The jump in audio quality I experienced with the Sony WH-1000XM6 reminded me of putting on a new pair of glasses for the first time — I could see (hear) everything. The XM6’s soundstage is grand and epic, the earcups are snug, the dual Bluetooth-connectivity is so convenient, and the battery life is long.

However, as much as I love the Sony WH-1000XM6, they aren't without some problems. The earcups are snug, which may be uncomfortable for some folks. If you’re app-averse for some reason, you need to download the phone app to disable ANC. I wish the Ambient mode took in more sound at higher volumes, and I would have liked the microphone to sound better, although it’s not terrible.

Yet, like Sony's other mythically excellent creation, Kratos with his Leviathan axe, my ears wield the Sony WH-1000XM6 as their daily weapon. I imagine the XM6 will be my companion for quite a long time, at least until it's dethroned by the XM9. There's no question that the XM6s are one of the best headphones out there, but are they good enough to drop $450? Let’s jump into that Yggdrasil rift together.

Sony WH-1000XM6: Price and value

I reviewed the Black model of the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones, but you can also get them in Midnight Blue or Platinum Silver, all of which cost the same $449. I’m partial to the Midnight Blue colorway — they are the only ones with actual color. The XM6s also come with a neat magnetic carrying case, which is a dark gray color and includes a 3.5mm headphone jack and a very short USB Type-A to Type-C cable. You can get the Sony WH-1000XM6 directly from Sony’s website, Best Buy, or Amazon.

The real question is: Are they worth it? Well, that depends on you. What I can say is that the pricing is competitive, especially when compared to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones (also $449). And this is too much for you to spend on headphones, no matter how good they are; I completely understand. You can easily get the XM4 for $280 (at the time of writing).

If you really want the XM6 model and aren’t swimming in cash, I’d wait for a sale. But if you have the disposable income, they're worth it.

Sony WH-1000XM6: Design

The Sony WH-1000XM6 looks like an alien carved them out of a block of obsidian… and then blasted them with soft paint. Sony took the revamped design language of the XM5 headphones and threw a couple of curves in there. The design isn’t drastically different, but just enough to take a slightly basic design and add a more premium flair.

The cups feature an off-center circle that allows access to the touch controls, and they curve downward from there into an oblong shape. Around the edges of those cups are a slew of black microphone vents that blend in. The leatherette cups also feature a seamless transition, without the typical puffy protrusion on the outer layer.

My favorite part of the design is the hinges, where the cups meet the headband. It’s a diagonally carved cylinder with the classic gold Sony logo painted on it. Company logos are hit or miss, but Sony is iconic for its stylish logo on vintage and now future tech. And between the hinge and the headband is another thinly carved piece, which adds to the flair. The headband itself starts thin and then expands slightly.

On the left cup, you’ll find the power button, headphone jack, and the ANC button, while the right features the Type-C charging port.

Out of the previous XM-series headphones, the XM6 offer the most modern and sleek design, making them worthy of their premium price (in this regard, at least).

Sony WH-1000XM6: Comfort

Imagine a pillow with arms that could give you a little squeeze — that's the Sony WH-1000XM6. I like it, but they are pretty snug, so it might not be comfortable for some people.

The Sony WH-1000XM6 weigh 254 grams, which is unnoticeably heavier than their competitor, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (252 grams).

From dusk till dawn, I played Elden Ring Nightreign. I'm not ashamed — those Nightlords needed to die. But after a short adjustment period from my looser XM3 headphones, the XM6 felt like the familiar yet satisfying pillow you'd flip over in the middle of the night. The cushions are soft yet firm. I still felt them squeeze my head, which may bother some folks, but I liked it because it offers some passive noise cancelling.

I didn’t even notice the headband until I paid attention to it. It’s soft and doesn’t crush my head like the earcups do, so I count that as a win.

Sony WH-1000XM6: Audio

I jumped from the XM3 to the XM6, and the best way to describe the jump is like watching a flower finally bloom. The 30mm neodymium drivers delivered a wide, immersive soundstage that kept me engaged in all of the content I played.

I listened to all of Epic: The Musical on the Sony WH-1000XM6. In “Full Speed Ahead,” the XM6 captured the subtle rumbling drums that open the song, accompanied by solid bass, and it stood out among the following soft piano and warm strings.

I jumped to “Keep Your Friends Close,” which opens with a melodic string of wind instruments, and I noticed that there were many more distinct notes than usual, none of which detracted from the smooth vocals. Then I moved to the more sinister “Get in the Water,” and the XM6 did struggle a bit with the opening synths, but it captured the subtle horns and synths during the vocals, amplifying the suspense of the track.

One of the issues I’ve had with Epic: The Musical is that when the creator, Jorge Rivera-Herrans, discusses how he developed the motifs for each character, I never really noticed it because the vocals often overpower the instruments. However, with the XM6, I got to experience everything he talked about, and it made me appreciate the sound design that much more. My heart actually broke when listening to “Love in Paradise.” I never heard Polites’ voice during Odysseus’ final scream to Athena, where he says, “We can light up the world, here’s how to start.” (I’m not crying, you’re crying.)

Of course, I simply had to game with the XM6, so I decided to get bodied in Elden Ring Nightreign. I had previously played with the XM3, so the soundstage changed completely once again. It expanded noticeably. Similar to my issue with Epic, some boss music filters through my ears because they could not match the level of intensity you’ve got to lock in to win.

However, when facing off against The Shape of Night, the strings were empowering. Every slash and spell still sounded sharp and impactful against the weight of the strings, making for a truly epic fight (pun intended). I don't think I’ve ever been as locked into a boss fight’s sound design before, and I’m honestly sad that I haven’t played so many of my favorite games with the XM6. For Duchess' sake, I could even hear this boss’ sword grinding through the sand in the opening shot.

There’s an equalizer on the Sound Connect app. I enjoyed the default sound the most at first, but one of the coolest features is the Find Your Equalizer setting. This is something that more audio apps need. It asks you to play some content, and then, similar to when you’re at the eye doctor, you get to choose between a set of numbers to see (hear) which sounds better. I’ll admit, the implementation isn’t the best. I’d prefer it if it offered a repetitive example with only two choices at a time, but I think this feature is pretty vital for non-audiophiles.

I also tried different listening modes, like Background Music and Cinema. The former is what you’d expect, which is fine if that’s what you want. Meanwhile, Cinema captured a more 360-degree soundstage to increase immersion, but I didn’t really vibe with it. This more so stretched out the soundstage, which made everything sound a little messy and distant. I’ll say that it does kind of give off a movie-theater experience, but maybe not the one you’d want.

Sony WH-1000XM6: ANC

The Sony WH-1000XM6 are outfitted with Sony’s latest HD Noise Canceling Processor QN3, which introduces 12 microphones to deliver improved noise canceling over the previous generation (with a measly 8 microphones — kidding).

With ANC enabled, my office got eerily quiet. The rumbling from the fan and the bass of my keyboard completely drowned out, but I could still hear the sharper sounds that they made — it doesn’t completely make your surroundings quiet. ANC is excellent for use during commutes. Traveling from New Jersey to NYC, I’m cursed with the annoyingly expensive NJ Transit, which features the loudest trains. However, with ANC on, I could fully focus on watching my favorite shows. I can still hear the train, but the sound is dramatically reduced and filters out to ambient background noise, equivalent to the fan in my room.

Ambient mode allows for external sounds to pass through. This is great for when you're walking through a bustling city and trying to avoid an expedition to the beyond by car. However, at home, I found myself just removing one ear cup from my head instead of using Ambient mode. When listening to music or playing a game at 50%, I could not hear my child asking me to open her applesauce pouch until she yelled at me. I tinkered with the app a little bit, and there's no way to increase the ambient sound filtered in (because it was already at a max of 20 out of 20). You can enable voice passthrough to focus voices, which helps a little bit. There’s also an Auto Ambient Sound setting, which adjusts the sensitivity based on your surroundings, but that operates within the slider that you can already manually use. It could be useful, but not in this context for me.

Despite that, there's a feature called Speak-to-Chat, which can detect when you're speaking and dramatically reduces the volume of the content you're listening to, remaining active until it stops detecting your voice. However, this doesn't trigger when people are speaking to you. I tested this with my daughter, and it registered her voice only when I was a foot or two away from her. This is also available for any mode, which is a nice feature.

The biggest issue with the Sony WH-1000XM6’s ANC is that I couldn't turn it off. There are two modes enabled out of the box: ANC and Ambient mode. There's no way to disable it. That's when I had to download the app, and sure enough, you can add a disable setting to that same ANC button. You don't just turn it off via the app; the headphones already have that setting programmed into the ANC button, but for some reason, you need to download the app just to enable the disable button.

Sony WH-1000XM6: Microphone

Despite the absurd number of microphones packed into the Sony WH-1000XM6 (there are 12), the microphone quality is a certified “meh.”

The quality of my voice sounded slightly better than how I'd normally speak through my phone, and that's the nicest way I can paraphrase what my friends said when I joined a group Discord call. In other words, my voice sounded muffled but audible.

However, overall quality is not necessarily the point of the XM6’s microphone. Headphone mics aren't going to sound as good as a $550 Shure SM7dB. What the XM6 delivers on is noise-cancelling. Similar to ANC, this doesn’t completely cut out all the sounds around you, but it does significantly drown it out. While on said terrible train, I got on a call, and my friends could hear me clearly. I tested this at my desk too, and the microphone could still pick up me knocking on the desk, but again, it sounded muted.

Sony WH-1000XM6: Battery life

I played Elden Ring Nightreign for several hours straight and the Sony WH-1000XM6 told me they had a 90% charge. Even if it was closer to 80%, that’s still pretty impressive. Sony claims that the XM6 can get up to 30 hours of battery life with ANC on and 40 hours with ANC off, and I’m inclined to believe that. (When communicating, you’ll get 24 hours with ANC on and 28 hours with ANC off.)

You can go at least a couple of days before you need to charge the Sony WH-1000XM6. And according to Sony, you can charge the headphones for 3 minutes and get 3 hours of playback (with an optional USB-PD compatible AC adapter). That’s pretty convenient for someone who constantly forgets to charge their headphones (it’s me, I’m the problem).

Sony WH-1000XM6: App and features

Keep in mind that if you get the Sony WH-1000XM6, you’re practically forced to use the app, at least if you want any of the valuable functions (you know, like turning off ANC). Sony’s Sound Connect app features the aforementioned settings for the equalizer, listening mode, and ANC and Ambient modes. If you care about spatial sound, head tracking, and 360 reality audio, there are settings to set those up as well. You can also enable DSEE Extreme, which improves the sound of compressed audio files.

One of my favorite features is the dual Bluetooth connectivity, so I can connect to my PC to play games while also connected to my phone to take phone calls. The coolest part is that I can tinker with audio settings on my phone and get immediate changes to the content I’m listening to on my PC. (Do you realize how much of a pain it is to jump from a phone app back to your PC and be able to tell the difference between audio settings?). If you’re having some connectivity issues, you can prioritize your Bluetooth connection over the sound quality.

In the System settings, you can enable voice assistants, add the Off setting to the ANC/AMB button, and assign shortcuts to the same button to pull up said voice assistants. There’s also a setting to enable head gestures, which I don’t think anyone is using (listen, my knees already ache, I’m not pulling a muscle to decline a call). You can also enable a microphone mute shortcut, which, again, why isn’t that enabled by default? Another cool feature is that the headphones will turn off after a certain amount of time if you’re not wearing them (I forget to turn my headphones off all the time).

Then there’s the touch controls, which I rarely use, but they’re convenient if you don’t have quick access to your device. If you’ve ever used a headphone with touch controls, the XM6 works generally the same. Tap twice to play/pause, swipe forward to skip, swipe backward to rewind, swipe up or down to raise or lower the volume, respectively. You can also swipe up or down and hold to continuously raise or lower the volume, which is great because I’d rather not have to swipe my headset over and over.

The Sony WH-1000XM6 comes with a one-year limited warranty.

Bottom line

I’m quite critical about tech, especially when it costs an absurd amount of money. However, I couldn’t help but be wowed by the XM6’s incredible range, sleek design, comfortable fit, and long battery life.

No, they aren't perfect. The Ambient mode and microphone could be better. It’ll certainly deter folks who don’t like snug headphones. And I hate anything that forces you to download an app for the most basic functions. Not to mention, they cost over $400, which is enough to make most people carefully consider the purchase.

Yet, while the Sony WH-1000XM6 might cost a whopping $450, it offers an unbeatable immersion for my favorite content. There’s a reason why it’s a premium headphone, just like there’s a reason why Kratos prefers his Leviathan axe — it’s just better.

The Asus ROG Strix G18 is exactly the kind of gaming laptop you don't want to overlook. It's hard to miss with its enormous 18-inch display, but that's not the only thing it has going for it. While it doesn't come cheap, it offers far better value for your money than you might expect and punches way above its weight class, giving RTX 5090 laptops a run for their money.

It left me asking – why pay a premium for an RTX 5090 laptop when you can get competitive performance from an RTX 5080 laptop like the Strix G18? This might even be one of the best gaming laptops you can buy, especially if you've got your eye on a large display.

Here's a look at everything the Asus ROG Strix G18 has to offer and a few things you should know before making it your next gaming rig.

Asus ROG Strix G18 (G815): Specs and benchmarks

Asus ROG Strix G18 (G815): Price and configurations

The Asus ROG Strix G815 is available in a few configurations starting at $2,499, which includes an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 (8GB) GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage.

Our review configuration costs $3,059 and includes an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 (16GB) GPU, 32GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage.

That's certainly not cheap, but for a gaming laptop with these specs, that price is fairly reasonable. For context, the smaller Asus ROG Strix G16 costs a bit less at $2,499 for a configuration with an RTX 5070 Ti and 1TB of storage. The MSI Raider 18 HX AI, an 18-inch behemoth like the Strix G815, costs significantly more at $4,499 for a configuration with an RTX 5080 and 4TB of storage.

So, Asus's asking price is reasonable, especially if a large 18-inch display is a top priority for you.

Asus ROG Strix G18 (G815): Design

The Asus ROG Strix G18 is eye-catching, but more so because of its size than its design.

The plastic chassis isn't too over-the-top, sporting a dark steel-gray finish with a glossy ROG logo on the lid and a hidden RGB light strip along the bottom of the keyboard deck (which you can easily turn off if you want). The keyboard also features RGB backlighting, and a handful of keys have transparent keycaps, which not only look cool but help your WASD keys stand out.

I also appreciate that Asus separated the power button from the main keyboard and gave it a unique shape, making it unlikely you'll press the power button by accident. There are also a handful of additional media keys above the function row for quickly adjusting volume, muting your mic, swapping performance modes, and opening the Armoury Crate app.

The first thing I noticed about the Asus ROG Strix G18 was its weight. It's easily the largest laptop I've ever reviewed, an honor previously held by the enormous Acer Nitro 17. That's no surprise considering the huge 18-inch display, but you should keep the G18's bulky size in mind if you want to travel with it often, since it's too big to fit in most laptop bags.

The Strix G18 measures 15.71 x 11.73 x 1.26 inches and weighs 7.05 pounds. For context, here's how a few similar gaming laptops compare:

• Asus ROG Strix G16 (G624FR) (16-inch): 13.94 x 10.39 x 1.2 inches, 5.51 pounds
• HP Omen Max 16 (16-inch): 14.04 x 10.59 x 0.98 inches, 5.92 pounds
• MSI Raider 18 HX AI (18-inch): 15.91 x 12.11 x 1.26 inches, 7.8 pounds

Asus ROG Strix G18 (G815): Ports

The Asus ROG Strix G18 includes a pretty standard set of ports for a gaming laptop:

• 3x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (supports up to 10Gbps)
• 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (supports DisplayPort/power delivery/G-Sync)
• 1x USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4 (supports DisplayPort/power delivery)
• 1x HDMI 2.1
• 1x RJ45 Ethernet/LAN
• 1x 3.5mm audio jack

That was more than enough ports for my needs, but if you find yourself needing even more variety, you can always connect the G815 to one of the best laptop docking stations or a USB Type-C hub.

Asus ROG Strix G18 (G815): Battery life

Gaming laptops are rarely high performers when it comes to battery life, and the Asus ROG Strix G815 is no threat to the laptops with the best battery life, but it's notably better than most of the competition.

It lasted 7 hours and 45 minutes in our non-gaming battery life test, significantly longer than its rivals. Of course, the irony of good battery life on an 18-inch laptop like this is that it's so bulky you probably won't want to travel with it often. Even so, it's nice that you can get almost a full day of basic tasks done on the G815 on a single charge.

Conversely, the gaming battery life for the G815 is average at 1 hour and 34 minutes, but you'll get better game performance with it plugged in anyway.

Asus ROG Strix G18 (G815): Display

The huge 18-inch display on the Asus ROG Strix G18 is arguably its star feature. It's a roomy 2.5K (2560 x 1600) IPS panel with a 3ms response time and a maximum refresh rate of 240Hz.

This display is about as big as you can get without using an external desktop display. If your top priority is more screen real estate for gaming and watching movies, the Strix G18 could be the perfect fit.

While the Strix G18 isn't exactly portable, the giant display is nice for creating an immersive viewing experience. It made episodes of Andor even more of a visual feast than usual, drawing me into the moody shots of Ferrix back alleys and capturing sweeping shots of Chandrila in crisp detail and vivid color.

The Strix G18 didn't break any records in our display tests, but it didn't perform poorly either. It covered 78% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and reached an impressive average brightness of 511.8 nits. While I would have preferred a higher color gamut score, the brightness is notably higher than most of the competition, with the exception of the MSI Raider 18 HX AI.

Asus ROG Strix G18 (G815): Keyboard and touchpad

Considering it's an 18-inch laptop, it's no surprise the Strix G18 features a full-size keyboard. It's not as satisfying as my desktop mechanical keyboard (the Lofree Block), but it feels more like a mechanical keyboard than most other laptop keyboards. The Strix G18 also features per-key RGB backlighting, which can be customized in the pre-installed Armoury Crate app.

On the Monkeytype typing test, I scored 101 words per minute with 98% accuracy on the Strix G18, which isn't record-breaking for me, but it’s not bad at all, either.

The touchpad on the Strix G18 is huge, even larger than the display on my 6.6-inch phone. It's so big that I found myself moving my mouse accidentally with my palms from time to time while typing. The touchpad surface is smooth, and clicking has a decent amount of travel and feedback. You'll probably want to use one of the best gaming mice most of the time, but for moments when you need the touchpad, this one's not bad.

Asus ROG Strix G18 (G815): Audio

The Asus ROG Strix G18 features dual speakers located at the bottom front corners of the keyboard deck. Considering the size of the keyboard deck (and the amount of empty space on it), I would have really liked to see top-firing speakers on this laptop. Even so, the side-firing speakers sound really good with music, games, and video content alike.

"Welcome to the DCC" by Nothing But Thieves sounded punchy and detailed with impressive depth and a good balance of bass, mids, and highs. The bass could be a tad stronger, but it's not bad, either. The speakers get seriously loud, too (I could hear them from the next room at just 45).

The audio in games is also solid. I had a great experience with Avowed, where the Strix G18 delivered crisp dialogue and rich background ambiance while I wandered Dawnshore. I turned the volume up a bit for games, a little over half usually, but nothing sounded muddy or drowned out, even in combat.

Asus ROG Strix G18 (G815): Performance and heat

The Asus ROG Strix G18 is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU (24 cores, 24 threads, max frequency of 5.4GHz). This chip won't have any trouble managing a couple of dozen browser tabs at once, multitasking, or running resource-intensive tasks like photo or video editing. I didn't experience any lag during basic tasks, even while running a few apps at once and downloading games on Steam.

The Strix G18 crushed our overall performance tests, although it couldn't quite top a couple of competitors. It scored 19,899 on the Geekbench 6 multi-core benchmark, just a bit behind the AMD-powered Asus ROG Strix G16. The MSI Raider 18 HX AI, powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX, easily outpaced both.

While gaming laptops offer top-tier performance, it can often come with the notable drawback of high temperatures. The Strix G18 ran warm even in our non-gaming heat test, where it peaked at 94.8 degrees, just a hair below our 95-degree comfort threshold. It soared to 114.4 degrees in our gaming heat test, which isn't as hot as the smaller Strix G16 got, but still noticeably warm.

A lot of that heat is getting pushed out through the vents along the back of the hinge, so the keys stay cool most of the time. I didn't notice the heat while gaming on a desk, but you can definitely feel it if you have the Strix G18 on your lap while a game is running.

Asus ROG Strix G18 (G815): Gaming and graphics

The Asus ROG Strix G18 runs on an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 GPU with 16GB of VRAM. It offered fantastic performance in all of my hands-on testing, with seamless gameplay, quick loading times, stunning visuals, and no noticeable issues.

I played a round of Elden Ring Nightreign on the Strix G18 and had one display hiccup at first, although it wasn't due to the GPU itself. The game initially failed to recognize the G18's display resolution correctly, but everything ran perfectly after I fixed it in the settings.

After that, the moody, shadowy visuals of Limveld looked stunning, with good contrast, crisp detail, and flawless movement thanks to the high 240Hz refresh rate on the G18. I averaged 60 frames per second throughout with no lag or stuttering. I didn't win my run, but that's not the RTX 5080's fault.

Avowed ran great on the Strix G18, as well. The vibrant tropical forests outside Paradis looked flawless, and new zones loaded quickly. Combat was smooth throughout, even with many enemies and special effects on screen at once. I averaged just under 80 fps.

Considering the smooth performance I experienced in my hands-on testing, I wasn't surprised that the Strix G18 crushed our gaming tests. Interestingly, it outscored the HP Omen Max 16 across the board, despite the Omen having a more powerful RTX 5090 GPU.

The Strix G18 scored 13,074 on the 3DMark Fire Strike Ultra graphics benchmark, second only to the MSI Raider 18 HX AI (which also has an RTX 5080). The G18 bested the Raider in several games, though, including Assassin's Creed Mirage, Far Cry 6, Monster Hunter Wilds, Red Dead Redemption II, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider.

The MSI Raider 18 HX AI and the HP Omen Max 16 each cost nearly $1,500 more, yet the Strix G18 outperforms both (especially the Omen). If you've got the budget for a high-end gaming laptop like this, the Strix G18 could be some of the best bang for your buck out there.

Asus ROG Strix G18 (G815): AI features

While AI might not be a top concern when choosing a gaming laptop, it's worth noting that the Asus ROG Strix G18 comes with the Microsoft Copilot AI assistant pre-installed and has a dedicated Copilot key on the keyboard.

The Copilot app includes basic generative AI features like text and image generation. Copilot also powers Windows Studio Effects, which uses AI to enhance your webcam video quality.

While those AI features might be nice from time to time, many gamers will probably be frustrated that the Copilot key replaces the right control key. Luckily, there are workarounds to remap the Copilot key so it functions like a normal right control key instead, but it may still be an unwelcome change for some.

Asus ROG Strix G18 (G815): Webcam

Laptop webcams usually disappoint me, and unfortunately, that includes the Asus ROG Strix G18. The built-in 1080p FHD webcam isn't as sharp as its resolution suggests, with visibly grainy, blurry video quality that lacks detail and struggles to properly balance shadows and highlights. It's fine for casual tasks like Zoom meetings or Discord calls, but if you want to use the camera for anything more, you'll be better off with one of the best webcams.

With that said, the built-in mic is pretty good. It captured my voice well and did a good job of blocking out the background noise from my air conditioner. The quality is more than enough for in-game voice chat and other casual uses.

Asus ROG Strix G18 (G815): Software and warranty

The Strix G18 comes with Windows 11 Home and includes the standard suite of basic Microsoft apps like Microsoft Edge, the Microsoft Store, and the Xbox app. It also includes Armoury Crate, where you can see live system usage data, adjust your performance profiles and macros, and customize your RGB backlighting. The MyAsus app includes some similar features, but mainly serves as a hub for running system diagnostics and updates and viewing your settings.

The Strix G18 comes with Asus's standard limited 1-year warranty.

Bottom line

The Asus ROG Strix G18 delivers stellar performance across the board, even outpacing top-tier RTX 5090 laptops. The roomy 18-inch display and crisp audio quality make for a truly immersive gaming experience that's tough to beat at this price. Why pay $1,000 more for an RTX 5090 laptop when the Strix G18 offers competitive performance for less?

While I had a great time gaming on the Strix G18, it may not be for everyone. If you need something portable, this is not the best option. The 18-inch display is suitable for gaming and watching movies, but the G18 is too large to fit in most laptop bags and is relatively heavy, weighing over 7 pounds. A smaller 16, 15, or even 14-inch gaming laptop would be a much better fit if portability is a concern for you.

However, if you want a laptop that can effectively replace your desktop PC, the Strix G18 could be the perfect fit. You can also visit our guide to the best gaming laptops to compare it to even more alternatives.

This polished 16-inch laptop includes all the basic specs you need for casual use, studying, or light work tasks. If you're eyeing a budget-friendly 16-inch laptop, you might stop there, but we need to dig deeper to see if it's truly a good value.

As much as I wanted to like the HP OmniBook 5 Laptop AI, it has one major drawback and a couple of disappointments that killed some of my enthusiasm. Compared to the best laptops, it's just not great bang for your buck at or near its full price. However, it is frequently available at a deep discount, which changes the equation if you have a hard cap on your laptop budget. So here's what you should know before buying.

HP OmniBook 5 Laptop AI: Specs and benchmarks

HP OmniBook 5 Laptop AI: Price and configurations

The HP OmniBook 5 Laptop AI pricing is messier than it should be. If you look at HP's website, you'll find it in several configurations, starting at $1,079. You should never expect to pay that price for this laptop, though.

We reviewed the base configuration, which includes an AMD Ryzen AI 5 340 processor, AMD Radeon 840M integrated graphics, 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and a 16-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS display. As I write this review, shortly after the laptop's release, this model is under $700 at Best Buy and under $600 directly through HP. This makes it a very different value discussion than the full retail price listed by HP.

A handful of upgrades are available for an extra cost, including an AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 processor, 24 or 32GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, and a touch display. You can also upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Pro for an additional $70.

The maxed-out configuration is listed at a full price of $1,608 and includes an AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 Processor, AMD Radeon 860M integrated graphics, 32GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, a 16-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS touchscreen display, and Windows 11 Pro. Once again, don't pay that price. It was available for $1,118 at HP at the time of writing.

When on sale for under $600, the base configuration is a reasonable value; however, you'll still want to consider the trade-offs that I'll address in the rest of my review. I would also recommend configurations with the upgraded AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 processor, which will offer significantly stronger performance. However, even then, you may want to take a look at some rival laptops that are just a bit more expensive, including a few I'll compare below.

HP OmniBook 5 Laptop AI: Design

HP didn't break the mold with the OmniBook 5 Laptop AI, but that's not necessarily bad. It features a simple, straightforward design with a plain aluminum chassis and a basic silver HP logo on the lid. It's not flashy but will blend in at the office or school.

Inside, the OmniBook 5 has a full-size keyboard, which is perfect for productivity users. Unfortunately, it's not perfect. The power button is in possibly the worst place possible: seamlessly blended into the rest of the keyboard.

It's not even isolated in a corner of the keyboard; it's sandwiched between the print screen and delete keys. It's also the same size and texture, making it very easy to press the power button by accident. There's so much room on this keyboard deck that I would've preferred HP to isolate the power button away from the main keyboard.

Since this is a 16-inch laptop, it's on the larger side, measuring 14.08 x 10.03 x 0.73 inches and weighing 3.97 pounds. To put that into context, here's how a few similar laptops compare:

• Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16 (2025): 14.21 x 10.12 x 0.67 inches, 3.96 pounds
• Asus Vivobook 16 Flip (TP3607): 13.98 x 9.62 x 0.69 inches, 3.9 pounds
• MacBook Air M4 (15-inch): 13.4 x 9.35 x 0.45 inches, 3.3 pounds

HP OmniBook 5 Laptop AI: Ports

The HP OmniBook 5 is surprisingly sparse on ports for a 16-inch laptop, but it includes the basics most people need:

• 3 x Thunderbolt 5 ports
• 1 x HDMI 2.1 port
• 1 x headphone/mic jack
• 1 x MagSafe 3 charging port
• 1 x SDXC card reader

One of the USB Type-C ports has to double as a charging port, so if you have many accessories to connect to your laptop, it may be a good idea to get one of the best laptop docking stations or a USB Type-C hub to connect to the HP OmniBook 5.

HP OmniBook 5 Laptop AI: Battery life

The HP OmniBook 5 Laptop AI isn't challenging the laptops with the best battery life, but it lasted 11 hours and 30 minutes in our battery life test, which is enough for a full workday. However, if battery life is a primary concern for you, this is a case where spending a little more might make sense.

For instance, the Asus Vivobook 16 Flip lasted over two hours longer, and the MacBook Air M4 (15-inch) lasted nearly four hours longer. Even the Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16, which underperformed in other areas, has a longer battery life than the OmniBook.

HP OmniBook 5 Laptop AI: Display

If you're considering getting the HP OmniBook 5 Laptop AI because of its roomy 16-inch display, think again. The 16-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS display is spacious, but the quality leaves much to be desired.

I noticed this immediately when I opened the OmniBook. Webpages and even my wallpaper looked less colorful than on other laptops or my desktop monitor. Everything is dull and washed out. Watching an episode of Survivor on the OmniBook was less enjoyable since Fiji lacked its usual tropical vibrancy on this display.

Considering my hands-on experience with the OmniBook's display, I wasn't surprised when I saw its display test scores. They're shockingly low: the OmniBook covered 61.8% of the sRGB color gamut and a mere 44% of the DCI-P3 color gamut.

That's on par with the equally disappointing Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16-inch display. Both laptops are far behind the competition in terms of display quality. The Vivobook and the MacBook Air scored nearly twice as high on our color gamut tests, and the MacBook Air also has a dramatically brighter display.

If you're looking for top display quality, I'd advise you to steer clear of the OmniBook and look at the Asus Vivobook 16 Flip or the MacBook Air M4 instead.

HP OmniBook 5 Laptop AI: Keyboard and touchpad

One of the best features of the HP OmniBook 5 Laptop AI is its full-size keyboard. This isn't uncommon for a 16-inch laptop, but it's still worth mentioning since the inclusion of a number pad can be a huge plus for productivity users.

The keys on this keyboard have a nice, muted sound, but I felt like they had a slightly higher actuation force than most other laptop keyboards I've used. Depending on how you type, that might be preferable for some people, but I prefer a lower actuation force.

On the Monkeytype typing test, I scored 96 words per minute with 98% accuracy on the OmniBook, which is average for me. Still, a far cry from my personal record of 108 words per minute with 98% accuracy, scored on the HP EliteBook Ultra G1i AI.

The OmniBook's touchpad is just as roomy as the keyboard. The surface is smooth and responsive, and clicking offers just the right amount of travel and feedback. I was happy with it, but you can always connect one of the best wireless mice if it's not to your liking.

HP OmniBook 5 Laptop AI: Audio

The HP OmniBook 5 Laptop AI has dual bottom-firing speakers on the left and right edges of the keyboard deck. They get the job done and sound decent, but audiophiles will prefer headphones.

"Overcome" by Nothing But Thieves sounded fine with these speakers, with a surprising amount of depth and relatively good mids, but weak, muddy bass made for an underwhelming listening experience. Casual listeners won't mind these speakers, especially since they get pretty loud (I never needed to turn the volume up past 50), but the sound quality could be better.

HP OmniBook 5 Laptop AI: Performance and heat

The AMD Ryzen AI 5 340 powers the HP OmniBook 5 Laptop AI. It's fine for casual users and powerful enough for basic web browsing. The OmniBook's processor is more than enough if you're looking for a laptop for tasks like checking your email or doing homework.

However, if you're searching for a business or productivity laptop or want to use your laptop for more resource-intensive tasks like video editing, this isn't the laptop for you. It scored marginally on the Geekbench 6 overall performance benchmark at just 10,223, which is notably lower than similar laptops.

While the Asus Vivobook 16 Flip and Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16 didn't perform drastically better in this test, the MacBook Air M4 crushed the OmniBook. So, if performance is your top priority, the MacBook is a better choice.

It's also worth noting that the OmniBook had an unusually high peak temperature in our thermal tests, reaching a maximum of 103 degrees. That's nearly ten degrees above our 95-degree comfort threshold and noticeably higher than rival laptops peaked at. The overheating potential adds another reason for power users to think twice before going with the OmniBook.

HP OmniBook 5 Laptop AI: Gaming and graphics

The HP OmniBook 5 Laptop AI relies on AMD Radeon 840M integrated graphics for all of its graphics processing, meaning this is by no means a gaming laptop.

AMD's integrated graphics have impressed us in the past, but unfortunately, the AMD chip in this laptop's base configuration falls short of the graphics greatness its more powerful siblings have achieved. If you're set on getting this laptop, I'd recommend upgrading to the AMD Ryzen 7 350 processor, which offers a bit more graphics performance with its AMD Radeon 860M integrated graphics.

I mention that because our review configuration of the OmniBook 5 Laptop AI offered pretty lackluster graphics performance. It averaged just 32.5 frames per second in Sid Meier's Civilization VI: Gathering Storm and scored only 4,627 in the 3DMark Fire Strike graphics benchmark.

To put that into context, the Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16 scored double that in the 3DMark Fire Strike test, and the Asus Vivobook 16 Flip wasn't far behind. Both laptops, along with the MacBook Air M4, scored significantly higher than the OmniBook in Civilization VI.

The OmniBook's graphics scores effectively mean that it can only run the lightest casual games. The dull display doesn't help with the gaming experience on this laptop, either. Not only will you get low frame rates, but the graphics will look more washed out than they would on a better display. So, if you're mainly looking for a device for gaming at this price point, I strongly suggest you consider one of the best cheap gaming laptops instead, or even a handheld gaming PC.

HP OmniBook 5 Laptop AI: AI features

As its name suggests, the HP OmniBook 5 Laptop AI has some AI features. It's a Copilot+ PC, so it ships with Microsoft's Copilot AI assistant pre-installed and has a dedicated Copilot key on the keyboard. You can use that to launch the Copilot app quickly, which includes basic generative AI features like text and image generation.

If you're not a fan of Copilot, the HP AI Companion app includes similar features. It's also a bit more practical, offering tools that use AI to analyze your files or optimize your PC's performance. It can also perform basic generative AI tasks, like summarizing or generating text content.

The OmniBook also includes a preview version of Microsoft Recall, an AI feature that periodically takes screenshots to "remember" all of your laptop activity in case you want to find something later.

I'd caution against using this feature due to its myriad privacy concerns. You can easily disable it through your settings by going to "Privacy & security" then "Recall & snapshots." In this menu, simply turn off "Save snapshots." Recall will also be disabled by default if you opt not to set up facial recognition sign-in through Windows Hello.

HP OmniBook 5 Laptop AI: Webcam

The built-in webcam on the HP OmniBook 5 Laptop AI isn't the best I've ever tested, but it's not the worst. It's a 1080p FHD IR camera, which means you can use it for facial recognition sign-in. The video quality is acceptable for Zoom meetings, but looks dull and grainy. It's clear enough that everyone will be able to see you fine, though.

The built-in mic isn't bad, either. It captured my voice clearly and did a good job of cutting out background noise from my air conditioner. I didn't notice it cutting out or spiking, either. Overall, it does the job for the introductory daily video or audio calls most people need the built-in mic for.

HP OmniBook 5 Laptop AI: Software and warranty

The HP OmniBook 5 Laptop AI includes Windows 11 Home, although you can upgrade to Windows 11 Pro for an extra cost. It comes with the standard suite of Microsoft apps pre-installed, including the Microsoft Store, Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Copilot, and the Xbox app. It also has a few HP apps, including HP AI Companion, the OMEN Gaming Hub, and HP Support Assistant, where you can find troubleshooting tips and info on your device.

HP provides a 1-year limited hardware warranty for the OmniBook, which you can extend through HP Care Pack.

Bottom line

The HP OmniBook 5 Laptop AI has a few strengths, such as its touchpad and keyboard, but these are not enough to outweigh its flaws, including underwhelming performance and a dismal display. The display is disappointing, even at its often discounted price, while the performance and battery life are easier to take for under $700.

The OmniBook is fine for basic tasks like web browsing, but if that's all you need a laptop for, you may consider going even cheaper with one of the best laptops under $500! On the other end of the spectrum, if you're looking for a high-performance laptop for work or creative tasks, you will be much better off with the MacBook Air M4 or one of the best 16-inch laptops.

As much as I want to like every laptop I review, there are simply too many drawbacks to recommend the HP OmniBook 5 Laptop AI for most users unless it is deeply discounted.

Despite the length of time, it feels like just yesterday when the original Nintendo Switch launched — I vividly remember rushing over to a GameStop to pick up the Collector’s Edition bundle for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This launch game got me drooling to get my hands on the new experimental hardware.

But I found myself hesitant this time around. Do I want to pay $500 just to play the new Mario Kart? There’s no OLED screen, the Joy-Con 2 controllers are uncomfortable, and demanding games can struggle to run in handheld mode.

However, my doubts about the Nintendo Switch 2 gently drifted away, like listening to a lullaby from Link’s ocarina. With its smooth and sharp display, strong overall performance (both in handheld and TV modes), and revamped Joy-Con 2 controllers, the Switch 2 mostly delivers. And really, there’s nothing else like it.

Nintendo delivers much-needed improvements with the Switch 2, but there’s one thing that might stop me from getting it (more on that later). The question you might have, though: Is the Switch 2 right for you? Let’s jump into why the Nintendo Switch 2 may be the greatest gaming handheld device to date.

Nintendo Switch 2: Specs

Nintendo Switch 2: Price and value

Even if you manage to summon an eldritch god to secure an in-stock Nintendo Switch 2, can you afford it?

The Nintendo Switch 2's base price is $450, and you can get a bundle that includes Mario Kart World for $500. I imagine most folk would opt for the bundle because Mario Kart World costs a whopping $80, so getting it for an additional $50 is a steal. Well, maybe not a steal because I feel like we’re being robbed in this era of $80 games.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is scarce, but it will eventually restock and go on sale, so maybe wait a little longer unless you’re passionate about playing Mario Kart.

Nintendo Switch 2: Console

The Nintendo Switch 2 console isn’t too dissimilar from the original Nintendo Switch, although it is bigger.

At 0.88 pounds (1.18 pounds with Joy-Con 2) and 10.7 x 4.5 x 0.55~1.2 inches (Joy-Con 2 attached), there’s a lot more to hold. But with that comes a bigger 7.9-inch display, which is much welcome. There’s a small issue, however. Or rather, a big issue: The bezels are chunky. We don’t need a bigger Switch if that display real estate is better managed. Either that, or make the Switch smaller.

Thankfully, Nintendo got the message on the charging front — there are now two USB Type-C charging ports, one on the bottom and one on the top. You’ll still find the power button, volume buttons, and game cartridge slot on the top, while the speakers are located on the bottom, surrounding the charging port.

Aside from the additional Type-C port, the kickstand is the most significant upgrade to the base design. It is a simple yet sturdy bar that maneuvers roughly 150 degrees. One odd thing I noticed is that the hinges of the kickstand offer a bit of wiggle room, so the kickstand may not be 100% flat. This may be intentional, since a more rigid design could snap more easily, but it’s worth noting. (Additionally, the microSD card slot is hidden behind the kickstand.)

Nintendo Switch 2: Joy-Con 2

Are you ready for a splash of color? Well, too bad. Nintendo stripped the colors off the Switch 2. That may upset some folks, and rightfully so, but I kind of like it. Kind of.

Technically, the console is still mostly black except for the internal bits where the Joy-Con 2 controllers plug in; it sports blue on the left and red(ish) on the right. The Joy-Con 2 controllers sport the same color scheme on their internals, where you'd use them as separate controllers. The only splash of color we get outside of that is at the base of the analog sticks.

Nintendo likely chose to make the console all black because blue and red wouldn't pair well with alternative Joy-Con 2 colors. However, I would’ve liked it if the Joy-Con 2 controllers that shipped with the Switch 2 featured more accents in their respective colors, like those tiny triangles on the D-pad and even the font on the face buttons, both of which would maintain their minimalist design.

The layout is mostly the same, down to where the buttons are placed on the Joy-Con 2 controllers. The only new feature on the Switch 2 is the C button, located under the Home button on the right Joy-Con 2.

At the top, you’ve got the usual bumpers and triggers, but there’s also a new button: the release button, which you use to detach the controllers. This is one of my favorite design improvements because the Joy-Con 2 controllers seamlessly attach to the console magnetically. It is so easy to plug in that my two-year-old did it herself.

I have some slight concerns about the durability while in use (like bending it) and while docked (the connector is exposed to the elements), but we won’t know how much punishment it can take until long-term usage.

When detached, you can connect the Joy-Con 2 controllers to the included Grip or the Straps. Thanks to the magnets, connecting and disconnecting from both is surprisingly easy.

Nintendo Switch 2: Dock

Many folks, including myself, had issues with the original Nintendo Switch Dock — it was flimsy, and it had the audacity to scratch my Switch’s display.

I can’t say whether this new dock will scuff the Nintendo Switch 2, but I can say that it’s certainly more sturdy. My cats love walking behind the TV, and they’ve consistently knocked over my previous Nintendo Switch dock, but this one is as steadfast as Donkey Kong when I crash into oncoming traffic.

It stacks up to 7.9 x 4.5 x 2 inches and weighs 0.89 pounds, so it’s not too heavy, but it’s sturdy enough to counteract the weight of the HDMI cable. However, it’s a bit back-heavy, since it’s curved to allow room for the Type-C, HDMI, and Ethernet ports, so it may move when the Switch 2 isn’t docked. On the side, you’ll find two USB Type-A ports. Unfortunately, there’s no additional USB Type-C port, which seems like a miss as Type-C products take over the industry.

The back panel no longer sports hinges — it just pops right off. I don’t know how I feel about that, but something did need to change. The previous Switch had flimsy hinges, so Nintendo needed to either reinforce the hinges or take them off, and it went with the latter option. At the very least, it’s easy to snap on.

Nintendo Switch 2: Comfort

Ugh… Listen, I enjoyed my time with the original Nintendo Switch, and I’m enjoying my time with the Nintendo Switch 2, but the controllers are not comfortable.

The Joy-Con 2 controllers did next to nothing to enhance the ergonomics. They do not conform to my hands, and so the added weight on the console made me put more support into my palms. As I began dominating the world of Hyrule with a bunch of little Zol jellies in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, I found myself shifting my hands every few minutes. Not only was I uncomfortable, but I also felt my hands getting tingly from the lack of blood flow.

Like I said, I had this problem with the original Nintendo Switch, and I solved that by purchasing one of my favorite accessories, the Hori Split Pad Pro. However, the problem with the Hori Split Pad Pro was that it didn’t feature any rumble, and it couldn’t be used separately from the console. I hope that we get to see a Hori Split Pad Pro 2 or an equivalent with the same features as the Joy-Con 2 controllers.

As far as the gameplay experience goes, the controllers may be larger, but the inputs feel generally the same. However, I will say that clicking on the analog stick feels much more impactful due to its height and sturdiness.

The greatest upgrade to comfort is using the Joy-Con 2 as separate controllers. Since it’s bigger, there’s less cramping in my hands, and the bumpers on the interior are also significantly larger and easier to click. My two-year-old could not click the top buttons on the original Joy-Con, but now she can spam her items in Mario Kart World and knock me out of first place with the Joy-Con 2.

Jumping into Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty felt rough. Like the previous Switch, first-person shooters feel clunky on the Joy-Con 2 controllers. That’s mostly due to the size of the analog sticks and how the console conforms to my hands. It’s difficult to precisely take off an enemy’s head with my sniper. I’ve mostly resorted to using my katana, which is unfortunate, but fun in its own way.

When attached to the included Grip, the Joy-Con 2 controllers certainly feel better to control. The rigid layout makes them a little awkward to use, but they offer a more comfortable experience out of the box.

The Straps add more security and a bit of buffer room to fill out the individual controllers. It doesn't feel necessary per se, especially since the singular controller experience is so much better, but it's nice to have if you're using motion controls.

Nintendo Switch 2: Accessories

Speaking of comfort, you can enhance your overall Nintendo Switch 2 experience with the available accessories.

The first accessory I'd buy is the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller. Since the Pro Controller features a more traditional layout, it's leagues more ergonomic. You can technically use your old Switch Pro Controller with the Switch 2, but if you're thinking about an upgrade, the Switch 2 Pro Controller features the C button, two programmable back buttons, and Nintendo’s second-generation rumble tech. It does cost a whopping $85, however.

If you are a fan of the Grip, you could purchase the Charging Grip for $40. It charges the Joy-Con 2 controllers and offers those two additional back buttons. Unfortunately, you'll run into the aforementioned comfort issues.

Thankfully, the original Joy-Con controllers are compatible with the Switch 2. I got a group of friends together to play Mario Kart World, and the old controllers worked smoothly.

Like the original Switch, the Switch 2 still does not natively support Bluetooth for controllers. So if you want to use your PS5 DualSense controller, you'll need to buy an adapter.

Nintendo Switch 2: Mouse mode

Wow, I did not expect it to be this bad, but it is this bad.

I hopped into Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty (the best game DLC around; fight me), and it quickly became unbearable. Moving the mouse felt okay. Using it for a few hours would be exhausting. And it’s not at all useful for precise aiming, so I had to ditch my sniper for a shotgun.

But the worst of it is the buttons. You need to adjust your hand every time you need to click a different button. I instantly found this problematic. Every time Songbird batted her eyelashes at me, I needed to adjust my whole hand just to click Y to select one of the dialogue prompts.

However, implementing mouse mode is objectively a good thing. You can use third-party mice with the Nintendo Switch 2 to take advantage of this with better hardware. The only hurdle, however, is getting the face buttons on the mouse. You’d need a borderline MMO mouse, but hopefully, a third-party Nintendo Switch 2 mouse will be more optimal.

Nintendo Switch 2: Battery life

It could be better, but it’s not bad.

Cozying up in my bed with 100% effort and battery, I cycled through Mario Kart World, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, and Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, and the Nintendo Switch 2 crashed to 1% in roughly 2 hours and 45 minutes. Battery life may vary depending on what you’re playing, but it does fall within Nintendo’s 2- to 6.5-hour range.

Technically, it’s just enough time to take my ridiculously long train ride from New Jersey to NYC, and then hop over to Brooklyn to meet some friends. However, it is a downgrade from the Nintendo Switch OLED model, which Nintendo rated for 4.5 to 9 hours of battery life.

Nintendo Switch 2: Display

Another slight Nintendo committed against me is removing the OLED display. I love my Nintendo Switch OLED, and it's impossible to beat that with the Switch 2’s LCD screen… at least in terms of color and contrast. The lack of an OLED screen might be the Switch 2 dealbreaker for me.

The Switch 2’s 7.9-inch, 1920 x 1080, 120Hz, HDR10 display rocks all the specs that can overshadow the Switch’s OLED display on paper. It's larger, sharper, smoother, and offers HDR support.

Following Songbird’s instructions to sneak my way into Dogtown, the Switch 2’s display captured the range of colorful chaos of the opening market in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty. The bright yellow night sign and the NPC wearing a pink tank top looked accurate, but not necessarily vivid. The panel gets decently bright, too, maintaining the detail of the shadowy underground bits in the previous section.

However, due to the glossiness of the display, it catches some serious glare depending on the space you’re in. This isn’t a new issue, but it could be mitigated with higher brightness. Although, that could be problematic with LCD. In dark scenes, I saw the light of the back panel leaking brightness through the black. Moments like this are where it really feels like I’m looking at a screen, which kills the immersion a bit.

With regard to the color, I felt the same when roaming around Hyrule in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom. The grass and flowers were appropriately green and pink, respectively, but they didn’t jump off the screen. I also saw that when traveling the desert sands in Mario Kart World, the blue sky and yellow sand looked overexposed by the excessive backlighting from the LCD screen. The biggest difference between LCD and OLED is that, unlike the former, the latter looks like a window instead of a screen.

If I had to boil down my reasons for skipping the Switch 2 to just one, it’d be the lack of OLED. Sure, an OLED model would be much more expensive, but Nintendo can’t just tease us with the Switch OLED and then bring us back to the dark ages with LCD. I won’t have it.

Nintendo Switch 2: Audio

The Nintendo Switch 2’s bottom-firing speakers pack a punch.

Leading a small army of minions around Hyrule in The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, backed by cozy stringed instruments, made me feel warm inside. The string and wind instruments weaved together but remained distinct. Summoning my Zol made Zelda produce a pretty intense grunt at max volume, really channeling her inner Link. Yet, splashing around in the water sounded quieter than I expected it to.

I put my foot on the gas in Mario Kart World, which features a bombastic soundtrack, and listened to a wonderful ensemble of instruments that captured unique sounds. Unlike the Zelda track I listened to earlier, there’s a bunch of percussion here, and I noticed that it sounded rather muted. The speakers don’t do a good job of capturing low-end sounds. Despite that, it’s still satisfying to hear the tires hit the road and take off after that infuriating Wario (I’m coming for you).

I got sweet-talked by Songbird in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, and the dialogue between her and V sounded crisp and full. Even the sounds around us, like gunfire and shouting, didn’t overwhelm the primary dialogue, which is super important as someone who’s partially deaf in one ear.

The overall sound stage supports strong mids and highs, but the lows struggle to reach the spotlight.

Nintendo Switch 2: Handheld performance

The Nintendo Switch 2 includes the Nvidia T239 custom chipset. We don’t have many intense games to test its performance, but I simply must mention the most demanding game of the hour: Cyberpunk 2077.

To the Nintendo Switch 2’s credit, scoring Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty is a huge deal. And that’s possible because Nvidia’s custom chipset uses AI frame generation. While some generations behind the RTX 50-series’ DLSS 4, the Nvidia T239 chipset also uses AI to generate frames based on every true frame that exists. In theory, this could double frame rates. That’s not exactly what I’ve seen in my own testing in games like Stellar Blade and Dune: Awakening, but it’s impressive nonetheless.

With Nvidia’s help, the Nintendo Switch 2 is likely going to become the home of many AAA third-party titles. Do you remember those terrible cloud games on the original Switch? Because I do. And I am sure as heck happy to see them disappear into the ether.

However, my actual experience playing Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty felt a bit… crunchy. I flipped on Performance mode so I could get a taste of how smooth the frame rates were, but I immediately noticed the loss in resolution. In the settings menu, the “R” icon for the analog stick looked like a distorted mess. Seriously, I couldn't make out that letter in an eye exam. I tried Quality mode, which looked sharper, but even walking around an enclosed space felt sluggish.

Performance mode hit or exceeded 30 frames per second, and my motorcycle ride down to Dogtown felt smooth. However, when I accidentally got into a fight with a small army of guards at the border, the system struggled to keep up, dipping below 30 fps. It's unclear if this is a limitation of the raw performance or of the AI frame generation. I imagine a firmware update could improve the performance.

Outside of demanding games, the Switch 2 offers a much welcome performance upgrade. I could make a Thanksgiving dinner before the original Switch would load up the Nintendo eShop. But the Switch 2 load times are relatively seamless.

With the Switch 2, you also get 256GB of UFS storage. That’s a nice bump from the 64GB on the Switch OLED, but that’s still not a lot for modern gaming. It also switched (pun intended) over to microSD Express cards, which means the microSD card in your original Switch is incompatible. On the bright side, the speeds are faster (up to 880 megabytes per second versus 100 MBps), which means load times will be faster.

Nintendo Switch 2: TV performance

So, how does gaming in 4K look? Better than I expected. When the Switch 2 is docked, Nvidia’s custom chipset doesn’t need to worry about conserving battery life, so it kicks into overdrive, and let me tell you that the performance difference is significant. The Switch 2 is clocked in at 60Hz when clocked at a 4K resolution, but at 1440p and lower, it’s capable of hitting 120Hz.

I double-jumped my way right back into Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty and immediately dipped into 4K, Quality mode just to see how bad the fps would be. To my surprise, it managed a smooth frame rate, and it looked good enough that I still got the chills when Space Force One came crashing down on me (best opening sequence ever). There were some frame drops when I found myself up against a large group of enemies or when I drove around a densely populated area.

However, I did not notice a significant difference when moving to Performance mode. Only when I set the Switch 2 to 1080p did I see a nice bump in frames. Carving through enemies with my mantis blades looked as fluid as their blood spatter.

However, since I’m using a 65-inch TV, I saw some fuzziness in the textures. While that’s to be expected (it’s a handheld device after all), I also noticed it on the Home screen icons, which is a bit disappointing.

In less demanding games, like Mario Kart World and Echoes of Wisdom, the textures from the asphalt to the glades looked significantly sharper. There are no performance settings in either game, so I tested both in 4K and 1080p, but the frame rates didn’t seem to look any different.

Nintendo Switch 2: HDR performance

HDR on the Nintendo Switch 2 was a bit complicated to set up because I easily missed one particular setting during setup.

First things first: You need to set your TV's Dynamic Tone Mapping to HGiG; otherwise, HDR will not work as intended.

When you’re in the HDR setup, and after you make the brightness symbol disappear, the next screen will display a rather unhelpful image. You’re actually meant to click Y here so you can adjust the brightness of the image. And you can select between a few images until you get the brightness just right.

If you want to see the difference between HDR and non-HDR content, the HDR Output setting in the Display settings isn’t helpful. You need to scroll down to HDR Output and then select “Off.” It’s only then that I noticed a significant difference while playing Echoes of Wisdom. HDR balances the contrast and brightness on screen to capture more detail. I noticed this in the shadows and sandy beach around me. The contrast looked tamer, evening out across the image. SDR still looked good, but the display is significantly darker with higher contrast. Ultimately, it’s down to preference, but I think HDR offers a truer picture of the content.

You can enable HDR for games that don’t support it, but I recommend doing some testing to see if it actually looks better.

Nintendo Switch 2: Games

Yes, $450 is a heck of a lot to pay for a console that isn’t exactly on the cutting edge of technology. However, what really makes this launch feel lackluster are the games. Sure, lots of folks love Mario Kart, but do they love it enough to buy a whole console just to play Mario Kart World? I certainly don’t. Not to mention that it, once again, costs $80!

Despite the price, I actually do enjoy Mario Kart World. There’s nothing wildly different apart from the open world, which features some decent challenges. What I actually loved about it was a more personal experience: playing with my daughter. I tried introducing her to games, but her hands are still too small, and she gets a bit frustrated with the controls. However, when the Joy-Con 2 controllers are detached, it’s more accessible for her. To top that off, Mario Kart World features settings to auto-drive and auto-steer, so even if she’s not pressing the right buttons, she can actually experience what it’s like to play, and I absolutely love that for her. Now every time she sees the Switch 2, she says “Play game with Baba!” My heart.

Still, I’m not jumping at the Switch 2 for Mario Kart. Let’s be honest here for a second, the original Nintendo Switch launched with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild — this game literally redefined the entire open-world genre. If the Switch 2 offered something on that scale at launch, I’d sell a kidney to get it (not really… unless?). Regardless of my criticism, the Nintendo Switch 2 is the fastest-selling console of all time.

I’ve already played Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty on the PS5, so I am hyper-aware of the quality that this game brings to the table. As I briefly mentioned earlier, its expansion is one of the best I’ve played, even rivaling full games in the RPG genre. Needless to say, it won’t live up to the quality you’d receive on other consoles, but getting all of the unique Switch features is neat. You can use the Gyroscope mode to rotate the Joy-Con 2 to aim, touchscreen to navigate the map and menus, Motion Patterns to use physical gestures to dodge, reload, or even heal, and the Mouse mode. The touch screen is useful, but what about the rest? Let’s just say they’re not very convenient — more like a novelty to enable for a hot second and then quickly disable.

With The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Nintendo updated the resolution for both handheld and docked modes and included HDR support. While the art isn’t that detailed, it’s much more pleasant to look at than on a measly 720p display. There are quite a few Nintendo Switch games that received a free update, plenty of which are incompatible. Of course, you’ll need to buy upgrades for some games, like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, which cost $10.

There are not many exclusive launch day titles apart from Mario Kart World, Bravely Default: Flying Fairy HD Remaster, and Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, which isn’t even free, and it should be.

Update: Nintendo's June 18 Direct showcased Donkey Kong Bananza, and it looks just as fun as Super Mario Odyssey. I can see this being the reason that folks buy a Switch 2, including me (OLED forgive me).

Nintendo Switch 2: GameChat

Let’s talk about that fancy new C button. Do you remember when the Nintendo Switch had that weird proprietary phone app to voice chat with friends? Well, now all of that is built into the Switch 2. I would praise Nintendo if this weren’t something that should’ve already been included in the original Switch.

To get started, I only had to click the C button to open up GameChat. You do have to go through the motions of signing a Terms of Service agreement, signing in again, and attaching your phone number (weird, but likely to avoid children from randomly hopping on GameChat). Then, you can select which friends can GameChat with you (I like this feature).

I booted up GameChat to play Mario Kart World with a friend, and the experience was interesting to say the least. The mic quality is crunchy, but audible for the most part. It did seem like there was a bit of a delay while chatting because my friend and I caught ourselves talking over each other multiple times, but it didn’t feel so detached that it was unusable.

There’s no GameChat balancing per se, but you can either lower or raise the volume of the game itself, and there’s a setting enabled by default to lower the game volume when people are speaking. I was afraid that this would be redundant if the microphone kept picking up noise anyway, but it did a decent job at blocking out background noise. It avoided picking up the fan blowing behind me.

We streamed our gameplay to each other, and true to the Switch 2 trailer, the overall sharpness is decent, but it streams at sub-30 fps, so it looks janky.

You can expand the screen layout in three ways: Standard (which prioritizes GameChat), Expand Main Screen (which minimizes it but keeps it visible), and Full Screen (which does away with it entirely). In Full Screen mode, it’ll make GameChat speakers visible in one corner of the screen (your choice), or you can disable that entirely.

Overall, GameChat is decent. Will I be using it myself? Probably not. Discord is still more convenient. However, watching friends perish in The Duskbloods when it launches in 2026 will be fun.

Nintendo Switch 2: Virtual Game Card

I have a love/hate relationship with the Virtual Game Card system. I initially thought this would be a revolutionary technology because you can share games with friends for at least two weeks without the need for a physical copy. However, Nintendo had to make this system needlessly complicated.

If you own multiple Nintendo Switch consoles, you must trade your Virtual Game Cards back and forth to play the games you want. To do that, both systems need to be on. If they’re not, you can select “System Unavailable,” but all downloadable software or DLC you’ve purchased will be temporarily unavailable for other systems.

The issue is that these games are, in theory, linked to your account, but the actual ownership comes down to the physical console. There’s a lot of extra work involved to unlink a console you don’t own anymore, down to going to the Nintendo website. You can technically play games you’ve already downloaded on a console so long as you have the Use Online Licenses setting enabled (found in User Settings).

With Xbox or PlayStation, you can access your games wherever you are without issue, so long as you’re connected to the internet. Granted, you can’t share games like the Switch 2 can, but technically, you can share your entire library with at least one person on both Xbox and PlayStation.

Sharing games with yourself shouldn’t be this complex.

Nintendo Switch 2: Operating system and features

The overall operating system for the Switch 2 remains generally unchanged, apart from the addition of the new aforementioned features, like GameChat, GameShare, and Virtual Game Cards.

Nintendo Switch 2 also offers advanced parental controls, which you can control via a smartphone app. You can adjust the times system-wide or based on individual games. You can set soft or hard limits, the former being a simple indicator and the latter completely suspending the Switch (even Nintendo emphasizes this should be a last resort because your child may lose save data — and I agree). You can also restrict games based on ratings and manage who they can GameChat with.

The Nintendo eShop received an update that cleaned up a lot of the visuals, and combined with more powerful performance, it’s easier to navigate. You also get immediate access to your wish list instead of having to dig for it in your profile. However, I noticed that the Joy-Con 2 analog stick and D-pad are hyper-sensitive in the shop, occasionally skipping over a couple selections in one input. That’s likely a bug that’ll hopefully get patched.

One minor grievance I have is that the Nintendo Switch 2 ships with only the Basic Light and Basic Dark themes. I am hoping Nintendo provides some updates with more choices, but come on, it’s been eight years, Nintendo. Give us something original.

The Nintendo Switch 2 comes with a one-year limited warranty.

Bottom line

Unlike Link, I cannot silence my many thoughts about the Nintendo Switch 2. I love it and hate it at the same time, but you could argue that hate is a part of love (in some circumstances). So, do I love it enough to buy it? Well… no. Like I said earlier, the lack of OLED kills the Nintendo Switch 2 for me, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t right for you.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is an incredible device with remarkable power, thanks to Nvidia’s custom chip that provides frame generation. With that power, it can run one of the most demanding games out there. Considering the original Switch’s considerably lower performance, this is an Olympic leap forward.

Apart from the performance, the most significant update lies in the display. The Switch 2’s LCD is better than that of the original Switch. It features a sharper panel, a higher refresh rate, and an overall larger display.

If you frequently play with individual Joy-Con controllers, the Joy-Con 2 update is downright necessary for your comfort.

And to top all that off, you get some strong speakers and decent battery life.

Don’t get me wrong — I’m disappointed about more than OLED — the comfort and price are rough. And while I do praise the current performance, I think it needs a few updates to eliminate the frame drops.

Overall, though, the Nintendo Switch 2 is a hell of a gaming console, and there’s really nothing else like it. No, seriously, there’s nothing like it. Where are you going to play Mario Kart World? Or the new Zelda game? Or the new mainline Mario game? Sorry, kids, if you want to play those games, you need the Nintendo Switch 2.

But I’ll just twiddle my thumbs until the Switch 2 OLED inevitably launches.

You may not care about the how, but you will care about the results, and when the Strix G16 testing emerged from our labs, we were pleased to see its strong overall performance and solid Nvidia RTX 5070Ti graphics. The best gaming laptops have to deliver excellent performance, but it can’t stop there, and the Strix has plenty more to back it up with a bouncy keyboard, ports aplenty, and a bright and reasonably vibrant IPS display.

If you’ve been paying attention to the early RTX 50 series gaming laptops, you're waiting for the other shoe to drop, with a price tag north of $3,000. While the Strix isn’t cheap, starting at $2,399, it’s a value among its competitors, and upgrades aren’t prohibitively expensive either.

So, is the Asus ROG Strix G16 (G614FR) one of the best gaming laptops of this generation? Let’s find out.

Asus ROG Strix G16 (G614FR): Specs and benchmarks

Asus ROG Strix G16 (G614FR): Price and configurations

Asus has multiple configurations of the Strix G16 available this year. From Intel to AMD models, with both new and older chipset variations, there is a Strix G16 that can suit your budget.

But if you’re looking for the Strix G16 (G14FR), there are two main configuration options, and they’re not too different in price.

The starting configuration costs $2,399 and gets you an AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX processor with an Nvidia RTX 5070Ti GPU with 12GB of VRAM, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a 16-inch, 2560x1600, 240Hz, IPS display.

Upgrading to the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D processor variant jumps the price up to $2,499.

Our review configuration comes with the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D processor and upgraded memory to 32GB for a total of $2,499. Essentially getting the RAM upgrade for free.

Asus ROG Strix G16 (G614FR): Design

The Asus ROG Strix G16 is a thick, high-end gaming laptop with the aesthetics to match. While the Strix G16 doesn’t have the wild AniMeVision cover panel LEDs of the Strix Scar models, but it does have a flashy RGB lightbar below the keyboard deck, and full RGB on the keyboard.

The top panel and keyboard deck feature classic Republic of Gamers branding, including a darkened ROG logo and “For those who dare” tagline on the top cover and ROG badging along the top of the keyboard deck.

Outside of the aesthetics, the ROG Strix G16 is a bit on the chunky side, which, from a thermal perspective, is ideal for getting the best performance out of its hardware, but it makes it less portable than thinner 16-inch gaming laptops like the Razer Blade 16 (2025).

Measuring 3.94 x 10.39 x 0.89~1.20 inches and weighing 5.51 pounds, the Strix G16 edges into that desktop replacement class of laptops, though it still maintains the portability of a 16-inch laptop chassis. So it can fit into most laptop backpacks for transport to your next in-person gaming session.

While the Strix G16 isn’t the lightest or thinnest 16-inch gaming laptop we’ve reviewed, it fits nicely in the same size range as other 16-inch gaming laptops like:

• Alienware 16 Area-51: 14.37 x 11.41 x 0.85~1.12 inches, 7.13 pounds
• Gigabyte Aorus Master 16: 14.05 x 10 x 0.91~1.18 inches, 5.5 pounds
• Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 9: 14.08 x 10.33 x 0.69 inches, 5.1 pounds

Asus ROG Strix G16 (G614FR): Ports

Asus has made sure to include plenty of ports on the Strix G16, which should be more than enough for all your gaming accessories:

• 1x USB 4 Type-C (DisplayPort, Power Delivery, Nvidia G-Sync)
• 1x USB 4 Type-C (DisplayPort, Nvidia G-Sync)
• 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A
• 1x HDMI 2.1 FRL
• 1x RJ45 ethernet
• 1x audio combo jack

This should be enough ports for most people, though streamers may still want to invest in one of the best laptop docking stations or USB-C hubs to connect additional monitors, a professional webcam, a studio microphone, or a Stream Deck in addition to any gaming accessories.

Asus ROG Strix G16 (G614FR): Battery life

As we usually see with high-powered gaming laptops, the Strix G16 isn’t a threat to the laptops with the best battery life, but it does last long enough for you to work on battery power before needing to find an outlet.

I didn’t have much hope the Strix G16 would last more than a handful of hours when unplugged, at best. Just going about my usual workday meant I needed to hunt down a charger after just over three and a half hours of writing and video call meetings.

The Strix G16 lasted just 5 hours and 22 minutes on the Laptop Mag web surfing test, which is about what I expected from my hands-on testing.

Thanks to Nvidia’s investment in its BatteryBoost tech, the Strix G16 lasts a bit longer than previous generations while gaming. The Strix managed to survive for 1 hour and 22 minutes on the PCMark 10 gaming battery test, which is more competitive compared to other 50-series laptops, like the Alienware Area-51 compared to its 40-series counterparts.

Asus ROG Strix G16 (G614FR): Display

Our Strix G16 (G614FR) review unit features a 16-inch, 2560 x 1600, 240Hz matte IPS panel. Thanks to the Strix’s matte panel, it’s relatively glare-proof, which is ideal for gaming, so you don’t need to worry about missing your next shot because of a poorly placed lamp.

In order to test the Strix G16’s display, I booted up Avowed to see how well the Strix’s IPS panel handles the Fort Northreach beach with its broad color palette. While our lab testing indicated the display wasn’t super vibrant, I had no complaints about how well the Strix handled the corals along the shipwrecked shoreline, with bright, crisp reds and oranges bursting against the storm gray skies in a stunning contrast.

Our lab testing rated the Strix G16 at 79.7% coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut, with an average peak brightness of 449 nits, which is bright and vibrant enough for most games.

While the Strix doesn’t have all the high-contrast benefits of an OLED or MiniLED display panel, its IPS-level LCD does have Pantone Validation for color, and supports Dolby HDR so it’s far from a disappointment.

Asus ROG Strix G16 (G614FR): Keyboard and touchpad

The Asus ROG laptops tend to have good keyboards, and the Strix G16 is no exception. While it is a Chiclet style keyboard, the Strix G16’s keys have a nice bounce to them and don’t feel mushy, with a satisfying level of key travel to each press, so you don’t bottom out your fingers on the keyboard.

Chiclet keyboards also tend to be quieter than mechanical switches, which can save your raid team from hearing each individual keysmash during tense encounters.

On the 10fastfingers.com advanced typing test, I averaged 86 words per minute (wpm) on the Strix’s Chiclet keyboard, which is just below my average of 88 wpm on the Apple MacBook Pro 14.

Asus has centered the touchpad on the keyboard deck, rather than on the space bar, which I prefer from an aesthetic point of view. And since the Strix’s touchpad is on the large side, measuring 5.4 x 3.4 inches, it’s got enough crossover with the spacebar that you shouldn’t have any kind of learning curve.

The touchpad offers a smooth feel with just the right amount of resistance for precise control. The very top of the touchpad isn’t clickable, though you can click just a half-inch down from the top edge, which isn’t too bad. Then again, I rarely click the top-half of a touchpad, so I didn’t notice it much in my day-to-day use of the Strix.

Asus ROG Strix G16 (G614FR): Audio

Asus equipped the ROG Strix G16 with a dual-speaker system with Smart Amplifier Technology, to get more volume out of fewer speakers. The sound system also boasts Dolby Atmos tuning, though the Strix’s Hi-Res audio certification is applicable for headphones so you might want to invest in a quality pair of the best headphones or an external sound system rather than rely on the built-in audio.

That said, the Strix’s audio is crisp. I was easily able to discern the individual string instruments that make up the orchestra behind Avowed’s title theme with perfect clarity. The volume wasn’t too explosive, but it was more than enough for some solid gaming immersion.

Though that also depends a bit on the game. Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail is notorious for having a very high default volume, and I ended up having to drop the volume below 45 percent to keep the audio at a sensible level while still covering the sound of the Strix’s cooling system.

Asus ROG Strix G16 (G614FR): Performance and heat

As for all-around performance, the Strix features AMD’s most powerful gaming CPU for this generation, the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D “Fire Range” chip. Boasting desktop-quality performance, the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D processor is more than sufficient for just about any task.

As for my hands-on testing, nothing I threw at the Strix really made the fans kick on. From e-mail and spreadsheet management with 20+ Chrome tabs open to Photoshop object selection, I had no hangups of slowdowns with the Strix G16.

With its powerful Ryzen 9 and RTX 5070 Ti combo, the Strix is capable of handling any photo or video editing you might need, and it can also double as a solid choice for handling your STEM data sets if you need to use it for any engineering classes.

Once the fans do kick on, the Strix G16 can be a bit loud, but not to the same level as the MSI Raider 18 HX. But those fans are needed, as the Strix runs hot under pressure. While gaming, the Strix G16 hit a peak temperature of 127.1 degrees Fahrenheit near the F4 key while the center of the keyboard hit 92.8 degrees, which means you’ll want to be careful of your fingertips during long gaming sessions.

Asus ROG Strix G16 (G614FR): Gaming and graphics

The ROG Strix G16 is a 280W system, so it can drive plenty of power to its onboard AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D processor and Nvidia RTX 5070Ti GPU, which offers a smooth, solid gaming experience, especially at the Strix’s max resolution of 1600p.

The Strix G16 gets framerates well above 100 fps at 1080p resolution on games like Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Borderlands 3, and DiRT 5. More demanding titles like Black Myth: Wukong and Cyberpunk 2077 will see those frame rates drop to 53 fps.

With the Strix’s RTX 5070Ti GPU, you can also enable software upscaling like DLSS 4 and frame generation, which can offer a smoother experience with poorly optimized games like Avowed and Monster Hunter Wilds. This is especially useful if you’re gaming at max resolution, or if you use the Strix to power a high-res gaming monitor

With DLSS 4 enabled at max 1600p resolution and the Ultra graphics presets, I was easily able to keep a stable 85 fps in Doom: The Dark Ages. That rate jumped up to 187 fps with frame generation enabled. While 85 fps is certainly playable, it’s nowhere near as smooth as 187 fps.

I saw similar improvements in Avowed, going from 70 fps at 1600p on Epic settings with only DLSS 4 to 114 fps with frame generation also toggled on. Without either, the game was hitting about 43 fps in terms of just pure Silicon performance.

Of course, if you plan to play a lot of competitive games where super sampling tech like DLSS 4 or FSR can be problematic, dropping your game resolution down to 1200 or 1080p will get you better framerates, as will opting for more mid-range graphics presets.

Asus ROG Strix G16 (G614FR): AI features

As the Strix G16 features an AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D CPU rather than a Ryzen AI 300 series processor, it doesn’t meet the requirements for Microsoft’s Copilot+ suite of AI features. In fact, the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D doesn’t have an integrated NPU at all, so any AI you run off the Strix G16 will be using either the CPU or GPU to run the workload.

That doesn’t mean the Strix G16 can’t run AI. It has access to Nvidia’s various RTX AI features like ChatRTX and RTX Remix with its 50-series GPU after all. But it does mean the Strix won’t bother you with a chatbot unless you go out of your way to install one.

Asus ROG Strix G16 (G614FR): Webcam

The ROG Strix G16 features a 1080p webcam, so it's suitable for Windows Hello sign-in, and can handle the occasional video call or virtual meeting.

The camera feed is, as usual, on the dim and grainy side, with a tendency to drop a pink cast over skin tones, but it’s far from the worst we’ve seen. Most colors appear as they should on the webcam feed, just darker than I’d prefer.

If you plan to use the Strix for a lot of video calls or streaming, we’d recommend using one of the best webcams instead of the onboard camera.

Asus ROG Strix G16 (G614FR): Software and warranty

The Strix G16 comes with Windows 11 Home installed, which includes a number of standard Windows apps already installed, like Microsoft Copilot, Office 365, and the Xbox App. Asus has included the ArmouryCrate app to control your power profiles and settings and the MyAsus App for more general controls. Asus has also pre-installed the ROG Aura software for controlling your RGB customization, and the Aura Wallpaper Generator to create custom desktop backgrounds.

The number of pre-installed Windows applications is constantly growing, and Asus has installed a decent chunk of proprietary software. Between Microsoft, AMD, Nvidia, and Asus there are a lot of programs pre-installed. Most are utility-based, however, so this doesn’t really count as bloatware, but it’s far from a clean Windows installation.

The Strix includes a 1-year service warranty.

Bottom line

The ROG Strix G16 is the kind of gaming laptop that makes you wonder why other gaming laptops even bother. Sure, we’ve seen stronger performance from some of the other gaming laptops this gen, but many of those were nearly twice the price of the ROG Strix G16.

While the Alienware 16 Area-51 is our most affordable RTX 5080 laptop, it’s still a good $500 more expensive than the Strix G16. And the Strix weighs two pounds less, making it a much better choice if you need to travel with your gaming laptop occasionally.

Of course, if portability is your key requirement and you’ve got the cash to spare, then the Razer Blade 16 (2025) is still the way to go. After all, the Blade 16 is ultra-lightweight and sports a more powerful GPU, up to the Nvidia RTX 5090. And it gets far better battery life than the Alienware or the Strix.

But if you’re looking for the best balance of performance, price, and portability, it’s hard to do better than the ROG Strix G16 (G614FR).

The best webcams aren’t just a way of making sure you look your crispest over Zoom. They can turn setup into a studio, add an extra layer of professionalism to your next presentation, or bring a little cinema to your content creation.

Seeing a standalone webcam as part of a computing setup, especially on a laptop, feels incredibly archaic in 2025, like the tech equivalent of seeing somebody ride a Penny Farthing down Fifth Avenue.

But the humble webcam holds a strange distinction: it's the only computing peripheral that consistently bests its integrated counterpart, which, unless you own one of the best MacBooks, typically ranges from bad to really bad — while somehow being entirely overlooked as an essential accessory.

Needed by so many, yet recognized by so few, webcams (once a default accessory for anyone with a face and an internet connection) feel like the last niche accessory — hankered after by a subculture of hardware hipsters.

And if that imagery existed anywhere beyond the realms of my fever-dream-like imagination, there would be one webcam this collection of Capturecore cultists would covet above all others: the Insta 360 Link 2. The crown prince of cams and the heir apparent to the optical throne.

High praise? Absolutely. However, the next few hundred words may convince you that not only am I right, but that it's high time we reestablished the webcam as the vital component it is — and few webcams would serve you better, perched atop your laptop's screen, than the Insta360 Link 2.

Insta360 Link 2: Price and availability

The Insta360 Link 2's retail price is $199, but you can typically find it for around $169 on Amazon, Best Buy, and other retailers.

Its most obvious comparison would be to the original Insta360 Link webcam, which the Link 2 mirrors almost perfectly on the specs front. However, the Link 2, while matching its predecessor spec-for-spec, can do so while shaving $100 off of the original’s $299 asking price.

We’re definitely at the more expensive end of the scale when it comes to webcams, but the Link 2 resides where it does for a reason. Its DSLR-like image and video quality, even under tough lighting conditions, alone will be worth the price for most.

However, if you’re a streamer, teacher, content creator, tutor, or routinely present information online, the Link 2’s impressive AI tracking, staging, and framing will grant you captivating and dynamic results that would usually require editing in post or a second hand on the controls to achieve.

If you’re looking for a webcam to get by with the basics, then there are plenty of more affordable options to run with. If all you need is a webcam for a few online classes or remote meetings, then a 4K webcam like this is perhaps a little overkill.

But if you’re looking for a webcam to embolden your setup in terms of professionalism and creativity, you’ve found it.

Insta360 Link 2: Design

It's not often, as a tech reviewer, that you get to genuinely praise the design of a webcam. Shapes and sizes may vary, but you generally know what to expect, making it hard to be caught off guard.

However, Insta360, fittingly to its name, is running circles around the idea of what a webcam can be, tossing away decades of vanilla peripheral design to deliver something shockingly refreshing.

The result is the Link 2, a device that looks like the happy offspring of Short Circuit protagonist, Johnny 5, and Luxo Jr. — the iconic Pixar lamp. I'd almost describe it as adorable as you can't help but see a friendly little robot head with its left eye formed by the webcam's lens, the right by its ring status light (which glows green when active and red when blocked), and a tiny button nose represented by a pinhole microphone.

Outfitted with a two-axis gimbal, the Link 2 sneers at the typical pan-and-scan of other webcams, that will crop a full-resolution image and scroll within its bounds to pseudo-track its subjects, physically turning and tilting its BD-1-like "head" and "body" to keep you at the center of its focus at all times.

Thanks to its AI tracking, the Insta360 Link 2 is like having your very own personal cameraperson with you at all times. Ready to frame your head, upper-body, or full form within its 4K resolution (3840 x 2160), gently rotating on each axis to produce more dynamic, professional results.

The included adjustable Magnetic Mount is adjustable to fit your laptop screen or monitor, and can be folded flat to sit on your desk or monitor riser without issue. The magnet itself is powerful, and the stand plenty weighty (raising the Link 2's 101.5-gram weight to 166.5 grams), meaning you won't find yourself flinging the Link 2 around your desk by accident, and a 1/4-inch mounting point on its base will allow you to easily attach a tripod for even better positioning.

Using a tripod (like, perhaps the Insta360 Mini 2-in-1 Tripod for $29) also allows you to turn the Link 2 on its side, flipping its 16:9 aspect ratio with it, and capture in social-media/smartphone-friendly 9:16 portrait orientation.

However, in this position, you will lose access to DeskView, another viewing option of Link 2 that drops the view down to your desk and flips the image for a near bird's eye view of your immediate space. It's great if you're looking to share an unboxing, showcase a hands-on demo of something, or even capture artwork or written notes.

All in all, the Link 2's design pairs exceptional build quality with impressive versatility. Whether you use it as an everyday webcam or as part of a content creation setup, there are plenty of attractive elements to Insta360's camera that elevate it far and above the generally murky, hard-to-differentiate waters of traditional webcams.

Insta360 Link 2: Video quality

The Link 2's 1/2-inch sensor (and wider f/1.8 aperture) will easily eclipse the 1/4-inch or 1/3-inch image sensor offered by your average built-in laptop webcam. The result? Better low-light capture and more dynamic range. That's the on-paper claims, anyway. Thankfully, this is one of those claims that proves to be true in practice.

Whether you choose to capture in 4K (capped at 30fps) or in 1080p and below (up to 60fps), the Link 2 delivers technically sharp pictures with impressive clarity and fine details, though a persistent grain can haunt the image if your lighting is sub-par.

Thankfully, it's not enough to spoil the webcam's otherwise crisp capture and can be minimized by tweaking the Link 2's sharpness or applying its Natural Bokeh filter within Insta360's proprietary software.

Similarly, enabling the Link 2's HDR mode is a great way to combat both low-light environments and even those with peaking lighting, forcing a balance in tones to evenly capture your appearance, whether you're fighting a strong backlight or trying to tame any peaks in brightness from a particularly strong light source in front of you.

At my desk, I'm fairly well lit up by some bright LED wall panels, so that grain only really became apparent in the more contrastingly dark corners of my background. However, for most setups, as the day ticks on and that blanket of even natural lighting fades, you'll begin to notice that grain becomes more apparent, with it at its most notable when the camera zooms in.

Pushing that zoom to its extreme (up to 4x digital), you'll be left with a picture detailed enough to pick out individual pores, catch even a single stray hair in the act of rebellion, or allow strangers to rate your setup through the very reflection of it in your own eyes. But under less than optimal lighting, you'll do so with the kind of digital static present that suggests you're being stalked by the Slender Man.

Regardless, the picture and video quality offered by the Insta360 Link 2 is so above par that it's tantamount to using a pole vault to leap over a speed bump. There's no question whether I'd choose its output over that of a laptop's built-in webcam. The difference is stark, and if I were streaming, presenting, or even looking for an affordable webcam for content creation, Insta360's webcam is the one I'd choose.

Insta360 Link 2: Sound quality

The Insta360 Link 2's pinhole microphone is one of the few weaknesses I found with the webcam. Then again, it had pretty tough competition.

My typical setup includes a HyperX QuadCast S cardioid microphone that sets a pretty high bar for audio capture. It's an unfair direct comparison to make, but it does provide a solid benchmark with which to measure the Link 2's capabilities.

Placed head-to-head against the HyperX mic, the Link 2's audio (using the default "Voice focus" mode) is tinny, but surprisingly loud and clear. Thanks to the Link 2's AI tracking, it'll almost always be facing you, which means your audio won't fluctuate too heavily if you're shifting about in front of it. And, its noise cancellation did a great job of filtering out the sound of passing cars and people from a nearby open window.

As did the Link 2's "Voice suppression" mode, which managed to elevate my voice above the background music and voices on video spilling out of my desktop speakers.

Finally, the Link 2's "Music balance" mode ditches audio filtering for pure audio capture, ideal for instrument-owning content creators who want to record multiple sound sources at once, without them fighting for dominance.

While the Link 2 didn't manage to best my standalone mic, when comparing it to the mic of my laptop, its quality was more than apparent. Compared to my laptop's mic, the Link 2's formerly tinny audio seemed much richer and clearer, though both noticeably lacked an undercurrent of bass.

While the video capture of the Link 2 offers a great deal of versatility, the audio capture is much better suited to regular webcam use. Suitable for calls and meetings, but not ideal for content creation.

Insta360 Link 2: Software and support

The Insta360 Link 2 is plug-and-play, meaning you can connect it (using the sizeable ~60-inch USB-C cable provided) to an available USB-C port on your device (or USB-A with the supplied adapter) and immediately start using it as a regular webcam.

However, if you want the best experience with access to all of the Link 2's features, you'll need to download the Insta360 Link Controller software.

It's through this software that you'll be able to enable AI tracking features; DeskView; directly capture pictures and video; make adjustments to resolution, framerate and orientation; enable HDR mode; apply filters or change backgrounds; switch audio modes; fine tune the image through manual white balance, brightness, contrast, saturation, and sharpness; customize camera exposure with custom curves, and greater control over ISO and shutter speed; and enable another of the Link 2's interesting features: gesture controls.

Gesture controls allow you to instruct the Link 2 from a distance, enabling and disabling AI tracking by showing an open palm, creating an "L" shape with your hand and moving it up or down to trigger an appropriate zoom, and raising two fingers to enable whiteboard mode — which will cause the Link 2 to snap its focus to a rectangular area of interest marked by four reusable QR code patches included in the box. Think DeskView, but for vertical presentation areas.

The software itself is well laid out and intuitive to use. The only major gripe I had was finding out that the advertised 60fps capture was initially absent in all resolutions, leaving me to wonder if this feature had been removed post-release. After some tinkering, I was able to re-enable high frame rate capture only after disabling the Virtual Camera setting.

During my time with the Link 2, I never had any issues that would require me to cash in on its one-year warranty. There’s not a great deal of movement involved with my setup, and the webcam build quality seems impressively solid, but for those who feel their Link 2 may receive the occasional knock or bump, Insta360 also offers two “worry-free” replacements for that year through its FlexiCare support for $11.99 extra.

Bottom line

When you get down to it, the Insta360 Link 2 isn’t your typical webcam. In fact, it almost feels like a DSLR masquerading as a PC accessory. Its quality is outstanding, its versatility is second to none, and the most dramatic change to this revision is that its price tag is lower than ever.

If you’re an original Link owner, then the improvements may not make it an essential switch. However, if you’re laboring with a webcam that's limiting you, an upgrade to the Link 2 is one you won’t regret.

Is it perfect? No. But it’s close enough to perfect that it makes the competition look like a compromise.

More from Laptop Mag

• The best webcams in 2025: The top picks, based on our real-world testing
• The 8 best webcams for streaming in 2025

The Garmin Instinct 2 Solar isn’t capable of calculating your dive profile or tracking your decompression limits, but it is a rugged, GPS-enabled smartwatch with training modes and tracking for just about every other sport you can imagine. Plus, it’s often on sale for $370 or less, making it a solid bargain. It offers over 3 weeks of battery life on a single charge, with solar power making it theoretically unkillable if you spend at least 3 hours in 50,000-lux conditions.

The only real drawbacks are the lack of colors on the display and how rapidly GPS functionality depletes battery life.

All that considered, is the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar destined to be one of the best smartwatches? Or is it doomed to be forgotten?

Let’s find out.

Garmin Instinct 2 Solar: Price and configurations

The Garmin Instinct 2 Solar (45 MM) retails for $399, while the Tactical edition retails for $449.

If you’d prefer a smaller display, the Instinct 2S Solar comes in a 40 MM case for the same price as the 45 MM variant. If you’d prefer an oversized 50 MM case, the Instinct 2X Solar costs $449.

Right now, all available models of the Instinct 2 Solar are on sale for $100 off, bringing the Instinct 2 Solar to a price of just $299 through Garmin directly, while Amazon has the Instinct 2 Solar at just $249 right now.

Sales have seen the price drop to a minimum of $228, which we could see again during the upcoming Amazon Prime Day, though the most common sale price seems to be $370.

Garmin Instinct 2 Solar: Design

The Instinct 2 Solar is one of Garmin’s rugged smartwatches, so it has a durable fiber-reinforced polymer case with a Power Glass lens and silicon strap. It’s designed to take a beating and stand up to rigorous training regimes, after all.

I tend to be hard on my wrist-based hardware, and even after dragging the Instinct 2 Solar halfway around the world on a trip to Taiwan, it looks as good as the day I pulled it out of the box.

The downside to the Instinct 2 Solar’s rugged design is that most of the watch is case and solar cells, with a smaller display than the 45 MM case size might imply.

The Instinct 2 Solar is water rated to 10 ATM (atmospheres) of pressure. Essentially, this means the Instinct 2 Solar can withstand a dip to a maximum depth of 100 meters (330 feet).

While the Instinct doesn’t have access to Garmin’s advanced scuba and free diving modes, it can track your swimming distance and time, so it is good to know the watch can survive the occasional jump off a diving board.

The Instinct 2 Solar is available in a Graphite or Mist Gray colorway. The Instinct 2S Solar comes in the same color options, while the Instinct 2X also offers a Flame Red option. The Tactical variants of all three solar-powered Instinct watches come in a pure Black colorway.

While I do prefer having extra color options to choose from, when it comes to rugged smartwatches, opting for gray or black generally looks better, whereas the Flame Red on the Instinct 2X is a bit much.

Garmin Instinct 2 Solar: Display

The Instinct 2 Solar has a custom two-window display design, with a smaller, circular display in the upper right-hand corner and a larger rectangular main display.

You can customize the information on your display by changing the default options directly on the watch or by downloading additional watch faces from the Garmin ConnectIQ app.

The display is just black and white, which is ideal for the Solar’s long battery life and solar charging. While not particularly bright by default, the display is always on, and has a backlight if you need to make it a bit brighter in low-light conditions.

While the Instinct 2 Solar’s display isn’t bright, I didn’t have any problems seeing the display even under bright sunlight thanks to its high-contrast and minimalist default watch face.

Some of the fancier watch faces you can download from the ConnectIQ app are a bit harder to read under bright sunlight, as they can get a bit cramped on the small display.

Garmin Instinct 2 Solar: Battery life

I took the Instinct 2 Solar with me on a business trip to Taiwan for Computex, and I charged the watch when I landed on May 17th. Since then, I’ve kept the Instinct strapped to my wrist or sitting on my desk overnight as I don’t enjoy sleeping with a watch on. The only charging the Instinct 2 Solar has done since is some brief solar charging as I wandered around Taipei (during monsoon season) and as I commuted to and from the Laptop Mag offices in New York.

Which is to say, I haven’t managed to charge the Instinct 2 Solar to full with just the power of the sun. Midtown Manhattan isn’t exactly known for its sun exposure, even in the summer thanks to all the skyscrapers in the neighborhood. Meaning I haven’t come close to the 3-hours in 50,000 lux conditions needed to charge the Instinct with only sunlight.

However, that does mean I’ve gotten almost three weeks of battery life with the Instinct 2 with just a brief bit of solar power top-off, and I’ve still got a battery rating of 7 days remaining. This isn’t quite the “unlimited” battery life Garmin claims, but it is still incredibly impressive, and if you live a more sun-soaked life, Garmin’s claims seem plausible.

If you do need to charge the Instinct 2 Solar with a power outlet, the watch comes with a proprietary USB cable that fits onto four contact points on the back of the watch case.

Garmin Instinct 2 Solar: Health and fitness tracking

The Instinct 2 Solar is constantly tracking your heart rate with a sensor on the back of the watch case and will alert you if your heart rate dips too low or jumps too high.

The watch also tracks respiration rate, body battery energy, stress, and sleep. You can also use the Garmin Connect apps to track hydration and women’s health cycles with the Instinct 2.

The Instinct 2’s fitness features include activity profiles for sports and training regimens from strength training to triathlons to pilates workouts and even stand up paddleboarding. You can install additional sports and training features from the ConnectIQ app.

If you choose to enable suggested workouts, the Instinct 2 Solar comes with default daily suggested workout plans for runners and cyclists, along with Garmin coaching for running and cycling.

Garmin Instinct 2 Solar: Features

In addition to its slew of health and fitness features, the Instinct 2 Solar also has some fun safety and tracking features.

You can use the GPS functionality to track your workouts, whether running, cycling, hiking, or swimming. While this does use more battery than just utilizing the Instinct 2 as a general smartwatch, outdoor activities are where the solar has its best chance of getting a full recharge thanks to the power of the sun.

So, if you aren’t a city-based vampire, GPS tracking can be helpful, and battery life losses should be at least somewhat offset by sun exposure.

The Instinct 2 also comes with incident detection and assistance for additional safety.

The Instinct 2 Solar can also function as a general smartwatch, bringing over all your phone notifications to the watch display so you can keep track of what’s going on with your family or with work, while remaining hands-free. Even if you’re a die-hard Apple fanatic, the Instinct 2 Solar has full integration for your smartphone notifications from iOS and Android devices. While you can’t reply to messages from the Instinct 2, I don’t find myself missing that feature from my Apple Watch 8.

But the quirkiest feature of the Instinct 2 is its gaming activity tracker, which can keep an eye on your vitals while gaming to let you know if you’re raging too hard during raid nights. It’s also compatible with the Garmin Gameon app if you really want to optimize your gaming health data.

Garmin Instinct 2 Solar: Software and warranty

Like all Garmin smartwatches, the Instinct also benefits from a variety of smartphone app integrations, from the Garmin Connect, ConnectIQ, Gameon, Explore, and Messenger apps.

The Instinct 2 Solar comes with functionality for a number of activities right out of the box, with a large focus on running and cycling, though additional sports and activity profiles for triathlons, hiking, pool swimming, and tennis are pre-installed. You can also add additional activity profiles from the ConnectIQ app.

And since the Instinct 2 Solar is a Garmin watch, it has full functionality whether your paired smartphone runs iOS or Android.

Garmin has a 1-year limited warranty on the Instinct 2 Solar.

Bottom line

If you’re looking for a rugged GPS-enabled smartwatch and you don’t need it to have scuba or freedive functionality, the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar is a far better bargain than the Apple Watch Ultra 2. While its display is just black and white, it’s fully customizable and comes with Garmin’s massive smartwatch software suite to boot.

If you need a smartwatch that doubles as a dive computer, I personally recommend the Garmin Descent G2 or MK3, which come with scuba and free-dive functionality for tracking your depth, time, and deco obligations.

Even for vampires like me who don’t see enough daylight to keep the Instinct 2 Solar going without hitting a power outlet every 3-4 weeks, it’s hard to undersell that insane battery life. Few other smartwatches can even come close, and those that do often have fewer features than the Instinct 2 Solar.

And if you can get the Instinct 2 Solar for less than $300, hit that buy button immediately.

The Yoga offers good speakers, solid battery life, a relatively affordable price tag, and integrated graphics that perform much better than I expected. If that was the whole story, I'd have no trouble wholeheartedly recommending this laptop.

However, the Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16 has a critical flaw that's enough of an issue to make me think twice before counting it among the best Lenovo laptops or best 2-in-1 laptops. Unfortunately, the Yoga's incredibly disappointing display is its Achilles' heel. That doesn't mean it can't be the right laptop for you, but there are a few things you should consider before making a purchase.

Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16: Specs (as reviewed)

Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16: Price and configurations

The Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16 is available in a few configurations, starting at $899 for the model with an Intel Core Ultra 5 226V processor, Intel Arc 130V integrated graphics, 16GB of RAM, 512GB of SSD storage, and a 16-inch, 1920 x 1200 IPS touch display.

The configuration we reviewed costs $1,099 and includes an Intel Core Ultra 7 256V processor, Intel Arc 140V integrated graphics, 16GB of RAM, 1TB of SSD storage, and a 16-inch, 1920 x 1200 IPS touch display. For an additional $65, you can upgrade to Windows 11 Pro.

It's worth noting that Lenovo offers education discounts for the Yoga 7i 2-in-1, but you have to purchase the laptop using a confirmed education email address.

Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16: Design

Lenovo didn't change much on the design of this year's Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It sports a polished aluminum chassis that will blend in seamlessly at school or work. The bezels around the 16-inch display could be thinner, but that's a minor flaw.

The keyboard is spacious and snappy, as Lenovo's keyboards usually are, and includes a number pad and function row, perfect for productivity users. The touchpad below is roomy, as well.

As its name suggests, this is a 2-in-1 laptop, meaning you can flip the display all the way back to use in tablet mode. It's compatible with the Lenovo Yoga Pen, available separately for $59, in case you want to use the Yoga's tablet mode for drawing or taking handwritten notes.

The Yoga 7i 2-in-1 is reasonably thin and light for a 16-inch laptop, measuring 14.21 x 10.12 x 0.67 inches and weighing 3.96 pounds. That's on par with other laptops in this size and price range:

• Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 (DB06250): 14.05 x 9.87 x 0.67 inches, 4.52 pounds
• Asus Vivobook 16 Flip (TP3607): 13.98 x 9.62 x 0.69 inches, 3.9 pounds
• MacBook Air M4 (15-inch): 13.4 x 9.35 x 0.45 inches, 3.3 pounds

Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16: Ports

The Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16 doesn't offer a lot of ports, but it features a diverse enough selection to cover most people's needs, including:

• 1x HDMI 1.4
• 1x USB Type-A
• 2x USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4
• 1x MicroSD card reader
• 1x 3.5mm audio jack

One more USB port might've been nice, but I was pleasantly surprised to see an HDMI port and even a microSD card reader. If you find yourself needing more ports, you can hook up the Yoga to one of the best laptop docking stations or USB Type-C hubs.

Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16: Battery life

The Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16 performed well on our battery life tests, lasting 13 hours and 19 minutes.

While other laptops have done better, like the 15-inch MacBook Air M4 (15 hours, 22 minutes), the Yoga's time is still more than enough to get through a typical day at work or school. It's also nearly twice as long as the Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1, which features a similar price and specs but lasted less than 8 hours in our tests.

Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16: Display

The Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16 really let me down with its display quality. There's a lot to like about this laptop, but the display is a huge flaw to overlook. It's visibly dull, with little vibrancy and noticeably washed out colors. The difference is impossible to miss looking at the Yoga's display side-by-side with other laptops or even my ViewSonic Omni desktop display.

I could visibly tell that the scenery in episodes of Survivor looked less vibrant and colorful on the Yoga's display. The Fijian jungles looked noticeably washed out, even if the contrast and sharpness was fine.

Considering how dull the Yoga's display is, I wasn't surprised that it did poorly on our display benchmarks. It covered just 44% over the DCI-P3 color gamut, barely half of the usual 80% or more I prefer to see. Even for a relatively budget-friendly laptop, that is a seriously disappointing color gamut score, one that's important to note if you're a creative or want to use your laptop for art, design, or gaming. It defeats the purpose of a 2-in-1 laptop.

Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16: Keyboard and touchpad

I'm often a fan of the keyboards on Lenovo laptops and the Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16 is no exception. It features a snappy, responsive, and roomy full-size keyboard that's perfect for pounding out essays and emails.

On the Monkeytype typing test I scored 100 words per minute with 100% accuracy, which is above average but just shy of my personal best of 108 words per minute with 98% accuracy, scored on the HP EliteBook Ultra G1i AI.

The touchpad on the Yoga is also good, with plenty of space and a smooth, responsive surface. It offered just the right amount of travel and feedback to be satisfying without slowing me down.

Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16: Audio

The Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16 features bottom-firing speakers in the front right and left corners that sound surprisingly good for the price. They get much louder than I expected and deliver solid range, detail, and depth.

"Dead Club City" by Nothing But Thieves sounded great on the Yoga, with assertive bass, clean vocals, and surprisingly good depth, making for an immersive listening experience. "Overcome," also by Nothing But Thieves, came through the speakers great, as well, with crisp highs (although the mids in this song were a tad muffled, most likely because of the bottom-firing speaker orientation).

Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16: Performance and heat

The Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16 is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 256V processor that performs well for the price. It kept up with everyday tasks like word processing or web browsing, even with multiple apps and numerous tabs open.

I didn't notice any lag or slow loading times during my daily use. If you're a student or a casual user, the performance you'll get from the Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16 should be more than enough.

If you're a power user or a professional, you may run into the Yoga's limits. It scored 11,050 on the Geekbench 6 benchmark, which is on par with other laptops with this processor but not as high as some rivals scored.

For instance, the MacBook Air M4 15-inch scored 14,921, nearly 4,000 points higher. If you use your laptop for resource-intensive tasks like photo or video editing, you'll probably notice that difference. Of course, the MacBook Air is a bit more expensive than the Yoga 7i 2-in-1, and it isn't a 2-in-1 laptop, so there are trade-offs to consider.

However, if sheer performance is your top priority, the MacBook Air would be a better fit.

Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16: Gaming and graphics

The Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16 isn't a gaming laptop, but its Intel Arc 140V integrated graphics are surprisingly capable. If you want to use your laptop for some casual gaming, the Yoga can deliver a pretty decent experience for the price.

I played Risk of Rain 2 on the Yoga and got smooth, responsive gameplay with an average of 60 frames per second on Medium/High graphics settings at 1920 x 1200. The only time I noticed any lag or stuttering was during cinematic cutscenes, like the game's intro video. The actual gameplay didn't display any significant performance issues, though.

The Yoga also did fairly well on our graphics benchmark tests with a score of 9,249 on the 3DMark Fire Strike benchmark and an average of 56.8 fps in Sid Meier's Civilization VI: Gathering Storm. That's better than most other laptops at this price point can deliver, especially considering the Yoga's relying only on integrated graphics.

Of course, if you want to play resource-intensive modern AAA games, you'll be better off with one of the best gaming laptops. But if you're just looking to do a round of Fortnite here and there or play some lightweight indie games, the Yoga 7i 2-in-1 is up to the task.

The lackluster display does hold back the gaming experience, though. Plus, as we’ve tested, the Intel Arc 140V can’t handle games like Elden Ring Nightreign.

Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16: AI features

The Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16 is a Copilot+ PC, meaning it comes with Microsoft's Copilot AI assistant pre-installed and features a dedicated Copilot key on the keyboard for launching the AI.

You can use the Copilot app for basic generative AI tasks like asking questions or generating text and images. Copilot also powers features elsewhere in Windows 11, like Windows Studio Effects in the Camera app, which uses AI to enhance your video quality. You can also use Cocreator in the Paint app for combining generative AI with your own doodles.

Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16: Webcam

Laptop webcams often leave a lot to be desired in terms of camera quality and the Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16 is no exception. While I've seen worse, I've also seen better. The 1080p webcam delivered visibly grainy visuals in my test video, even in good indoor lighting. This webcam would be fine for basic everyday video calls, but for anything beyond that you'd be better off getting one of the best webcams.

While the camera isn't great, the Yoga's built-in mic is solid. My voice was clear and crisp in my test video. The mic even managed to cut out the background noise from my air conditioner.

Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16: Software and warranty

The Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16 comes with Windows 11 Home and includes the standard suite of basic Microsoft apps like Copilot, the Microsoft Store, Microsoft Edge, and the Xbox app. The Yoga also includes the Lenovo Vantage app, where you can see all of your device's specs, adjust your settings, check for updates, and access troubleshooting guides.

The Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16 is covered by Lenovo's standard one-year warranty for parts and labor, which you can extend or upgrade through Lenovo Premium Care Plus.

Bottom line

I wanted to love the Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16, especially after its graphics performance and audio quality proved to be much better than I expected. Unfortunately, the display quality is so poor it's hard to overlook, even at the Yoga's relatively affordable price.

The 2-in-1 form factor and spacious 16-inch display would otherwise make the Yoga perfect for creative tasks, gaming, and watching movies, but all of those rely on a high-quality display, counteracting what would otherwise be great selling points for the Yoga. Unfortunately, the display is so underwhelming that I'd only suggest you pick up this laptop if you can find it at a good discount during a sale or if display quality isn't a concern for you.

Aside from the display, the Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16 delivers pretty good value for your money with plenty of performance for students and casual users. The battery life is enough to get through a full day of school or work, and the integrated graphics can handle some lightweight gaming in your downtime. If the display were better, the Yoga would be a no-brainer. You may want to consider one of the best 2-in-1 laptops instead, though.

For a whopping $3,249 (yes, that’s competitive in this market [insert cry GIF here]), the Alienware 16 Area-51 packs a punch with its Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX and Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080, supported by a bright 16-inch display, a punchy mechanical keyboard, and solid audio.

While its flaws are limited, they’re still flaws. The battery life could be better, the display could be OLED, and the touchpad isn’t tall enough. However, its pros make a strong case for the Alienware 16 Area-51 as one of the best gaming laptops, and it looks like a straight-up spaceship. But let’s see if it’s right for you.

Alienware 16 Area-51 (RTX 5080): Specs and benchmarks

Alienware 16 Area-51 (RTX 5080): Price and configurations

Forget about a new car; you need that down payment for the Alienware 16 Area-51. The model we reviewed costs $3,249 and is outfitted with an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 16GB GPU, 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, a 16-inch, 2560 x 1600, 240Hz, LED display, and CherryMX mechanical keyboard.

You can start at $2,849, dropping to an RTX 5070 Ti, upgrading to a 2TB SSD, and ditching the mechanical keyboard. However, I don’t recommend this model. If you’re already paying close to $3K, you might as well get the better-performing RTX 5080.

There’s also the RTX 5090 model, which costs $3,649. It also comes with 64GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD.

The biggest issue I have with the configurations is that there are no display options outside of upgrading the webcam (which costs the same price between them, so you should get the 4K model). It would have been nice to see an OLED variant, especially since the color in this LED panel is lacking (but I’ll delve into that more later).

Overall, the Alienware 16 Area-51 is expensive, but surprisingly, it’s more affordable than other RTX 50 series gaming laptops we’ve seen on the market.

Alienware 16 Area-51 (RTX 5080): Design

I am in love with this design. It’s been said before, even I have said it, but damn does this thing look like it’s about to blast the thrusters and head to outer space. From the curved edges to the sci-fi-esque vents, the Alienware 16 Area-51 stays true to its namesake.

I’ll admit, however, I’m not a fan of the Liquid Teal color; it just doesn’t look nice. I would’ve preferred white or another lighter color. Despite that, the black on the hinge contrasts quite well with it, and opening up the lid activates the RGB light bar embedded within the hinge, producing an aurora-esque diffused light. It looks pretty sick. (The Alienware logo lights up, too.)

The interior gives off a similar vibe thanks to the numerous vents surrounding the keyboard, not to mention the RGB lighting in the keyboard, touchpad, and fans at the top of the deck. It’s straight up Christmas in here. The bezels on the display are relatively thin, with the webcam on top, but I’m disappointed that there isn’t a privacy shutter.

Another slick design feature is the underside — it features a glass window into the internals with the RGB-lit fans.

Despite the Alienware 16 Area-51 resembling a spaceship, it’s tough to call it portable at 7.13 pounds and 14.37 x 11.41 x 0.85~1.12 inches. Here’s how it compares:

• HP Omen Max 16: 5.92 pounds, 14.04 x 10.59 x 0.9~0.98 inches
• Razer Blade 16 (2025): 4.6 pounds, 13.98 x 9.86 x 0.59~0.69 inches
• Gigabyte Aorus Master 16 (RTX 5080): 5.5 pounds, 14.05 x 10 x 0.91~1.18 inches

Alienware 16 Area-51 (RTX 5080): Ports

To maintain its spaceship aesthetic, most of the ports on the Alienware 16 Area-51 are located on the back, with the exception of the SD card slot and headphone jack on the left. Overall, you should have everything you need here.

• 2x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps)
• 1x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps)
• 2x Thunderbolt 5 ports (for configurations with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti and above)
• 1x HDMI 2.1
• 1x SD-card slot
• 1x 3.5mm headphone jack

If you really need more ports, check out our best USB Type-C hubs and best laptop docking stations pages.

Alienware 16 Area-51 (RTX 5080): Battery life

I didn’t expect the Alienware 16 Area-51 to offer great battery life, considering how much of a chunky monkey it is, but I’m still a bit disappointed.

On the Laptop Mag battery test, which sets the laptop to continuously surf the web over Wi-Fi at 150 nits of brightness, the Alienware 16 Area-51 lasted 4 hours and 10 minutes. That’s not bad per se, but the Aorus Master lasted a whole hour longer, and the Razer Blade lasted over three hours longer.

There’s a similar trend on the PCMark 10 Gaming battery life test, where the Area-51 lasted 1 hour and 50 minutes, while the Razer Blade and Aorus Master lasted 40 to 60 minutes longer, respectively.

Alienware 16 Area-51 (RTX 5080): Display

Displays designed for video games are precious to me, and if I’m paying over $3K for a gaming laptop, it better be pretty. Unfortunately, the Alienware 16 Area-51’s 16-inch, 2560 x 1600, 240Hz, LED display falls a bit short. It’s plenty bright, more than its competition, and nearly as bright as the M4 MacBook Pros. However, the color is severely lacking for the price, and that’s likely due to the LED panel, whereas its top rivals use OLED.

I hopped into an expedition in Elden Ring Nightreign and bodied those nightmare Flame Chariots. While their flames were bright, and everything looked lively, the lack of boldness took me out of it a little. I think the issue is that the LED panel feels like I’m looking at a screen, whereas OLED feels like looking through a window. I’ll say this, however: I didn’t have any trouble navigating the shadowy mines.

I watched the trailer for the currently bombing Lilo & Stitch film, and the night shots were clear, which is nice because I didn’t need to squint. And although the day shots were really bright, those Hawaiian waters didn’t look as bold as I wanted them to.

According to our colorimeter, the Area-51 doesn’t meet the 100% DCI-P3 color coverage that Dell claims it does (falling to 81.6%). However, it does break its claimed 500-nit display brightness.

Alienware 16 Area-51 (RTX 5080): Keyboard and touchpad

Nothing is more satisfying than a mechanical keyboard in a gaming laptop. It still feels like a dream that laptops like the Alienware 16 Area-51 are rocking a CherryMX mechanical keyboard. This baby is clicky and punchy; bodying fools in Marvel Rivals felt as smooth as ever.

I knocked out 83 words per minute on the 10fastfingers.com typing test, which is above my usual 81-wpm average. Moving to each key felt effortless, thanks to that mechanical bounce.

The 4.4 x 2.5-inch touchpad is not only colorful, but it's also glass, so it’s silky smooth to the touch. It also features a mid-depth, sharp click, which is satisfying to navigate with. My only gripe is that I wish the touchpad were taller because it makes it more challenging to select a wide area.

Alienware 16 Area-51 (RTX 5080): Audio

With two tweeters (treble) and two woofers (bass), the Alienware 16 Area-51’s top and bottom-firing speakers made me feel like I jumped right into the thick of combat. Although the music performance could have been better.

Dashing across Limveld in Nightreign, oppressive but present strings played in the background while the Depraved Perfumer tried to murder me. I dodged and sliced through them, and got that satisfying slash sound effect when I made impact. When I popped my ultimate ability off, it sounded a bit more muted than I would’ve liked, but the overall environmental sound effects played well together. It got occasionally muddy when larger bosses started chomping at me.

Jumping into my long-lasting hyperfixation, I listened to “Wouldn’t You Like” from Epic: The Musical. The stringed instruments sounded gentle and full, and when Hermes came in, I enjoyed his soft vocals, but I realized they were maybe a bit too soft. The vocals didn’t hit the crispness I expected. While I could distinguish most of the instruments from one another, there was some muddiness, and the percussion got snuffed a bit.

But overall, it’s a strong set of speakers compared with the mediocrity we usually find in even the most expensive gaming laptops. You adjust the audio via Dolby Access, with presets for Game (which I used for gaming), Music (used for music), Movie, Voice, and Dynamic (which I experimented with but wasn’t a fan of).

Alienware 16 Area-51 (RTX 5080): Gaming and graphics

Packed into the Area-51’s thick chassis is the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 GPU with 16GB of VRAM. This monster doesn't need to worry about slimming down for portability’s sake, so it even crushes RTX 5090 gaming laptops on some tests.

Trying our luck with the Gaping Jaw again, my comrades and I leapt into its chaotic purple lightning storms, and the Area-51 easily maxed out the cap at 60 frames per second on max settings at native resolution.

Up against the RTX 5080 in the Aorus Master and the RTX 5090 in the Razer Blade and Omen Max, the Area-51 either matched or took the crown on three major gaming benchmarks. So the Area-51 is better than the rest at playing Assassin's Creed Mirage, Black Myth: Wukong, and Far Cry 6.

While the Area-51 may not have taken the lead on the rest of the gaming benchmarks, it got pretty darn close across the board. You won't be disappointed with this level of performance. And keep in mind that our benchmarks don't account for DLSS 4, so if you want to get into multi-frame generation magic, you can expect a significant increase in frames.

Alienware 16 Area-51 (RTX 5080): Performance and heat

Don't think Alienware forgot about overall performance. The Area-51 is toting the Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor with 32GB of RAM, and it's one heck of a powerhouse. It didn't flinch when I opened a couple dozen Google Chrome tabs and a handful of YouTube videos while Nightreign downloaded in the background.

The Alienware 16 Area-51 absolutely dominated its competition on the Geekbench 6 overall performance test and our HandBrake benchmark, which requires it to transcode a 4K video to 1080p.

However, the Area-51 lagged a bit behind on SSD speeds, coming in third on our 25GB file transfer test, but since it’s above 1 GBps, it should be good for most things.

Now, even though the Area-51 is rocking fans all over the place, it still gets a bit spicy while gaming. We clocked it at 118.7 degrees Fahrenheit between the F8 and F9 keys, which is way above our 95-degree comfort threshold. Yet, it might be safe to sit it in your lap. How? The underside only reached 93.1 degrees. However, I’d proceed with caution since the underside features a glass window, which might burn if it gets too hot.

Alienware 16 Area-51 (RTX 5080): AI features

With an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, the Area-51 supports an NPU with 13 peak TOPS (trillion operations per second). With that, you can access your usual Copilot software, like Windows Studio Effects, Cocreate, and Live Captions. Apart from potential performance gain, there isn’t any Dell or Alienware-branded software with unique AI capabilities.

Alienware 16 Area-51 (RTX 5080): Webcam

Like most laptop webcams, even the Alienware 16 Area-51’s 4K shooter isn’t great.

Despite that, the webcam handles colors decently well. My blue shirt and the ensemble of colorful outfits of the My Hero Academia crew behind me popped in the image. However, its resolution didn’t keep my face and hair from looking fuzzy. And the poor contrast overexposed the window and ceiling. If you plan on streaming, I recommend checking out one of the best webcams.

Alienware 16 Area-51 (RTX 5080): Software and warranty

The software you’ll be using the most will be the Alienware Command Center, which features settings for performance, keyboard and chassis lighting, game aggregation, and a quick link to the Dolby Access app. There’s also Dell SupportAssist, which handles your drivers, hardware scans, and warranty.

The Area-51 comes with a one-year limited warranty.

Bottom line

The Alienware 16 Area-51 is a near-perfect gaming laptop, boasting incredible performance, a bright 16-inch display, a great keyboard, strong speakers, and a beautiful design. But its display can’t beat OLED, and we’ve seen much better battery life numbers elsewhere.

A gaming laptop that supports both an OLED panel and significantly better battery life is the Razer Blade 16, although you’ll need to pay about $1,000 more to get it.

I’ll pray to Cthulhu for an OLED variant of the Alienware 16 Area-51 in the future, although right now, this gaming laptop is easily one of the best we’ve seen this year, and its price point makes it all the more compelling.

Starting at just $799, this is a budget-friendly 2-in-1 with a roomy 16-inch display, great for watching movies or even some casual gaming. While it could have performed better in some areas, the Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 isn't a bad deal at all, at least at first glance. It's when you dig a little deeper that a major flaw appears, one that will be a deal breaker for many users: disappointing battery life.

If you're looking for a budget-friendly 16-inch laptop, you may want to start your search with the best 16-inch laptops or the best 2-in-1 laptops. The Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 might seem like a good deal at first, but there are a few things you should know about it before buying.

Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 (DB06250): Specs (as reviewed)

Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 (DB06250): Price and configurations

The Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 is available in three configurations, starting at $799. The base configuration includes an Intel Core Ultra 5 226V processor, Intel Arc integrated graphics, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage.

The next configuration up, which is the one we tested, costs $1,199 and includes an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor, Intel Arc 140V integrated graphics, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage. The third configuration includes all the same specs, except it ships with Windows 11 Pro instead of Windows 11 Home, which increases the price to $1,299.

The second configuration will be the best fit for most people. Unless you're specifically buying a laptop for work, you don't need to spend the extra $100 for Windows 11 Pro. However, spending a few hundred to get twice as much RAM and storage compared to the base model is a good idea if you can afford it.

Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 (DB06250): Design

Dell went with a basic, straightforward design for the 16 Plus 2-in-1. The chassis is a dark, metallic blue that's almost black, with a glossy Dell logo in the center of the lid. The keyboard is a dark gray with a thin, minimal font.

Since this is a 16-inch laptop, you get a very roomy keyboard and touchpad, including a function row and number pad. While the power button is part of the keyboard, I appreciate that it is relatively isolated in the top right corner and feels distinctly different from the other keys, making it less likely you'll hit it by accident while you're typing.

This is a 2-in-1, so you can flip the display all the way around to use it in tablet mode. However, I noticed that the hinges are pretty stiff, which is preferable to weak hinges on a 2-in-1, but you may need to apply a bit more pressure to flip the display all the way back.

One unfortunate trade-off with the Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 is its somewhat bulky design. 16-inch laptops aren't the most portable in general (if that's your top concern, a 14-inch is definitely the way to go), but the Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 is on the heavier side, even compared to similar laptops. It measures 14.05 x 9.87 x 0.67 inches and weighs 4.52 pounds. That's over half a pound heavier than similarly-sized laptops:

• Asus Vivobook 16 Flip (TP3607): 13.98 x 9.62 x 0.69 inches, 3.9 pounds
• Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 16 (2025): 14.21 x 10.12 x 0.67 inches, 3.96 pounds
• MacBook Air M4 (15-inch): 13.4 x 9.35 x 0.45 inches, 3.3 pounds

Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 (DB06250): Ports

The Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 is somewhat sparse on ports but has the basics most people need:

• 1x HDMI 2.1
• 1x USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4
• 1x USB Type-C
• 1x USB Type-A
• 1x 3.5mm headphone jack

Those ports might be enough for casual users, but if you have multiple accessories you like to use with your laptop, I suggest pairing the Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 with one of the best laptop docking stations or a USB Type-C hub. Keep in mind, one of the USB Type-C ports on this laptop doubles as the charging port.

Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 (DB06250): Battery life

Battery life is the biggest weakness of the Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1. It severely underperformed on our battery life test compared to similar laptops, lasting just 7 hours and 37 minutes. That's less than a full day at work or school, which is a huge disappointment.

That weak battery life combined with a somewhat bulky design make it difficult to recommend the Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 to commuters or anyone who travels frequently with their laptop. You'll need to lug around the charger, too, since this laptop is not going to last all day.

Meanwhile, the Asus Vivobook 16 Flip and the Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1, both similarly priced 16-inch laptops, lasted 5 to 6 hours longer than the Dell. If battery is a top priority for you, either of these laptops would be a better choice.

Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 (DB06250): Display

The display on the Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 is good for the price. It's a 16-inch, 2560 x 1600, Mini-LED touch display that's reasonably sharp and bright. It's not as good as OLED, but it's better than a typical LCD in this price range. Colors are vivid and accurate, with decent contrast, and text is perfectly legible.

I watched a couple of episodes of Lost Cities with Albert Lin on the Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1, and it displayed National Geographic's sprawling vistas and sharp close-up shots with good depth, detail, and contrast. The display gets pretty bright, too — I never had to crank it up past the halfway mark.

While I usually prefer 14-inch laptops over 16-inch ones, I must admit that the larger display is great for watching shows and movies. If you mainly want a laptop for entertainment and casual use, the Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 could be a good fit.

The only thing I dislike about the display is its high reflectivity. In dark scenes or with dark mode on, I could easily see my own reflection on the screen, which is very distracting. Here's how it stacks up against the competition in our display benchmarks:

Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 (DB06250): Keyboard and touchpad

The Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 features a full-size keyboard with a function row and number pad, which is a huge bonus for anyone who relies on macros or often uses their laptop for productivity tasks.

The keyboard is roomy, snappy, and responsive. On the Monkeytype typing test, I scored 92 words per minute with 95% accuracy, which is a bit lower than normal for me, but still decent.

I have a love-hate relationship with the touchpad on the Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1. On one hand, it's huge, measuring 5.2 x 3.5 inches. Unfortunately, clicking feels mushy and dull, with little travel or feedback. You can always connect a wireless mouse to resolve that issue, but that could use up one of the few ports on the Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1.

Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 (DB06250): Audio

The speakers on the Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 sound surprisingly good. Of course, they're not going to compete with high-end audio gear, but they sound better than I expected for the price.

The atmospheric guitar rhythms of Girl in Red's "We Fell in Love in October" were smooth, crisp, and surprisingly clear, considering the Dell's speakers are bottom-firing. The vocals came through with good depth and clarity without needing to crank the volume up above 40.

Dialogue sounds good, as well. I could hear every line in Lost Cities With Albert Lin with perfect clarity and no noticeable distortion or muddiness.

Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 (DB06250): Performance and heat

The Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor that's able to keep up well with casual daily tasks like web browsing and word processing. It doesn't have any trouble managing a plethora of browser tabs, and multitasks fairly well. I didn't notice any significant lag or long loading times during my daily use.

However, if you're a power user, you'll run into the limitations of this laptop. It scored 11,152 on the Geekbench 6 benchmark, which is on par with other laptops with this CPU, but on the lower end compared to what you can get in this price range.

For instance, the similarly priced MacBook Air M4 (15-inch) scored significantly higher at 14,921. Of course, it isn't a 2-in-1, so if tablet mode is a must-have, the MacBook might not be an option for you. The same goes for dedicated Windows users.

While I would have liked to see higher performance scores from the Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1, it's not bad considering the specs you're getting for the price (32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage). The performance you'll get here is more than enough for casual users or lightweight tasks for school and work.

Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 (DB06250): Gaming and graphics

I was surprised to see how well the Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 handled gaming, considering it's running on Intel Arc 140V 16GB integrated graphics. To be clear, it's no gaming laptop. However, if you're looking for a budget-friendly 16-inch laptop that can do some casual gaming on the side, the Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 might be a good pick.

It averaged 58 fps in Sid Meier's Civilization VI: Gathering Storm and scored 9,177 on the 3DMark Fire Strike graphics benchmark, putting the Dell ahead of all of its rivals nearly across the board. It even outscored the MacBook Air M4 in Civilization VI.

If you just want to play casual games like Fortnite or lightweight indie titles, the Dell should be able to keep up just fine, especially if you're willing to lower your graphics settings. But as we’ve tested, the Intel Arc 140V can’t handle games like Elden Ring Nightreign.

Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 (DB06250): AI features

The Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 is a Copilot+ PC, so it comes with Microsoft's Copilot AI assistant pre-installed, along with a dedicated Copilot key for accessing it. If you're not interested in using AI, you can ignore Copilot and use this like any other Windows 11 laptop, although there are a few features that could be helpful.

For instance, Windows Studio Effects uses AI to improve webcam quality and apply effects like blurring your background, which can come in handy if you're often in video meetings. Copilot can also generate text and images from the Copilot app. You can use Copilot to generate live captions of video and audio content, as well.

Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 (DB06250): Webcam

Laptop webcams are frequently underwhelming, but even by my low expectations, the camera quality on the Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 is quite poor. It's visibly grainy and blurry, even in good lighting. It’s a 1080p sensor, but it definitely didn’t look like 1080p in my test video.

On the other hand, the microphone was surprisingly decent. If you use this laptop for video calls, the other participants will have a hard time seeing you, but at least they'll be able to hear you well. The mic captured my voice with decent depth and clarity and little to no distortion. With that said, you'll probably want to pair it with one of the best webcams.

Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 (DB06250): Software and warranty

The Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 comes with Windows 11 Home (or Windows 11 Pro for an additional $100) and includes the standard suite of pre-installed apps like Microsoft Edge, the Microsoft Store, and the Copilot app. It also includes Dell Optimizer, where you can view and, as the name suggests, optimize all of your system settings like battery life and thermal management.

The Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 is protected by Dell's standard 1-year hardware warranty.

Bottom line

The Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 has some strengths, including its display quality and surprisingly solid gaming performance. However, its extremely poor battery life, combined with merely acceptable daily performance and a heavy chassis, make it difficult to recommend for most people in this competitive price range.

With less than 8 hours of battery life, you won't be able to get through a full day of work or school without hauling around a charger with you. That's a significant letdown, considering there are other 16-inch 2-in-1 laptops available for around the same price that offer significantly longer battery life.

If battery life isn't a top concern for you, the Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 may still be worth considering. The 16-inch display is vivid and bright, making this a good pick if you mainly use your laptop for entertainment. It can handle casual gaming better than expected, considering its price, so this may also be a good option if you're shopping for a budget-friendly laptop and want to play some lightweight games.

It's not a bad laptop, and if you can find our upgraded configuration for under $1,000 on sale, that is worth stronger consideration, but it's not destined for a spot among the best 16-inch laptops or best 2-in-1 laptops. If that's what you're in the market for, consider some of our recommended alternatives.

This mini PC has some advantages over a laptop, like the ability to freely upgrade or swap out your storage and memory, but it's much more compact than a regular desktop. It's far from perfect, though, especially when you factor in the price.

Mini PCs don't need to minimize performance to squeeze into a small chassis. Some can offer great value for your money, which is why you should probably take a closer look before choosing the Asus NUC 14 Pro.

Asus NUC 14 Pro: Specs and benchmarks

Asus NUC 14 Pro: Price and configurations

The Asus NUC 14 Pro is available in several configurations starting at $379. The base configuration is a "barebones" unit that includes an Intel Core 3 100U, but requires you to supply your own RAM and storage.

The next configuration, priced at $799, includes an Intel Core Ultra 5 125H, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. You can also choose from a Core Ultra 5 135H, a Core Ultra 7 155H, and a Core Ultra 7 165H. Additionally, you can opt for either the tall or slim chassis, with the slim model being the more expensive option.

Our review unit costs $999 and includes an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage.

It's worth noting that our sister site, Tom's Guide, reviewed the Asus NUC 14 Pro, as well, but tested a different configuration including the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. That configuration performed significantly better on our tests, so we've included results for both configurations in this review. While the exact configuration tested in that review is currently unavailable, other configurations with the same processor are, in case you decide to go with the Core Ultra 165H model over the less powerful Core Ultra 155H.

Asus NUC 14 Pro: Design

The Asus NUC 14 Pro is an ideal mini PC for bringing to the office thanks to its discrete, matte-black design. It's compact and minimalistic, perfect for anyone who wants a PC that isn't going to take up too much space or look like a distracting desk accessory.

Like most mini PCs, the NUC 14 Pro sports a cube design with a few USB ports on the front, an array of display and power ports on the back, and vents along one side. You can pop open the case from the bottom if you want to swap out any of the parts (or add your own, such as an additional SSD card). If you're used to using a laptop, this is one of the best benefits of a mini PC.

Unlike most laptops, you can usually swap out certain components in mini PCs or expand your storage. The NUC 14 Pro has two PCIe M.2 slots for SSD storage, space for an additional SSD or HDD SATA storage drive, and up to two DDR5 RAM sticks.

That means that you can add an additional M.2 SSD storage stick (assuming you get a configuration that includes storage, not the barebones model), along with a larger SATA storage drive, and you can increase your PC's memory. So, depending on your needs, you may be able to save money by choosing a configuration with less memory or storage and adding your own down the line.

Similarly, if you already have an SSD or HDD drive from another PC with data on it you want to maintain access to, you can simply add it to the NUC 14 Pro (although you will likely want to opt for the "tall" chassis option to get the most interior space).

Our configuration with the "tall" chassis is still fairly compact, small enough to pick up in one hand. It measures 4.6 x 4.41 x 2.13 inches and weighs just 1.32 pounds. Here's how that compares to a few other mini PCs:

• Geekom AX8 Pro AI: 4.61 x 4.37 x 1.52 inches, 1.23 pounds
• AceMagic F2A AI: 5.79 x 5.79 x 2.05 inches, 4.58 pounds
• Apple Mac Mini (M4, 2024): 5 x 5 x 2 inches, 1.5 pounds

Asus NUC 14 Pro: Ports

Asus didn't skimp out on the ports on the NUC 14 Pro. It offers most of the ports the average user needs, including two HDMI ports to support dual-monitor setups.

• 3x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 2 (two on front, one on back)
• 1x USB Type-A 2.0 (back)
• 1x USB Type-C 3.2 (front)
• 2x USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4 (back)
• 2x HDMI 2.1 (back)
• 1x 2.5G Ethernet (back)
• 1x DC power (back)

Those ports were more than enough for me, although it's worth noting the NUC 14 Pro lacks DisplayPort support. Virtually all monitors have an HDMI port, as well, so that shouldn't be a problem for most users but may be a bit of a letdown for some who want the best possible performance from a high-end monitor.

Asus NUC 14 Pro: Performance and heat

The Asus NUC 14 Pro is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor. While I've generally had a good experience with this CPU in laptops featuring it, the NUC 14 Pro didn't quite live up to my expectations, even compared to other mini PCs.

The NUC 14 Pro scored 9,942 on the Geekbench 6 benchmark, which is notably lower than other mini PCs at a similar price (or less). For instance, the Geekom AX8 Pro AI scored 12,972 on the same test, but costs hundreds of dollars less. Even compared to other PCs with the same Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor, this score is low — the Acemagic F2A mini PC scored 11,170 on Geekbench 6 (and also costs over $100 less).

While you can get better performance for the price, the NUC 14 Pro may still offer enough power for some users. In my hands-on testing, it handled basic daily tasks fine, like web browsing and word processing. If you're just looking for a PC for lightweight tasks, like everyday productivity apps, this configuration will probably work just fine.

However, I'd recommend considering a different configuration if you want to go with the NUC 14 Pro. By opting for the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H configuration, you get much more bang for your buck at around the same price (potentially less if you're up for installing your own RAM and storage).

The Core Ultra 7 165H version of the Asus NUC 14 Pro performed much better, scoring 12,368 on the Geekbench 6 benchmark and outscoring the Geekom AX8 Pro and Acemagic F2A in other key performance tests. It's a major step up in terms of the performance you're getting for your money compared to the Core Ultra 7 155H configuration we reviewed.

Laptop: Gaming and graphics

The Asus NUC 14 Pro isn't a gaming PC, so it won't come as a surprise that it relies on Intel Arc integrated graphics and does not have a discrete GPU. If you're looking for a PC specifically for gaming, you would be better served with one of the best gaming laptops or even one of the best handheld gaming PCs if you're looking for something more affordable.

With that said, you may still be able to run some lightweight, older, or indie games on the NUC 14 Pro (just don't expect RTX 5090-level performance). The NUC 14 Pro was able to run Sid Meier's Civilization VI: Gathering Storm in 1080p at just under 30 fps, which might not look ideal but will get the job done. You can always lower your graphics settings to squeeze out a few more frames.

It's worth noting, though, that other mini PCs performed a bit better in our gaming tests than the NUC 14 Pro. If you're looking for a mini PC but want to be able to do some casual gaming on the side, the Geekom AX8 Pro AI is a better choice.

It costs less and delivers significantly stronger gaming performance, averaging 58 fps in Civilization VI, nearly double what the NUC 14 Pro managed. It's still not on par with a fully-fledged gaming PC, but certainly better value for your money.

Asus NUC 14 Pro: Software and warranty

The Asus NUC 14 Pro includes Windows 11 Home unless you purchase the barebones configuration, which doesn't include an operating system (but is compatible with Windows 11, ChromeOS, and Linux).

Assuming you get a complete configuration with Windows 11, it also includes a basic suite of apps like Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Copilot, the Xbox app, and the Microsoft Store. Asus provides a 3-year manufacturer warranty, as well.

Bottom line

The Asus NUC 14 Pro is a solid mini PC, but delivers underwhelming performance for the price, at least for the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H configuration. At $999, it's simply not a good deal compared to other mini PCs and even other configurations of the NUC 14 Pro, namely the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H version.

If you're searching for a mini PC that offers good value for your money, the Geekom AX8 Pro AI or the Mac Mini M4 are both great options that cost hundreds of dollars less than the Asus NUC 14 Pro. Both significantly outscored the NUC 14 Pro across the board, especially in terms of graphics performance.

The Asus NUC 14 Pro may be powerful enough for casual users or basic everyday tasks, but you should probably wait until it goes on sale or choose the Intel Core Ultra 7 165H configuration instead.

Well, it certainly made a great first impression. Opening up the ThinkPad X9-15 Gen 1 revealed a drop-dead gorgeous display. Navigating around with the haptic touchpad felt great, and then finally playing some tunes hooked me into this lovely multimedia device. For business users, you’re going to enjoy this for two workdays in a row before you have to plug it in.

Despite that, the price-to-performance ratio is egregious. While that’s to be expected for a business laptop, it’s worse that you cannot configure the ThinkPad beyond an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor. I also have some minor complaints about the keyboard, but the performance is tough to get over.

However, if you’re someone who doesn’t plan on lifting heavy workloads onto your laptop, then the Lenovo ThinkPad X9-15 Gen 1 Aura Edition could be a great choice for you. And regardless of its flaws, it may even make an appearance on our best business laptops page. But before that, let’s see if the ThinkPad X9-15 is right for you.

Lenovo ThinkPad X9-15 Gen 1 Aura Edition: Specs and benchmarks

Lenovo ThinkPad X9-15 Gen 1 Aura Edition: Price and configurations

If you don’t know already, business laptop pricing is not intended for individual consumers, so I’d call none of the following options a good value. (But there are business laptops like the Asus ExpertBook P5, which are very well priced.)

The ThinkPad X9-15 Gen 1 that I reviewed costs $2,024 right now, and it’s outfitted with an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor, an Intel Arc 140V 16GB iGPU, 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a 15.3-inch, 2880 x 1800, 120Hz OLED touchscreen display.

The base model comes in at $1,345, dropping you to a Core Ultra 5 226V, 16GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, and a non-touch version of the display we have. If you really dig the ThinkPad X9-15 Gen 1, you can bump up to the $2,686 model, which includes the Core Ultra 7 268V CPU (that will give you much better performance, although still not worth the price).

If you’re looking for something cheaper, check out the best laptops under $1,000.

Lenovo ThinkPad X9-15 Gen 1 Aura Edition: Design

Could the ThinkPad X9-15 Gen 1 be more colorful? Yes. Is it still stylish anyway? Also yes. What distinguishes its dark gray chassis is the anodized aluminum texture and the lip where the webcam would be, which features a pill-shaped design accompanied by an “X9-15” logo.

Then there are the ports and underside, which jut out in a block, designed to make more room for heat management. It might sound goofy, but the whole chassis gives off a very machine-like look reminiscent of minimalist sci-fi films.

Meanwhile, the interior reinforces that minimalist look with a tight black keyboard in the center and a large touchpad just beneath it. There’s a webcam up top, but there’s no manual privacy shutter. There’s a kill switch on the keyboard, but nothing physical is happening to the camera, which doesn’t make me feel the most secure at a glance.

At 3.06 pounds and 13.37 x 9.0 x 0.27~0.7 inches, the ThinkPad X9-15 Gen 1 is hecka thin and light for a 15-inch laptop. Here’s how it compares to 15- and 14-inch competitors:

• MacBook Air 15-inch M4: 3.3 pounds, 13.4 x 9.35 x 0.45 inches
• HP EliteBook Ultra G1i AI: 2.6 pounds, 12.35 x 8.55 x 0.48 inches
• Lenovo ThinkPad X9-14 Gen 1 Aura Edition: 3 pounds, 12.28 x 8.35 x 0.51 inches

Lenovo ThinkPad X9-15 Gen 1 Aura Edition: Ports

For a business laptop, the ThinkPad X9-15 Gen 1 is missing a few ports I’d like to see, including a microSD card slot and an additional USB Type-A port. Since one USB Type-C port will be taken for charging, you don’t have too many connections. Despite that, you do get an HDMI port, which is a plus.

• 2 x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4, USB 40Gbps)
• USB-A (USB 10Gbps)
• Headphones / mic combo
• HDMI 2.1 (supports resolution up to 4K@60Hz

Need more ports? Check out our best USB Type-C hubs and best laptop docking stations pages.

Lenovo ThinkPad X9-15 Gen 1 Aura Edition: Battery life

While the new Intel chips were designed for efficiency in mind, we've had some hit-or-miss runtimes in the wave of laptops we've reviewed. Despite that, the ThinkPad X9-15 Gen 1 is on point.

On the Laptop Mag battery test, which programs it to continuously surf the web over Wi-Fi at 150 nits of brightness, the ThinkPad outlasted all its competition at 16 hours and 24 minutes, including its sibling (10:09).

Lenovo ThinkPad X9-15 Gen 1 Aura Edition: Security and durability

Like its sibling, the ThinkPad X9-15 Gen 1 features ThinkShield, a fancy term for Lenovo’s security solution across hardware and software. This includes a dTPM security chip, IR webcam for Windows Hello facial login, Intel Threat Detection, a webcam privacy e-shutter (F9), and a fingerprint reader in the power button (which we dislike).

It also earned its MIL-STD-810H certification after taking a beating from drops, vibrations, extreme temperatures, and more.

Lenovo ThinkPad X9-15 Gen 1 Aura Edition: Display

My eyes! The ThinkPad X9-15 is rocking a 15.3-inch, 2880 x 1800, 120Hz OLED touchscreen display that's just oozing with color, backed by strong brightness.

I watched the new Lilo & Stitch, and the dynamic duo practically jumped off the screen. They were so vibrant, from Stitch’s fuzzy blue fur and Lilo’s red flowery shit. The waters of Hawaii also looked so vivid that they brought me back to my first trip six years ago. Since it’s a glossy panel, there’s some glare, but it’s bright enough to combat most of it. And it’s also sharp enough to capture the details in Lilo’s hair.

The ThinkPad X9-15 is nearly as bright as the MacBook Air, and it’s more colorful than all of its competitors.

Lenovo ThinkPad X9-15 Gen 1 Aura Edition: Keyboard and touchpad

My fingers had a comfortable time typing away on the ThinkPad X9-15 Gen 1, but it isn’t anything more than decent. The keys are a bit mushy, but they’re also bouncy as well, so I’m a bit mixed on it.

At first, I walked away with a dismal 64 words per minute on the 10fastfingers.com typing, falling way below my 81-wpm average, but after a few tries, I got up to 84 wpm. The way the keys are curved at the bottom and more defined at the top definitely tripped me up since most laptop keyboards are flat. Overall, the keyboard works, but it might take some getting used to.

When I was first introduced to the haptic touchpad, I didn’t really know how I felt, but now I’m in love with them. They’re so smooth and offer a decent click when the haptics are maxed out. The ThinkPad X9-15’s 5.3 x 3.1-inch touchpad is no exception.

Lenovo ThinkPad X9-15 Gen 1 Aura Edition: Audio

It’s not often I compliment a set of bottom-firing speakers, but the ThinkPad X9-15 Gen 1’s got some bangin’ audio.

I listened to “Dangerous” from Epic: The Musical and immediately started vibing to the acoustic guitar and vocals, which produced a bright and crisp sound. Even the background synths were present, sitting just behind the vocals. The percussion didn’t get a whole lot of bass to back it up, but it had enough to support the song. Most importantly, all of the instruments were distinguishable from one another.

You can adjust the audio with the Dolby Access app, which features the presets: Dynamic, Movie, Music, Voice, and Gaming. There are also three custom presets where you can manually adjust the EQ.

Lenovo ThinkPad X9-15 Gen 1 Aura Edition: Performance and heat

Despite its price, you’re not getting the best specs you could for your money, leaving you with the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V and 32GB of RAM. It’s more than enough for light browsing and the primordial domain of spreadsheets you might find yourself in. And I’m speaking from experience, juggling a couple dozen Google Chrome tabs and a handful of YouTube videos with little slowdown.

Ironically, the ThinkPad X9-15 Gen 1 performed the second best in the Geekbench 6 overall performance test and our HandBrake benchmark. But, unfortunately, that’s not quite the victory we’d want it to be. You see, the EliteBook Ultra is rocking an Intel Core Ultra 7 268V while the X9-14 features an Intel Core Ultra 5 226V.

The power hierarchy between these laptops is so confusing. The problem is that the EliteBook Ultra is supposed to be stronger than the ThinkPad X9-15, but it’s not. And the X9-14 isn’t even all that much weaker than either laptop.

That means no matter what processor you configure the ThinkPad X9-15 with, you’re going to get shortchanged on performance, which is not a good look on an absurdly priced business laptop. Meanwhile, the (ironically) significantly cheaper MacBook Air’s M4 surpassed all three laptops by a wide margin.

Despite that, the ThinkPad’s 1TB SSD is quite fast, clocking a transfer rate of 1,677 megabytes per second. That’s faster than the Windows-based competition.

At the very least, since this is a light performer, you won’t have to deal with a ridiculous amount of heat. The hottest it got was actually on the keyboard, between the F9 and F10 keys, coming in at 92.9 degrees Fahrenheit, which is safely below our 95-degree comfort threshold.

Lenovo ThinkPad X9-15 Gen 1 Aura Edition: Gaming and graphics

If you want to hop on a few matches of your favorite competitive game after work, the ThinkPad X9-15 Gen 1’s Intel Arc 140V 16GB iGPU might be able to serve your needs. Don’t expect to play the latest AAA games at max settings, but you might be able to get away with a few big titles at the lowest settings.

Jumping into the latest Sid Meier’s Civilization VII, we saw an average of 66 frames per second on Medium, 1080p settings, and 38 fps on High settings. Anything above 30 fps is playable, so you can most certainly game on the ThinkPad X9-15. In fact, the ThinkPad does it better than the rest of its competitors.

Lenovo ThinkPad X9-15 Gen 1 Aura Edition: AI features

As with any new laptop in the modern era, we’ve got to talk about AI. The ThinkPad X9-15 Gen 1’s Intel Core Ultra 7 258V CPU features an NPU, so it’s capable of handling any AI processes natively. However, the only real use you’ll get out of this out of the box is Copilot. You’ll get features like Recall, Live Captions, and Cocreator.

Lenovo ThinkPad X9-15 Gen 1 Aura Edition: Webcam

This is one of those rare moments when I don’t completely tear apart a laptop webcam. The ThinkPad X9-15’s 4K IR webcam might not be perfect, but it’s decent.

It captured the bright and dark colors of The Witcher 3 poster behind me, as well as the rose color in my cheeks. It’s sharp enough to capture the thin dots of post-shave stubble on my face. However, it doesn’t handle contrast all that well, as the window and ceiling behind me were overexposed white sheets of paper. I don’t think it’s necessary to get one of the best webcams unless you’re frequently in very bright spaces.

Lenovo ThinkPad X9-15 Gen 1 Aura Edition: Software and warranty

You get the same software you would with any Windows device with the addition of Lenovo-branded software like Lenovo Commercial Vantage, which features device settings and details, Wi-Fi security settings, hardware scans, and warranty information.

The ThinkPad X9-15 comes with a one-year limited warranty.

Bottom line

There’s a lot to love about the Lenovo ThinkPad X9-15 Gen 1 Aura Edition. It practically cast a siren song upon me between its beautiful OLED display and its punchy speaker system. The battery life and sturdy chassis are also great. The problem is: Performance.

If you need a high-performing business laptop, especially for a price that warrants it, then you’re much better off going with the MacBook Air 15-inch M4. It’s faster, supports nearly as much battery life, and it gives you access to the whole macOS suite of apps.

However, if you need a Windows device that supports a stunning OLED display, none of the competitors can keep up with the Lenovo ThinkPad X9-15 Gen 1 Aura Edition.

So, I tried to temper my expectations of the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 (Intel) convertible. After all, it’s got very similar specs to the clamshell Dell 14 Plus, though there are some obvious differences in design and construction to fit that convertible form factor. Much like the clamshell edition, the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 offers great battery life and solid performance and comes at an incredibly reasonable price. But it similarly suffers from a dull display and poor audio quality.

That's a high hurdle to clear if you aspire to be one of the best 2-in-1 laptops, but no laptop is truly perfect.

Let’s find out if the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 is among the best Dell laptops.

Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 (Intel): Specs and benchmarks

Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 (Intel): Price and configurations

The Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 starts at $999 for an Intel Core Ultra 5 226V processor with 16GB of memory, a 512GB SSD, and a 14-inch, 1920 x 1200, touchscreen display.

Upgrading to the more powerful Intel Core Ultra 7 256V processor and a 1TB SSD will set you back just $100 more for a total of $1,099. This is our review spec, and is currently on sale for $979.

The highest configuration of Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 features an upgraded Intel Core Ultra 9 288V processor, 32GB of memory, a 1TB SSD, and 14-inch, 1920 x 1200, touchscreen display. This model retails for $1,479.

As far as 2-in-1 laptops go, the Dell 14 Plus is a pretty affordable machine, even when it isn’t on sale. Considering Intel’s Core Ultra 200V platform is a power-efficient chip, power users would be better off opting for the Core Ultra 7 or Core Ultra 9 configurations for added multitasking power.

Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 (Intel): Design

To say the new Dell designs underwhelm me would, perhaps, be under-selling it. While the Dell Inspiron line was always somewhat understated, it at least felt like a Dell.

The new Dell 14 Plus looks too basic for my taste, almost like a knock-off Apple chassis. But at least the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 still features some individuality, thanks to its ice blue colorway, wedge-shaped aluminum chassis, and sturdy 2-in-1 convertible hinges. Sure, the ice blue color reads as silver, but it's a cooler silver tone than some other laptops, which helps set the otherwise bland Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 apart. Like the Dell 14 Plus clamshell, the keyboard deck is rather minimalist, with a darker-toned keyboard, and a fingerprint reader and power button combo in the upper right corner.

The Dell 14 Plus measures 12.36 x 8.9 x 0.65 inches and weighs 3.42 pounds. This is a little heavier than some 2-in-1s, but not to a distracting degree, and it’ll still fit into any laptop bag. If you were wondering, here’s how the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 stacks up against its competition:

• Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition: 12.44 x 8.66 x 0.65 inches, 2.9 pounds
• MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo A2VM: 11.82 x 8.75 x 0.64 inches, 2.9 pounds
• Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7441: 12.36 x 8.81 x 0.58~0.67 inches, 3.71 pounds

Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 (Intel): Ports

The Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 features a pretty full port array that should cover most people’s needs:

• 1x Thunderbolt™ 4 (40 Gbps, DisplayPort 2.1, Power Delivery)
• 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (10 Gbps,DisplayPort 1.4, Power Delivery)
• 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (5 Gbps)
• 1x HDMI 2.1
• 1x Audio

If you still need additional connections, you may want to snag one of the best laptop docking stations or USB-C hubs.

Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 (Intel): Battery life

Intel’s Core Ultra 200V “Lunar Lake” chips are known to be very efficient, offering fantastic battery life. The Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 is no exception. During my average workday, I was easily able to get through hours of web surfing, photo editing, spreadsheet jenga, and word processing without draining the battery below 35%.

It was only while benchmarking the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 on battery life for a story that I had to break out the charger. But unless you’re going to be re-running a bunch of stress-test benchmarks for multiple hours straight, you’re unlikely to run into the same issue.

The Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 lasted an impressive 15 hours and 14 minutes on the Laptop Mag web surfing battery test. While we have seen more impressive battery life before, 15 hours on our battery test will get you through a full workday even when pushing a laptop’s performance, which is about all most people really need.

Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 (Intel): Display

Dell’s laptop displays have been rather disappointing to us lately, and unfortunately, the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 is no different. Much like the XPS 13s we saw last year, the 14-inch, 1920 x 1200, touchscreen panel on the Dell 14 Plus is dim and rather dull, displaying washed-out colors.

Watching the trailer for the John Wick spin-off, Ballerina, the super-saturated blue and orange colors that dominate the trailer were lifeless. The vibrant interior scenes of Ana de Armas training against a punching bag were almost as washed out as the snowy exterior sequences.

I got a much nicer-looking picture by setting Dell Optimizer to the “Movie” preset, which offered more vibrant colors, so the trailer looked less washed out. However, even in “Movie” mode, the Dell 14 Plus still wasn’t quite as vibrant as most displays we see. It was far more watchable than the default, though.

This is a serious drawback for a 2-in-1 since it makes the tent mode almost useless for watching movies or a TV show. You won’t want to use this display for your content binges unless you’re absolutely desperate.

Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 (Intel): Keyboard and touchpad

The Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 keyboard is the same as the clamshell, with a decent bounce to the keys and a well-spaced layout. The keys are a bit oversized, which can take some getting used to.

On the 10fastfingers.com advanced typing test, I averaged a typing speed of 84 words per minute (WPM) which is a bit shy of the 88 WPM I maintain on the MacBook Pro 14. I was a bit tripped up by the key size, but not so badly I wasn’t able to type.

Dell opted for a mylar touchpad on the Dell 14 Plus, which has a slightly rough feel to it. The touchpad also lacks haptics, instead relying on a shallow click, which is particularly unsatisfying. Clicking near the top of the touchpad seems to bend the chassis in a way that I find particularly disconcerting.

Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 (Intel): Audio

The dual speaker array on the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 is bottom-firing, so it’s got a decent bit of distortion.

I queued up “We Close Our Eyes” by Danny Elfman’s 80’s new wave rock outfit Oingo Boingo to test the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1’s audio system and I was immediately disappointed. The song features great depth between the synth melody and steady bassline, but the Dell 14 Plus flattened the sound out so it seemed hollow, and almost shrill on the high-notes. The volume was also not particularly impressive either.

We absolutely recommend a set of the best headphones if you’re going to be doing a lot of music streaming on the Dell 14 Plus.

Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 (Intel): Performance and heat

With an Intel Core Ultra 7 256V chipset, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD, the Dell 14 Plus is powerful enough to handle web surfing, light photo editing, email management, and even some spreadsheet jockeying. If you need to do a lot of multitasking, you may want to opt for the Intel Core Ultra 9 288V configuration, but most people will be perfectly fine with the Core Ultra 5 or Ultra 7 models.

I didn’t run into any hangups even with 20 Chrome research tabs open, including a few spreadsheets and multimedia pages. Adding Photoshop on top of that didn’t really slow the Dell down, either.

The Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 does get a little hot under pressure, hitting almost 98 degrees Fahrenheit on the underside after 15 minutes of video streaming. So if you’re going to be pushing the Dell’s performance you may want to make sure you rest it on a table rather than your lap.

Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 (Intel): Gaming and graphics

It’s the same graphics used for the MSI Claw 8 AI+, so you get some solid gaming power at 1080p and medium graphics presets.

I opted for Baldur’s Gate III for my game testing this time around, as BG3 is rather well optimized for lower-end hardware and isn’t the most graphically demanding title despite being rather gorgeous at higher graphics settings. I didn’t run into many CPU bottleneck hangups, even in large-scale encounters, and the game ran smoothly at the max 1200p resolution and Medium graphics. My framerates kept over 50 frames per second, more than meeting the minimum 30 fps standard for playability.

While the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 is not a gaming laptop, it’s not a bad choice if you plan to get some casual gaming done.

Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 (Intel): AI features

The Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 features an Intel Core Ultra 200V chipset which means it has a powerful enough NPU to enable the entire Copilot+ suite of applications like CoCreate, LiveCaptions, and Recall in addition to advanced Windows Studio Effects and the full version of Microsoft’s Copilot AI assistant.

You can also download Intel’s AI Playground if you’d rather utilize other AI models.

Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 (Intel): Webcam

Dell has packed an FHD camera into the slim bezels of the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 which is ideal for handling Windows Hello secure sign-in or the occasional video call.

The FHD webcam feed isn’t the clearest we’ve ever seen, but it is accurate enough to function for the occasional video call or virtual meeting. I did have a bit of a pink cast over my face with the internal webcam, but not a distracting degree.

If you plan to take a lot of video calls on the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1, you may want to invest in one of our best webcams for a better video feed.

Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 (Intel): Software and warranty

Dell offers both Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro installations on the Dell 14 Plus, though our review unit came with Windows 11 Home. This comes with some pre-installed Microsoft applications like Copilot, Microsoft Office 365, Windows MediaPlayer, and the Xbox app.

Dell has also pre-installed a number of its own proprietary applications like Dell Optimizer and Support Assist to get the most out of your Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1. Dell Optimizer can help optimize your display and thermal settings, while Dell Support Assist can help you troubleshoot any issues you might encounter.

Dell offers a one-year limited warranty with the Dell Plus 14 2-in-1.

Bottom line

If you’re looking for a convertible laptop that is the whole package, the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 is not that laptop.

If you’ve got the budget to spare, we’d recommend the Asus Vivobook 16 Flip or Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition instead. The Vivobook is just a bit pricier than the Dell 14 Plus and offers the more powerful Intel Core Ultra 7 258V chipset and a 16-inch OLED display. The Yoga 9i is far pricier but has a gorgeous OLED display that makes it fantastic for your next Netflix binge.

However, if you need to stick to a tight budget, the Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 is affordable and gives you great battery life and solid general performance. The Dell’s affordability does come at the expense of a vibrant display and quality audio, but if you want a 2-in-1 more for web surfing flexibility in tablet mode rather than for content streaming, it’s a decent choice. It’s just hard to recommend a convertible laptop that suffers from a poor display and poor audio.

Now, for $949 (on sale), my review configuration of the Dell 14 Plus does offer decent performance and long battery life packed into an aluminum fingerprint-proof chassis. However, the upgraded models don’t cost that much more and feature stronger CPUs. But regardless of performance, the Dell 14 Plus supports a poor display and audio experience, along with a shallow touchpad.

You can count the Dell 14 Plus out in the running for the best laptops or best 14-inch laptops, but I’m sure someone could make use of its higher configurations. Let’s see if it’s right for you.

Dell 14 Plus (2025): Specs and benchmarks

Dell 14 Plus: Price and configurations

I wouldn’t call the Dell 14 Plus a budget laptop, but it’s on the more affordable side of premium. The model I reviewed costs $1,099 (currently $949) and is outfitted with an Intel Core Ultra 7 256V processor, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a 14-inch, 2560 x 1600 non-touch display.

Okay, Dell’s system on its website is so confusing because if you go to the standard configuration list, you’ll find a $1,049 model with a 1200p touchscreen display (meanwhile, every other spec is similar to ours). But to get our configuration, you need to go to the custom order to find the better version with a 1600p display.

Now, you can step up to the $1,249 model (currently $1,049, so this is the one I’d get), which bumps you to the Ultra 7 258V CPU, 32GB of RAM, and a 14-inch, 2560 x 1600 non-touch display.

Even if this wasn't on sale, $200 more (from the base configuration) is a steal for a boost in performance, RAM, and display. If you're thinking about buying this laptop, get this configuration.

Finally, the last model upgrades you to an Ultra 9 288V CPU for $1,399.

I’m shocked that none of these models feature high-refresh-rate displays, which are commonplace among laptops in this price range.

Now, if you’re looking for something a little cheaper, I recommend looking at our best laptops under $1,000 or true bargain-basement options among the best laptops under $500.

Dell 14 Plus (2025): Design

I suppose a simple name deserves a simple design. The Dell 14 Plus features an aluminum chassis with an Ice Blue (this is silver, I don’t care what anyone says) colorway. The only feature on the lid is a glossy paint Dell logo. While the design seems uninspired, I’ll give credit to Dell; the chassis didn’t attract any of my fingerprints while I was using it.

The interior sports the same color while the keyboard is dressed in a darker gray, with the power button fingerprint reader combo situated in the top right corner. No one likes this power button placement at Laptop Mag. The bezels around the display are quite thin, leaving a thicker space at the top for the webcam (which has a privacy shutter, thankfully).

At 3.42 pounds and 12.36 x 8.9 x 0.67 inches, the Dell 14 Plus still has a bit of weight to it, which isn’t a bad thing, and its slim profile lets you fit it in just about any laptop bag. Here’s how it stacks up to its competitors.

• Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M4: 2.7 pounds, 12 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches
• Asus Zenbook 14 UX3405: 2.81 pounds, 12.3 x 8.67 x 0.59 inches
• Acer Swift Go 14 AI: 3 pounds, 12.7 x 8.9 x 0.71 inches

Dell 14 Plus (2025): Ports

Despite its size, the Dell 14 Plus offers the bare minimum number of ports for most people, but it would’ve been nice to see an additional USB Type-A port.

• 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) port
• 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) Type-C port with DisplayPort 1.4 and Power Delivery
• 1x Thunderbolt 4 port with DisplayPort 2.1 and Power Delivery
• 1x HDMI 2.1 port
• 1x Universal Audio jack

Need more ports? Check out our best USB Type-C hubs and best laptop docking stations pages.

Dell 14 Plus (2025): Battery life

I'm not shocked that the Dell 14 Plus performed well in our battery testing, as Dell has produced some of the laptops with the best battery life in recent years. While I wouldn't call the Dell 14 Plus the best, it's quite good.

On the Laptop Mag battery test, which requires it to continuously surf the web over Wi-Fi at 150 nits of brightness, the Dell 14 Plus scored 13 hours and 25 minutes.

While it came in a couple of hours behind the MacBook Air 13-inch M4 and Swift 14, the Dell offers more than enough time for a workday and some after-hours free time. And it's remarkably better than the Zenbook 14.

Dell 14 Plus (2025): Display

At this price point, display quality can be a hit or miss. The Dell 14 Plus’ 14-inch, 2560 x 1600 non-touch panel is more of a miss, especially because there’s no better configuration. It’s not bad per se, but it’s mediocre.

I watched the Lilo & Stitch trailer, and when he busted out of his pod, and green smoke gushed out, the color seemed a bit muted. There wasn’t enough brightness to push the colors forward. Meanwhile, when the titular characters were side-by-side, Stitch’s blue fur and Lilo’s red shirt looked decent but not bold. I expected more out of a 1600p display.

The anti-glare on the display also seems a bit aggressive, as I could see a light fuzziness on the screen. It may be to accommodate the relatively poor brightness, but it just makes the light diffusion worse.

Overall, the Dell 14 Plus featured the dimmest and dullest display among its competition.

Dell 14 Plus (2025): Keyboard and touchpad

This keyboard is weird. The Dell 14 Plus’ keys are well spaced, but they’re big enough that they take up more room, which tripped me up because the backspace feels further to the right than it should be. Despite that, there’s a decent bounce to each of the keys.

I fumbled pretty hard on the 10fastfingers.com typing test, scoring only 72 words per minute, which is far below my 81-wpm average. I’m not a big fan of the keyboard layout; the backspace really tripped me up, but that might just be me. On my second round, I got 78 wpm, so it takes some getting used to.

While the keyboard may be hit or miss for some, the touchpad is definitely a miss. Where’s my haptic feedback touchpad, Dell? This 4.5 x 3.1-inch touchpad is so shallow and unsatisfying that I actively hate navigating with it. I highly recommend taking a look at the best wireless mouse if you plan on getting the Dell 14 Plus.

Dell 14 Plus (2025): Audio

If you were expecting a great audio experience, I’m sorry to disappoint. Unfortunately, the Dell 14 Plus’ bottom-firing speakers sound hollow and even a bit shrill on the higher notes.

I listened to “The Underworld” from Epic: The Musical (I’ll never stop listening to it), and I immediately noticed that the speakers pushed the vocals back and elevated the stringed instruments. This imbalance took away from the overall experience. I could also barely hear the sound effects, like the ship creaking in the background. The instruments also got a bit muddy toward the end of the song when Odysseus is singing his little heart out.

Surprisingly, there’s no audio software.

Dell 14 Plus (2025): Performance and heat

Packed with an Intel Core Ultra 7 256V processor and 16GB of RAM, the Dell 14 Plus wasn’t designed with the best performance in mind, but it’s solid for light multitasking. I only noticed a slight slowdown after popping open a couple of dozen Google Chrome tabs and a handful of YouTube videos.

Unfortunately, the Dell 14 Plus got rinsed in almost every benchmark we threw at these laptops. On the Geekbench 6 overall performance test, the Dell fell behind the MacBook Air’s M4 and Zenbook 14’s Ultra 7 258V by quite a wide margin. It’s a wonder how much two digits can change in an Intel processor. Meanwhile, the Swift Go’s Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100 pulled ahead only a little.

When transcoding a 4K video to 1080p, we saw similar results across all competitors. I’m not too shocked by Dell's performance, considering its processor, but I’m more disappointed by its 1TB SSD, which scored a sub-1,000-MBps transfer rate.

At the very least, the Dell 14 Plus remained cool after playing a 15-minute video, clocking in 95.2 degrees Fahrenheit between the G and H keys, basically in line with our 95-degree comfort threshold.

Dell 14 Plus (2025): Gaming and graphics

I wouldn’t recommend running the latest AAA games on the Dell 14 Plus’ Intel Arc Graphics chip, but you can get some light gaming in.

We got 52 frames per second in Sid Meier's Civ VI: Gathering Storm (Medium, 1080p), 26 fps in Shadow of the Tomb Raider (Ultra, 1080p), and 24 fps in Borderlands 3 (Badass, 1080p). Now, the last two couldn’t make the 30-fps playability threshold, but if you turn down some settings, you can get there.

Meanwhile, its competitors landed around the same place.

Dell 14 Plus (2025): AI features

Naturally, the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V features an NPU, so you can natively run some AI processes, but there’s really no Dell-branded AI features you can take advantage of here.

The Dell 14 Plus, like every other laptop, offers the suite of Windows 11 AI features, like Recall, Cocreate, and Live Captions.

Dell 14 Plus: Webcam

It’s not often that a laptop sports a good webcam, which is why I wasn’t surprised when the Dell 14 Plus’ 1080p shooter fell short.

There’s a strong film grain over the entirety of the photo I took. The window behind me and half of my ceiling were overexposed, and the My Hero Academia poster’s gorgeous blue sky looked not-so-tantalizing. I recommend checking out the best webcams.

Dell 14 Plus (2025): Software and warranty

There are two important Dell-branded apps onboard the Dell 14 Plus: Dell SupportAssist and Dell Optimizer. The former gives you performance settings, updates, hardware scans, network optimization, and warranty information. Meanwhile, Dell Optimizer features settings for display, battery, and thermal management.

The Dell 14 Plus comes with a one-year limited warranty.

Bottom line

I wanted to like the Dell 14 Plus — I’ve always been a fan of the Inspiron series, but this one fails to stand out, and I swear it doesn’t have anything to do with its new name (maybe).

It offers decent performance and solid battery life, but I can’t get over its subpar display, hollow audio, and shallow touchpad.

If you want to stay in this price range but need better performance and battery life, I highly recommend checking out the MacBook Air 13-inch M4 or Asus Zenbook S 14 (UX5406).

But if you do like what you see out of the Dell 14 Plus, I highly recommend getting the Ultra 7 258V model for increased performance.

AMD’s Ryzen AI Max chipset is an ambitious project for x86 CPU architecture and something of a gamble. While we did have a blast with the gaming-centered version on the Asus ROG Flow Z13, I’ve been waiting to get my hands on this chip in the HP ZBook Ultra since CES back in January.

The Ryzen AI Max+ Pro 395 chip in the ZBook Ultra 14 G1a offers fantastic all-around performance, solid Radeon 8060s GPU power, and more memory than I know what to do with. The ZBook also features a vivid display, a slim, portable design, powerful audio, and a professional port array. A steep price tag, lackluster battery life, and a grainy webcam hold it back, but they aren't shocking for a 14-inch workstation laptop.

Does the MacBook Pro 14 finally have competition in the form of the HP ZBook Ultra 14 G1a? Is it powerful enough to land a spot on our best workstations list? Let’s take a look.

HP ZBook Ultra 14 G1a: Specs and benchmarks

HP ZBook Ultra 14 G1a: Price and configurations

No workstation is cheap, and if you hoped the ZBook Ultra might be an exception to that rule, you’ll be disappointed.

The base configuration of HP’s ZBook Ultra 15 G1a costs $2,599 and gets you the powerful combination of the Ryzen AI Max Pro 385 CPU with Radeon 8060S integrated graphics, 32GB of memory, 512GB of SSD storage, and a 14-inch, 1920 x 1200, IPS display.

You can upgrade to the Ryzen AI Max Pro 390 chipset with a 1TB SSD and a 14-inch, 2880 x 1800, OLED touchscreen for an additional $350. Upgrading the Ryzen AI Max Pro 390 model to 64GB of RAM for an additional $300 brings the total to $3,249.

Upgrading to the Ryzen AI Max+ Pro 395 model costs $5,660 and comes with 64GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a 14-inch, 2880 x 1800, OLED display. Upgrading the RAM to 64GB and storage to 2TB brings the total to $6,290.

The top-end configuration of the ZBook Ultra with the Ryzen AI Max+ Pro 395, Radeon 8060S integrated graphics, 128GB of RAM, 4TB of SSD storage, and 14-inch, 2880 x 1800, OLED display costs a total of $8,250.

However, our review spec is perhaps the best value for the ZBook Ultra. For $4,049, you get the Ryzen AI Max+ Pro 395 CPU, Radeon 8060S integrated graphics, 128GB of RAM, 2TB of SSD storage, and the 14-inch, 2880 x 1800, OLED touchscreen. This gives you the most use of the unified memory, with additional storage space, an upgraded CPU, and an OLED display.

While none of these configurations are cheap, they’re not too steep compared to the average workstation price. However, it does start higher than other portable content creation laptops like the Apple MacBook Pro 14 ($1,599 starting price) or Asus ProArt PX13 ($1,699). It is worth noting that upgrades on the MacBook Pro, in particular, are expensive, to match our recommended ZBook Ultra configuration, it would be $5,099.

HP ZBook Ultra 14 G1a: Design

HP hasn’t changed much of the ZBook aesthetic for the ZBook Ultra 15 G1a. It has a Meteorite Silver magnesium alloy chassis with a minimalist chrome HP logo on the top cover and a sleek keyboard deck with a centered touchpad.

The ZBook Ultra does have slim bezels on the display, with a slight increase in bezel size along the top to fit the webcam. The hinges are nice and sturdy, with an almost 180-degree rotation in case you need to use the ZBook on your lap and tilt the display back for better ergonomics.

Most ZBook workstations aren’t laptops you’d want in your lap for long. Even the slim ZBook Studio can feel a bit hefty after some time, but the ZBook Ultra is designed to be a completely portable powerhouse machine, and its chassis design is small and lightweight to match.

The ZBook Ultra measures just 12.29 x 8.45 x 0.71 inches and weighs just 3.4 pounds. While this is pretty light and portable compared to most powerful workstation laptops, it is a bit closer in dimensions to more mobile creator devices like:

• Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 2024): 12.3 x 8.7 x 0.61 inches, 3.4 pounds
• Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 7: 13.95 x 9.49 x 0.67 inches, 4.3 pounds
• Asus ProArt PX13: 11.74 x 8.26 x 0.62 inches, 3.04 pounds
• Apple MacBook Pro (M4 Pro, 2024): 14 x 9.7 x 0.66 inches, 4.7 pounds

HP ZBook Ultra 14 G1a: Ports

As a mobile workstation, the ZBook Ultra comes with a full port array to connect all of your devices:

• 2x USB 4 Type-C (40Gbps, Power Delivery, DisplayPort 2.1)
• 1x USB Type-C (10Gbps, Power Delivery, DisplayPort 2.1)
• 1x USB Type-A (10Gbps)
• 1x HDMI 2.1
• 1x Audio combo
• 1x Security lock slot

The ZBook Ultra offers the majority of ports you could want with multiple DisplayPort 2.1 USB-C connections, additional USB Type-C and Type-A ports, and an HDMI port. The only major workstation port missing is an SD card reader, so if you need a quick-access SD slot, you may want to snag one of the best laptop docking stations or USB-C hubs.

HP ZBook Ultra 14 G1a: Battery life

The Achilles' heel of most Windows workstations is battery life. And the HP ZBook Ultra is no exception. While it doesn’t have a discrete graphics card, its Ryzen AI Max+ Pro 395 chipset is still a bit of a power hog.

I easily got through half of my workday, with 15-20 Chrome tabs and Photoshop running, without needing to find an outlet, but I did have to plug the ZBook into its charger around my lunch break. It’s not awful for a powerful workstation laptop, but it’s not touching MacBook Pros, which offer over 18 hours of battery life.

On the Laptop Mag web surfing battery test, the HP ZBook Ultra 14 G1a lasted 6 hours and 46 minutes. It’s not much worse compared to most workstation laptops, but when compared to its hyper-portable competition, the ZBook Ultra does fall short against the ProArt PX13 and ThinkPad P1 Gen 7.

HP ZBook Ultra 14 G1a: Security and durability

The ZBook Ultra features HP Wolf Pro Security, a TPM 2.0 embedded security chip, and a nano security lock slot, so it has plenty of hardware and software security.

The ZBook also features an IR webcam for Windows Hello secure sign-in, and a fingerprint reader on the power button.

HP has run the ZBook Ultra through all 21 durability tests to meet the MIL-STD-810H standard, including exposure to extreme high and low temperatures, dust, humidity, and high altitude. So the ZBook Ultra can follow you on location to

HP ZBook Ultra 14 G1a: Display

More than other laptops, workstations require a high level of color accuracy in their displays. After all, if you’re using the ZBook Ultra for design work, you need to know the color you see on your display is what will be seen by customers.

The glossy 14-inch, 2880 x 1800, OLED touchscreen display on our ZBook Ultra model is absolutely what you’d expect from a ZBook laptop. Pulling up photos of a recent trip to put the ZBook through its editing paces, I was taken back by just how well the OLED touchscreen captured the vivid, bright colors of the Walt Disney World parks, even at night.

From the cyberpunk blue lights of the new Tron Lightcycle Run coaster to the terracotta pink of the Tower of Terror, I’ve rarely been more nostalgic for a family Disney trip than when editing my vacation photos on the ZBook Ultra.

In our lab testing, the ZBook’s display covered 139% of the DCI-P3 color gamut with an accuracy of 0.31 (lower is better) and had a max SDR brightness of 368 nits, with a peak HDR brightness of 575 nits. The numbers don’t lie; this display is fantastic.

HP ZBook Ultra 14 G1a: Keyboard and touchpad

HP opted for the Premium keyboard on the ZBook Ultra, and it’s a choice that’s paid off. The ZBook Ultra’s keyboard is crisp, with a springy activation feel.

On the 10fastfingers.com advanced typing test, I averaged a typing speed of words per minute (WPM), which is just shy of the 88 WPM I maintain on the MacBook Pro 14.

The HP Premium keyboard is also mounted underneath the keyboard deck, making it easier to swap out for repair or IT recycling to a different region. While not necessary on more consumer-focused devices, it's a valuable option on a professional workstation, as most of these laptops will be used for at least 4 years.

The large glass touchpad on the ZBook Ultra is also a delight, sporting multigesture support and a silky feel. The touchpad is clickable through about 90% of the area, with only the top edge being unclickable. I didn’t notice the difference while using the ZBook until I looked for it.

HP ZBook Ultra 14 G1a: Audio

HP has loaded four integrated stereo speakers with tuning by PolyStudio into the ZBook Ultra, and those top-firing speakers pack an impressive amount of power. Not only can they fill a room, but the speakers have a high degree of audio clarity, even at full volume.

I could differentiate between the screaming guitars and melodic synth of Sleep Token’s “The Summoning” at high and medium volumes. The PolyStudio audio offered serious fidelity from the rich, driving bass to Vessel’s soaring vocals.

The ZBook Ultra’s audio can handle web calls and video or audio editing sessions. However, if you spend a lot of time editing in the field or office, we’d recommend a set of the best headphones so you don’t need to worry about background noise getting in the way.

HP ZBook Ultra 14 G1a: Performance and heat

The ZBook Ultra 14 G1a features AMD’s most ambitious mobile chipset, the Ryzen AI Max series, specifically the Ryzen AI Max+ Pro 395. This massive APU is supported by 128GB of unified memory and a speedy SSD.

I used the ZBook Ultra to edit some of my recent vacation photos, and even unplugged, the ZBook Ultra could handle my usual edits without issue. Even editing multi-layered projects for my work at Laptop Mag was a breeze.

In our performance testing, the ZBook Ultra’s Ryzen AI Max+ Pro chipset outperformed the MacBook Pro 14’s M4, the ThinkPad P1 Gen 7’s Intel’s Core Ultra 7 165H, and the ProArt PX13’s Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 processors in Geekbench 6 multicore performance by up to 36%. Only the MacBook Pro 16’s M4 Pro outpaced the ZBook Ultra.

The ZBook does get a bit hot under strain, with its hottest point measuring 99.6 degrees Fahrenheit above the F4 key after streaming a 4K video for at least 15 minutes. While not the hottest laptop temperature we’ve ever measured, it can get toasty on your fingertips. Thankfully, the rest of the laptop stays a bit cooler, with the area between the G and H keys hitting 95.5 degrees and the underside measuring 92.3 degrees.

HP ZBook Ultra 14 G1a: Gaming and graphics

The HP ZBook Ultra 14 G1a is a thin, light, and ultraportable workstation. Not a gaming laptop.

Workstation laptops do feature powerful GPUs, but they historically perform poorly in gaming compared to high-powered gaming laptops because workstation GPUs are designed for precision rather than raw power. While I am a self-professed MMO hermit who will play Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail on any platform capable of running it, even I hesitate to game on a workstation.

However, the ZBook Ultra is a competitor of the MacBook Pro 14, and I like to play games on my Mac. So I eventually convinced myself to download and run FFXIV on the ZBook Ultra, not that it took too much effort. I didn’t expect the ZBook Ultra to play as well as a dedicated gaming laptop, but it maintained a smooth 55 to 60 frames per second on the Standard (Laptop) preset at 1800p. So, if you want to use the ZBook Ultra as your daily driver, it can keep up with some light gaming.

HP ZBook Ultra 14 G1a: AI features

The HP ZBook Ultra features an AMD Ryzen AI chipset, which means it has a 50 TOPS NPU onboard, which gets you access to the entire Copilot+ suite of applications like CoCreate, LiveCaptions, and Recall, in addition to advanced Windows Studio Effects and the full version of Microsoft’s Copilot AI assistant.

As an AMD laptop, the ZBook Ultra also has access to AMD’s AI-optimized software, which includes Amuse, Topaz Labs, Camo Studio, and Arkrunr.

HP ZBook Ultra 14 G1a: Webcam

The ZBook Ultra sports a 5MP IR camera, which is ideal for Windows Hello secure sign-in and not so great for virtual meetings. The feed is a bit grainy with some color distortion, which casts a persistent pink layer over my face.

It’s perfectly serviceable for the occasional Zoom call, but if you want to use the ZBook Ultra as your daily work laptop, you may want to invest in one of our best webcams to handle your virtual meetings rather than use the onboard camera.

HP ZBook Ultra 14 G1a: Software and warranty

The ZBook Ultra ships with Windows 11 Pro, which includes standard Microsoft applications like Copilot, Microsoft 365, OneDrive, Windows Media Player, and Microsoft Teams. The ZBook Ultra has some pre-installed AMD software, like AMD Bug Report Tool and AMD Install Manager.

HP also pre-loaded proprietary software, such as HP Audio Control, Connection Optimizer, Insights, Sure Recover, Poly Camera Pro, and HP Support Assistant. There are more than 15 different HP and Poly programs pre-installed on the ZBook Ultra, which is a bit much. Thankfully, the programs don’t take up much space on the SSD.

HP offers a three-year limited warranty with the HP ZBook Ultra.

Bottom line

If you’re OS agnostic like I tend to be, you want a portable, powerful, efficient workstation to meet your day-to-day requirements and make sure you don’t miss a beat when working or creating in your off time.

The HP ZBook Ultra 14 G1a comes very close to eclipsing my MacBook Pro in terms of portability and beats the base MacBook Pro's CPU power, but it comes at the cost of battery life and a higher price. The base configuration of the ZBook Ultra costs $2,599, which is a bit steep for the average consumer. And it doesn’t get the full leverage of the Ryzen AI Max Pro chipset’s unified memory.

If you need the ultimate combination of affordability, power, and battery life, the MacBook Pro 14 (M4, 2024) is still the way to go, especially if you don’t need to run Windows to access all of your applications. But if you need the full breadth of the Windows ecosystem, the HP ZBook Ultra 14 G1a is a worthy contender.

Unlike the Asus ProArt PX13, the ZBook Ultra is more powerful than the base M4 chipset, offers more GPU power for data analysis and video editing, and has a much better display. While the ProArt PX13 is the cheaper option, the ZBook Ultra gets you far more power. It’s got your back if you’ve got funds.

I wanted to love the Acer Aspire 3 15. The first laptop I ever bought was an Acer Aspire laptop with a barebones discrete GPU inside, and that thing carried me through Fallout 4, albeit on very low settings. I expected the Aspire 3 to come at me with a low-quality display and speakers, but I lost hope when I saw its abysmal battery life. Its performance didn’t help either. However, sacrifices must be made in the quest for a sub-$500 Windows laptop, and the Aspire 3 15 is often well under that mark.

If you’re looking for a Windows laptop that offers a nice design and a decent keyboard for an affordable price, then the Acer Aspire 3 15 might be the budget laptop for you. But just to be sure, let’s dive in.

Acer Aspire 3 15: Specs and benchmarks