Most smart glasses makers treat their technology like something to apologize for (or something to covertly hide), shrinking cameras and batteries until the frames pass for standard Wayfarers. Snap is doing the exact opposite.

From when Specs debuted to trying them on for myself, it’s clear that the bold, thick-framed silhouette has split opinions. But during my exclusive interview, Snap CEO Evan Spiegel made it clear that this aesthetic isn’t just overcoming engineering physics — it’s a philosophical stance.

“I think a lot of companies have made the mistake of trying to make smart glasses look like normal glasses, which really just ends up being kind of creepy,” Spiegel commented. “People feel like, ‘oh, are you spying on me? Why are you wearing those spy glasses that are disguised as regular glasses?'"

Designer wearables you see coming

Rather than apologizing, Snap made Specs unapologetically conspicuous. Of course, in terms of whether you like the look, there’s going to be some detractors. But by doing this, making the hardware unmistakable makes visual transparency a norm.

"So with Specs, you can really see them coming. They've got iridescent lenses, a very distinct style, and hopefully that invites some real conversation,” Spiegel added.

“Because the thing I think that's so surprising about Specs is that someone might think, 'Oh, are you recording me?' and it's like, 'No, I'm watching a video on YouTube.' You're like, 'What, you're watching a video on YouTube with a pair of see-through glasses?'"

By going hard on this big, bold aesthetic, Snap’s intention is to reframe those bystander assumptions with an obvious computer on your face, and defuse any tension that may come from wearing them.

And I gotta be real, it’s refreshing to see. While the look has drawn some chuckles from the team when I showed them (one said I looked like the front of a pickup truck), making it abundantly visually clear — not just with an LED but also with the size and shape of the glasses themselves — is going to be a lot less “pervert glasses,” and more “what do they do?”

The engineering reality of ditching the tether

While Spiegel framed the aesthetic as a social design choice, it is equally a compromise dictated by the laws of physics in 2026. Unlike tethered headsets that offload their compute and battery into a pocket puck, Specs house their entire computing architecture directly within the frame.

“We thought that was important because people don't want to lug around another puck or something like that just to use Specs,” Spiegel stated. “So in terms of real wearability and portability, that was something that was really important to us."

And as you can read during my hands-on time, they have managed to work around some of those physics challenges — effective vapor chambers to combat the heat generated by two Snapdragon chips and keep those temperatures at a comfortable level. After a few bigger, bulkier generations, I had to ask Evan what the “Eureka moment” was that had him realizing now was the time to go to the consumer.

"I think the reason why this generation of Specs is ready for primetime is that we finally fit all of this extraordinary capability into a lightweight pair of see-through glasses. They're about 130 grams, so they're very wearable,” Spiegel said. “The last developer version weighed like 200 grams, just way too heavy to really be wearable for these sorts of experiences."

That’s not to say these aren’t still definitely an early-adopter package. There’s a huge $2,195 price tag attached to them, after all. But trying them on myself, it’s clear the comfort has been figured out.

Can loud design win public trust?

Snap’s refusal — or inability — to build stealth eyewear is a candid acknowledgment of what AR hardware actually requires today. By choosing high-visibility industrial design over covert disguise, Specs are attempting to solve the societal etiquette problem before it starts. They are visibly loud by design so you physically cannot be sneaky.

However, the real battle ahead won’t just be the whole “stealth glasses are creepy” thing, it will be convincing consumers to wear a chunky, two-thousand-dollar face computer out in the real world.

More from Tom's Guide

• Snapchat launches its own AI — and says Snap Intelligence will 'anticipate your needs'
• I’ve played for 100 hours on a VR headset lighter than my iPhone — Pimax Dream Air is an expensive breakthrough
• I tested DLSS 5 in NBA 2K27 on a mid-range gaming laptop — it's the future of photorealistic graphics, but there's a catch

Way back in June of this year, Snap CEO Evan Spiegel revealed the company's Specs — a pair of AR glasses that he described as the beginning of a "new era of computing."

At the time, an official launch date was not released, but now they're here.

As a reminder, Specs are something of a mashup between Meta's Ray-Ban AI glasses and a VR headset. They feature two Snapdragon processors built into the glasses. They do come with a hefty starting price of $2,195.

“We’ve seen these different shifts in computing happen, and we see a shift is coming,” Russell Patton product manager for Specs at Snap told Tom's Guide in an interview. “Going forward, it’s going to be that shift from phones to glasses, and I think it’s not just taking the apps that are on our phones and putting them into glasses.”

Specs "specs"

Alongside the Specs, Snap also announced a charging case that has cellular connectivity. The company is partnering with Verizon on the cellular connection, meaning you'll need a data plan with Verizon to access the feature.

What do Specs do

Like a VR headset, Specs lets you work (and play) in virtual spaces from using shared whiteboards to watching YouTube and shopping in 3D spaces that let you place objects in the real world. Or you can put navigation cues on the displays that map to the world as you explore.

At the same time, they're akin to AI glasses in that you can take Bluetooth calls, control your music and utilize live translation.

Snap promoted the glasses as a learning tool with apps built in collaboration with the NBA and WNBA that help you learn how to shoot a basketball, or apps that analyze your golf swing. These features and apps Snap calls Lenses. Other learning experiences include 3D exploration of the solar system or constellations.

These glasses do have cameras and Snap spokespeople claimed that an LED light will show when the glasses are recording. A burgeoning privacy concern for smart glasses and recording clearly has Snap worried about getting the pervert glasses label.

" SPECS do not use facial recognition to identify people. SPECS do not record the world to understand it, and don't continuously record or save audio, video, or photos," Snap said in a press release.

And like everything, AI is a big part of what Snap is producing.

Snap Intelligence

Snap OS, which runs the glasses, already features AI. Like most AI promises, its supposed to see what you're looking at, understand the context and help you "in the moment."

But, Snap also has what it calls an "anticipatory AI service" dubbed Snap Intelligence, which takes that AI makes it accessible across multiple devices from your iPhone and MacBook back to the Specs. It's designed to carry "personal context" across your devices.

In some cases, it is supposed to anticipate your needs and act without a prompt. Snap promises that security is paramount and Snap personnel can't see your personal information or content.

You can choose what apps connect to Snap Intelligence like your calendar, email and notes. And it is supposed to ask before it does anything, prompting you to confirm a choice.

You don't need Specs to try out Snap Intelligence.

Price and availability

If the price doesn't scare you away, you can pre-order the Snap Specs today at specs.com for $2,195 with a $200 refundable deposit.

There is a bundle with the cellular charging case that costs $2,395. To get the cellular, you'll need a Verizon plan that starts at $10 per month for Verizon customers and $20 per month for non-Verizon customers.

Snap expects to ship the glasses in the US, UK and France starting this fall.

If you live or are visiting Los Angeles, you can check out the glasses at Westfield Century City mall at a Snap popup starting October 1. We were told that some Verizon locations will have hands-on experiences but not which ones or when.

More from Tom's Guide

• Tom's Guide to smart glasses: 13 terms you need to know
• I tried the RayNeo GT Max, and they're easily the most comfortable AR glasses I've worn yet
• People are using custom apps and $30 gadgets to hunt for smart glasses that may be filming them—here's how

Let’s address the elephant on your face: Snap’s new $2,195 Specs have an unmistakable, thick-framed aesthetic that will inevitably divide opinion. I can hear you through your screen — sharing your take on how I look wearing them — when I saw them at AWE this year, I braced myself for an awkward feeling.

But then, I put them on and the reality check hit me like a brick in the courtyard of Snap’s Santa Monica HQ: they are shockingly wearable. The weight balance across the bridge and temples avoids the front-heavy lever effect that plagues tethered setups, which makes them much more comfortable for the extended session I had than their bold silhouette suggests.

And while the tech world has been obsessed over either making simple AI glasses or bulky mixed-reality ski goggles, Snap has quietly built the perfect middle ground — a fully standalone spatial computer with zero cables and zero pocket pucks that actually works in the real world.

Snap Specs: Specs

Pure standalone freedom

No wires, no tether, no pocket pack. Every single bit of compute, sensor fusion and battery architecture is housed directly inside the frame. And through that lens, their size becomes more understandable, but whether this look is your cup of tea or not, one thing I can confirm is they’re surprisingly comfortable to wear.

I had them on for roughly an hour, and I didn’t feel any serious downward pressure on the tops of my ears. As the guy who took that side profile picture of CEO Evan Spiegel wearing them at AWE (you know the one), I was pleasantly shocked at this weight distribution.

On top of that, the dual vapor chambers do a great job at keeping things cool on your temples — with only a small bit of warming up when you really put them under pressure. And those two-step electrochromic lenses do a great job of blocking out the LA sun.

One thing worth noting about those lenses with the built-in waveguide displays is that they do add a little chromatic aberration to the real world around you. Nothing too dramatic, but the iridescence does have a definitely noticeable effect on visibility.

And of course, the design itself is certainly polarizing. Speaking to Spiegel, this is by design to make them stand out, and go against the grain of making glasses that blend in a little too well (sparking the privacy concerns we’ve all seen around the Ray-Ban Metas).

In that vein, I kinda get it. Everybody will know you’re wearing smart glasses, but as the most visible piece of wearable tech on you, I can appreciate these will split opinions and cause some insecurity wearing them in public.

Opinions in the office ranged from appreciating that brutalist aesthetic to comparisons made to the 3D glasses you got at the cinema. But I’d love to know what you think!

The “palmtastic” UI

Yes, Snap has a buzz word for this — calling it “Instinctual computing” — tech that adapts to you, replaces traditional input devices with gestures and voice commands, and keeps people present and connected in their surroundings.

Rather than trying to teach a new dynamic of gesture control, Specs go the instinctual route and let you reach out and touch things, with opening your palm summoning the quick settings right on your skin.

I won’t delve too far into this, as you’ve already seen my impressions of Specs OS over the last 12 months leading up to this debut moment for consumers. But the extra layers of polish to get this ready for consumer launch really show in the UI, the rigid tracking of objects (even in travel mode) and the Specs Intelligence AI taking action rapidly on my requests.

Daily utility over gimmicks

And that’s because the main thing I do want to focus on here is the just what these many hundreds of thousands of Lenses unlock. It creates a massive ecosystem that can be immensely helpful and impactful.

The utility can come in the form of live-captioning across 60 languages that’s overlaid directly onto speakers in front of you — turning foreign travel into a foreign language movie with subtitles.

You can also measure things in the real world with your hands, TripAdvisor integration gives you spatial reviews, landmark histories and currency conversions on storefronts, and connecting a bluetooth keyboard can take you into a multi-screen UI to get work done.

And then there’s the entertainment and sports side of things. As you’ve probably already seen, Snap’s partnered up with the HBO remake of "Harry Potter" to make an AR experience that is almost pitch perfect for my millennial-coded self. I put on the sorting hat with my hands and was put into Gryffindor (apologies to the reviewer before me who got put in Hufflepuff).

Then for sports, being taught proper form for my golf swings, running soccer dribbling drills and practicing my basketball jumpshot revealed just how much of a comfortable revolution this is for those who use VR headsets for fitness.

And of course, if you remember all those visionaries from the Specs global campaign (Jack Harlow, Imogen Heap, Hoyeon, etc), they all have their own purpose-built lenses based on their own interests.

For example, Hoyeon’s is a full blown meditation garden to bring guided breathing into AR, Jimmy Butler’s love for dominoes comes to life in a connected AR experience between two Specs owners playing the game, and Imogen Heap’s Sound Space translates your body and your natural physical movements into music.

All-in-all, this is turning out to be a vast, but also curated suite of tools that will make these feel like a really useful addition to pop on and use. But hopefully the ambient part of instinctual computing remains — the last thing you want to see is the use of those screens and AR start to overtake the real-life surroundings too drastically.

The real breakthrough

One thing that I haven’t fully tested yet is going to be the glue between all your personal context called Specs Intelligence. Essentially this is a proactive move beyond a simple chatbot into an anticipatory engine that works across Mac, iPhone and Specs.

It works by building an architecture of your personal context:

• Portrait: Getting a deep understanding of your routines, contacts and working patterns.
• Corners: Partitioning your life into work, family, fitness and travel.
• Goals: Keeping long-term objectives at the center of it all as a filter to the noise — keeping you locked in.

And the idea is to manifest proactive actions in real life: gate changes and terminal directions as you hop out of an airport taxi, pulling up meeting notes before you sit down, even cancelling unused subscriptions — all while staying within strict on-device privacy guardrails.

And Snap is committing to not use any of this data to train generative AI or run ads. I’m definitely very intrigued to see how effective this is without becoming a nudge monster (like your Apple Watch stand notifications) and how seamless it can be taking your context between devices.

My verdict: an expensive paradigm shift

Now I have to acknowledge the friction points that are definitely here. The battery isn’t going to last so long under full AR load (the claim is four hours), at $2,195 it’s a very expensive first-gen device (though with that cellular case and partnerships with Verizon in U.S. and EE in U.K., that cost can be spread out as part of a data plan).

And then, there’s definitely going to be the social hurdle of wearing bold, geometric frames in everyday coffee shops.

But I can’t deny that they are damn cool to use. Snap has accomplished what Apple and Meta are still striving for: a self-contained, truly standalone pair of AR glasses that deliver genuine everyday utility. And that utility comes combined with robust developer buy-in, and an anticipatory AI layer that doesn’t feel like a toy.

It might look divisive, but the experience is the closest thing to real spatial computing that I have seen yet.

More from Tom's Guide

• I’ve played for 100 hours on a VR headset lighter than my iPhone — Pimax Dream Air is an expensive breakthrough
• Nvidia’s RTX Spark N1X launches this October: My price predictions for the potential MacBook Pro killer
• I’ve worn smart glasses for over 5 years — here’s the best AR and AI glasses in 2026

Meta makes some of the most popular smart glasses on the market, which has led to some issues for the company. Namely, it's dealing with people using them as "pervert glasses" to photograph and record people without their permission.

Sure, the glasses have a light that shows when they're capturing, but some users have modified them to hide the light.

Meta has attempted to stem the backlash by rolling out updates, including one that disables the camera if the LED has been covered or tampered with. And now it appears it has a plan B in mind.

According to a report from The Information, Mark Zuckerberg and company could launch a pair of Meta glasses without cameras as soon as next week at Meta Connect.

Does anyone actually want smart glasses without cameras? Personally, my main use case for my Meta Glasses is recording videos and taking photos while golfing, so taking that away would render the glasses all but useless to me.

Meta Glasses without cameras

Meta is currently calling the glasses-free smart glasses Luna internally. According to the The Information report, it's expected to announce them at Meta Connect on Sept. 23, so we won't have to wait.

Apparently, the glasses will launch in Clubmaster and Burbank styles. They'll still have the audio features offered by current Meta Glasses. They'll reportedly have six microphones, which means you can ask them for directions and do all other kinds of AI-based tasks without taking your phone out of your pocket.

The practicality of these new glasses will depend heavily on how useful you find those audio features (I do listen to music on my Meta Glasses, but I almost never use any of the "Hey Meta" features).

If the report is accurate, Meta will ship the camera-free glasses in October. It'll be interesting to see whether these are popular, or whether they're strictly an attempt by Meta to show it's taking steps to prevent people from using the glasses inappropriately.

This feels like a move Meta needs to make to keep its smart glasses business moving forward, as some jurisdictions are starting to ban the current camera-toting models in public places.

More from Tom's Guide

• Perplexity’s new local-first AI runs on your PC — and asks before using the cloud
• ChatGPT can learn your repetitive tasks by watching you — here are 7 prompts to try
• The best way to use ChatGPT for writing isn't writing — 7 prompts I use to make it my creative partner

This year has been a rollercoaster for the computing industry, with undeniably awesome new products marred by the ongoing RAM crisis. If you're looking for your next powerful laptop, blazing-fast Wi-Fi 7 router or first pair of AR glasses, the landscape has changed. That's why our team of experts has been busy testing out the best computing and home office gear from the last twelve months.

We've seen laptops deliver twin OLED screens without missing a beat of battery, peripherals that genuinely make your work life easier and the explosion of AR glasses that are currently redefining what computing even means.

Below you'll find our picks for the Tom's Guide Awards 2026, with each and every one worthy of a permanent position on your desk.

Best laptop

Dell XPS 13

The Dell XPS 13 is the best answer to the MacBook Neo. Don’t let its $699 starting price fool you; it’s far from a shoddy budget laptop. The sturdy CNC aluminum chassis makes it feel like a premium notebook, while the sharp 13.4-inch 2.5K touchscreen display outshines the dim panels on most budget Windows laptops. The XPS 13 is also the lightest XPS laptop ever, and it can last nearly 14 and a half hours — both of which make it an ideal travel partner.

Thanks to all of that, along with its impressive Wildcat Lake performance for everyday work, this year’s Dell XPS 13 is hard to top (unless you’re married to the Apple ecosystem). As such, the XPS 13 is an easy choice for the best laptop.

— Tony Polanco, Senior Writer

Best AI laptop

Asus ProArt GoPro Edition PX13

There were many definitions of what makes a good AI laptop, but one is becoming clear: something with the raw GPU power and memory to do the work entirely locally on device. And out of everything I tested this year, the Asus ProArt GoPro Edition PX13 stood tall.

The laptop fundamentals are there — a gorgeous utilitarian aesthetic, beautiful OLED display, strong ergonomics and battery life. But with an AMD Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 chip in here and up to 128GB of RAM, you can run massive LLMs and agentic models with ease. Things like OpenAI’s GPT-OSS 120B, Google Gemma 3 27B Vision model or Stable Diffusion.

I’ve always said that the future of AI is local, not cloud-based. This machine proves it.

— Jason England, Managing Editor

Best keyboard

Epomaker Glyph

The Epomaker Glyph is easily the best mechanical keyboard I;ve tested this year, and it’s the deck for speed demons and hardcore typists. Its typewriter-like aesthetics, beautiful RGB lighting, dual screens that display useful keyboard and OS stats, a creamy sound profile, and a typing experience that’s nothing short of stunning — the Glyph does it all.

It makes a regular day at the office feel more fun, and its accompanying silicone and PVC palm rest ensures all-day comfort, too. I called the Glyph my “dream keyboard,” and after having tested nearly 100 keyboards, it’s my daily driver and one I haven’t stopped using since testing it.

— Nikita Achanta, Senior Reviews Writer

Best gaming laptop

Razer Blade 16 (2026)

The Razer Blade 16 is very expensive but worth every penny, delivering a superlative gaming laptop experience. Inside, it packs an Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU and up to an RTX 5090 for serious horsepower. It looks good doing it, thanks to its classy aluminum chassis, which is as comfortable in an office as it is in a gaming den. Games look as good as they perform, thanks to the gorgeous 16-inch 240Hz OLED panel.

At 4.7 pounds, you’ll definitely feel it in your bag when you’re traveling. This is offset by its exceptional battery life, which can last upwards of 13 hours for basic productivity tasks. However, it can run hot and loud when gaming or rendering videos—not to mention that it lasts less than two hours on a charge when gaming. Those quibbles aside, this is a brilliant gaming laptop, so long as you can afford it.

— Tony Polanco, Senior Writer

Best 2-in-1 laptop

Asus Zenbook Duo

I mean, this one was kind of expected! The Asus Zenbook Duo rewrote the rules on what to expect from a 2-in-1 a couple years ago, and now with this redesign and Intel Core Ultra Series 3 pumping through its veins, it’s the first real time that this dual-screen laptop form factor feels truly ready for prime time.

That monster chip keeps everything running oh so smoothly, while offering a beasty GPU to pull off some shockingly good gaming performance. And Asus has really paid attention to overhauling the design here with a sturdier hinge, a great-feeling keyboard and touchpad, and those dual 14-inch OLED touchscreens are a mesmerizing joy to use.

— Jason England, Managing Editor

Best mini PC

Minisforum G1 Pro

The days of dragging a big, old desktop computer over to your living room to play on your TV are over now that we have full-featured mini PCs built for gaming like the Minisforum G1 Pro. Although it’s smaller than a PS5 Pro, this mini PC still comes packed with powerful internals like an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HX processor and a discrete Nvidia RTX 5060 GPU.

Moving the G1 Pro from room to room is a breeze too thanks to the fact that it has a built-in, 350W power supply instead of a bulky power brick. Despite its small size, you can easily open the G1 Pro to upgrade its memory, storage and potentially even its graphics card down the line. Minisforum has been making excellent mini PCs for years but the G1 Pro is the closest we’ve come yet to a true console replacement, and it easily beats Valve’s Steam Machine when it comes to performance.

— Anthony Spadafora, Managing Editor

Best monitor

Alienware AW3926QW

Wait, why are we choosing a gaming monitor for “best monitor”? That’s because the Alienware AW3926QW is also ideal for everyday work. The curved 39-inch 21:9 tandem OLED panel is not only immersive but also bright and colorful for gaming and reading text documents. You can even switch between 165Hz at 5K for cinematic games and 330Hz at 1080p for competitive titles.

The expansive 21:9 aspect ratio lets you easily place two or three full-size windows side by side without stacking, boosting your productivity. Thanks to its relatively subdued design and dark color, it looks at home in both professional and casual environments. While the $1,099 asking price might be a tad steep and 39 inches won’t fit every setup, this is about as perfect as a monitor can get—so much so that I gave it a perfect 5 out of 5 score. The AW3926QW is definitely deserving of our best monitor award.

— Tony Polanco, Senior Writer

Best AR Glasses

Viture Beast

After an initially bumpy launch, Viture saved the Beast with solid firmware updates that turned an also-ran into the best AR glasses you can buy today. At $549, it’s a premium price, but you’re getting a pair of premium, well-built spectacles that outclass every other set. It starts with a sharp 1200p picture quality thanks to Sony Micro OLED lenses tuned with Viture’s color science.

These are vivid glasses with great fidelity, spatial anchoring, and a comfortable, adjustable design, meaning you can wear the Beast for longer sessions.

I like these glasses not just because of what they are, but because Viture took the time to make them better after a poor start. It’s hard to be patient, especially at these prices, but the Viture Beast was worth the wait.

— Scott Younker, News Writer

Best webcam

Insta360 Link 2 Pro

The Insta360 Link 2 Pro does everything you could possibly need, from being a helping hand with framing, making presenting a dream, to an impressive low-light performance, so looking good is never an issue.

It’s an outstanding 4K webcam that has superb autofocus and subject tracking to keep individuals and groups in frame. It uses a two-axis gimbal to follow you around the frame, zooming in so you’re always clear to the viewer. The gesture controls, desk view and whiteboard sharing features completely streamline presentations and make setting up for calls a breeze. It may be expensive and unnecessary for basic calls, but its smart features justify the cost.

— Ashley Thieme, Reviews Staff Writer

Best tablet

Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2

The Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 wins Best Tablet because it does the impossible—delivering exceptional sound for a slate. That’s thanks to the giant JBL 9-unit speaker on its back, which not only gives the tablet a distinctive look but also pumps out rich, loud Dolby Atmos sound. Whether it’s movies, podcasts, or music, everything sounds incredible, a far cry from the thin, tinny mess you’d normally get from other Android tablets.

In addition to the exceptional sound, the Tab Plus Gen 2 features a 12.1-inch 2.5K 120Hz panel that is bright and sharp. The built-in 360-degree kickstand lets you orient the slate to better suit whatever you’re watching or reading, while the nearly 16-hour battery life ensures you can enjoy your content for as long as you want. While this isn’t a workhorse tablet due to its so-so performance, and it’s a bit cumbersome to hold because of that bulky speaker, it’s a steal of an entertainment-focused slate for $399.

— Tony Polanco, Senior Writer

Best router

Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE19000AI

Asus continues to push the limits of what’s possible with Wi-Fi 7 and its ROG Rapture GT-BE19000AI gaming router takes things a step further. In our real world testing, we reached speeds of over 2.5 Gbps at close range but even at 50 feet, we still saw gigabit speeds over Wi-Fi which is almost unheard of at that distance.

The ROG Rapture GT-BE19000AI comes packed with high-speed multi-gig ports but it’s the router’s built-in AI core and NPU that boost online game performance while securing data and blocking trackers. To top it all off, you get a clear window to see the device’s internals, customizable RGB lighting on top and eight repositionable antennas to guarantee a strong signal in any room.

— Anthony Spadafora, Managing Editor

Best mesh router

MSI Roami BE Pro

Still a relative newcomer in the world of home networking, MSI quickly went from releasing its first gaming router to making mesh Wi-Fi systems for whole home connectivity. The MSI Roamii BE Pro takes the design of its Roamii Be Lite mesh kit and gives it a full-featured Wi-Fi 7 upgrade for even faster speeds. In fact, in our real world testing, we saw speeds of up to 1.8 Gbps at close range.

The Roamii BE Pro features plenty of multi-gig Ethernet ports on the back of its triangular design and even a USB one for sharing data across your network. However, it’s the very affordable $300 price for a two-pack that really impressed us along with the inclusion of the 6 GHz band for full tri-band connectivity. The MSI Roamii BE Pro offers a quick and easy way to upgrade to Wi-Fi 7 with all the bells and whistles without putting a dent in your wallet.

—- Anthony Spadafora, Managing Editor

Best antivirus

Bitdefender

We’ve tested many antivirus suites, but Bitdefender comes out on top for several reasons. It offers extensive protection thanks to anti-theft and anti-scam features which are more important than ever in the age of sophisticated AI-powered scams. Bitdefender sports a clean interface that makes the numerous settings easy to understand, whether you’re on mobile or desktop.

The included VPN is fantastic, as is the comprehensive Identity Protection. What’s great about Bitdefender is that it doesn’t have a negative impact on system resources either, even when you’re playing intensive games like Cyberpunk 2077. If you prioritize peace of mind against evolving AI and malware threats, Bitdefender is simply exceptional.

— Nikita Achanta, Senior Reviews Writer

Best Silicon

Intel Arc G3 Extreme

All kinds of companies have been making impressive moves with new silicon in 2026, so to pick this, I asked one question: which chip made the biggest transformational impact? Through that lens, the answer is simple — Intel Arc G3 Extreme.

PC gaming handhelds have been going through this slow, iterative pace with AMD’s chips, and Team Blue just busted through the wall like the Kool-Aid man and brought that monster GPU from its Panther Lake silicon and all the XeSS optimizations that come with it like multi-frame generation.

The end result is a generational leapfrog moment for handheld gaming that this space has needed for the past few years. It’s highly performant, super power-efficient, and a joy to play on.

— Jason England, Managing Editor

Welcome to the 2026 Tom's Guide Awards! Our annual awards celebrate the best tech, tools, gear, and services we've used over the past year, culminating with our Hero awards, which celebrate the very best innovation, company, and product design, among others.

Without further ado, here are all the winners of this year's Tom's Guide Awards.

Earlier this month, Microsoft released a massive September patch Tuesday update that fixed nearly 1,000 flaws in Windows 11. Unfortunately, that huge patch also introduced several bugs that are seriously affecting some PCs.

The company has started issuing some "out-of-band" emergency patches to fix things like Remote Desktop, USB audio and Hyper-V issues. Here's what you need to know if you're thinking about upgrading your Windows PC.

What the patches do and don't fix

The 25H2 brings back the return of the movable taskbar and a more configurable Start menu.

The emergency patches address issues with folder shares on Hyper-V-based Linux virtual machines, Remote Desktop Services sessions and some USB audio devices.

However, Explorer could display a black screen after logging in. The computer is usable-ish, but you won't be able to see the UI. Also, File History backup may not detect external drives, which makes that useless.

Why you may not want to upgrade

As reported by Windows Latest, the Patch Tuesday update appears to be breaking some PCs with AMD Radeon GPUs, causing them to crash. This is apparently due to the update causing driver instability.

Uninstalling and reinstalling the driver does not appear to help and apparently affects most current AMD cards. Reading through the emergency patches, Microsoft did not mention any fixes for AMD GPUs.

If you've already updated, you may want to rollback your PC to before the August Patch Tuesday, if you can. You can do this by going to Settings - Recovery and going to Go Back or Point-in-time restore.

Reportedly, HP and Lenovo PCs should also consider holding off. For HP PCs, the update can apparently trigger BIOS corruption, leading to a failed install, meaning you can't recover the operating system. Per Neowin, HP is introducing a BIOS revision, so it's not clear whether the patch is to blame or it's something on HP's side of the fence.

For Lenovo machines, the computer might shut down randomly or black-screen, which is being blamed on power mismanagement.

Have you experienced issues with your Windows PC after updating? Let us know in the comments, and how you resolved it.

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Google is finally ready to let everyone get their hands on the new Googlebook laptops. Sporting a combination of Android and ChromeOS, these premium devices could be what we've always hoped the best Chromebooks would be.

The company says these devices are "a new category of laptops built with Gemini’s helpfulness at its core, designed to work seamlessly with the devices in your life and powered by premium hardware." Whether they can compete with the top MacBooks and premium Windows laptops remains to be seen, but I'm definitely excited to give one a shot, since it sounds like a streamlined laptop with some cool features.

And now that Google has announced that the laptops will be available for pre-order on September 21, I don't have to wait too long to get my hands on one.

Could it be my new daily laptop, replacing my MacBook Air? Maybe. Here are three reasons why I think it's possible and why I can't wait to add one of these to my daily workflow.

Google's Magic Pointer

For my money, the coolest feature of Googlebooks is the Magic Pointer. The mouse cursor has stayed pretty much the same over the years, which makes sense, since it does its job well.

But with all the AI features baked into Googlebooks, it's finally getting a useful tweak. When you give it a wiggle, the laptop will show you contextual information about what it's pointing at (a bit like Google Lens or Circle to Search for your laptop).

I don't know about you, but I feel like I'm constantly stumbling upon things I'd like to know more about online, and this feature sounds like a nice time-saver for looking up information. Plus, it's a very visually appealing cursor.

Android integration

This is a no-brainer for anyone who's ever used a Chromebook. Web apps are great, but in most cases, Android apps offer vastly superior features. And while ChromeOS emulates Android apps, it doesn't always work well. With Googlebooks, the apps are native.

In fact, in an interview with Chrome Unboxed, Google VP John Maletis said, “We now have an ability to run truly native Android applications, not emulated. So performance of these apps is incredible.” That sounds like a vast improvement over Chromebooks.

You'll also be able to cast apps from your Android phone to your Googlebook, which will fill in the gaps for any apps that aren't natively supported.

Custom widgets

What's so exciting about widgets? Just about every laptop in recent memory has had widget support for apps in one form or another.

Well, what makes these so cool is that you can create them on the fly using Gemini, so you're not limited to a bunch of predetermined functions. If you want something specific, you can describe the widget and make it exist.

Google shows an example of someone asking for a custom tracker for an upcoming trip, but there are tons of potential use cases, like live-tracking a package, controlling your music across multiple platforms and so on.

What's missing

While September 21 at 9 a.m. ET is right around the corner, and we know brands like Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP and Lenovo are on board; the big unknown is the final price of the new Googlebooks.

The anticipated price is between $700 and $1,000, positioning these as premium laptops. Stay tuned for our hands-on impressions to see if these Googlebooks live up to the hype.

More from Tom's Guide

• Google just revealed ‘Gemini Intelligence’
• Android Auto is about to change the way you drive
• I gave ChatGPT permission to disagree with me with this prompt

Whether you're picking up an iPhone, iPad or some other Apple device, you'll know that official repairs can get very expensive. Heck, a simple screen repair on the iPhone 18 Pro Max is going to cost $379, which is almost a third of the cost of the phone itself. AppleCare+ makes those fees a little more palatable, so long as you're willing to subscribe and pay a monthly fee.

The problem is that paying for AppleCare on multiple devices can get pretty expensive, especially if you're part of a whole family of Apple users. AppleCare One already offers the chance to cover up to three devices on a single plan, and now AppleCare One Family offers that same coverage for up to six people — for $50 a month.

What devices you can add

There are surprisingly few limits on the number of devices you can add to this plan. All devices that are covered by AppleCare will be automatically added to the Family plan when you sign up, as will any devices purchased within the previous 60 days.

However, devices that are over four years old, or AirPods and Beats that are over a year old, will need to undergo a device check to ensure they're in good condition. This can be done remotely, or by visiting your nearest Apple Store. Apple has also made it clear that you can't add more than six Vision Pro headsets to the plan — not that anyone would.

The usual AppleCare+ service fees still apply. Battery servicing is totally free under the plan, while repairs to the screen and back glass are $29. Other accidental damage is $99, while theft or loss claims come with a $149 deductible. You're also limited to six loss and theft claims over the course of a year.

Devices will remain covered so long as you keep your AppleCare One Family Plan active, and provided they connect to an Apple server at least once every 12 months. However, Apple does note that devices can be removed from the plan if it runs out of the necessary parts to service and make repairs.

Coverage is also dependent on the devices being signed into a family member's Apple Account. If they sign out, and a non-family member later signs in, coverage will end.

How to set up AppleCare One Family

AppleCare One Family is currently only available in the United States, and the setup process can be initiated by any adult member of a Family Sharing Group. Payments are automatically made by the family organizer, regardless of which adult actually signs up. However, the person who initiated the subscription can choose their own payment method if they prefer. Other family members will be restricted from signing up for a different AppleCare plan unless they leave the family group.

If you're part of a family or friendship group that's big on using Apple products, signing up for an AppleCare One Family plan feels like a no-brainer. A simple AppleCare One plan costs $20 a month, and coverage for up to three devices is included in the cost plus $6 a month for each additional product.

The Family plan with a full six people means that you're paying $8.33 per person, and without any major device limitations. All you have to do is make sure the participants actually pay you their dues, which should be a lot easier considering sharing money is now as easy as bumping phones together.

More from Tom's Guide

• Your phone may run iOS 27, but only these devices support the new Siri AI
• Why your iPhone says 'Optimizing Search and Siri' in iOS 27 — and how to speed it up
• I’ve used macOS Golden Gate for 3 months — and here’s what I think

iPadOS 27 is here for the best iPads that support it! Like iOS 27 and macOS 27, iPadOS 27 focuses on overall system refinements and deeper AI integration. That last bit is especially noteworthy, as there’s now a dedicated Siri AI app that functions like a standard chatbot. Beyond answering questions, Siri AI can also take actions on your behalf since it’s integrated into the operating system and works with Apple’s applications.

I’ve been using iPadOS 27 since the beta launched over the summer, and have generally had a smooth experience with the latest OS update. Though I’m not a big AI user, the updated Siri can be handy — especially as it can do things on your behalf. And if you have kids, I’m sure you’ll appreciate the new child safety features.

iPadOS 27 isn’t a game-changer, but features like the overhauled Siri AI, the Liquid-Glass slider, and other quality-of-life improvements make using Apple’s tablets feel smoother and more personalized. Here is my full review of iPadOS 27.

iPadOS 27 review: Compatible iPads

Here are all the iPads that support iPadOS 27.

• iPad Pro (M4 and later)
• iPad Pro 12.9‑inch (4th generation and later)
• iPad Pro 11‑inch (2nd generation and later)
• iPad Air 13-inch (M2 and later)
• iPad Air 11-inch (M2, M3, and M4)
• iPad Air 11-inch (4th generation and later)
• iPad (A16)
• iPad (9th generation and later)
• iPad mini (A17 Pro)
• iPad mini (6th generation)

iPadOS 27 review: Biggest features

The new Siri

Apple Intelligence is finally ready for prime time on the company’s devices. Thanks to the new Siri AI app, you can now interact with Apple’s virtual assistant the same way you would with a chatbot like ChatGPT or Google Gemini. Apple Intelligence runs on both servers and your device to offer better image understanding and more.

There is now a dedicated Siri AI app, which looks and functions like a regular chatbot app. In this window, you can ask Siri questions or have it perform tasks for you. For example, I used Siri to send a message to one of my iMessage group chats, and it did so after I approved it. Sure, I could have just done this directly in the group chat, but it’s a good demonstration of what the new Siri can do.

Siri AI also understands what's on your screen. When I had the Tom’s Guide homepage open on Google Chrome, it correctly detailed what was on the screen, including all the articles. It couldn’t open the articles or read them aloud (despite saying it could), but since I’m testing a beta version, I’ll give it an A for effort, even if it failed to complete the task.

Siri is most useful when you’re using Apple’s own apps and programs. It can create calendar events, set reminders, play music, and more. For example, when you’re looking at a schedule, you’ll see an “add to calendar” button pop up. When you right-click certain folders, files, or apps, you’ll see an “Ask Siri” option at the bottom. Selecting this will open a window where you can start texting or talking with Siri.

Though Siri can’t yet interact with many third-party applications (such as those from Google), it’s a huge improvement over the old Siri.

Liquid Glass improvements

Liquid Glass hasn’t gone anywhere, as Apple is leaning more into the UI with its latest operating system updates. However, Apple is now giving you more control over how it looks with a new slider that adjusts opacity. You can’t eliminate the Liquid Glass look, but you can minimize it significantly.

Other improvements include more diffuse, complex background visuals, so text stands out more. You’ll also notice that the edges of icons are more pronounced to help further separate them from the background. The uniform corner radius of all app windows also helps them stand out more.

Even if Liquid Glass hasn’t gone anywhere, even detractors should find the updates tolerable since they do greatly improve overall readability and visibility. The Liquid Glass slider is a nice touch.

I've never had a problem with Liquid Glass because I think it’s an interesting visual effect. That said, I’m glad that folks can now fine-tune it to their liking. The slider is especially neat because it’s easy to use and clearly shows how much of a difference there is when you go from one extreme to the other.

Child safety features

If you’re a parent, you’ll be happy to know that Apple is expanding its parental control features with iPadOS 27. This way, you can let the kiddo use Apple’s tablet without worrying too much about the kind of content they’re watching and for how long they’re using the slate.

These updates include a redesigned, more intuitive Screen Time Dashboard with one-tap controls and expanded safeguards. There are also Time Allowances for app categories, Ask to Browse website approval, Communication Safety that blurs gore or violence, and one-tap access management. You can tailor these features to suit your child.

I don’t have kids, but I did find the child safety features simple enough to use and customize. Given how much kids love iPads, it’s smart for Apple to keep refining these safety features.

iPadOS 27 review: Other features

• Spatial Reframing: As the name suggests, you can now reframe a photo after it’s been taken thanks to this feature. You can also expand your shots with the Extend Tool and remove objects with the Clean Up tool.
• Upgraded Image Playground: Image Playground can now generate higher-quality images. You can also modify and transform existing images by describing what you want.
• Siri in Notes: Siri AI can assist with your handwritten or typed notes in the Notes app by (for example) organizing bullet points into a formatted agenda or turning handwritten lectures into a detailed study guide.
• Safari updates: In Safari, tabs can now be automatically grouped by topic, making related pages easier to find. With Safari Notify Me, you can receive an alert if there’s a price change or a restock for an item you’ve been eyeing.
• Describe Shortcuts: Instead of manually building complex workflows, you can now describe what you need, and Shortcuts connects actions across multiple apps to make it happen. This is useful if you want to set specific routines, such as launching a specific app when you connect a peripheral.

iPadOS 27 review: Verdict

I use an iPad Pro every single day and have largely been pleased with iPadOS 27. Again, it won’t set the world on fire with revolutionary new features, but the upgraded Siri AI and deeper Apple Intelligence integrations help make iPads that support the update more useful. This is especially true if you use Apple’s own apps often.

As I said in my macOS Golden Gate review, iPadOS 27 feels like a holding-pattern update for whatever big OS refresh the folks in Cupertino are cooking. But there’s also nothing wrong with not fixing what isn’t broken, so it’s fine that this isn’t a huge update. If you own a compatible iPad, you should update as soon as you can to test the new features yourself!

Having recently spent time with MelGeek’s Made68 Ultra V2 keyboard, I came away declaring my love for its magnetic switches, slick styling and clean sound. With those things fresh in my mind, I approached the Centauri60 Evangelion ‘Asuka Edition’ expecting a familiar experience. What I found instead was a keyboard that carries over everything I liked about the Ultra V2 while improving the parts that matter most to me in everyday use.

The Asuka Edition isn’t exactly subtle — it leans into its Evangelion theme and makes no effort to hide it. You get a ‘dominant’ red case, sharp angled edges, lighting strips on both sides, a hidden engraving of Asuka’s most iconic line, a Prog‑Knife motif, a metal nameplate built into the frame, and a laser‑etched EVA‑02 insignia. It’s unapologetically bold and openly geeky, far more so than the Made68 Ultra V2 I tested earlier, and that personality hits you straight away.

And yes, the volume knob is still one of those small touches that makes a big impact. On a 60% board, having a tactile media control feels like a luxury, and it’s one I’m thankful for given its absence from the Made 68 Ultra V2. Of course, there’s more to the Centauri60 than its theme — it’s a keyboard which so resoundingly nails its build, sound, feel, gaming features and typing experience, that it’s now become my daily driver at home — here’s why.

A thocking spectacular sound profile

The acoustic profile is where the Centauri60 surprised me most. The Ultra V2 I tested sounded super clean, but it used KOM Lite switches which resulted in a brighter, snappier sound signature. The Centauri60, by contrast, comes installed with TTC Flip King magnetic switches, which I instantly preferred for their deeper, more muted tone.

Another major contributor has to be its CNC aluminium unibody, which weighs a hefty 1.32kg and provides a dense, vibration‑absorbing foundation. Compared to some of the more plastic-centric keyboards I’ve used in the past, this heavy-duty body noticeably suppresses higher‑frequency noise while letting lower tones develop more fully, giving the board a richer, more grounded sound.

The Centauri60 also uses a five‑layer acoustic dampening system — a combination of Poron foam, PET film, and a leaf‑spring gasket mount — designed to eliminate hollow cavities and absorb unwanted resonance. The result, in my estimation, is a keyboard that minimises harsh clacks for a smoother, more “creamy” signature

The magnetic switches certainly help with consistency, but the case design and acoustic layering are doing most of the heavy lifting, resulting in a sound profile that makes you want to keep typing simply because it sounds so great.

Easily the sturdiest keyboard I’ve ever tested

The build quality on the last MelGeek board I tested was already impressive, but the Centauri60 feels like a step up in every direction. Its machined aluminium chassis has that dense, rigid character you’d expect from a well‑cut block of metal, and there’s genuinely no flex anywhere in the frame. The tighter tolerances, cleaner seams, and more even weight distribution give it a more confident, premium feel — even compared to the already excellent Made68 Ultra V2.

Granted, I’ve only used two MelGeek keyboards to date, but it feels like there’s very little room for improvement when it comes to the Centauri60’s build quality. Compared to the Made68 Ultra V2, there’s a more deliberate weight to the board when you pick it up — 1.32kg (2.91 lbs) to be exact — so you know it won’t slide around your desk in the heat of online battle.

That weight distribution also contributes to a “single‑piece” feel in hand, something that really sells the mecha‑like character of the board. Nothing shifts, nothing creaks, and the chassis feels impeccably engineered in true Evangelion fashion. It’s so good, it could almost make Shinji’s father smile — if he were capable of such a thing.

Immaculate styling for Evangelion fans

As mentioned earlier, the Asuka Edition’s red colourway is easily its standout feature. It’s a saturated, confident red that really drives home its Evangelion inspiration. It’s unashamedly geeky, and its lighting helps amplify that personality: the south‑facing RGB shines cleanly through the keycaps. That bothered me somewhat on the Made68 Ultra V2, largely due to the dark purple text which made the keys hard to read. Here, the characters are white, making them far easier to make out at a glance.

Speaking of keycaps, the Asuka Edition employs a mix of red, orange and charcoal caps that mirror Asuka’s Unit‑02 palette, and the legends use Evangelion‑inspired typography that give the board a cool, futuristic vibe. The accent keys — particularly the green escape key and the darker modifiers — continues the anime‑driven look in a way that feels cohesive. Even the bottom of the case carries EVA‑specific detailing — the aforementioned “hidden” engraving — making the board feel like a collectible rather than just a themed variant.

The biggest downside of the entire keyboard sits right at the back: the USB‑C port. The port itself is recessed, but the real issue is the extra lip on MelGeek’s own USB‑C cable, which is designed to slot perfectly into that recess for a snug fit. Because of that proprietary lip, almost no third‑party cable can seat properly. So if you were hoping to pair the board with a coiled cable or any non‑MelGeek option, you’ll have to let that idea go or start thinking in terms of soldering irons. For a board that otherwise nails its visual identity, this restrictive setup feels out of place — and it’s the one styling choice that genuinely frustrated me.

Fully specced for modern gaming

The Centauri60’s magnetic switch system performs on par with any Hall‑effect board I’ve tested, delivering consistent, predictable keystrokes that can be tuned to impressively fine sensitivity. All the core features — rapid trigger, SOCD cleaning, adjustable actuation, analog‑style travel sensing, NKRO and zero‑dead‑zone behaviour — run smoothly and without any fuss.

Actuation can be adjusted from 0.1mm all the way to 3.4mm, giving you plenty of control whether you prefer hair‑trigger responsiveness or a more deliberate typing feel. Rapid Trigger is adjustable from 0.01mm to 2.5mm, resetting the moment a key starts to rise, which makes repeated inputs feel snappy and effortless. SOCD cleaning is handled in firmware and follows standard competitive rules, ensuring clean directional behaviour when opposite keys are pressed.

The switches also support full analog‑style travel sensing, with 0.01mm precision, allowing the board to read the exact depth of each keypress rather than just on/off states. In practice, this enables multi‑stage actions, variable movement speeds and pressure‑sensitive inputs in supported games. The keyboard runs at an 8,000Hz polling rate with a 0.125ms latency, and key response feels immediate whether you’re typing or gaming.

Man’s ultimate fighting machine

While I loved almost everything about MelGeek’s Made68 Ultra V2, the Centauri60 Evangelion ‘Asuka Edition’ improves on it in several of the areas which are most important to me. It’s got incredible styling that’s inspired by my favourite Evangelion character and EVA unit, its build quality feels strong enough to go into battle with Angels, its acoustics are deeper and thockier than that keyboard in a way that I find immensely satisfying, and its highly tunable Hall-effect switches give me all the high-end features I need in a competitive gaming keyboard.

As a noted fan of 75% layouts, I thought I’d be bothered by the Centauri60’s 60% layout, but it actually doesn’t feel too compact for me to use on a daily basis. And the fact that it still includes a small volume knob despite its condensed layout is a massive plus for me — especially since that was one of my biggest gripes with the Made68 Ultra V2.

The only real drawback is the USB‑C port, which is restrictive enough to be a genuine annoyance. That flaw aside, the Centauri60 becomes an easy recommendation for any Evangelion fan who wants a compact magnetic board with strong acoustics and a standout colourway.

More from Tom's Guide

• Here’s why you should only buy a magnetic keyboard for gaming
• The GravaStar Mercury V60 Pro is almost perfect except for three finicky details
• Corsair’s Vanguard Pro 96 keyboard has convinced me that magnetic switches aren’t just hype

macOS Golden Gate is here! Though not a complete overhaul like macOS Sequoia, it brings a slew of new and enhanced AI features and smoother overall performance that make the best MacBooks feel more personal and streamlined.

I’ve been using the Golden Gate beta since it launched in June, and the latest build is what you’ll find in the final version of macOS Golden Gate. So far, I’ve found it a perfectly reasonable OS update that isn’t a radical departure from last year’s. That said, the new, smarter Siri AI can be handy, and Liquid Glass is less obtrusive now.

Here’s my full review of macOS Golden Gate.

macOS Golden Gate review: Supported devices

The Intel era is over, as macOS Golden Gate doesn’t run on those older machines. Here is a complete list of Macs that support Golden Gate.

• MacBook Neo (2026)
• MacBook Air with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
• MacBook Pro with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
• iMac with Apple silicon (2021 and later)
• Mac mini with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
• Mac Studio with Apple silicon (2022 and later)
• Mac Pro with Apple silicon (2023 and later)

macOS Golden Gate review: New features

Hey, Siri!

A dedicated Siri AI app for macOS Golden Gate now functions like chatbots such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini. This app is also available on iPadOS 27 and iOS 27, and is arguably the biggest new feature for the Apple devices that support it.

You can access the Siri AI app either by clicking it in the Dock or in the Menu bar. You can also open it from Spotlight. This opens a dedicated chat window where you can ask Siri AI questions or talk to it about whatever’s on your mind. Again, it works like the chatbots you’re already familiar with.

And since Siri AI is now baked into the operating system, it can do more than just chat. For example, if you’re looking at a schedule, you’ll see an “add to calendar” button appear. I’ve even had this happen when I suggest a date/time to meet with friends. When you right-click on folders, files, or apps, you’ll often see an “Ask Siri” option at the very top, where you can begin asking questions about whatever you’re highlighting.

You can even create Shortcuts by typing or speaking what you want instead of building complications manually. While I wouldn’t call this vibe coding, it can feel that way since you’re using natural language.

For those in the Apple ecosystem, Siri AI can be more useful than other chatbots because it’s integrated into the system. However, third-party integrations are still a work in progress, so Siri AI’s usability for you might be limited if you use Google apps like Gmail, since Siri AI doesn’t work with them (yet).

If you’re like me and generally don’t use AI, then the updated Siri won’t make a huge difference with your macOS experience. In fact, you might forget it’s even there! But if you use AI, you can certainly get more done with the new Siri.

Liquid Glass slider

If you’re not a fan of the Liquid Glass UI, you’ll be happy to know there’s now a slider to adjust its opacity. It lets you dial the effect up or down, and I’m surprised it took this long to implement it this way.

Beyond the slider, you’ll notice more complex background visuals appear more diffused, which improves text readability (a big issue for some). The edges of icons are also more pronounced, so they stand out more from the background. All app windows now have a uniform corner radius to help them pop out.

I've never had a problem with Liquid Glass because I think it’s an interesting visual effect. That said, I’m glad that folks can now fine-tune it to their liking. The slider is especially neat because it’s easy to use and clearly shows how much of a difference there is when you go from one extreme to the other.

Spatial Reframing

Spatial Reframing isn’t exclusive to macOS Golden Gate, but since the Reframe tool stole the show at WWDC, it’s a feature worth spotlighting if you take a lot of photos.

As its name suggests, Reframe lets you reframe existing photos and adjust the perspective as you like. This can be especially handy if you need to take photos in a hurry, since you can come back later to fix them.

After you select Reframe in the new Tools option in Photos’ editing mode, Apple Intelligence scans the photo you’ve selected. Then you can swipe your finger across the touchpad to change the perspective. Sliders on the side also give you more precise control over the angle, orientation, or size. When you’re done, the AI shifts things around to fill in any blanks.

This isn’t a feature I use often since I like photos in their original form, even if they’re not perfect. That said, I can’t knock the results, as Reframe does an excellent job of living up to its name. And to be fair, the changes made don’t radically alter the image — you just get a better version of what you’ve already snapped.

macOS 27 Golden Gate review: Verdict

Apple Intelligence wasn’t all it was hyped to be after it was first announced, but it’s now living up to its potential on Macs and the other Apple devices it can run on. If you’re a big AI user already, then macOS Golden Gate could be a huge game-changer for you. Other features such as the more customizable Liquid Glass UI and Spatial Reframing might not be monumental, but they’re nice additions regardless.

Even if macOS Golden Gate feels like a holding-pattern update for Macs, it’s still worthwhile and thankfully doesn’t ruin the great experience we had with Tahoe. If you own a Mac that supports the OS, you should update as soon as you can.

Apple's big week of operating system updates is finally here with the new iPadOS 27. This year's update isn't groundbreaking; instead, it focuses on Apple Intelligence, which should make for a more personal, customized experience.

As with iOS 27 and macOS Golden Gate, the main attraction is the reinvented Siri, which finally lives up to its potential. Siri AI, as it’s now called, is context-aware and understands what’s on your screen. Because it’s built into the OS, it can directly control and manage apps. It also adds new child safety features, improved readability for Liquid Glass, new photo-editing tools, and more.

Here’s how to download iPadOS 27.

How to download iPadOS 27

As always, before you install a major update like iPadOS 27, back up your iPad in case anything goes wrong and you need to return to iPadOS 26.

Not every iPad will be compatible with the new operating system, but if your tablet is, the upgrade is free.

Here is the full list of iPads that are compatible with iPadOS 27:

• iPad Pro (M4 and later)
• iPad Pro 12.9‑inch (4th generation and later)
• iPad Pro 11‑inch (2nd generation and later)
• iPad Air 13-inch (M2 and later)
• iPad Air 11-inch (M2, M3, and M4)
• iPad Air 11-inch (4th generation and later)
• iPad (A16)
• iPad (9th generation and later)
• iPad mini (A17 Pro)
• iPad mini (6th generation)

More from Tom's Guide

• I just downloaded macOS 27 public beta — skip Siri AI and try these 5 hidden features instead
• Haptic vs. Mechanical trackpads: I put them both through a gauntlet, and one almost made me throw my laptop into the sun
• Exclusive: I asked Lenovo’s GM to predict the future of monitors, and it's the end of our chaotic, cable-cluttered desks and monitors that fry your retinas

It's mid-September, which means Apple is now releasing its 2026 operating systems, including the full version of macOS Golden Gate.

If you're interested in Apple Intelligence and the new Siri AI, you should try Golden Gate. There aren't many new features, but it improves Liquid Glass readability, offers easier customization, and delivers smoother performance for a better overall experience on the best MacBooks.

The AI features, marking the end of Apple's Intel era, are powered by Google Gemini and designed to work within Apple's ecosystem.

To make the update process as painless as possible, I've put together this quick, easy guide on how to download macOS Tahoe, with photos to walk you through it.

Supported Macs

As with most macOS releases, Golden Gate is a free upgrade for all supported Macs. Not every device that ran macOS Tahoe can run Golden Gate.

Here's the full list of Macs that can install and run macOS Golden Gate:

• MacBook Neo (2026)
• MacBook Air with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
• MacBook Pro with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
• iMac with Apple silicon (2021 and later)
• Mac mini with Apple silicon (2020 and later)
• Mac Studio with Apple silicon (2022 and later)
• Mac Pro with Apple silicon (2023 and later)

Important before you update: back up your Mac! Apple has the built-in Time Machine feature, or you could use a reputable third-party service like Backblaze — our guide to the best cloud storage solutions offers even more recommendations for you.

How to download macOS Golden Gate

Apple makes downloading its macOS updates fairly straightforward.

That’s all that’s required to download macOS Golden Gate.

Your Mac will restart once the download finishes. After that, you can start trying out all the new features. Depending on your connection speed, the download might take a few minutes, so be patient.

More from Tom's Guide

• 7 Apple products expected to be announced in October — touchscreen MacBook Ultra, HomePad and more
• iOS 27: 7 features you need to try first after updating
• iPhone Duo hands-on: Apple nailed it — and just put everyone else on notice

Valve announced the Steam Frame VR headset way back in November 2025, promising an early 2026 release. After delays due to component shortages and RAM issues, the Frame is finally here.

Some early unboxing and tutorial videos leaked last month, suggesting the headset was on the way. Major tech site Linus Tech Tips appeared to break the embargo with his own video that popped up over the weekend.

But it's here now with Valve's official announcement revealing two versions of the headset: one with 256GB of storage and a 1TB version starting at $1,059 and $1,299, respectively.

Tom's Guide is hard at work on our review of the Steam Frame, but some early reviews have started to crop up. Here's the early buzz on Valve's headset.

"An experiment in progress" - CNET

CNET's Scott Stein praised the Frame's lightweight build and ability to stream games from your PC but said that it won't replace his Steam Deck, nor is it the best VR headset he's used.

What excited Stein was a more modular future with features like detachable headsets and battery packs that hint at a possible evolution.

"The Frame isn’t necessarily the future of XR, as much as it’s a framework for evolving beyond the present. I got that feeling over and over again as I kept dipping back in. Maybe someday I’ll be blending all my worlds in one, all devices melting together."

A gaming monitor - IGN

IGN's Jacqueline Thomas described the Frame as one of the most comfortable VR headsets they've ever worn thanks to its lightweight design and vents that push hot air away from your face.

Though they played VR games, the review seems to describe the Frame as a gaming monitor for your face as much as a VR headset. But at $1,059, it's unlikely to knock the best AR glasses off their perch or the Meta Quest 3.

God, I wish this were £600 - Rock Paper Shotgun

The price is the bugaboo when it comes to the Frame for Rock Paper Shotgun's James Archer.

"These, importantly, include remedies for VR pain points that have existed for ages. Unreliable wireless connections: fixed. Tricky setups: simplified. Weird controllers: normalized. Needing a Meta account: not needing a Meta account. When the Frame can do this much, this well, I’m practically forced at inside-out sensorpoint to conclude that if I was buying a VR kit for myself, it’d be this one," Archer said.

But then, the price is such a drawback, especially at nearly double the cost of Meta's Quest 3.

Good looks, good performance, and a debilitating price - Tom's Hardware

Our colleagues at Tom's Hardware put together a thorough review of the Steam Frame that you should check out if you truly want the nitty-gritty.

Like most reviews we've found, Brandon Hill found a lot to like about the Frame, from the foam padding to excellent performance, even if standalone gaming struggles a bit. However, again, the price is a real pain point here.

"That’s a tall order in this economic climate, when gamers are already being assaulted from multiple fronts with rising memory, storage, and GPU prices," Hill said.

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If you watch my video review of the Steam Machine, you can tell how heartbroken I was by it. This was supposed to be the perfect middle ground — PC gaming smashed together with a console experience to give you your massive Steam library in a box by your TV.

But it felt overpriced, unpolished and struggled to hit the performance metrics PC games need in 2026. Then, I started using it…and using it some more…and after weeks of relentless software updates, I have to admit that maybe I rushed to judgement.

I stand by the score for most of you reading this: console players can get better living room bang for their buck elsewhere (for now) and for PC players, the component math isn’t really mathing.

But for those in that small group like me who just want our massive Steam backlogs on the big screen without the headache of using Windows from the couch, this is where the Steam Machine turns from good to great.

This started as a test of the Lexar PLAY microSDXC card, and as you can see by my sprawling thoughts, has evolved into something more. Let me explain.

FSR 4.1 is a game changer

The proof is in the pudding, and Forza Horizon 6 was the first place where I really felt that proof. Recently, Valve updated the Steam Machine to support AMD’s FSR 4.1 resolution scaling and frame generation tech (otherwise known as FSR Redstone).

Now, it’s worth noting that Horizon 6 is a game that has FSR 4.1 options natively supported in its in-game menus. For others, like The Last of Us Part II, you will have to go into the game properties, and turn the compatibility layer to Proton Experimental. A small file downloads and you should be off to the races.

Even if the in-game settings says “FSR 3.1” of some sort, you’re getting FSR 4 — something that I saw when flipping over to Naughty Dog’s epic. The number changes are minor, but the real difference maker here is frame pacing and image quality.

Forza Horizon 6 had a real stuttering problem when I first played it on the Steam Machine, with driving gameplay feeling like it was on the framerate equivalent of an elastic band stretching and contracting.

Now with FSR 4, not only is ghosting drastically reduced, the 1% lows are much stronger for a massive improvement in consistency. The same can be said of The Last of Us too, as the surface textures don’t fizzle anymore and the frame pacing stability is much better.

Throw in all the UI updates (like making resolution settings much clearer), stability improvements and support for USB wheels and pedals, and this is all coming together nicely! Not in a way that makes the price feel more worthwhile, but we’re heading in the right direction.

The remaining friction (and the hack)

While the software and frame rates have evolved, that price remains a massive hurdle — to the point that the base model is the only tier that makes sense. However, that limited internal drive will fill up fast after downloading just a couple of modern games.

So the fix? The smartest move is buying the base model and pairing it with a microSDXC memory card like the Lexar PLAY I’ve been using.

It’s cheaper to get a 1TB card than upgrading the internal storage, and while the read/write rates are slower than the internal storage, the speeds are fast enough to handle games without any stuttering.

There is a longer load time, but nothing too agonizing.

The comeback kid?

So, is the Steam Machine suddenly a five-star masterpiece? Let’s not get carried away. The sticker shock is still very real, and for anyone wanting to roll up their sleeves and build their own compact living room machine, the dollar-to-performance ratio doesn’t add up.

But the integration of FSR 4 has transformed a choppy, frustrating experience into a genuinely viable console competitor. The Steam Machine proves that hardware specs on a spreadsheet are only half the story, and Valve is putting in the grueling software work to right the ship.

Plus, you can save a little bit of cash on that premium storage tax by slapping a high-speed Lexar PLAY 1TB microSD card into the base model. The math doesn’t really math as badly as before.

It might not be the undisputed king of the living room just yet, but it’s absolutely a console comeback kid worth rooting for.

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The Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 ($399) is the most unique tablet I’ve ever reviewed. It delivers exceptional sound thanks to the enormous JBL-9 speaker on its back. You could be forgiven for thinking it’s a speaker with a tablet attached! This is the most defining feature, but there’s more to like about Lenovo’s entertainment-focused tablet.

The bright, colorful 12.1-inch 2K display is ideal for watching your favorite videos and movies. The Tab Plus Gen 2 is also great for reading and web browsing. The large speaker can make the tablet uncomfortable to hold for too long, but the handy built-in kickstand balances that out, and you can rotate it for vertical or horizontal viewing.

If you’re looking for a powerful tablet for work, this slate isn’t for you, thanks to its relatively weak MediaTek Dimensity CPU and 8GB of RAM. But if you’re looking for an excellent entertainment machine with the best tablet sound, you should seriously consider the reasonably priced Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2. Find out more in my full review!

Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? The Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 is an Android tablet built for entertainment.
• Who is it for? For folks who want a tablet to watch videos and that can deliver stellar, punchy sound.
• What does it cost? The Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 is typically $399 but is often discounted. At the time of writing, it’s on sale for $289 on Lenovo’s website.
• What do we like? We like the giant speaker that pumps out phenomenal sound, the handy kickstand, and the vivid 2.5K display.
• What don’t we like? We don’t like that the tablet can be cumbersome to hold for long periods and that its performance isn’t suitable for productivity.

Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 review: Specs

Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 review: The ups

The Tab Plus Gen 2's giant speaker and rotatable kickstand instantly draw attention, but it also features a sharp, vibrant 12.1-inch display and long-lasting battery life.

Incredible speaker sound

Speaker quality is, at best, a footnote in my tablet reviews, since slates generally produce less-than-stellar sound. With the Tab Plus Gen 2, this is the first thing I want to discuss as it’s the standout feature—so much so that I had already written an entire piece about how the gargantuan speaker on this Android tablet isn’t a gimmick. If you’ll pardon the cliché, the speaker quality is music to your ears.

The JBL 9-Unit Pro speaker system is what makes the magic happen. As its name suggests, there are nine speakers: four tweeters, three woofers, and two passive radiators. Those last two speakers deliver deep bass, while the tweeters handle higher-frequency sounds.

Sound is great out of the box, but to make everything truly sound spectacular, you’ll need to head into the Dolby Atmos sub-menu in sound settings. There are three presets: Dynamic, which identifies the content and automatically adjusts for the best sound; Movie, which provides surround sound and clearer dialogue; and Music, which delivers detailed audio so every note and beat sounds punchy. Music also has presets: Detailed, Balanced, and Warm, plus a manual equalizer.

I’m a hard rock and heavy metal fan, and I’m almost always disappointed by the thin, flat sound from most tablets when listening to these genres. That wasn’t the case here, as everything from death metal bands like Amon Amarth to ‘80s tunes like Stan Bush’s “The Touch” sounded rich, punchy, and loud. Movies and podcasts also sound incredible in Movie Mode, with dialogue coming through clear and crisp.

The presets let you quickly enjoy whatever you’re listening to, but you can also dive into the equalizer settings to truly fine-tune how things sound. Regardless, your ears won’t be disappointed.

Built-in, rotatable kickstand

The other notable design feature is the built-in kickstand. Attached directly to the speaker, the kickstand can rotate 360 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise. This lets you comfortably orient the slate horizontally when watching movies or vertically for reading.

While the rotating kickstand moves smoothly, it firmly stays in place once you’ve set it to your preferred position. And when you’re ready to travel with the slate, the kickstand snaps back into place when you push it inward. This might be a minor thing to some, but rotating the kickstand is also enjoyable since you can feel small bumps along the way.

I enjoy reading digital comics, so I love propping the tablet up on my table in portrait orientation so I don’t have to hold it while I read. The 16:9 aspect ratio is relatively close to a real comic’s trim size, which also helps. Naturally, this is also a great way to read books.

Like the kickstand, the tablet is made of sturdy aluminum that doesn’t bend or flex easily. Even if you won’t hold the tablet very often (more on why shortly), its smooth metal body feels nice against your fingers. I also like how the concave volume and power buttons are on the back and easy to reach when it’s in the horizontal position.

Vivid display

The 12.1-inch (2560 x 1600) display on the Tab Plus Gen 2 might not stand out as much as the huge speaker, but it’s also no slouch. Even without an OLED panel, you get sharp image quality that’s bright and colorful.

When watching the latest trailer for the Street Fighter movie, I was impressed by how good everything looked. The detail and colors on the costumes and super moves pop. And thanks to the smooth 120Hz refresh rate, all the action moved smoothly. For watching movies, TV shows, and other videos, this display gets the job done.

Our lab test confirms what my eyes saw. Color reproduction (sRGB and DCI-P3) is generally oversaturated, which accounts for the vivid colors. Color accuracy (Delta-E) is also on par with other tablets. Those colors truly stand out thanks to the bright SDR and HDR brightness.

As you can see, Lenovo’s tablet quite literally outshines Apple’s iPad 11 and the OnePlus Pad Go 2 in both SDR and HDR brightness with adaptive brightness disabled. In fairness to the iPad, it delivers more natural hues than both Android tablets, since its sRGB and DCI-P3 values are closer to the 100% target.

Epic battery life

If you’re going to spend hours watching videos, then you’ll want a tablet that can last for the long haul. Thankfully, that’s the case here, as the Tab Plus Gen 2 offers astonishing battery life.

In our battery test, which involved continuous web surfing over Wi-Fi with the display set to 150 nits of brightness, Lenovo’s slate lasted 16 hours at 60Hz and 13 hours and 39 minutes at 120Hz. While the OnePlus Pad Go 2 lasted almost 40 minutes longer, Lenovo’s tablet outlasted the iPad by nearly four and a half hours.

I should note that the Tab Plus Gen 2 takes a while to fully charge. In our testing and in my own experience, it took 30 minutes to charge the tablet to 20%. Though you won’t have to charge the battery very often, just keep in mind that you’ll have to wait a while to fully juice it up.

Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 review: The Downs

While the Tab Plus Gen 2 excels as an entertainment device, it falls short in some key areas.

Awkward to hold

The giant JBL speaker is the Tab Plus Gen 2’s main selling point, but it can also be a hindrance.

Because the speaker adds bulk to the tablet’s bottom, holding the slate like a traditional tablet can be burdensome. While 1.69 pounds doesn’t sound that heavy, the weight distribution makes the tablet feel heavier.

If you rest the tablet on your lap or use the kickstand to prop it up on your desk, then its weight won’t be an issue. However, this isn’t a slate you can easily hold with one hand, let alone two, for long periods.

Basic performance

I don’t consider this a major drawback since this is an entertainment-focused tablet. Still, if you plan to do serious work on the Tab Plus Gen 2, you might not get the smoothest or fastest experience because of its lackluster performance.

The Tab Plus Gen 2 handles basic tasks like scrolling websites in Google Chrome and reading books on Kindle without issue. However, when I opened multiple apps or Chrome tabs, performance suffered. If I wanted to use this for work, where I typically have 20 to 30 Chrome tabs open, I wouldn't have the smoothest experience.

While the Tab Gen 2 matches the OnePlus Pad Go 2 in both CPU performance (Geekbench 6) and gaming performance (3DMark), these MediaTek Dimensity-powered Android tablets still can’t compete with Apple’s entry-level iPad.

Again, you won’t have a sluggish experience when using this tablet for its intended purpose. Just keep your expectations in check if you try to run heavier workloads or graphically demanding video games.

Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 review: Verdict

I’m an iPad Pro user, so an Android tablet truly has to go above and beyond to impress me. And that’s exactly what the Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 has done thanks to its amazing sound quality, versatile kickstand, and crisp image quality.

Sure, it’s not powerful for heavy workloads, but if you mostly watch videos or read, this tablet has everything you’d need. The fact that it tops out at $399 is just icing on the proverbial cake. If you’re looking for an iPad alternative for your entertainment needs, don’t ignore the Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2.

Apple's major "Surprise and Shine" event is behind us and the iPhone Duo, Apple's first foldable, is finally official. But there were some omissions based on the rumors, including a lack of smart home devices.

Those devices could still be on the way. Apple typically announces new MacBooks in October, and we could see some other products then as well. Here are the seven new Apple products that we could see next month.

Touchscreen MacBook Ultra with OLED

Apple has already released a surprising number of Mac laptops and desktops this year. We had the MacBook Neo, M5 MacBook Air, and M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pros way back in the spring, plus late refreshes of the Mac mini and Mac Studio.

Next month we're expecting an M6 version of the iMac, which also might get some new colorways, and an M6 MacBook Pro.

But the headliner should be a new MacBook Pro (or Ultra). The big change here should be a new OLED touchscreen display, which would make it the first OLED MacBook.

OLED panels are thinner, so the Ultra should be both slimmer and lighter in both 14- and 16-inch versions. It could be powered by the as-yet-unannounced M6 Pro and M6 Max chipsets. This does mean that we might not see the Ultra until early 2027, as Apple has pushed announcing those chips into the first half of the year.

Unfortunately, all these new features and higher-tier silicon mean that the Ultra could have a starting price around $2,499 for the 14-inch model, up from $2,199 for the current M5 Pro models.

iPad mini with OLED

The iPad Pro has had an OLED display since 2024, but we could finally see an iPad mini with OLED this October. Coincidentally, the mini hasn't received an update since October 2024, when the iPad mini 7 was released.

It will likely get a faster chip, probably the A19, if not the new A20, so it can run Apple Intelligence, especially the new Siri AI. It's not clear from rumors if any other design changes will be made. However, it might be thinner and lighter since the OLED panel is thinner.

We should also see an updated entry-level iPad. As far as we're aware the only update here would be new chips.

Smart Home Devices

We warned before the iPhone event that rumors about Apple's smart home options need to be taken with a grain of salt. For years, leaks and rumor mongers have suggested that Apple is planning to introduce a suite of smart home devices, including a revamped HomePod and an AI-powered Apple TV 4K set-top box.

Rumors suggested that Apple would announce these devices during the iPhone event, which obviously did not come to fruition.

Apple seems to have finally figured out Siri AI with iOS 27. If it releases and works as pitched, we could finally start seeing Apple Home.

HomePod Home hub

Previously, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, long a reporter of the rumored HomePod updates, believed that a new HomePod mini could launch with the iPhones alongside the rumored HomePod Home hub.

However, right before the iPhone event, Gurman cheekily tweeted, "If you don't see the Apple TV, HomePod mini, home display and touch MacBook today, don't worry. It's only September."

Several different iterations of this device have been rumored, including one with a $1,000 robot arm. The most common version involves a wall-mounted touchpad or a HomePod speaker with a touch display about the size of an iPad mini.

This device would have a FaceTime camera for video calls and presence sensors to initiate smart home routines.

HomePod mini 2

A new HomePod mini might also debut, but it might not be as big of an upgrade as the Hub. Most rumors suggest that it will feature a new chip and audio improvements. It will probably get new colors.

The HomePod mini 2 has been on our rumor radar since at least 2023. The current version debuted in 2020, and like the next device, is long overdue for an update.

Apple TV 4K 2026

Like the HomePod series, Apple hasn't released a new version of the Apple TV 4K since 2022. We're long overdue for an upgrade — even if it's only a more powerful chip for stronger performance.

Previously, it was suggested that a new Apple TV could feature the A17 Pro chip, but it's more likely it'll get the new A20 or, to save some money, last year's A19. The device should also get the rumored N2 chip for better Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

Outside of chips, the big upgrade would be Siri AI, which could let you connect the Apple TV as a hub for smart devices. One rumor suggested that Apple might release a set-top box with a camera, which would allow for FaceTime calls and gesture-based controls.

However, a rumored refresh of the Apple TV has been making the rounds for multiple years now. I won't believe this one until it actually happens.

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I’ve tried my best to get into PC VR gaming in the past, but my main gripe has always been the size, weight and ease of setup. It just becomes a big old hassle (emphasis on the word “big”), as you can barely wear these monstrosities for longer than an hour without really feeling it on your face and neck.

It gets doubly problematic when I’m hoping to take part in an endurance sim race, which as you may know, I prefer the VR experience for being able to look into apexes and corner exits more effectively than on a flat screen. It more closely mirrors my real-life racing experience.

But the pain has been well and truly remedied by the Pimax Dream Air. You may have seen that I got to have my mind blown by this headset back at CES. Now, I’ve been using it for the past three months, and can happily say that it is one of the best PC VR headsets I’ve ever used…provided you’ve got the money for it.

This is a pricey system to get. But if you are properly invested into VR gaming, it’s a no-brainer for its stellar picture quality, versatility and pure comfort even in the most intense of movements.

Pimax Dream Air: Cheat sheet

• What is it? This is a premium PC VR headset.
• Who is it for? It's perfect for sim experience perfectionists and serious VR enthusiasts.
• What does it cost? Prices for the Dream Air start at $1,999 with Lighthouse tracking. To get this SLAM version, it'll set you back $2,299.
• What's good about it? That small, lightweight design just can't be beat
• What's not so good? There's no getting around that high price and a couple of odd software quirks

Pimax Dream Air: Specs

Pimax Dream Air: The ups

It’s a VR headset that was actually comfortable to wear for a 12-hour race. The Dream Air transcends the stereotype of enthusiast VR headsets being humongous and unwieldy to become something that is wearable for long periods of time.

Supreme PC VR ergonomics

The visor of the headweight weighs less than 6 ounces, with the total weight fully assembled coming in at 10.6 ounces. Now if you’re aware of the monster enthusiast headsets Pimax has made in the past, you’ll know just how much of a big deal this is — not just to the company but for PC VR gaming as a whole.

It’s a game-changer for comfort and wearability, all while still giving you the same gorgeous display and optics that you get in the bigger headsets (more on that later). Cramming everything into such a small headset feels like unlocking quicker, more human levels of head turning, and a deeper immersion because of it.

And that cushioned front gasket is more than comfortable enough to handle even the longest sessions, such as the aforementioned endurance race or another playthrough of Hitman VR and Half-Life: Alyx.

I’ve seen some of the criticisms — namely about the thinness of the straps and the cabling being fed through the back rather than the side. The first one I can understand, but don’t believe it’s as big of a problem as people say (given the lightweight nature makes it super comfortable).

But the second one I’d disagree with, as having them feed out the back does ensure a nice even weight distribution across the headset, rather than having your head dragged down a little with it.

Gorgeous clarity

But in my mind, while the size is the most visible win, it’s not the main star of the show. That belongs to those gorgeous Sony Micro-OLED panels pushing an 8K picture at a 90Hz refresh rate with a 110-degree field of view.

Whether it’s blazing through the streets of Japan in a VR-modded version of Forza Horizon 6 and witnessing the flash flood of color, or stretching the deep contrast ratio of those panels with the darker, scarier parts of Half-Life: Alyx, these displays are incredible.

Throw in high-quality pancake lenses that ensure no distortion or reflections, alongside the prescription inserts and you’re onto a winner for escaping to faraway places right in your gaming den.

Really smart features

Then there’s the other nice-to-haves that really enrich the experience and make this one of the best ways to play (needed because that price is steep). First is the audio, which these tiny speakers are really impressive with strong bass production and spatial sound adding to the immersion.

The controllers have a nice ergonomic feel to them and I had no problem with tracking them. And shout-out to the gesture tracking, which may not be the best in gaming, but unlocks a more intuitive user interface experience when I was working or just watching videos.

And then, there’s full 120Hz eye tracking — following your line of sight 120 times per second. This enables something called dynamic foveated rendering, which cuts the amount your GPU has to work to render a massive virtual space around you by keeping things in your distant peripheral vision at a lower rendered quality.

In the games that support it, it’s an effect you don’t really see, and it means you can get away with higher resolution settings in these titles too.

Of course with this vast amount of tech inside, the headset visor itself can get hot, as well as the cable box attached to it. Luckily, these are a decent distance away from your face and with the dual integrated fans for active cooling, I never found myself feeling uncomfortable — neither was there any thermal throttling over the entire race.

Pimax Dream Air: The downs

So I hit the checkered flag in my race, played a few more games and started to really think about my experience using it. The rose-tinted spectacles started to come off a little when I remembered two key things.

Janky software at times

Now don’t get me wrong — the Pimax Play app does the job. The issue is it doesn’t do the job all the time.

Some of the UI decisions are a bit weird (such as having two different windows for headset settings from two different locations), and when you do alter particular settings (like stopping the PC from defaulting the audio source to the headset rather than speakers), there’s a 50/50 chance that checkbox actually does the job.

There were some frustrations and moments where I had to close the app through the task manager and reopen it or restart the headset service multiple times. Those kinks are smoothed out eventually, but the persistence requirement of it all did start to bug me.

Very expensive

And then we get to the big one. The Pimax Dream Air starts at $1,999 for the model with Lighthouse tracking (sensors on poles you set up to track around you), and to get this SLAM model (cameras built into the headset tracking from the inside out) that takes the cost up to $2,299.

Make no mistake about it, this one is definitely for the serious enthusiasts. The quality of the experience and the build of the headset itself is going to be really enticing to those who chase that next-level of absorption into their sim games or VR titles.

But if you’re the kind of person who only casually flirts with VR every now and again, the Quest 3 + Link cable is definitely good enough.

Pimax Dream Air: Verdict

I’ve tested my fair share of big, bulky PC VR headsets, and the Dream Air is the breath of fresh…well, air, needed to make this niche enjoyment of mine make sense. Sim racing is a pure joy on something so lightweight, and when you are up and moving around, those dimensions make gaming so much more accessible.

Throw in gorgeous display tech and surprisingly strong audio and things are looking good, but do watch out for the janky software and be prepared to pay a pretty price for it.

I’ve tested nearly 100 keyboards, at the time of writing, and the Tecware Spectre 75 is one I’ve boxed back up the quickest. The keyboard costs just $79, and offers a great typing experience. It’s great for hardcore typists who want nothing but responsive switches for a day’s worth of work — but its issues are too hard to ignore.

The Spectre 75 features a built-in LCD screen you can display GIFs on, but frustratingly, its companion software (needed for customizing the screen) is finicky to use. The build and design are nothing to write home about, neither is its limited stock switch choice. But my biggest issue with the Spectre 75 is how it becomes unresponsive after being in sleep mode.

To find out why it isn’t one of the best mechanical keyboards, read my full Tecware Spectre 75 review.

Tecware Spectre 75 review: Specs

Tecware Spectre 75 review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? A 75% layout, hot-swappable mechanical keyboard with either tactile or linear switches
• Who is it for? For hardcore typists and casual gamers
• How much does it cost? The Tecware Spectre 75 costs just $79
• What do we like? The typing experience, LCD screen to display GIFs on, and 1KHz polling for gaming
• What don’t we like? The plasticky build, the lackluster design, janky companion software, and limited stock switch choice

Tecware Spectre 75 review: The ups

The Tecware Spectre 75 is lovely to type on, it sounds good, and it features a built-in LCD screen you can display GIFs on. It’s a decent keyboard for gaming, too, thanks to 1KHz polling.

Lovely to type on

The Tecware Spectre 75 is a fantastic keyboard to type on, so it’s great for hardcore typists (like myself). The keyboard comes fitted with pre-lubed Cocoa Brown (tactile) or Candy Red (linear) mechanical switches. I tested the Candy Reds which require 45g of force to activate. They’re slightly heavier than the 35g Sea Salt linears in the Epomaker RT100 ($115) but even so, I’ve found the Candy Reds non-fatiguing to type on. I wrote this review and another on the Spectre 75!

The Candy Reds feel smooth and responsive to type on. Combined with the double-shot PBT keycaps, the gasket mount, and several layers of foam padding, the Spectre 75 sounds lovely, too. It’s got a deep, creamy sound which isn’t too loud that it disturbs your coworkers, but it isn’t too quiet either, so you can appreciate it.

Speaking of, the double-shot PBT keycaps feel soft to touch. By their nature, the PBT keycaps are more resistant to oil and wear and tear than their ABS counterparts. They don’t get shiny like the ones on the expensive Turtle Beach Command Series KB5 ($149) either.

As soon as I unboxed the Spectre 75, I took a typing test at 10fastfingers.com (as I always do). Straight out of the box, I was able to achieve 93 words per minute with 90% accuracy. Though a little slower than what I’m used to, like 109WPM on the Epomaker Glyph ($139), I’m happy anytime I get over 90WPM, so I’m pleased with the Spectre 75’s performance.

Good gaming performance

The Tecware Spectre 75 is a competent gaming keyboard, packing a 1,000Hz polling rate over a wired connection. Over Bluetooth, this naturally drops to just 125Hz. 1KHz polling is more than plenty for 99% of gamers. I played Counter-Strike 2 and Cyberpunk 2077 on the Alienware 16X Aurora, and I didn’t notice any latency issues or input lag.

Linear switches are usually great for gaming, and the same is true for the Spectre 75’s Candy Reds. I found them extremely responsive in my testing. Tecware doesn’t specify the switches’ pre-travel distance, or how far down the switches need to be pressed to activate them. Even so, I felt they only required light taps to activate.

You also get N-key rollover which ensures consistent and accurate key registration when you’re typing and playing. You can basically hold down several keys at once and all of them will be registered by the keyboard’s hardware and executed on screen. In Cyberpunk 2077, I was able to sprint, jump, reload my weapon and activate my Sandevistan cyberware to slow down time, all at once. This gave me a slight competitive advantage and I was able to run circles around enemies.

For competitive gamers or esports players, I’d recommend a Hall Effect keyboard with adjustable actuation and 8,000Hz polling, like the Epomaker HE68 ($59) or the Epomaker HE65 Mag ($99). If you’re a casual gamer, though, the Spectre 75 should more than suffice.

Customizable LCD screen

If I had a nickel for every keyboard I’ve tested that features a built-in LCD screen, I’d have many. Similar to the likes of the Turtle Beach Command Series KB5, the Epomaker RT100 Pro ($119) and the Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wireless ($259), the Tecware Spectre 75 features a customizable LCD screen.

Located between the volume knob and Function row, the screen is tiny but bright. By default, it displays a pre-installed GIF, and the knob lets you adjust the volume. If you hold down Fn and the knob, you can enter LCD Menu Navigation mode. Twisting the knob thereafter lets you cycle through the keyboard’s various settings. You can use the screen (and the knob) to adjust the RGB lighting’s effects, speed and brightness, and swap between macOS and Windows layouts.

I found the screen responsive in my testing — it's the Spectre 75’s companion software (that’s needed to upload GIFs) that I have a problem with. More on that later, though.

Low price

One of the best things about the Tecware Spectre 75 is that it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. It retails for just $79 at Amazon U.S. which makes it one of the cheapest keyboards I’ve tested so far. It’s cheaper than some of our favorite budget mech decks, like the NuPhy Node75 ($99) and the Keychron V1 Ultra 8K ($114). It’s priced similarly to the Royal Kludge L75 ($79) and the Keychron V1 8K ($74) — though the latter is wired-only.

Tecware Spectre 75 review: The downs

The Tecware Spectre 75 isn’t perfect. Its lackluster design, plasticky build, janky companion software, and limited stock switch choice leave a lot to be desired.

Lackluster design

I’ll preface this by saying that there’s nothing wrong with the Tecware Spectre 75’s design — it’s just very dull and very boring to look at. There’s nothing special about the design. The Spectre 75 comes in either black or white, and they’re… fine? This is a decent-looking keyboard for anyone who prefers something low-key. There’s flashy per-key RGB lighting that adds a splash of color, though.

If you want a keyboard that pops, or utilizes a combination of different colors at the least, I’d recommend the Royal Kludge L75, the GravaStar Mercury K1 Lite ($89) or the MCHOSE K99 V2 ($99). Of those, the Mercury K1 Lite is the polar opposite of the Spectre 75, with a garish, loud design. I’d stick to the Royal Kludge L75 if I were you.

Plasticky build

The Tecware Spectre 75 isn’t the best built keyboard out there. Its body is made entirely of plastic which feels a little too cheap for my liking. It looks like a reskinned Keychron V1 ($94) but without the steel plate. The plastic case feels slightly flimsy, and there’s some flex when you twist the Spectre 75 by its sides. It does feature a metallic knob in the top-right corner which feels premium, though.

Its all-plastic build makes the keyboard fairly light, though, so it’s good to travel with. The Spectre 75 weighs 1.87lbs so it’s lighter than the Keychron V1 8K (2.19lbs). But if you want an even lighter keyboard that also feels premium, I’d recommend the NuPhy Node75 (1.45lbs).

Janky companion software

I’m no stranger to janky companion software, having tested many gadgets with finicky apps, but great snakes is the Tecware Spectre 75’s app infuriating. You’ll need to download the Spectre 75’s dedicated software from the Tecware website, and it’s not available on macOS, even though the keyboard itself is compatible with Apple’s laptops. If you own a MacBook, you won’t be able to customize the LCD screen or upload GIFs to it — it’s worth considering a keyboard like the Epomaker RT75 ($91) instead.

Speaking of GIFs, uploading one to the Spectre 75 feels like an uphill climb, or like Sisyphus pushing a heavy boulder up said hill, only to watch it roll back down. The process seems simple enough at first. Navigate to the GIF tab, click on the + icon, and add your preferred GIF. When I did so, the software told me that the GIF had 61 frames and only 44 were allowed. You can delete specific frames within the software itself, but you can’t do so in bulk. You have to delete each frame individually — and this includes confirming every time that you’re certain you want to delete said frame.

It took some time, but I managed to trim the frames down to 44. I clicked ‘Upload to Keyboard’ and watched the progress bar fill up… and then the software crashed. I booted up the software again and repeated the process, only this time the software didn’t say that the frames were limited to 44 — strange, but at least it saves me a gazillion steps. Again, I clicked ‘Upload to Keyboard’ and this time, it worked (thankfully).

But that isn’t where my troubles stopped. I wanted to test the software’s macro recording feature but for some reason, none of the options in the macro tab were clickable. I reinstalled the software and the issue persisted. I even checked if the Spectre 75 had the latest firmware installed (it did).

The Spectre 75’s LCD screen is capable of displaying CPU and GPU stats, too, but the software needs to be running in the background — again, impossible to do on macOS. Overall, the software left a sour taste in my mouth, and it sticks out like a sore thumb.

Limited stock switch choice

The Tecware Spectre 75 comes with pre-lubed switches that are made in-house. Unfortunately, you’re limited to just two stock switch sets. You can choose either Cocoa Brown tactile or Candy Red linear switches. There are no clicky or silent switches, and you’ll have to buy your preferred ones separately.

Thankfully, the Spectre 75 is hot-swappable and compatible with south-facing 5-pin mechanical switches. It’s nice to see a budget keyboard offering hot-swappability when some pricey keyboards don’t (looking at you, Turtle Beach Command Series KB5). If you want more stock switch choice at checkout, I’d recommend the Keychron V1 8K.

Not the most responsive when waking

The last nail in the Tecware Spectre 75’s coffin is its tendency to not respond when it’s waking from sleep mode. In my testing, over Bluetooth and a wired connection, the keyboard wouldn’t respond after my laptop — and therefore, the Spectre 75 — had been asleep for a while. Though it didn’t happen all the time, I had to reconnect the keyboard a few times to get it working again. I tested this on macOS and Windows machines and had the same issue each time.

I haven’t had this issue with other mechanical keyboards I’ve tested. For that reason, and everything else I’ve mentioned up until now, I’d recommend the Keychron V1 8K or the Royal Kludge L75. I’ve tested both keyboards extensively and neither of them have given me this much grief.

I've reached out to Tecware's representative about this issue, to see whether it's limited to my review unit alone.

Tecware Spectre 75 review: Verdict

The Tecware Spectre 75 is a decent mechanical keyboard for typing and casual gaming, thanks to its responsive linear switches and 1,000Hz polling rate. It features an LCD screen that you can view keyboard and system stats on, or display GIFs on, too.

But there isn’t much else to like about the Spectre 75. The companion software needed to customize the screen is janky and frustrating to use, while the keyboard itself sports a lackluster design and plasticky build. You’re limited to just two stock switch sets, too. I also struggled with the keyboard becoming unresponsive in my testing.

While $79 isn’t a high asking price, you can get better value for your money elsewhere. The Keychron V1 8K and the Royal Kludge L75 are fantastic keyboards under $80, and are much better choices if you want a feature-packed deck.

The Dell UltraSharp U3226Q is one of the best monitors for professional photographers, videographers, editors and creatives, period. This 32-inch beast features self-calibration that ensures superb color accuracy day in and out. With wide color coverage as well as an array of color modes, it doesn’t give you much to complain about. It also hosts more ports than you could ask for, and for casual gamers, there’s the 120Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time.

Is there anything wrong with it? Not particularly. Its 4K panel is neither the brightest nor the dullest in its weight class, and the price tag may make your eye twitch. Neither of these are outright dealbreakers, though. If you’re a professional looking for a monitor that doesn’t skimp on features, this is the one.

For the complete breakdown, read my full Dell UltraSharp U3226Q review.

Dell UltraSharp U3226Q review: Specs

Dell UltraSharp U3226Q review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? A 32-inch QD-OLED monitor with a 4K UHD resolution
• Who is it for? For professional photographers, editors, creatives and everyone in between
• How much does it cost? It ain’t cheap — the Dell UltraSharp U3226Q costs $2,499 / £2,404
• What do we like? The built-in colorimeter, outstanding color coverage and accuracy, 120Hz refresh rate, and the wide array of ports
• What don’t we like? The eye-watering price tag

Dell UltraSharp U3226Q review: The ups

The question isn’t, “What can the Dell UltraSharp U3226Q do?” It’s what it can’t do. Excellent color coverage and accuracy, a built-in colorimeter, plenty of color modes and ports, 120Hz refresh rate, 0.03ms response time. It’s got it all.

Pro features for the pros

There’s no doubt that the Dell UltraSharp U3226Q is a pro monitor meant for pros, and one quick glance at its specs sheet tells you as much. Alongside outstanding color coverage and accuracy (more on that shortly), the U3226Q features seven color factory-calibrated modes as well as six customizable ones. The seven modes include DCI-P3, Display P3, sRGB, BT.709, BT.2020, and Adobe RGB (with D50 and D65 white points). These make the U3226Q excellent for digital as well as print editing.

The U3226Q is a self-calibrating monitor, which means that it features a built-in colorimeter that automatically tests and adjusts the display’s color accuracy. You can choose between Express and Comprehensive self-calibration via the U3226Q’s menu. Once you’ve selected it, the U3226Q will calibrate itself to maintain its outstanding performance day in and out. This is very handy for professional editors, and it’s something that isn’t even offered by expensive monitors, like the Apple Studio Display XDR ($3,299).

Other key features for those who plan on staring at the screen for up to eight hours a day include a TÜV 4-star certification for enhanced eye comfort, and low blue light technology which reduces harmful blue light emissions to ≤35%. The 4K UHD panel features an anti-glare coating, too, which ensures clear visuals and consistent colors in any lighting conditions. Having used the monitor for a week, I can confirm that my eyes didn’t feel fatigued at all.

Dell also includes a monitor hood in the box which you can magnetically snap on to the U3226Q’s bezels. It helps minimize glare from overhead lighting, negates visual distractions, and helps improve color accuracy. All in all, the U3226Q is a fantastic package and really doesn’t give you much to complain about.

Outstanding color coverage and accuracy

Now we’re on to the meat of this review. How’s the Dell UltraSharp U3226Q’s color coverage and accuracy? Outstanding, in one word. The U3226Q’s 4K QD-OLED panel has a resolution of 3840 x 2160, and it’s gorgeous to look at. It features 10-bit color depth which means it’s capable of displaying 1.07 billion individual hues.

Dell says that the U3226Q “delivers vibrant visuals and true-to-life colors,” and my lab tests confirmed it. I’ve lab-tested plenty of monitors, and the U3226Q boasts the best color coverage and accuracy. As you can see from the table above, it covers 188.8% of the sRGB space and 133.7% of the wider DCI P3 gamut. It upstages the Apple Studio Display XDR (which doesn’t even cover 100% of the DCI P3 color space), and all of BenQ’s monitors on the list.

Color accuracy is phenomenal, too. The U3226Q achieved a Delta-E score of 0.08 in my lab test. Delta E is a numerical representation of how much two colors differ, and it tells you how close the color relayed on the monitor is to the output from the source or laptop. You ideally want the score to be as close to zero as possible. 0.08 is, then, excellent, as it ascertains that the colors the U3226Q is displaying are extremely accurate. Again, Dell’s offering trumps the pricier Apple Studio Display XDR. The only monitor that beats it is the Dell Pro P3426WEV ($749) with its 0.05 score — but the difference is negligible.

In real-world use, I’ve loved using the U3226Q for work, watching 4K YouTube videos, and playing games. Colors appear bright and vivid. Blues and greens are deep; reds are rich; and blacks are inky and deep. Highlights don’t appear too sharp in 4K videos either, making for an enjoyable and immersive watching experience. I used the monitor to edit some photos for my photography Instagram account, too, and knowing that the colors were as accurate as they could be helped me color-grade confidently.

Ports galore!

Dell hasn’t skimped on the UltraSharp U3226Q’s ports, and you get everything you could ask for and more. Most of the ports are located on the back. There’s obviously a power port and located next to it are two HDMI 2.1, one DisplayPort 1.4, and two Thunderbolt 4 ports. One of the Thunderbolts is an upstream, DisplayPort Alt Mode port with 140W of power delivery, while the other is a downstream, daisy-chaining port with 15W of power delivery.

Just like on the Dell Pro P3426WEV, the DisplayPort Alt Mode enables the USB-C port to receive video signals using the DisplayPort protocol. It offers higher data bandwidth, and allows you to daisy-chain multiple monitors from a single port, too. Not only does this help you cut down on cables (who doesn’t love a bit of effective cable management?), it’s also handy if you’re routing graphics through a docking station via USB-C as you can continue accessing DisplayPort’s high resolutions and refresh rates.

In addition to that, two USB-A downstream ports with 10Gbps speeds are also located on the back, as well as an RJ45 Ethernet one. Similar to the P3426WEV, the U3226Q features a pop-out port housing on the monitor’s bottom edge. Pushing it reveals a panel with a downstream USB-A and two USB-C ports (27W power delivery), each with 10Gbps speeds.

Similar to the BenQ Creative Pro PD2732U ($799), the U3226Q packs Smart KVM, too, which enables you to use a single keyboard and mouse with two computers when they’re hooked up to the monitor. It’s great for those who work across multiple computers.

For the casual gamers, too

Though the Dell UltraSharp U3226Q is a monitor for professionals, it’s a competent gaming machine, too. It packs a 120Hz refresh rate and a 0.03ms response time, which is more than sufficient for most casual gamers.

Motion isn’t as silky smooth as on monitors with extremely high refresh rates, like the MSI MPG 341CQR QD-OLED X36 (360Hz, $949) and the MSI MAG 272QP QD-OLED X50 (500Hz, $749), but it’s still excellent. I didn’t notice any choppiness while playing Forza Horizon 5 and Counter-Strike 2, and I was comfortably running 100-115fps in the latter. Thanks to the 0.03ms response time — same as on the MSI X36 — I didn’t experience any motion blur or noticeable ghosting either.

Dell UltraSharp U3226Q review: The downs

The Dell UltraSharp U3226Q doesn’t have many flaws. It’s expensive, and the 4K panel’s brightness is neither the best nor the worst.

Middle-of-the-road brightness

The Dell UltraSharp U3226Q is neither the brightest nor the dimmest monitor — it does well against some competitors while not performing that formidably against others. In my lab tests, the U3226Q achieved a peak brightness of 295.4 nits in SDR and 425 nits in HDR (10% window size).

When it comes to both SDR and HDR results, the U3226Q upstages the BenQ PD2732U, the Dell Pro P3426WEV, the BenQ PD2730S ($1,199) and the BenQ PD3226G ($1,099), as you can see in the table below. The P3426WEV doesn’t even support HDR, giving the U3226Q a leg-up.

However, the BenQ MA270S ($999), the Apple Studio Display ($1,499) and the Apple Studio Display XDR outperform the U3226Q when it comes to Standard Dynamic Range. It isn’t surprising that the Apple Studio Display XDR does this (as it’s more expensive) but it’s disappointing that the U3226Q doesn’t get as bright as the MA270S, which is half the U3226Q’s price.

I don’t think this is necessarily a dealbreaker as you shouldn’t have your brightness turned all the way up anyway when editing photos, and this is a professional studio monitor after all. In real-world use, I had no problem using this monitor and clearly seeing what was on screen under bright studio lights. Of course, if you want a monitor with a brighter panel, I can’t recommend the MA270S enough.

Ridonculous price

As you’ve seen so far, the Dell UltraSharp U3226Q is not your average monitor, and it packs pro features that make it suitable for professionals… and it’s got a price tag to match. The U3226Q doesn’t come cheap. It has a retail price of $2,499 at B&H Photo / £2,404 at Dell U.K., making it one of the most expensive monitors I’ve tested so far.

This makes the U3226Q more expensive than some of the other productivity- and photography-focused monitors I’ve tested, like the BenQ MA270S ($999), the BenQ PD2732U ($799), the Dell Pro P3426WEV ($749) and the Alogic Edge 40-inch 5K Ultrawide ($1,499). The U3226Q is slightly cheaper than the Apple Studio Display XDR ($3,499), though, if that’s any consolation.

Dell UltraSharp U3226Q review: Verdict

For professional photographers, colorists and editors, the Dell UltraSharp U3226Q checks nearly every box. Stupendous color accuracy and coverage, self-calibration, a stunning QD-OLED display, and more ports than you could ask for make it a winner. For casual gamers, there’s a 120Hz refresh rate and response time of 0.03ms, too, so what more could you want?

You’re paying a premium for all the pro features, though, and the U3226Q costs $2,500. While it’s a lot, I think the U3226Q does plenty to justify it. The built-in colorimeter for self-calibration ensures color accuracy over time, thereby increasing the monitor’s lifespan. At the end of the day, the U3226Q is the monitor for professionals, and it’s the display I’d personally buy.

The best gaming keyboards have come leaps and bounds in recent years, and the Turtle Beach Command Series KB5 hopes to join the ranks. Packing highly responsive linear switches, 8,000Hz polling, and features like ReacTap in a sturdy, aluminum body, the KB5 is a formidable performer. It’s great to type on, too, and it features a handy touchscreen for on-the-go customization.

But is that enough to be considered one of the best in 2026, when the competition is so fierce? The KB5 is competent but its flaws are difficult to overlook when it costs nearly $150. It’s wired only; it isn’t hot-swappable; and its touchscreen can be sluggish. Of course, if none of those matter to you, and you’ve got the cash, the KB5 is still an okay choice for gaming and productivity.

For the complete breakdown, read my full Turtle Beach Command Series KB5 review.

Turtle Beach Command Series KB5 review: Specs

Turtle Beach Command Series KB5 review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? A full-size mechanical keyboard with a customizable touchscreen
• Who is it for? Gamers and typists alike
• How much does it cost? The Turtle Beach Command Series KB5 is available for $149 / £139
• What do we like? The sturdy build, 8KHz polling for gaming, responsive switches, and customizable touchscreen
• What don’t we like? The wired-only and non-hot-swappable design, sometimes sluggish touchscreen, and hefty price tag

Turtle Beach Command Series KB5 review: The ups

The Turtle Beach Command Series KB5 is well-built and it’s a joy to type on. 8,000Hz polling and ReacTap make it great for gaming, and the customizable touchscreen lets you make changes on the fly.

Sturdy construction

The KB5 is part of Turtle Beach’s Command Series, so it shares a lot of similarities with the KB7 TKL ($199) — one of them being the sturdy construction. Just like the KB7 TKL, the KB5 is made of an anodized aluminum top plate and a plastic chassis. There’s no flex in the body and no rattling. The aluminum plate gives the keyboard some heft too, as the KB5 weighs 2.43lbs (with the included palm rest). Though a little heavy, the KB5 is nowhere near as gargantuan as some of Keychron’s all-metal keyboards, like the Q65 Max (5.33lbs, $209) and the Q3 Ultra 8K (3.9lbs, $229).

As a full-size 100% keyboard, the KB5 has a large desk footprint too, measuring 18.78 x 10.12 x 1.06 inches (with palm rest), so it’s best suited to staying put at your desk. Given its length, the KB5 didn’t fit into my day bag. The keyboard’s wired-only nature may make you reluctant to travel with it anyway.

Adding to the KB5’s appeal are its double-shot PBT keycaps which are more resistant to oil, wear and tear compared to their ABS counterparts. It’s nice to see Turtle Beach do away with the ABS keycaps its Vulcan II Max ($229) uses — they get very shiny with fingerprints.

I also like the notched clickable volume barrel located right above the first four Function keys. You can use this to adjust the volume and mute playback (or remap it completely in Swarm II). Rolling its barrel is what I’d imagine the thrust lever on an airplane would feel like.

Excellent for typing

Though the Turtle Beach Command Series KB5 is primarily a gaming keyboard, it’s a sheer delight to type on. While its clacky, hollow sound profile is nothing to write home about, it still offers an enjoyable typing experience. Its Titan low-profile mechanical switches have a pre-travel distance of 1.2mm (total 3.1mm) which means that they don’t need to be pressed all the way down to activate. This helps you type faster, and even after a full day’s worth of typing, my fingers and hands didn’t feel fatigued.

I put the KB5 through its paces by taking a typing test at 10fastfingers.com as soon as I unboxed the keyboard. I wasn’t expecting to type as fast as I did, because the KB5 isn’t marketed as a productivity deck, and yet, I was able to achieve 108 words per minute with 97% accuracy. The keyboard upstaged all but one deck when it came to sheer speed: the Epomaker Glyph ($139). Color me impressed!

8,000Hz polling and ReacTap

The Turtle Beach Command Series KB5’s biggest selling point is its 8,000Hz polling rate. Though impressive, 8KHz polling is overkill for 99% of gamers, and is an unnecessary drain on system resources. For most gamers, including myself, 1KHz polling is more than sufficient. You won’t notice latency issues or input lag regardless.

Still, I tested the KB5’s 8KHz polling by playing Counter-Strike 2 and Cyberpunk 2077 on the Alienware 16X Aurora. As predicted, there were no latency issues to make a big song and dance about. All of my commands were promptly registered. I found the Titan low-profile linear switches extremely responsive too, and their 1.3mm pre-travel distance meant that I could lightly tap one key after another to execute a series of actions in quick succession.

You can also enable ReacTap by tapping the screen’s left edge and swiping left. ReacTap is Turtle Beach’s term for Last Key Prioritization (LKP), and it’s a type of Simultaneous Opposite Key Detection (SOCD) resolution. As you can probably tell by the name, it prioritizes the last key pressed, and I primarily use it for counter-strafing. Basically, if you hold down A and press D, the LKP resolution overrides A and instantly registers D (or vice versa). Doing so results in an immediate end to movement and therefore accuracy penalties in titles that have inertia in their movement mechanics, like Counter-Strike 2 (where LKP will get you kicked) and Valorant.

The KB5 features five dedicated macro keys too, located on the keyboard’s left-hand side. These can be configured to execute commands with just the tap of a button. You can use these to launch another program, record the last 30 seconds of gameplay, what-have-you. Four different commands can be bound to each key, and these layers can be accessed via key combinations, such as holding down Caps Lock / Easy Shift [+].

These macro keys are useful in both gaming and productivity, and you can assign work- or game-specific commands and save them to five customizable profiles.

Built-in touchscreen for on-the-fly customization

LCD and even OLED screens are becoming more and more common on keyboards. We’ve seen them on the likes of the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro ($189), the Epomaker RT100 Pro ($119), and now the Turtle Beach Command Series KB5. Unlike the large 4.3-inch touchscreen on the Turtle Beach Command Series KB7 TKL, the KB5’s 2.4-inch is much smaller but useful nonetheless.

The KB5’s touchscreen enables you to make adjustments to the keyboard’s settings on the fly and without having to launch Swarm II every time. You can use it to record macros, swap between five profiles, launch apps, manage audio playback, and more. Annoyingly, though, you can’t adjust the polling rate via the screen itself, and this can be done via Swarm II only.

The touchscreen’s layout can be changed, too, and you’ll need to download the user-friendly Swarm II in order to do so. Via the Windows-only software (sorry, macOS users), you can add your preferred widgets to the screen, or select a preset template (productivity- or gaming-focused). If you play a lot of Counter-Strike, you might like the ‘KB5 CS’ preset, which displays stats like equipped weapon, bullets remaining, and total kills.

Turtle Beach Command Series KB5 review: The downs

The Turtle Beach Command Series KB5 isn’t hot-swappable, can’t be used wirelessly, and its touchscreen can be finicky at times, so is it worth the premium? I’m not convinced.

Sluggish touchscreen

While the Turtle Beach Command Series KB5’s touchscreen is useful and behaves well for the most part, I found it sluggish at times. In my testing, I found that the touchscreen would randomly freeze and get stuck on one page, and I also noticed that my commands weren’t always registered. I had to tap a couple of times to get the touchscreen to skip the song I was listening to, for instance. Yes, even after updating the keyboard’s firmware, these issues didn’t magically disappear.

Wired-only

Sadly, the Turtle Beach Command Series KB5 is a wired-only keyboard so there’s no Bluetooth wireless connectivity. That also means the keyboard is designed to stay put at your desk. This isn’t necessarily a flaw but it’s disappointing given that so many mechanical keyboards today are wireless. This becomes an even bigger problem when you realize how expensive the KB5 is (more on that in a second).

If you want a wireless mechanical keyboard with 8,000Hz polling, I’d recommend the Keychron V1 Ultra 8K which features high polling over both wired and wireless connections. However, as I said earlier, 8,000Hz polling is overkill for most people anyway.

Not hot-swappable

Okay, so the Turtle Beach Command Series KB5 is wired-only. Big deal. But my biggest gripe with the keyboard is that its switches aren’t hot-swappable. I find that surprising in 2026, when most keyboards (especially in this price range) are hot-swappable. Because the KB5 isn’t, you can’t change its switches by simply popping them out — you’ll need to de- and re-solder them to the PCB which is not only time-consuming, but it requires specialist tools and skill, too.

This means that if, say, one switch stops working, you’ll have to take the entire keyboard apart. I also feel like if you’re spending short of $150 on a keyboard, the least you should expect is hot-swappable switches. If this irks you as much as it does me, I’d again recommend the Keychron V1 Ultra 8K, the Keychron C1 Pro 8K ($54) or the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro (which does enough to justify its $189 price tag).

Expensive for what you get

This brings me to my last argument: the Turtle Beach Command Series KB5’s price tag. The keyboard retails for $149 / £139 at Amazon, which is quite steep given that the keyboard is wired-only and isn’t hot-swappable. Its touchscreen, though useful, can be sluggish and is also heavily reliant on Swarm II, which isn’t available on macOS.

When brands like Epomaker and Keychron continue making powerful keyboards for a fraction of the KB5’s price, Turtle Beach’s offering is a hard sell. The Keychron V1 Ultra 8K, the Keychron C1 Pro 8K, and the Epomaker P65 ($119) are much easier to recommend. Heck, even some outstanding Hall Effect decks, like the Epomaker HE68 ($59), offer exceptional value for money while being cheaper than the KB5.

Turtle Beach Command Series KB5 review: Verdict

The Turtle Beach Command Series KB5 isn’t a bad keyboard — quite the opposite in fact. It boasts strong gaming performance thanks to features like 8,000Hz polling and ReacTap. It’s good for typing, too, and it’s fitted with a responsive touchscreen that lets you make adjustments on the go.

At the end of the day, though, are those features enough to justify the $150 asking price? The KB5, though well-built and capable, isn’t hot-swappable, and when its competitors are offering 8KHz polling over wireless connections, the KB5’s wired-only design leaves a lot to be desired. The sluggish touchscreen is frustrating at this price point, too. You’d be better off with the Keychron V1 8K, if it’s a bang-for-your-buck mechanical deck you’re after.

Sony’s elite esports gaming monitor just got, well, even more elite. The Inzone M10S II succeeds (you guessed it) the original M10S — a monitor I know well. I attended the original M10S launch at Gamescom 2024, where I spoke with the Fnatic esports team, who were heavily involved in its design, and the Sony engineers who brought Fnatic’s requests to life.

The new model shares the same core objectives as its predecessor: to provide professional esports gamers, or those aspiring to be one, with everything they need. As such, the core formula remains largely unchanged: blazing refresh and response rates; an array of features tailored entirely to esports; all combined with Sony’s premium design.

This time, refresh rates have been boosted in QHD and FHD modes; there’s a new anti-glare coating and a brightness boost, at least on paper. So, is this the best gaming monitor for elite players? Find out in my full Sony Inzone M10S II review.

Sony Inzone M10S II review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? An elite esports gaming monitor
• Who is it for? Pro esports gamers, or those aspiring to be
• What does it cost? $1,099 / £1,199
• What do we like? Be-all, end-all gaming performance and features; premium and thoughtful design
• What don’t we like? Not the brightest compared to other OLED monitors; USB-A and -B ports only

Sony Inzone M10S II review: Specs

Sony Inzone M10S II review: The ups

The M10S II has one job: to be the ultimate gaming monitor for esports players. With its impressive specs and an extensive array of performance and quality-of-life features, it succeeds. And as a Sony product, it boasts premium looks and a high-quality build.

Ultra-fast performance

The M10S II packs so many gaming features that I’ll have to break them up. First, I’ll cover the hardware side of things. And that refresh rate! With 540Hz in QHD mode and up to 720Hz when dropping to 720p (HD), this monitor is absolutely rapid, relaying enemy movement as accurately as possible, with no motion blur or lag.

With an ultra low response time of 0.02ms gtg (gray to gray, which means how fast the pixels can change color), plus Sony’s Motion Blur Reduction, ghosting is effectively removed. There’s also G-Sync to remove tearing, especially in situations with rapidly changing frame rates. All this means the enemy you’re shooting at is more likely to be exactly where you’re seeing it, and you aren’t shooting its ghost trail or some other artefact.

I’m not an esports pro, of course, but playing Counter-Strike 2 at 600fps was a smooth experience — though not particularly enjoyable at 720p. Our TG testing rig couldn’t hit the maximum 720fps, even with Counter-Strike set to low and running at 720p, but topping out at 600fps was still pretty cool. At 1440p with Counter-Strike on high settings, our testing rig still hit around 400fps.

The original M10S looks like a tortoise in comparison, topping out at only 480Hz and a mere 0.03ms response time. Our favorite high-refresh-rate monitor (up to now), the MSI MAG 272QP QD-OLED X50 ($749), manages just 500Hz.

Plethora of gaming features

The M10S II also offers a comprehensive array of gaming features designed to suit elite gamers — like the Fnatic team. There’s a 24.5-inch tournament crop for competition practice, and two FPS modes, FPS Pro (which simulates an LCD) and FPS Pro+, which adjust contrast ratios to make enemy detection easier, especially in dimly lit game scenarios. I especially enjoyed using FPS Pro when playing Hell Let Loose, particularly on darker nighttime maps, as it lifted the blacks a little to help me spot enemies hiding in bushes.

Those aren’t the only game modes, though, as there’s a specific MOBA/RTS mode, as well as a general game mode for casual play.

There’s also an on-screen crosshair with a variety of crosshair types to choose from. I found this really handy in Counter-Strike 2, where many guns have no ADS mode and the in-game crosshair expands and contracts with movement and movement penalties. It was also super useful in Hell Let Loose, as it allowed me to more accurately fire from the hip and score reflex kills on enemies popping up from bushes or around corners, which I might otherwise have missed.

On that note, there’s also a black equalizer mode to brighten shadows without affecting lighter areas of the screen. This is handy if you’re already in a game-specific mode and only want to boost shadows, or if affecting highlights would hamper your performance.

Plus some useful QoL features

I also appreciate some of the quality-of-life (QoL) features found in the M10S range. The M10S II, like its predecessor, is designed with setup flexibility as a key consideration, and plenty of attention has been paid to the details.

In particular, there’s the stand. The M10S II features the same cantilevered stand as its predecessor. I actually spoke to the engineer who designed this stand at the original M10S press briefing — the stand was his passion project because he was trying to solve an issue he had with monitors. The cantilever channels all the weight into the center for perfect balance, allowing Sony to keep the base small.

The M10S II is therefore much easier to position than many other monitors. The M10S II replaced my Lenovo Legion R27qe Gen 2 (£199, U.K. only), with its enormous tripod stand — with the Sony, my desk felt so much more spacious and open, and for once I had room for other products I was testing. The base is also extremely thin, deliberately designed so you can slide your keyboard over it and keep your desk tidy when not in use. The arm swivels, so you can adjust the monitor's rotation without having to pick up and move the whole assembly. And there's a neat cable tidy to, well, keep your cables tidy!

I’m also a big fan of the anti-glare coating on the screen. I work with a window behind me in the office, along with overhead lighting. I was able to game and work on the M10S II for hours without eye strain or headaches.

Accurate color rendition

While the M10S II isn’t a production monitor, it’s still important that the panel reproduces color accurately. Thankfully, the M10S II does! As you can see in our lab test results below, the M10S II achieved a Delta-E score of 0.26. This score measures how closely the on-screen color matches the color sent to the display by the computer, and the lower the better.