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Motorola Razr 2023 review
Flip phones are all the rage these days. People seem to love the nostalgia of open and closing a phone like a classic clamshell from 2005. One of the first to cash in on this throwback tech was Motorola with the introduction of its Android-powered Razr from a few years ago.I’ve been testing the latest rendition of the Motorola Razr for a few weeks (thanks to our friends at AT&T), and this might be the most important flip smartphone we’ve had to date.DesignMoto has done away with most of the full nod to the original Motorola Razr flip phone with the 2023 rendition. It’s a much more modern look that leverages the engineering of the Razr’s return since 2019 and brings it closer to the competition of the Samsung Flip 5.You get a smaller, 1.5-inch outer display sharing a housing with the main camera array. Again, this could be mistaken for a Samsung at first glance, but this limited real estate does keep the possible configurations low here as well. Either way, it works here for the Motorola Razr 2023.The backing is covered in a vegan leather that feels great in the hand. On the “bottom” half, you get the essential Motorola logo and Razr branding. The entire thing feels more polished and premium than the previous generations, and on par with the offering of the Razr+.The hinge mechanism is stiff and sturdy with good feedback. You can open it one-handed, but it’s a chore. The frame is brushed aluminum and all the buttons feel great. There’s a volume rocker and power button on the right-hand side, and that’s it. The fingerprint reader is built into this power button and works as expected.ScreensAs mentioned, the external screen is 1.5-inch OLED. Its size makes it fairly limited with interactions. You can easily check the time, notification, weather, and music playback. Other options include optional shortcuts for calendar events, contacts, and quick voice recordings. It’s not as feature rich as the Razr+, but in this package it’s fine.The larger screen is still where most of the business will get done, of course. Here you have a flexible 6.9-inch OLED at 2640×1080 with max refresh of 144Hz. This new higher refresh rate makes scrolling and transitions buttery smooth and honestly makes this one of the better Motorola displays in recent memory. I guess I have to mention the crease as well. It’s there. You’ll see it. And you’ll soon ignore it.PerformanceInternally, the Moto Razr packs the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chip from last year, making it an obvious midrange. Even with this compromise in chipset, the Razr never let me down on general performance. I found it can more than keep up with daily tasks like email, chats, and socials without issues. Casual gaming seem to be fine too, but that’s not really my jam.Rounding out the specs, the Motorola Razr has 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. This is still plenty in today’s world for “most” people. I think we are quickly approaching where 128GB might get some in trouble of running out of space, but for most, it’s still adequate.The software helps the performance as much as anything, and thankfully Motorola still includes a super stock version of Android 13. This leads to quick and snappy UI elements without fluff. The company still includes its normal tweaks like twist to launch the camera and chop for flashlight, but otherwise they don’t bloat the OS. 1 of 8 One of Motorola’s biggest failures has been software updates for flagships, but it’s gotten better. Android 14 was revealed in October and Moto promises it will find its way to Razrs late this year. It’s also committing to three full years of OS updates and four years of security patches. This puts it’s behind every other major OEM still, but it’s a step in the right direction.CamerasThe cameras on the Motorola Razr 2023 are surprisingly good. The main shooter is a 64MP that bins the results to 16MP images. The output is solid. You can finally say that a Motorola camera is passable among other flagships. Is it at the top of that tier? No. But man, it’s a leap ahead for the company’s past performance.There’s also a 13MP ultrawide lens that offers extended shots and doubles as a macro lens as well. These are still niche in my opinion, but nice to see them here. The results are also pretty good. Finally, you get a 32MP hole punch selfie camera, and it’s exactly that. 1 of 7 Battery lifeThe internal battery bank of the Motorola Razr is 4200mAh and Moto doesn’t disappoint here. You should have zero issues of a full day of battery life using this phone. Even with extended use of the external display, you will be able to get through a work day no problem.When you do need to top off the tanks, Motorola has included a 30W fast charging cable in the box, but you will need your own capable brick. There’s also Qi wireless charging, but that’s just for nightstands with the Razr at just 5W of input.CostI wouldn’t normally attribute an entire category to price, but in this review it matters. Motorola has been known to bring the market cost down in smartphones before. With the launch of the Moto G years ago, the company reset what a sub-$500 phone could be and how good it could be perceived.This year’s Motorola Razr is that phone for flip-style touchscreens. With the full retail pricing at $700, the Razr is the most affordable flip phone you can buy. It makes the decision between the Razr+ and Samsung Flip 5 at $200 more even harder, with the price tipping most consumers to the standard Razr in my eyes.While those other two options are more premium. And they do have a much better outer display, but the average consumer most likely doesn’t need that. The Razr 2023 hits the sweet spot of having that fresh new flip phone and saving real money.ConclusionThe Motorola Razr 2023 is a tipping point for the flip smartphone. The balance of premium build, good software additions, and wallet-friendly price make it a huge push forward for the market. Moto has been known to be at the forefront of this type of move before, and the Razr reminds us the company still has the mettle to do that.Right now, you can snag your Motorola Razr 2023 from AT&T with as little as $2 per month or $650 for full retail. That’s an incredible deal on the best bang for your buck flippable phone currently available.Purchase the Motorola Razr 2023 from AT&T
Reviews
Anker SOLIX C1000 Power Station Review
Anker has been generous enough to offer many of its portable power stations with us. These large power banks are great for campers or those who may have power outages dues to season weather patterns. Last year, Anker rebranded this lineup as SOLIX, and I’ve been testing the latest C1000 unit.DesignAnker has settled in on a design language with the SOLIX brand, and the C1000 fits right into this lineage. The power bank is similar in size and look as a medium-sized color. There are two comfortable carrying handles on each side and the C1000 weighs about 30lbs. This seems like a lot, but the handles and balanced weight make it manageable with relative ease.The front is flanked with an LED display, on/off buttons, and a whopping 11 outputs. These include: six AC outlets, two USB-C, two USB-A, and one car DC output. The outlets are capable of simultaneous outputs of up to 1056Wh and a single AC output of 1800 Watts.Above the display is a full-length LED light strip. This can be turned on and cycled through some cadences by the button on the far right of the strip. The options include brightness, but the main feature here is that the light can be set to an SOS signal.PerformanceThe SOLIX C1000 has taken everything I’ve thrown at it. I’ve tried most the minor appliances in my home: air fryer, toaster oven, and my coffee maker. Each has powered up and given me the results I’d expect while plugged into my house outlets.I was even more impressed with taking this out to my family’s farm. It’s a very remote location and my brother was doing construction that didn’t have access to electrical. I decided what better time to test this to the limit, and we were able to use the Anker SOLIX C1000 to power electric power tools in the middle of nowhere.In our time in this location, many tools were used. This included power drills, skill saws, and a miter saw. As with my household appliances, all performed exactly as you’d expect. I was very impressed with the outputs and versatility to support such items.The same is true for the USB ports. Each supports Anker’s PowerIQ allowing for high outputs based off the devices. I’ve been able to charge my laptop around 15 times, my phone everyday it’s been in my possession, and even my iPad numerous times before depleting the capacity.ChargingAnker has greatly decreased the recharge rates of the Anker SOLIX C1000 when compared to its competition. You can replenish the internal power pack in less than an hour with a 110V home outlet or just under two hours with a 600 Watt solar input.This new HyperFlash technology puts the SOLIX C1000 in a new category of power station. This is around 28-percent faster one standard power and 40-percent faster on solar than other banks in the segment, including some of its own.The power bank’s versatility doesn’t stop there, either. The Anker SOLIX C1000 can expand its 1056Wh capacity to up to 2112Wh with Anker’s official expansion pack. This makes the SOLIX C1000 perfect for any travel camping trip, full-time RV, or home backups.ConclusionAnker has been an innovator behind portable power stations for years, and the Anker SOLIX C1000 pushes this technology even further. With the focus on full-sized outlets capable of 1800W, rapid recharging with HyperFlash, and expansion with double the capacity, Anker has one of the best packages around.The final element of any purchase is pricing. The Anker SOLIX C1000 will set you back $1,000 to have one available in your home. While that’s a hefty cost, I still think it’s worth it. The SOLIX C1000 has so much power and versatility that even at that price, you should add it to the cart using the links below.Purchase the Anker SOLIX C1000 from Anker.comPurchase the Anker SOLIX C1000 from Amazon.com
Reviews
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE review: Should you buy it?
A good option for budget-conscious Samsung fans.
Reviews
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs Apple A17 Pro: A surprisingly even match-up
Does Apple's performance lead still hold going into 2024? It's a close one this time.
Reviews
Hisense 65-Inch Class U7 Series 4K Mini-LED ULED Google TV review
In the past decade, the television landscape has undergone a revolutionary transformation, paving the way for smarter, more interactive viewing experiences. At the forefront of this evolution is the Smart TV, a device that epitomizes the synergy between entertainment and internet connectivity. Emerging from the primitive iterations in the early 2010s, Smart TVs have become a staple in modern households, offering an array of functionalities far beyond the traditional broadcasting service.Hisense, a key player in the space, caters to budget-conscious consumers without compromising on the essentials that define a modern smart TV experience. The seamless integration of streaming services, robust picture, and sound quality, coupled with an user-friendly interface, places Hisense TVs as a viable choice for those looking to step into the smart TV ecosystem without breaking the bank.Let’s dive into one of its most recent models or lines of TVs, the U7, or more specifically the 65-inch model. We were provided a review sample and have been using it for the past few weeks. Here are a few key takeaways and impressions of the experience. It’s so damn brightWhat is the U7?The U7 employs Mini-LED and ULED technology to deliver superior visual quality. The U7 series is equipped with 4K resolution and operates on Google TV platform, integrating seamlessly into the modern smart home ecosystem. It embodies a blend of aesthetic appeal and cutting-edge technology that caters to the needs of the contemporary user.The Hisense 65-Inch Class U7 operates on a Mini-LED backlighting system, which coupled with ULED (Ultra LED) technology, ensures remarkable brightness, contrast, and color accuracy. It supports all major HDR formats including Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG, ensuring that viewers receive outstanding video quality across different content formats. The inclusion of Google TV provides a smart, user-friendly interface, simplifying access to a plethora of streaming services and apps.The Hisense 65-Inch Class U7 is tailored for individuals who seek an immersive viewing experience without compromising on smart functionality. It’s an excellent fit for tech-savvy consumers, gamers owing to its 144Hz refresh rate, and those with a keen eye for high-definition visual output. The smart features, including voice control compatibility with Alexa, appeal to a modern audience that values ease of use and smart home integration.Main Features4K UHD (Ultra High Definition): Offers crisp, clear images with four times the resolution of Full HD.Mini-LED Backlighting and ULED Technology: Enhances brightness, contrast, and color accuracy.HDR Support: Compatible with Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG for superior image quality.144Hz Refresh Rate: Ensures smooth motion, particularly beneficial for gaming and fast-action content.Google TV: Provides a smart platform with access to numerous streaming services and apps.Voice Control: Compatible with Alexa for hands-free control.General ImpressionsThe Hisense 65-Inch Class U7 is a testimony to how modern technology can enhance our daily entertainment experience. I try to say that without any sort of hyperbole or wit. As someone who was an early adapter of HD televisions and a pretty much “day one” user of what we refer to as smart televisions, I am blown away by what’s possible now.My house was previously outfitted with 55-inch TVs and projectors in almost every corner so this was my first time experiencing a 65-inch TV. Furthermore, it’s my first time having 4K in the home without a projector. I simply love the size and picture of the Hisense U7 in more ways than one. Not only does it have the brightest and highest resolution image in my house, but it intelligently switches between picture modes and sound modes without hassle.Speaking of which, I was also pleased to find that I can get rid of my sound bar as the audio that emanates from the TV is considerably more clear and louder. I’m reminded of the few times in my life where technological advances changed the way I consume content and entertainment, one of which was when I migrated from VHS to DVD. The difference is so stark and appreciable and makes everything old feel new again. I’ve already revisited a ton of movies. Google TVThe Google TV interface on the Hisense 65-Inch Class U7 accentuates the user experience by providing a sleek, intuitive platform that centralizes content from various streaming services, apps, and channels. It’s a modern-day solution for viewers who crave a simplified, yet powerful, hub for their entertainment needs. For me it’s Google TV first and then all other options.If you’ve not had the chance to check out Google TV on a streaming device, stick, or TV, you’re doing yourself a disservice. Here’s a few reasons as to why I like it so much. Google TV aggregates content from multiple streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and many others, offering a consolidated view of all available shows, movies, and other content. This means users won’t have to jump between different apps to find what they’re looking for. It’s presented in an inviting and intuitive way that looks much better than the menus on your old TV.With Google TV, users receive personalized recommendations based on their viewing habits. That is to say the more you use it, the smarter it gets, offering up content that it thinks you’ll enjoy.via HisenseOn a related note, multiple user profiles ensure a personalized experience for every member of the household. Recommendations and watchlists are separate and tailored to individual tastes based on who is logged in at the time.Equipped with Google Assistant, the interface allows for voice search and control, making it incredibly convenient to find content, control playback, and even manage smart home devices directly from the TV.The search functionality in Google TV is robust and covers multiple platforms. It’s a breeze to find specific titles or explore content across genres, actors, or directors, without being confined to a single streaming service.With Chromecast built into Google TV, users can easily cast content from their mobile devices or computers to the TV, broadening the spectrum of accessible content. One of the first things we do after travelling or gathering in a large group is check out all of our photos. The easiest way we’ve found is to simply cast to the big TV in the living room. Conclusion As someone who knows smartphones and personal tech fairly well, I’ve always been somewhat of a passive fan of TVs. I know what looks good and have a loose understanding of the audio and video standards, but I’ve never truly been able to appreciate them.The Hisense U7, at just $750, offers so much more TV than I could have imagined. I’ve paid considerably more for smaller, less capable televisions in the past and thought nothing of it. Now, however, I get to revel in Dolby Atmos, HDR10+, Filmmaker Mode, and other cutting edge features. The Hisense 65-Inch Class U7 Series’s blend of Mini-LED and ULED technology brings visuals to life, while the Google TV interface simplifies the navigation through a sea of content, tailored to your taste. The impressive refresh rate of 144Hz is a sweet spot for gamers and action aficionados, making every moment on screen smooth and engaging. I’ve already began mulling new gaming consoles because things are just that captivating. This TV stands as a testament to Hisense’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology wrapped in sleek, modern design. With voice control features, HDR support, and a vast array of apps at your fingertips, the Hisense 65-Inch Class U7 is more than a smart choice—it’s a smart investment. As you mull over your options in the bustling market of smart TVs, let the Hisense 65-Inch Class U7 Series be a contender.
Reviews
Roku Ultra review
I’ve long been a fan of Roku. In fact, I was a beta tester of the original streaming box from the company. Back then, you got Netflix, a photo viewer, and a simple interface to play local videos from a USB. That’s it.Roku has come a long way from that first generation with streaming sticks, soundbars, and entire TVs running Roku OS.I’ve been reviewing the latest Roku Ultra for about a month now. It’s an iterative update, but that doesn’t mean it’s not holding its own against the competition.DesignOverall, the design is reminiscent of the previous few generations of Ultra. It’s a large, rounded hockey puck. The casing seems to be made of plastic with a nice, soft-touch finish. When you hold it or set it in the entertainment center, the Roku Ultra doesn’t stand out, and that’s a good thing. It blends in with most decors and just goes to work.The rear of the Roku Ultra is where all the heavy lifting takes place, with all the ports you’d expect. Here you’ll find the USB-A for storage expansion, HDMI out, Ethernet, and a barrel power port. This is a nice selection to make sure you have all the options you need. Add in wireless networking as well and this should work with anyone’s home.Now, let’s move on to the remote. I’ll argue with anyone who disagrees, but I think the Roku remote is one of the best streaming remotes. It has a great feel in the hand, simple-to-use buttons, and isn’t too busy with unnecessary options.Much like the Ultra itself, Roku has continued to offer minor tweaks to a tried and true design with the remote. This generation has all the legacy buttons and ports with a few additions. The new ones on the button layout are two new numbered buttons for two customizable shortcuts.These can be assigned to any app you have in your library. It’s a nice way to offer personalization past the pre-assigned shortcut buttons you find on all Roku remotes. While these tend to offer the big names in streaming like Netflix, it’s still been a pain point for some to not have these be other apps. These new buttons ease that for apps you use daily that may not be provided out of the box.The left side of the Roku Ultra remote house a new switch as well. Here you’ll find a slider switch to turn the microphone for voice assist on or off. This makes me happy, as I never use this is practice at my house, and I don’t need the risk of another microphone always listening in my private living room.Lastly, the remote has a new power pack. This year, Roku has added an internal battery bank that’s capable of being recharged. I love that this allows you to use your remote without the need of AA batteries, even if you can’t hot swap if it’s your only remote. The other knock is that this is done over the now ancient microUSB standard and not USB-C, but it is capable to be used while charging, which is a plus.Roku OSIf you’ve ever used a Roku device, you won’t be taken aback by the Roku Ultra. This new streamer is running Roku 12, and while it’s the latest update of the OS, it’s still basically the same as the system has been for yours. You get the same layout of menu items on the left and the grid view of you all your apps (Channels) on the main portion of the screen on the right.Some new additions to Roku OS 12 that came out back in March are dedicated menu items for Live TV and Sports. These are instant access to Roku’s Live TV hub and any Sports action you may not want to miss. While it requires an antenna or Roku’s limited live options and can’t integrate with 3rd party apps like YouTube TV, it’s a nice option to get to that content as quickly as possible.The other big software change is that you now have a Continue Watching sub-menu under the What to Watch feature. This is pretty self-explanatory, with dumping you into a list of things you’ve watched in the past and offering up the next episodes or chapters. Again, Roku stays out of the way with its simplistic approach, but is slowly adding more granular controls for those that want it.PerformanceI’ve found the Roku Ultra to be fantastic in day to day usage. My older Roku Streaming Stick was sufficient in our bonus room, but the Ultra is a powerhouse in comparison. The internal spec boost is noticeable in general transitions, Channel launches, and menu clicks.Overall, the performance is what you expect from Roku. The interface is snappy and simple. The Channel lineup is still the best you can find across any streaming platform. Add Dolby Atmos with the 4K video and this Roku just rocks. I have zero complaints in this department.ConclusionRoku is the pioneer of the streaming box, and the Roku Ultra simply brings this pedigree into the next generation. The simple design, rock-solid OS, and easy setup make the Ultra a fantastic upgrade or first Roku device for those shopping in this segment.The pricing puts it above some of the competition, but I believe there’s enough value added in the Roku Ultra to make it worth the $99. From the superb remote, better app support, and the least ad ridden home screen, you just get a better experience. Hit the links below to snag one of these from Roku’s site or Amazon.Purchase the Roku Ultra from Roku.comPurchase the Roku Ultra from Amazon.com
Reviews
Razer Viper 8K Hz review: Do you need 8,000Hz?
Razer's update to their Viper gaming mice lineup pushes the boundary with the highest polling rate of any PC mouse
Reviews
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2: What’s new and should you upgrade?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 looks excellent on paper, but is it a big upgrade over last year's SoC?
Reviews
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs Tensor G3: Is Google’s flagship chip already outdated?
Qualcomm might have stolen Google's thunder this generation.
Reviews
Modern Standard has all the Apple charging you need
My recent journeys into the Apple ecosystem came with many good impressions and unforeseen limitations. Each new device has its own set of chargers. It’s a good thing that means I have to test a nice array of new accessories like those from Modern Standard.The company has allowed me some time with their latest lineup of 3-in-1 chargers and I’ll be covering them here in somewhat of a combo review. Each one offers the basic charging for MagSafe for the iPhone, Apple Watch dock, and another pad for charging AirPods (or any other earbuds case).Magnitis 3-in-1 Wireless Charging StationThe first of this trio of trio chargers is the Magnitis and it might be my favorite. This 3-in-1 charger is a modern, metal stand with charging stations for iPhones via MagSafe, wireless Apple Watch, and Qi charging in the bottom for earbuds.The Magnitis is made from space-grade aluminum and screams premium quality. It’s available in dark gray and black or silver and white combinations. The main MagSafe charger is capable of 15 Watt charging making it on par with Apple standards.The Apple Watch and earbuds charging works as you’d expect as well. The magnet on the Apple Watch charger pulls it into alignment well and charges at the normal 5 Watts rate. The Qi pad in the base of the Magnitis is marketed as an AirPods solution, but it’s worked well with any Qi-capable earbuds I have lying around.Purchase the Magnitis Charging Station from Modern Standard $57.95Simpli 3-in-1 Wireless Charging StationMuch like the Magnitis, the Simpli 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station provides you the ability to simultaneously charge your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods/earbuds. While keeping a modern design, the Simpli has a much quirkier, plastic build available in white or black. This doesn’t detract from the quality though.The Simpli outputs the same 15W MagSafe and 5W Apple Watch wireless charging. This is powered by the 25W Qualcomm power adapter. The base on the Simpli is a Qi-powered pad for your earbuds just like the Magnitis and features a 5W charging rate.You get a nice LED charging indicator on the front of the Simpli in front of this pad. It’s a nice feature, but you may find it a little brash for a sleeping environment. The light isn’t super bright, but those who love total darkness may find it an annoyance.One key difference is the back of the Simpli 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Station. Not only will you find the USB-C input for powering the charger, you can also plug another USB-A device in as well. This flexibility makes it perfect for those with multiple gadgets and I’ve had this on my desk since day one.Purchase the Simpli Charging Station from Modern Standard $57.95Cubica 3-in-1 Travel ChargerThe final piece of the Modern Standard 3-in-1 collection is the Cubica Travel Charger. This tri-folding charger handles all the same devices in a compact design. The outer cover of the Cubica has a woven fabric material that’s popular these days. It even has a magnetic metal strip to make sure it stays closed in your bag.Inside from left to right you get the MagSafe mount, Apple Watch charger, and an AirPods pad. The charging rates are the same 15W and 5W combinations as its siblings. The entire setup is powered by USB-C and a 20-watt Qualcomm power adapter.Another mentionable is that the Apple Watch charger can be used while lying flat or in a standing position with the collapsible mount. Just above the Watch charger is a button to turn on and off the LED indicator rings around the MagSafe and earbuds chargers.I recently took this on two different trips across the country and it performed great. Having the compact Cubica tossed in my bag, or in the included carrying case, makes it the perfect travel charging companion. Setup takes less than 30 seconds and you are good to go.Purchase the Cubica Travel Charging Station from Modern Standard $67.95ConclusionMy time with the Modern Standard MagSafe 3-in-1 portfolio has been fantastic. Each of these options is a great solution for your charging needs regardless of the environment. I’ve found myself using the Magnitis on my nightstand, the Simpli on my desk, and of course, the Cubica fits right into any travel bag. If you think one of these chargers fits your workflow, be sure to hit the links above to snag yours from Modern Standard.
Reviews
The DockCase Explorer Edition: A versatile 7-in-1 USB-C hub for the mobile user
With its portable design and abundance of ports, I was eager to take the DockCase Explorer Edition for a test
Reviews
SundaePC: The tiny PC with personality and power
A PC rarely catches my eye when scrolling social media. These devices have become more of an appliance that may not push the WOW factor. This wasn’t the case when I came across SundaePC last year with its miniature computer with a splash of color and personality.I reached out to the PR team at Sundae and they’ve allowed me around a month with this tiny powerhouse and I’ve come away impressed.DesignThe main casing of the SundaePC is a small enclosure with a mix of plastic and metal components. The front is flanked with an LED-lit power button, a 3.5mm audio jack, a USB-A port, and a USB-C port. The rear of the computer houses the power jack, DisplayPort, 2X USB-A, ethernet, and a USB-C input/output.The internals of my review unit include the latest Intel i5-1235U processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of NVME solid-state storage. Graphics are handled by the Iris Xe integrated card and you have WiFi 6 on the modem for wireless connections as well.Thankfully, SundaePC didn’t forget about function as well as form. The bottom panel can be easily removed for accessing the internals. This should make upgrading components like the SSD and RAM a breeze for those who like to tinker. In theory, it could also allow the company to use a Framework-like approach of allowing users to replace the motherboard itself as it ages.Customized LookThe key standout other than size for the SundaePC, are silicone sleeves used to allow users to add a splash of color. These covers can be pulled off and changed in just a few seconds. It’s an easy solution to add some personality to a desktop PC I haven’t seen before that reminds me of how you’d toss a case immediately on a new phone.Our unit included the default black and an optional white jacket for us to test. This comes with a few caveats, however. The first is that the darker colors look like they are straight-up lint and dirt magnets. Our black model almost instantly looked a little icky.Second, the covering can offer some interference when accessing the ports. The rear ports specifically are already cramped between the USB-A inputs and the DisplayPort. The cover adds just a smidge more material that increases the likelihood of having a larger USB or DisplayPort not fitting in tandem.PerformancePacking a big punch in a welterweight body is heavily promised on the SudaePC website, and I’m happy to report that they’ve succeeded. During normal web browsing and office work, the SundaePC performs very well. You should have no issues in average use cases.But what about pushing it a little harder? This was also surprisingly good thanks to the Intel 12th-generation CPU and Iris graphics. I was able to even get Steam up and running playing games with no settings changes. This makes the SundaePC more than capable in my eyes for any user short of hardcore gamers who are going to push machines to their limits for hours on end.SoftwareThe SundaePC runs Windows 11 out of the box. While it’s not my normal OS, I have to say the 11th iteration of Microsoft’s operating system is by far the most modern and snappy version I’ve used. Transitions and general navigation have been fine.I’m also happy to report that the Linux kernel running Fedora and Ubuntu seemed to pick up all the necessary drivers as well. I wouldn’t see much conflict for Linux nerds with this machine as it generally runs well on Intel-based machines. I did run this within a live USB build and using F12 at boot to get to the BIOS, but installations tend to perform similarly to this virtual environment.PricingThis is my biggest con of the SundaePC. While the engineering impresses me, especially in such a small package, the price could seem too steep to some buyers. At $850, I can snag a pretty powerful alternative from the big boys on the block like Apple, Dell, and Lenovo. All of these are brands that are readily recognized and may run off consumers of SundaePC.The customization is nice and I like the easy removable lid to access components, but many consumers will be hesitant of a brand they’ve never heard of before. Despite this, if a buyer can overlook the name, the SundaePC is still competitive for the specs you get here. I still think it’s worth it, but could make some take a second look.ConclusionSundaePC has created a unique way to express yourself in the PC market and packed it into a tiny footprint. Internally, it’s brimming with powerful and modern hardware. The combination makes for a great package that could fit into any workspace.Hit the link below to snag your SundaePC now if our review has swayed you into a purchase.Purchase the SundaePC from SundaePC.com
Reviews
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus review: Should you buy it?
It's almost a Galaxy Tab S9 Plus... but not quite.
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One UI 6 review: Samsung keeps it fresh with Android 14
There aren't many ground-up visual overhauls, but Samsung fans will find enough new additions to be happy about.
Reviews
The 2023 Motorola Razr makes foldables mainstream
A foldable that's absolutely worth the money.