Reviews 51951 Published by

Here a roundup of today's reviews with 23 new articles, including Dell XPS 18 Portable All-in-One Windows 8 Desktop PC, MSI GS70 Stealth Gaming Laptop Review, ROCCAT Into Street-Proof Messenger Bag Review, Roccat Kone Pure and XTD Gaming Mice Review, and Seagate Central 2TB Network Storage System



Dell XPS 18 Portable All-in-One Windows 8 Desktop PC @ MEGATechNews
The whole concept of having completely separate product categories is slowly being thrown out of the window. It used to be the case that you could clearly differentiate between a phone, a tablet, a notebook, and a desktop, but that’s becoming less and less the case these days. And perhaps one of the best new products to demonstrate this blurring of the lines is the Dell XPS 18 all-in-one desktop tablet computer. Who said that your desktop PC can’t also be a tablet?

Read more: Dell XPS 18 Portable All-in-One Windows 8 Desktop PC @ MEGATechNews

MSI Z87I Mini-ITX motherboard Review @ Guru3D
Today we review, test and benchmark the MSI Z87I series motherboard. You better grab a magnifying glass as this is the smallest fully fetched Z87 motherboard you will ever see. Yep, the high-end chipset based Z87I is made in a Mini-ITX form factor, that means you can seat a processor as powerful as the Core i7 4770K onto a motherboard that is 17x17 CM in size. Amazing really, especially when you will learn it still has a fully fetched PCIe x16 slot, Dual Gigabit Ethernet, WIFI, USB 3.0 and heck even four SATA 6 Gbps ports.

Read more: MSI Z87I Mini-ITX motherboard Review @ Guru3D

MSI GS70 Stealth Gaming Laptop Review @ HardwareHeaven.com
Over the last couple of generations the mobile team over at MSI have started to move towards more slimline, high end chassis for their laptops. The latest model to follow that trend is the GS70 Stealth which MSI claim to be the thinnest and lightest 17” gaming laptop. Even though it contains a 4th gen i7 CPU and GTX 765 GPU. Today we are going to see how it performs in games like StarCraft 2 and Bioshock infinite as well as general computing tasks.

Read more: MSI GS70 Stealth Gaming Laptop Review @ HardwareHeaven.com

LCDSysInfo for GOverlay: A $32 LCD gadget for PC enthusiasts and tinkerers @ Techspot
As a PC builder and gamer I find it fun and incredibly interesting to tinker around with my set-up, whether that’s buying a new graphics card to improve its speed, fiddling with the cooling to ensure everything can run smoothly, or overclocking to squeeze out some extra performance. I monitor many things, from the temperature of my CPU and its fan speed, to the frames per second and GPU load in games, just to see how capable my PC really is.

Traditionally I’d use a bunch of programs to monitor all these stats, including SpeedFan and Fraps, gathering info through pop-ups or windows on a second monitor. Then I was sent an LCDSysInfo – a small 2.8-inch LCD gadget that can be configured to show various stats – and monitoring my PC became significantly easier.

Read more: LCDSysInfo for GOverlay: A $32 LCD gadget for PC enthusiasts and tinkerers @ Techspot

GIGABYTE GEFORCE GTX 770 2GB OC WindForce (GV-N770OC-2GB OC) Video Card Review @ Futurelooks
Current graphics intensive DirectX11 games look amazing with the settings turned up. With detailed textures, lighting, and action, it’s a shame that anyone has to turn down settings just to get 30 frames per second. If you’re having to do this now, then you’re probably going to miss out on hot titles such as Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag, Batman Arkham Origins, Need for Speed Rivals, Splinter Cell Blacklist, Watch Dogs, and Battlefield 4 all scheduled for release very soon. All of these games look their best when played on a system with a capable video card. So what card do you need to get the most out of these games? The GIGABYTE GEFORCE GTX 770 2GB OC WindForce 3X wants to be on the short list.

Read more: GIGABYTE GEFORCE GTX 770 2GB OC WindForce (GV-N770OC-2GB OC) Video Card Review @ Futurelooks

Enermax Coenus (ECA3290A) Mid-Tower Case Review @ HiTech Legion
On a limited budget, choices are often times difficult because the wrong decision can lead to a narrower upgrade path down the road. The term “bottleneck” is thrown around often in enthusiast circles to describe components mismatching and hampering performance. This is also true for components that are not electrical as choosing the wrong chassis can also minimize future hardware support. This is why a lot of enthusiast and gamers choose full-tower cases, not just to allow enough breathing room thermally speaking but for upgrades down the road as well.

More and more users however are opting for more modest size builds, especially with higher efficiency processors becoming the norm. Case manufacturers are now accommodating tall CPU coolers, long graphics cards and liquid-cooling systems in mid-tower and even micro-ATX cases. Unfortunately, because of the added features and new tooling requirements, these flexible mid-tower cases are not often available for users on a limited budget; at least not without great concessions. Enermax believes however that they have found that balance on their new Coenus line of mid-tower chassis.

Read more: Enermax Coenus (ECA3290A) Mid-Tower Case Review @ HiTech Legion

ROCCAT Into Street-Proof Messenger Bag Review @ OCC
The implementation of these various features was nicely done, but there's one thing that could ruin the whole experience on the long run: the shoulder pad. No matter how great looking and well made a bag is, if comfort is a no show then we got a problem. Due to the materials used and the way the shoulder pad was designed, the sides of it are very stiff and the padding seems lacking. Wearing the ROCCAT Into Street-Proof Messenger Bag with a heavy load in is not comfortable at all with the provided shoulder pad. I am not sure if the Cordura nylon-based material will soften with time, but that doesn't help a potential buyer in a store now does it?

Read more: ROCCAT Into Street-Proof Messenger Bag Review @ OCC

Mirror's Edge - 4 Years Later Review @ OCC
Mirror's Edge is a somewhat unusual game. Officially it is an action adventure game, but the action is running and parkour, not taking cover and making headshots, like many other games of that genre. This uniqueness makes recommending it a little more complicated than most other games. The experience itself is different to the point of being refreshing, in a sense, but without escaping intense gameplay. However it is also different enough that I am not sure if everyone interested in action adventure games will enjoy it. The game is still of high quality, though with some flaws, so play it if you have it, but if you do not own it yet, you may want to ask yourself how much a new experience is worth to you. With the Humble Origin Bundle going on now, you can pay that much and enjoy a fun game.

Read more: Mirror's Edge - 4 Years Later Review @ OCC

EasyAcc Power Bank PB12000A @ NikKTech
When 8 days ago I left for my extremely short vacations one of the things i had in my mind was to also use that time to test electronics that could come in handy so i purposely packed all my devices (some of them without a drop of battery power left) in my backpack to help me test a wide variety of portable products. Now i will not lie and so there is electricity where i went but i also didn't bring any chargers with me for that exact same reason. So instead of using normal wall chargers i chose to pack 3 fully charged portable battery packs with me which i then used to charge all of the devices i brought with me not only to see which of them works best but also whether or not their rated battery capacities come close to the claims of each manufacturer (they are never 100% on the spot). The first of those portable battery packs that i put to the test is the PB12000A by EasyAcc which as the name reveals features a massive 12000mAh lithium-polymer battery.

Read more: EasyAcc Power Bank PB12000A @ NikKTech

Tesoro Aegis Mousepad @ Rbmods
For your gaming mouse you need a good mousepad or things might not go the way you want. Today we take a look at the Tesoro Aegis mousepad, this is the new mousepad from Tesoro and thus far I have to admit I like it a lot. Lets take a closer look at it and test it out in this review.

Read more: Tesoro Aegis Mousepad @ Rbmods

MSI GE40 2OC-009US Review @ TechReviewSource.com
The MSI GE40 2OC-009US is a gaming ultrabook that delivers solid performance on the go, with a low price and a few flaws that can be overlooked.

Read more: MSI GE40 2OC-009US Review @ TechReviewSource.com

256 GB OCZ Vector Solid State Drive Review @ Tech ARP
Today, we will be looking at the OCZ Vector 256 GB solid state drive, which boasts the following key features :

Rated for 100,000 random read and 95,000 random write IOPS to deliver ultimate responsiveness and a better overall computing and workstation experience than any other storage solution.

Vector redefines reliability and offers a premium SSD solution designed from the ground up for enhanced stability, quality, and durability.

Get consistently faster sustained speeds with the complete spectrum of file types and sizes, including both compressible and incompressible data for balanced, long-lasting performance like no other drive out there.

Built to last, Vector maximizes drive life with low write amplification, efficient garbage collection, and an advanced suite of NAND flash management to provide years of hard drive-humiliating performance that is second to none.

5 years warranty

Let's find out how well this drive performs!

Read more: 256 GB OCZ Vector Solid State Drive Review @ Tech ARP

Cooler Master V Series 700W (V700) PSU Review @ KitGuru
Today we are looking at a high end power supply from Cooler Master, the V Series 700W. This range comprises a 750W, 850W and 1000W unit. We reviewed (http://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/cooler-master-v-series-1000w-psu-review/) the 1000W unit back in May this year. These are all pure modular designs with 80 Plus Gold Certification and a full five year warranty.

Read more: Cooler Master V Series 700W (V700) PSU Review @ KitGuru

Phanteks Enthoo Primo @ techPowerUp
Phanteks is entering the case market with the Enthoo Primo. The case, clearly aimed at high-end users with a fetish for liquid cooling, is not here to take prisoners. Instead, it aims to throw a grenade into the party to establish the Phanteks brand as a serious choice when it comes to cases.

Read more: Phanteks Enthoo Primo @ techPowerUp

Roccat Kone Pure and XTD Gaming Mice Review @ TechwareLabs.com
The phrase "German engineering" has always signified the absolute top in function and efficiency, and today we get to put that to the test. Hailing from the Rhineland, today we have a dual gaming mouse review! Roccat has sent us two models from their Kone line: the portable Kone Pure, and the full size XTD. This line of gaming mice are aimed at those for whom customization is king. As a matter of fact, the head line on the boxes reads "Max customization Gaming Mouse". With all of this hubbub about options, features, and settings that can be changed and rewritten, Roccat is putting out quite the order: gaming mice with interchangeable bells and whistles, and at an affordable price; the Pure is around $70, while the XTD goes for $90. Can they fill this order, or do Roccat end up spreading it all too thin? Lets find out!

Read more: Roccat Kone Pure and XTD Gaming Mice Review @ TechwareLabs.com

Plantronics RIG Gaming Headset Review @ Legit Reviews
Theres lots of gaming headsets compatible with computers and gaming consoles, but until now, there wasnt a headset that had a solution to receiving phone calls during gaming sessions. Plantronics newly announced RIG allows one to continue to play their game while receiving and answering calls from the headset alone. Its rather ingenious how its implemented, probably inspired by Plantronics experience with mobile and business headsets. An in-line switch toggles the microphone to receive between Game Mode and Mobile Mode...

Read more: Plantronics RIG Gaming Headset Review @ Legit Reviews

ASUS PB298Q Ultrawide Screen Video Review with DaveChaos @ HardwareHeaven.com
Today DaveChaos reviews the ultrawide screen panaramic PB298Q screen from ASUS.

Read more: ASUS PB298Q Ultrawide Screen Video Review with DaveChaos @ HardwareHeaven.com

ADATA XPG V2 Series DDR3-2400 8GB Memory Kit Review @ ThinkComputers.org
Today we are taking a look at some of ADATAs latest DDR3 enthusiast memory. The kit we are checking out today is part of the XPG V2 Series. This series is an upgrade from the original XPG series which was offered in speeds up to 2133 MHz. Now that Haswell is here and we can have much faster speeds ADATA has come out with the XPG V2 series. This series is available in a wide variety of capacities and speeds to suit pretty much anyones needs. The memory we are taking a look at today is their 8GB dual channel DDR3-2400 kit. This kit comes with timings of 11-13-13-35 at 1.65v and offers a very attractive gold heatspreader. Read on as we take a look...

Read more: ADATA XPG V2 Series DDR3-2400 8GB Memory Kit Review @ ThinkComputers.org

Diamond UE3000 USB 3.0 Gigabit Ethernet Adapter Review @ Techgage
Diamond’s UE3000 is one of the simplest products we’ve ever taken a look at, but it’s also one that could prove to be a life-saver if the network card in your desktop or notebook decides to die without notice. It also happens to be extremely reliable, causing us to forget we’re even running a USB adapter, versus onboard or add-in.

Read more: Diamond UE3000 USB 3.0 Gigabit Ethernet Adapter Review @ Techgage

Thermaltake Chaser A71 VP400M1W2N Computer Case Review @ Benchmark Reviews
As I am sure you are all well aware, the Thermaltake Chaser A71 is not the first chassis in the Chaser Series. Its direct predecessor, the A41, was a mid-tower addition to the Chaser Series that boasted some of the same features that are prevalent in the A71, such as great cooling, tool-less drive bays, and great cable management. And, it is not the first full-tower design in the Chaser Series. That distinction goes to the Chaser MK-1, which shares the same dimensions and has very similar features to the A71, including a top-mounted HDD hot-swap bay. Now, lets move forward and take a closer look at the Thermaltake Chaser A71.

Read more: Thermaltake Chaser A71 VP400M1W2N Computer Case Review @ Benchmark Reviews

Tt eSPORTS VOLOS MOBA and MMORPG Gaming Mouse Review @ KitGuru
Today we are spending some time with the TT eSports Volos Gaming Mouse. With 14 macro keys, customisable weights, 4 separate lighting zones and an Avago sensor capable of up to 8,200 DPI it looks set to make a big splash. Retailing for $69.99, or approximately £45 inc vat., can the Volos help gamers bring their A game?

Read more: Tt eSPORTS VOLOS MOBA and MMORPG Gaming Mouse Review @ KitGuru

HGST Travelstar 5K1500 2.5-inch Mobile Hard Drive Review @ Madshrimps
With the new Travelstar 5K1500 2.5’’ drive from HGST we get plenty of storage space and a silent drive which can be used in most notebooks, our gaming PCs for secondary storage purposes or in game consoles if we use to install a lot of content on them.

Read more: HGST Travelstar 5K1500 2.5-inch Mobile Hard Drive Review @ Madshrimps

Seagate Central 2TB Network Storage System @ MEGATech
You have some vacation pictures on your laptop. And then you have your music collection on your desktop. And then your wife has a bunch of videos on her computer too. The problem with this kind of configuration is that your library is completely disjointed. Wouldn’t it be easier if you could access all your material from any computer, including your smartphone and your tablet? That’s the fundamental idea behind the Seagate Central 2TB Network Drive, which is also available in larger 3TB and 4TB capacities. After connecting it to your wireless router, you can back up all your content on one device and access it from anywhere. And yes, it works with both Macs and Windows PCs.

Read more: Seagate Central 2TB Network Storage System @ MEGATech