Laptop Batteries, Chargers and AC Adapters

Is the AMD Ryzen 9 HX3D all it’s cracked up to be?

Verdict

The Asus ROG Strix G16 features strong performance, solid Nvidia RTX 5070Ti graphics, a bouncy keyboard, plenty of ports, and a bright, vibrant IPS display.

Pros

• +Powerful general performance
• +Smooth Nvidia RTX 5070Ti graphics
• +Bright, colorful IPS display
• +Bouncy keyboard
• +Plenty of ports

Cons

• -Expensive base configuration, though upgrades aren’t pricey
• -Battery life could be better

>>>Replacement adapter for Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 GA403UI-XS96

TheAsusROG Strix G16 (G614FR) brings something to the table that we haven’t seen yet in this generation of gaming laptops, and it gave me high hopes as I booted it up for the first time. Powered byAMD’s X3D variant CPU, it promises boosted gaming performance thanks to the company’s clever 3D caching tech.

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 solidNvidia RTX5070Ti graphics. Thebest gaming laptopshave 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 thebest gaming laptops of this generation? Let’s find out.

>>>Replacement battery for Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 2024 GA605 GU605M GA605WI

Asus ROG Strix G16 (G614FR): Specs and benchmarks

Price:	$2,399 starting, $2,499 as configured
CPU:	AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D
GPU:	Nvidia RTX 5070Ti with 12GB VRAM
RAM:	32GB
Storage:	1TB
Display:	16-inch, 2560 x 1600, 240Hz, IPS
Battery (HH:MM):	5:22
Dimensions:	13.94 x 10.39 x 0.89~1.20 inches
Weight:	5.51 pounds

Asus ROG Strix G16 (G614FR) benchmarks

Asus ROG Strix G16 (G614FR)
Geekbench 6 (Higher is better)	20,113
Handbrake conversion (Lower is better)	2:17
25GB File Transfer Test (Lower is better)	14.1
25GB File Transfer Test (SSD speed)	1,904
Heat (Degrees Fahrenheit)	100.8
Gaming Heat (Degrees Fahrenheit, 95 comfort threshold)	127.1
Battery life (Higher is better)	05:22
PCMark 10 Gaming Battery life (higher is better)	01:22
Display brightness (Higher is better)	449
sRGB color gamut (Higher is better)	112.5%
DCI-P3 color gamut (Higher is better)	79.7%
Color accuracy (Lower is better)	0.4
3DMark Fire Strike Ultra (Higher is better)	10,794
3DMark Time Spy Extreme (Higher is better)	8,577
Assassin’s Creed: Mirage (1080p, fps)	132
Black Myth: Wukong (Cinematic, 1080p, fps)	53
Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, fps)	53.75
Far Cry 6 (1080p, fps)	143
Monster Hunter Wilds (1080p, fps)	69.23
Red Dead Redemption II (Ultra, 1080p, fps)	51.697
Shadow of the Tomb Raider (1080p, fps)	151

Asus ROG Strix G16 (G614FR): Price and configurations

Asus has multiple configurations of the Strix G16 available this year. FromInteltoAMDmodels, 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 AMDRyzen9 9955HX processor with an Nvidia RTX 5070Ti GPU with 12GB of VRAM, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a 16-inch, 2560×1600, 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.

>>>Replacement battery for Asus ROG Flow X16 GV601RE-M5057X NR2203RM

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 theStrix 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 theRazer 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 mostlaptop backpacksfor 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

>>>Replacement battery for Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 GX650RX GX650RS GX650RW GX650RM

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 thebest laptop docking stationsorUSB-C hubsto connect additional monitors, a professionalwebcam, a studio microphone, or aStream Deckin addition to any gaming accessories.

Asus ROG Strix G16 (G614FR): Battery life

Thanks to Nvidia’s investment in its BatteryBoost tech, the Strix G16 lasts a bit longer than previous generations while gaming.

As we usually see with high-powered gaming laptops, the Strix G16 isn’t a threat to thelaptops 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 our web browsing test, which is about what I expected from real-world testing.

Thanks to Nvidia’s investment in itsBatteryBoost 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)	Alienware 16 Area-51	Gigabyte Aorus Master 16	Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 9
Battery life (Higher is better)	05:22	04:10	05:02	03:01
PCMark 10 Gaming Battery life (higher is better)	01:22	01:51	02:54	00:47

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 upAvowedto 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)	Alienware 16 Area-51	Gigabyte Aorus Master 16	Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 9
Display brightness (Higher is better)	449	516	378	478
sRGB color gamut (Higher is better)	112.5%	115.2%	114.3%	115.2%
DCI-P3 color gamut (Higher is better)	79.7%	81.6%	81.0%	81.6%
Color accuracy (Lower is better)	0.4	0.2	0.23	0.3

Asus ROG Strix G16 (G614FR): Keyboard and touchpad

The Asus ROG laptops tend to have good keyboards, and the Strix G16 is no exception.

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 theApple 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

The volume wasn’t too explosive, but it was more than enough for some solid gaming immersion.

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 thebest headphonesor 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 behindAvowed’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: Dawntrailis 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

Boasting desktop-quality performance, the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D processor is more than sufficient for just about any task.

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+Chrometabs 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 theMSI 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)	Alienware 16 Area-51	Gigabyte Aorus Master 16	Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 9
Geekbench 6 (Higher is better)	20,113	20,498	19,175	17,261
Handbrake conversion (Lower is better)	2:17	02:00	2:18	03:08
25GB File Transfer Test (Lower is better)	14.1	23.36	40.4	15.75
25GB File Transfer Test (SSD speed)	1,904	1,150	665	1,705
Heat (Degrees Fahrenheit)	100.8	92.9	94.3	89
Gaming Heat (Degrees Fahrenheit, 95 comfort threshold)	127.1	118.7	116.8	100

Asus ROG Strix G16 (G614FR): Gaming and graphics

The ROG Strix G16 is a 280W system, so it can drive plenty of power…

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 likeAssassin’s Creed Mirage,Borderlands 3, andDiRT 5. More demanding titles likeBlack Myth: WukongandCyberpunk 2077will see those frame rates drop to 53 fps.

With the Strix’s RTX 5070Ti GPU, you can also enablesoftware upscaling like DLSS 4 and frame generation, which can offer a smoother experience with poorly optimized games likeAvowedandMonster 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 inDoom: 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 inAvowed, 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)	Alienware 16 Area-51	Gigabyte Aorus Master 16	Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 9
3DMark Fire Strike Ultra (Higher is better)	10,794	14,073	13,695	6,423
3DMark Time Spy Extreme (Higher is better)	8,577	10,558	10,097	5,526
Assassin’s Creed: Mirage (1080p, fps)	132	149	145	98
Black Myth: Wukong (Cinematic, 1080p, fps)	53	58	52	Row 4 – Cell 4
Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, fps)	53.75	62.94	61.52	34.51
Far Cry 6 (1080p, fps)	143	121	120	96
Monster Hunter Wilds (1080p, fps)	69.23	82.82	85.67	Row 7 – Cell 4
Red Dead Redemption II (Ultra, 1080p, fps)	51.697	78.348	Row 8 – Cell 3	41.806
Shadow of the Tomb Raider (1080p, fps)	151	183	185	162

Asus ROG Strix G16 (G614FR): AI features

As the Strix G16 features an AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D CPU rather than a RyzenAI300 series processor, it doesn’t meet the requirements for Microsoft’sCopilot+ 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 likeChatRTXandRTX Remixwith 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 forWindowsHello 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 thebest webcamsinstead of the onboard camera.

Asus ROG Strix G16 (G614FR): Software and warranty

The Strix G16 comes withWindows 11Home 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.

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 theAlienware 16 Area-51is 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 theRazer 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).

Lately, the MacBook has consistently been recommended as one of the best laptops in terms of battery life and efficiency. That being said, the Windows space no longer has the terrible reputation of laptops that give you battery anxiety. Improvements in hardware selection and the switch to ARM-based chips means that there are a few solid contenders that deliver on exceptional battery life.There still may be several reasons to switch from Windows to Mac, especially if you already own other Apple products and cherish a seamless ecosystem. However, for many, completely transitioning over to a whole new operating system is not a viable option. Windows machines still reign supreme in aspects like customizability, upgradability, choice, and overall affordability. Battery life is a metric quite difficult to universalize across different products, given how certain laptops are built for handling different kinds of workloads. Many laptop manufacturers, including Apple, tout numbers like 18 hours of battery life. In real-world use, this will vary dramatically. As someone who uses resource-intensive apps like Photoshop and Premiere Pro with a bunch of Chrome tabs in the background, anywhere from 8-10 hours of uninterrupted battery life is what I consider extremely solid.Based on expert reviews, here are five of the best Windows laptops with high battery endurance that you can buy currently. You can find out more about our selection criteria for this list at the end of this read.Acer Aspire 3: Impressive battery on a budget

Laptops like the MacBook Air, while amazing in the battery department, don’t come cheap. To those looking for a laptop on a tight budget that just gets day-to-day low to medium intensity tasks done, the Acer Aspire 3 is a solid pick. The laptop retails at $349.99 on Amazon, and has over 4,500 ratings and a 4.2-star score.Owing to its budget-friendly price tag, this laptop is not going to impress you tons in the performance department. It still packs in an AMD Ryzen 3 7320U chip, 8GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD. These numbers are as low as one should go when buying a new laptop, but the Aspire 3 covers all the essentials anyway.It features a 15.8-inch LCD panel but isn’t exactly the most lightweight of machines at 3.97 pounds. The laptop has a great variety of connectivity options, though, including a full-sized HDMI port, two USB-A, and one USB-C port. You get an expansive keyboard layout to type on, making this a great option for school or work.Really where the Aspire 3 shines is in the endurance department — with an advertised battery life of up to 11 hours. PCWorld’s review gave the Acer Aspire 3 four stars out of five, highlighting its day-long battery life, full-sized keyboard, and a high-quality webcam that caters to all those online meetings.>>>Replacement battery for Acer Aspire 3 A315-41 A315-42 A315-54 A317-33Asus Zenbook 14 OLED: Great mid-range Ultrabook

Asus’ Zenbook Ultrabooks have been serving as great alternatives to the MacBook, given their premium construction and high performance. At $1,069, the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED is powered by the Intel Ultra 7 155H chip, and is backed up by 16GB of RAM and a terabyte of SSD storage. It can get confusing given just how many models the Zenbook series has — a quick and easy way to discern this is by checking the generation of the Intel CPU.You get a full-sized HDMI and a USB-A port, plus two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports that can be used for charging as well as display output. A standout feature of this machine is its OLED panel, which makes it exceptionally good for content consumption. The Zenbook 14 OLED packs in a 75Wh battery, and this translates into a comfortable day’s worth of juice. The presence of USB Power Delivery also makes topping it up convenient and quick via any USB-C cable.Laptop Mag called it a “nearly perfect ultraportable laptop” in their review, where it earned 4.5/5 stars. The only real criticism the review mentioned was the display’s subpar brightness levels. In an endurance test on low brightness, Laptop Mag managed to squeeze nearly 16 hours of battery out of the Zenbook 14 OLED. In terms of performance, I/O, and overall build quality, the Zenbook 14 OLED is one of the finer Windows laptops you can grab.>>>Replacement battery for Asus Zenbook 14 oled UM3406HAAsus ROG Zephyrus G14: For the gamers

Most Ultrabooks skip out on dedicated graphics cards, primarily for portability. However, this does reduce the load on the battery by a considerable margin, which is why most battery-efficient laptops you can buy are thin and light. Some of the most powerful gaming laptops will help you play AAA titles at high frame rates with great detail, but a common complaint in this subcategory of laptops is poor battery life.The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is a gaming machine at its core, but also appeals to those who value build quality, aesthetics, portability, and battery. Compared to the other options on this list, the advertised 10 hours of battery life may not be as impressive, but considering the kind of horsepower this laptop is packing, it’s a great middle ground for those who want a gaming oriented laptop that can double as an everyday machine.It’s powered by the Ryzen 9 8945HS processor and features the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU. Pair that with 32GB of RAM and a terabyte of fast SSD storage, and the Zephyrus G14 is a highly capable gaming machine. In a detailed review and comparison carried out by PCMag, the ROG Zephyrus G14 outperformed comparable gaming laptops from other brands, hitting nearly 12 hours of battery life. At $1,999, it isn’t the most affordable entry into portable gaming, but the Zephyrus handles all other aspects of being a laptop remarkably well.>>>Replacement adapter for Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 GA403UI-XS96Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Edition: Long lasting 2-in-1

Microsoft’s Surface range of laptops are a quick recommendation to anyone looking for MacBook Air alternatives. You get a similar level of polish on the hardware front and enjoy all that Windows has to offer. The Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Edition is technically a tablet that can snap on a keyboard attachment. This is a great option for anyone looking to buy a laptop that has a touchscreen and support for stylus input.There are two versions of the device, with the higher-end Surface Pro powered by the Snapdragon X Elite chip, starting with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage. Unlike most preconfigured Windows laptops, you can use the customizer on Microsoft’s store to build a Surface Pro 2-in-1 that fits your needs. Pricing starts at $999 for the 13-inch model, but this does not include the optional keyboard attachment.RTINGS rated the Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Edition a 9/10 in the battery department — the convertible ended up hitting 11.5 hours of use with casual web browsing, which is impressive even if you disregard the size of the tablet. This puts the Surface Pro 2-in-1 laptop in the all-day battery life department, making it an excellent option for school or work. When it’s time to power up, you can use either of the two USB-C ports for charging, or rely on the proprietary Surface Connect port.Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6: All-day work performance

The Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 retails at $1,399 on Amazon and might seem a touch outdated, especially when contrasted against the sleek metallic builds of most modern thin and light machines. However, it’s targeted as a business laptop and delivers strongly on the performance and battery front.It’s powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processor, which is partly why it’s an endurance beast. You get 32GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage — making it more than capable of handling medium to high intensity office tasks across a suite of programs. Like most current ARM-based laptops, however, the built-in Adreno GPU isn’t the best option if you’re looking for a laptop that can handle a bit of gaming.The laptop features a 14-inch 1080p IPS display and offers a decent variety of connectivity options. You get two USB-C ports, a full-sized HDMI port, two more USB-A ports, and a headphone jack. Rest assured, you won’t be needing to carry around a dongle with this laptop.The ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 earned a rating of 4/5 stars in a review carried out by Laptop Mag — where it also lasted an impressive 21 hours on a single charge. This makes it one of the top contenders for battery life in the laptop space — Windows and Mac included.How we selected the laptops for this list

Unlike MacBooks, picking the right Windows laptop is a lot trickier, given the sheer number of options available, each with different generations of processors. This list is by no means definitive, but we’ve stuck with current-gen Windows laptops that deliver some of the best battery life without compromising on the other aspects.We took into consideration the different price points, form factors, and the target audience of all options on this list. The Acer Aspire 3 might not go neck and neck against the likes of a MacBook Air, but it does offer an all-day battery on a budget if that’s a priority. Similarly, the 2-in-1 Microsoft Surface Pro is a great option for users who want flexibility. Gamers will be drawn to the raw performance that the ROG Zephyrus G14 is capable of, but will also appreciate the comparatively longer lasting battery.

Everything that made one of the best 4K webcams in recent years great at $100 less? The Insta360 Link 2 is less of a gamble and more of a guarantee of satisfaction.

Verdict

The Insta360 Link 2 is a faithful revision of the gimbal-touting webcam that came before it, retaining 4K image and video quality that leaves others envious, within a freshly designed two-axis body and fielding a more attractive price tag.

Pros

• +DSLR-like image and video quality
• +Excellent picture customization
• +Responsive and accurate AI tracking
• +Versatile design
• +Great low-light performance

Cons

• -Middling audio quality

When it comes to even many of thebest laptops, the bar for built-in webcam quality is often placed so low that even a worm would have to suck in its gut to limbo under it. Still, many of us make do with what we’ve got. But we don’t have to. Webcam excellence is a single “Add to basket” click away, and there are few I’d recommend more than the gimbal-touting Insta360 Link 2.

Thebest webcamsaren’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.Insta360 Link 2: Specifications

Price:$199
Resolution:4K (3840X2160) at up to 30FPS; 1080p at up to 60FPS
Sensor size:1/2-inch
Aperture:f/1.8
ISO:100 – 3200
Shutter speed:1/8000 – 1/30s
Zoom:4x Digital
HDR:Yes
Microphones:AI Noise-cancelling pinhole mic
Field of View:79.5-degrees
Autofocus:Yes (min. 4 inches)
Manual Focus:Software enabled
AI Tracking: Yes
Connection:USB-C
Size:2.8 x 2.3 x 1.5 inches
Weight:3.6 ounces (5.9 w/ Magnetic Mount)

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 thebest MacBooks, typically ranges from bad toreally 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: theInsta360 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.

ALSO:Replacement battery for Insta360 Ace

Insta360 Link 2: Price and availability

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

Its most obvious comparison would be to the originalInsta360 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 impressiveAItracking, 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.

ALSO:Replacement battery for Insta360 X3

At only 2.8 x 2.3 x 1.5 inches in size, the Link 2 is suitable for just about every setup you can imagine. It’s small footprint allows its two-axis gimbal to rotate freely without worry of getting snagged on anything else, and its Magnetic Mount allows it to be placed atop monitors of all sizes with ease.

Insta360 Link 2: Design

…Insta360 Link 2 is like having your very own personal cameraperson with you at all times.

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 ofShort Circuitprotagonist, 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 Link 2’s two-axis gimbal has an impressive turning range and handles movement so smoothly that it’s AI tracking is like having your own professional cameraperson on-hand at all times. 

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 theInsta360 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.

ALSO:Replacement battery for Insta360 ONE X2

Pair the Link 2 with its Magnetic Mount and a tripod and you can tilt the webcam 90 degrees to capture social media-ready footage, or stream directly to your favorite platforms with all of its hi-res potential and AI tracking features.

Insta360 Link 2: Video quality

…the Link 2’s HDR mode is a great way to combat both low-light environments and even those with peaking lighting…

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.The Insta360 Link 2’s 1/2-inch sensor and wider f/1.8 aperture excel at capturing detailed images, and perform well even in low-light conditions.

…if I were streaming, presenting, or even looking for an affordable webcam for content creation, Insta360’s webcam is the one I’d choose.

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 werestreaming, 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 aHyperX QuadCast S cardioid microphonethat 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.

Whether freestanding, perched on a monitor or screen using its Magnetic Mount, or placed atop a tripod, the Link 2 offers consistently impressive video, making for a highly versatile camera.

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 todownload 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.

Through the Insta360 Link Controller software, users can adjust the resolution and frame rate of captures, as well as tweak various filters, and take manual control of various settings, including ISO, shutter speed, white balance, and sharpness, to bring out the best of the camera’s capabilities.

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

But it’s close enough to perfect that it makes the competition look like a compromise.

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.

Share your Switch 2 games locally and play multiplayer titles with friends who don’t own them

Nintendo Switch2’s GameShare feature makes it easier to play local multiplayer games with friends — even if they don’t own the game. Instead of requiring everyone to buy their own copy, one console hosts the session while another streams the gameplay locally.

It’s a simple idea that lowers the barrier to co-op gaming. Whether you’re teaming up in Mario 3D World or just exploring a game together, GameShare lets two consoles share a single copy.

Understanding how to set up and join GameShare sessions opens up new possibilities for gaming with friends and family, whether you’re using two Switch 2 consoles or connecting a Switch 2 to an original Switch.

>>>Replacement battery for Nintendo DS Lite DSL NDSL

1. Understand what GameShare does (and doesn’t) do

GameShare on the Switch 2 lets one player stream a multiplayer game locally to another console, so only the host needs to own the game. The receiving player can use either a Switch 2 or an original Switch, but both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network — this isn’t an online feature.

It’s important to note that GameShare only works foractive multiplayer sessions. The guest can’t play solo, and gameplay will stop as soon as the host ends the session. It’s a way to co-play, not to lend games.

Not all Switch 2 games support GameShare functionality.Check the game’s multiplayer options menuto see if GameShare appears as an option. Compatible titles will clearly display it alongside other multiplayer choices.

>>>Replacement battery for Nintendo 3DS N3DS

2. Start a GameShare session as the host

To begin sharing your game, you’ll need to launch it first. This process differs slightly depending on the title. InSuper Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury, for example,press Rto open the online menu.

InSuper Mario Odyssey, you’ll need toselect two-player modefrom the main screen Once in the multiplayer options,select GameShareto start hosting. Your Switch 2 will create a local session that other players nearby can discover.

Make sureyour console is connected to Wi-Fi, and keep an eye out — you’ll need toconfirm incoming join requestsbefore anyone can connect.

3. Join a GameShare session as a guest

If someone nearby is hosting a session, you can join using a Switch 2 or an original Switch.

From the home screen,select GameSharefrom the menu bar. You’ll then be prompted tochoose a user profile, which determines your in-game progress and any friend connections used during the session.

Next,select Search for GameShare sessionto scan for available games. If one is found,select the session you want to join. The host will receive a prompt and mustapprove your requestbefore the game begins.

Troubleshooting GameShare issues

Ensure both consoles are connected to the same Wi-Fi networkif you’re having trouble finding or joining sessions. Check that your Switch 2 has the latest system update installed, as GameShare requires current firmware to function properly.

If the connection feels laggy or unstable,move closer to your router or reduce network trafficby pausing downloads on other devices.

GameShare performance depends heavily on your local network quality, so a strong Wi-Fi signal is essential for smooth gameplay.

---

Apple has launched a global service program for the M2 Mac mini due to a “very small percentage” of units that may not power on. Affected devices include Mac minis manufactured in 2024. Even if the error has not occurred, eligible devices can still be serviced free of charge.

Apple has launched a new service program. (Image source:apple)

Apple has announced the global launch of a new service program for the Mac mini due to a “very small percentage” of units that may not power on, for which Apple has not provided an explanation to date. Affected devices include Mac minis manufactured between June 16, 2024 and November 23, 2024. Even if the error has not occurred, eligible devices can still be serviced for free by Apple or an authorized service provider.

>>>Replacement battery for Apple MacBook Pro 15 A1990 (Mid 2018)

Users not affected by the problem are advised to checkherewhether they are potentially affected by the error by entering the serial number: a data backup can be made accordingly. Users can then contact an authorized Apple Service Provider or make an appointment at an Apple Store. Apple provides information on how to prepare the Mac for service on aseparate page. The service is available to eligible Mac mini models for three years after the first retail sale of the device. If the Mac Mini has any damage that prevents it from being repaired, this must – as usual – be repaired beforehand and may be subject to a charge.