optional-extra package, it consists of a 615-watt amplifier, a 30 cm subwoofer and 9 loudspeakers. After a very brief listening session from the back seat, I was left impressed by the clarity of sound and the deep, but not overpowering bass. It’s definitely a box to tick on the spec list. As a side note, if you are over 5’ 9”, you will struggle for leg room in the back.

If you find yourself behind the wheel, you’ll notice the two large screens, which have become the standard for all new EVs. There’s a 10.1-inch central screen angled towards the driver, which displays the Google-based, but attractively Alpine-skinned, operating system. And for those who value tactility, there are a number of physical buttons below it to control the heating and air conditioning, but anyone hoping for Renault 5 Turbo-style speedometers and rev counters will be disappointed with the screen that replaces them.

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June 13, 2024
Razer Iskur V2 Review: The Best Gaming Chair

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I have, perhaps, a deep-seated distaste for gaming chairs. I bought one in 2016, got tired of the race-car-seat-like design, and grew frustrated at how poorly it managed heat. Then the back pain came as I began working remotely (right before the pandemic). One of my first pandemic purchases was a proper office chair since I spent more than eight hours at my desk. Lo and behold, the back pain slowly disappeared after a few weeks.

This launched my interest in testing office chairs—I have since put my behind on more than 50 models, from active seating to Herman Millers. An office chair is better than a gaming chair in almost every way—they often have more adjustments you can make to personalize the chair to your body; they typically do a better job of keeping you cool with breathable materials; and they usually have better back support. But that doesn’t make gaming chairs less popular. They’re the seat of choice for many creators and streamers, and something many gamers seem to yearn for to complete their gaming battle station. So here we are with the Razer Iskur V2.

I went into this review process knowing the Iskur would not right some of the problems I initially had with the gaming chair I sat on for many years, but I tried to keep an open mind. The verdict after a month of sitting on it? It’s OK! I wouldn’t choose the Iskur V2 as my WFH throne, but if you do not want an office chair, it’s probably the best gaming chair around.

Big and Tall

Assembly was fairly quick and easy, like many of the office chairs I’ve tested, and the tools you need are included in the box. I initially thought the installation instructions were missing from, but it turns out they’re on the back of a giant piece of paper, which is the first thing you’ll see when you open the box. You can also scan a QR code to watch the assembly video on YouTube.

The build materials are nice—I tested the PVC-free faux-leather model (the black-and-green version), which feels well-constructed with durable stitching. There’s also a fabric model that’s available only in gray. My initial impression after moving the Iskur V2 from my living room to my office upstairs was that it’s heavy and bulky, plus the casters don’t roll well on hardwood floors. Seriously, I have seven office chairs in my room right now (send help), and the Iskur is the tallest and widest, taking up the most space.

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

It’s black with some neon-green accents and looks quite sleek—most gaming chairs typically have flashy designs. I still don’t care for the race-car-seat design—I genuinely prefer the look of office chairs like the Branch Verve, Steelcase Gesture, and Herman Miller Embody to this bulky, thick Iskur, but that might also be my back holding a grudge.

The Iskur V2 has a wider backrest than its predecessor. I’m 6’4″, and it fits my wide shoulders perfectly; the corners don’t dig in as on some chairs. The seat was wide enough for my frame, too; however, you cannot adjust the seat depth (you can’t pull the seat out at all). This meant I had no room for alternative sitting positions—I couldn’t sit with one leg tucked under the other, something I can do on the Embody and the Haworth Fern I’m currently testing.

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June 7, 2024
Fitbit Ace LTE Kids Smartwatch: Specs, Features, Release Date, Price

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For parents, their child’s safety is paramount, so Google says it has taken extra precautions with the Fitbit Ace LTE. Rather than trying to protect the data, Google adopted a policy of data minimization. Unlike the Fitbits for adults, Google will not take health data to improve products or do research; it will simply delete it all. Location history will be deleted after 24 hours and health data is deleted after 30 days. There are no third-party apps and no ads allowed.

Does Your Kid Need a Device?

When I told my kids about the new watches they were going to get to test, my 9-year-old frowned and said, “Sounds … distracting.” (Yes, she is a gadget reviewer’s kid.) This device launches into an atmosphere of profound ambivalence about the effects of smart devices on our children. Children are getting phones at younger and younger ages. According to Common Sense Media, about half of the children in the US already own a smartphone by age 11; my children are already starting to rely on mine to log in to their school’s set of proprietary apps.

At the same time, acknowledging the grim effects of social media on adolescent mental health, the schools in our city of Portland, Oregon, have started to ban phones and smartwatches from schools entirely. Organizations like Wait Until 8th ask parents to sign pledges to not give their child a smartphone until the eighth grade. My husband and I are not planning on giving our children smartphones until they’re 14.

I have been pretty happy with Apple’s Family Setup and the limited functionality on my children’s Apple Watches. The only problem is that my children are not motivated to keep them charged and wear them often and are often not wearing them when they need them.

The Fitbit Ace LTE could change that, motivating them to keep it charged and on their wrists, even if the idea of a 24/7 wearable gaming device makes me a little nervous. I also don’t want to keep buying bands every six months; my bank account and I already have enough trouble managing their Animal Crossing and Squishmallow habits.

Courtesy of Fitbit and Google

“All we need to do is build a great product and schools will respond accordingly,” says Anil Sabharwal, Google’s vice president of product management for health and wearables. “We’re working with school boards to talk about what mechanisms we can install so that the watches can be used in schools. But even so, there’s a lot of time before school, when parents want to make sure their kids get to school safely. The kids have after-school activities. We see a tremendous amount of value there.”

The solutions are imperfect, but at least they’re there. Giving my children smartwatches may sometimes be a distraction, but it also lets my kid move more freely around her neighborhood, get exercise, and socialize in person with her friends. If a device can help further those goals, I’m all for it. And maybe walking around more will help improve her sense of direction, just a little bit.

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May 29, 2024
Logitech Aurora Collection Review: Heart and Cloud-Shaped Boxes

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Everywhere I look, I see an ad for Logitech’s Aurora Collection of accessories. At least, it feels that way. Often it’s the distinctive, cloud-shaped palm rest, or the beautiful all-white headphones. They follow me across social media platforms. You got me, Logitech: I’m interested.

The Aurora Collection checks several boxes for me: It’s designed for gamers like myself, but with a softer aesthetic, featuring white form factors and colorful accessories, something that’s hard to find in a landscape of all-black everything. (Someone bring back the colorful monitors of the iMac age! I’m begging you!) It nicely toes the line of visually pleasing without being cheap or infantile, and isn’t so feminine in its design choices that it feels exclusive to anyone who identifies as a woman.

I tested three key components of the collection: the G705 gaming mouse ($80), the G715 wireless mechanical keyboard ($180), and the G735 headset ($200), plus the included cloud rest for the keyboard and the carrying case for the headphones. (There’s also a wired version of the keyboard for $140.) I’ve been happy using these as I work and game throughout the day, but my favorite item of the collection surprised me.

Color Injection

Photograph: Nena Farrell

Something about the G715 wireless mechanical keyboard reminds me of my childhood keyboard. I think it’s the bulky form factor paired with the dark gray buttons on the top; it sends me right back to using my parents’ big gray keyboard while I played Freddi Fish.

On the build design alone, it feels like a classic, old-school keyboard. There’s some weight, but it’s not particularly noteworthy when compared with fun keyboards like the Logitech Pop (9/10, WIRED Recommends). It doesn’t come with circular keys, for example, and there’s no numpad.

The G705 mouse, too, looks similar to other gaming mice I’ve used, but the light strip that runs through the back half (where your palm sits) certainly makes it more fun on my desk. The collection as a whole is pretty classic in its design, yet the white backdrop and well-placed pastel lights give it an entirely new look.

The G735 headphones have the sleekest look of the Aurora line and are the least stereotypically gamer-y. They look fairly high-end, akin to Apple’s AirPods Max (8/10, WIRED Recommends), and have a thinner headband since they’re designed with smaller heads in mind. I have a large noggin and was worried about how they would fit; they were certainly snug, but not so much that I had a headache or couldn’t comfortably wear them for a few hours at a time.

Control Boxes

Courtesy of Logitech

All of the Aurora collection is controlled by the Logitech G HUB, a computer app that will connect to all of these devices and several other Logitech peripherals. The app not only gives you a huge variety of controls and options to customize your lights, but also lets you adjust key commands and macros on the keyboard, your mouse sensitivity, and way more.

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May 11, 2024
Dell Alienware m16 R2 Review: Gaming Power in a Business Suit

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The Alienware m16 R2 uses a 2,560 X 1,600-pixel resolution IPS display that’s decent for its price but not particularly remarkable. The display lacks HDR support, instead opting for a basic sRGB color gamut. This isn’t a huge deal, but when similarly priced laptops like the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 pack vibrant OLED panels, it’s hard to ignore.

It peaks at 300 nits of brightness, which is slightly lower than some gaming laptops I’ve recently tested. Sitting next to a window during the day, I could still easily make out what was on the screen, but I started to struggle while outdoors in broad daylight.

The m16 R2’s display does have one advantage: It has a 240-Hz refresh rate, which is especially welcome in fast-paced games that can take advantage of it. While playing Doom Eternal on medium settings, I got an excess of 200 frames per second, which made jumping around and shooting demons a buttery-smooth experience.

Many other gaming laptops at this price (like the Zephyrus G14) are limited to 120 Hz, so that makes the m16 R2 an attractive alternative if you’re looking for extra-smooth gameplay. It’s worth noting that the refresh rate is useful only if games can take advantage of it, which means you’ll need to consider your spec options carefully.

For Work and Play

The base model of the Alienware m16 R2 comes with an Nvidia RTX 4050 GPU, but it can be upgraded to an RTX 4070, which was in the model I tested. With the RTX 4070, I played Overwatch 2 on medium settings while hitting well over 200 fps. In a competitive game where split-second decisionmaking matters, this is a huge benefit.

In more modern, graphics-intensive single-player games like Starfield, I reliably got 50 to 60 fps in crowded areas like New Atlantis, with higher frame rates in less-demanding areas of the game. Cyberpunk 2077 fared similarly, regularly maintaining 70 to 80 fps during combat, dipping to 50 to 60 fps while driving through crowded parts of the city.

Photograph: Eric Ravenscraft

All of these tests were done while plugged in, but it’s important to remember that if you plan to play on battery, more frames means more power drain. The m16 R2 has a substantial 90-watt-hour battery, which is among the largest you’ll find in a laptop. But cranking graphics settings to their maximum will burn through that fast. Performing normal tasks on the m16 R2, I achieved roughly nine to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge. Gaming dropped that number substantially, but I was able to get an hour and a half to two hours of continuous gaming if I was careful to optimize my graphics settings and not push the machine too hard.

Overall, the Alienware m16 R2 balances power with everyday needs. You can use this laptop as your daily driver for work and get a full day of battery life out of it, then plug it into a dock at the end of the day to do some pretty robust gaming.

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May 1, 2024