Skip to content

Best Monitor for Macbook Pro (Retina) / Mac Mini / Macbook Air

Tutorial about how to choose a monitor to combine with a Mac computer. There are many models available, with pretty different prices and features. A short review about the main technologies, certifications, reference standards to consider.

The choice of a Monitor to use with a computer is not an easy task: there are many models for each price range, apparently similar but often with functions and features even much different from each other…So what are the best 2016 monitors to match a Mac computer with? And which parameters should I consider to choose them?

Keeping the average Mac user as parameter in mind, we’ve thought to explain the elements to consider in order to combine a monitor with a computer, which can be a Mac Mini, a Mac Pro, but also an additional display for a MacBook Air or a MacBook Pro. There’s really an unlimited number of them, with displays suitable for people who professionally work with photos and videos, and other ones realized for design, yet other ones for gaming and multimedia, or pretty generic and cheap ones, suitable for people who do an office job (writing, emailing, web surfing etc.). We’ll shortly see the main technologies, certifications and the reference standards to consider.

Which connections should a Monitor be equipped to work with a Mac?

All pretty recent Mac computers provide, as standard, a Mini DisplayPort port (Thunderbolt); you can use this one to connect monitors that integrate this port: DVI, HDMI, or the old VGA monitors can be connected with specific adapters. Apple and third party producers provide Mini DisplayPort-DVI, Mini DisplayPort-VGA, Mini DisplayPort/DVI-Dual-Link and Mini DisplayPort-HDMI adapters. The current Mac Pro can handle without any problem up to three displays with 5K resolution and six Thunderbolt displays (we redirect you to this support document by Apple to know details about the types of Ultra HD monitor supported and how to set them up).

Read more

Echo Dot Review: how good is Amazon’s 3rd generation of Smart speaker with Alexa?

<strong>Verdict</strong>
When we tested the second generation of Amazon’s Echo Dot, we were forced to conclude that it was not particularly well-suited to playing music. However, in contrast, the third generation of Amazon’s connected speaker is quite good; the newest Echo Dot has vastly improved audio quality. What’s more, given its affordable price, it is unquestionably the most inexpensive way of bringing Alexa into your home. Our only criticism is that it no longer features a customizable plastic shell as previous versions did. Apart from this shortcoming, for its price, the Echo Dot is a near-perfect connected speaker..
<strong>What we liked</strong>
  • No HDD, only 256GB storage space
  • Poor battery life
  • Only one USB 3.0 port
  • Not the latest Bluetooth version (v4.0)
Con
  • it’s no longer customizable

By launching its Echo Dot, Amazon took a giant leap forward in the field of connected home technology. The Echo Dot is the most affordable way to bring Alexa into your living room and it also makes a great gift.

Read more

AOC AG322QCX Review: large gaming monitor with 144Hz

AOC AG322QCX144Hz, 31.5” curved display with QHD resolution, and all sorts of ergonomic functions – the AOC AG322QCX awaits with features to please gamers. I have tested it to see whether the concept has taken off.

Pro
  • Good workmanship
  • Adaptive sync
  • Good image quality
Con
  • The buttons on the QuickSwitch controller

Before we begin with the complete test, here is an overview of the technical specifications once again. For those of you who are really keen to know, you can jump to the conclusion here.

First impression, delivery and assembly

The first impression is very good, even the packaging gives a positive impression. The assembly instructions are in one of the higher flaps on the packaging, you can’t miss it. I also really like the spacers for the monitor – with that you can put it on the table when assembling it knowing that it will not bend the curved display.

AOC AG322QCXThe delivery has everything that you need. Along with the monitor, there is also the power cable, a DisplayPort cable, an HDMI cable, a 3.5mm cable, a USB-B 3.0 cable and the QuickSwitch controller. The usual papers have been condensed onto one small product information sheet. In addition, there is also a CD with the operating instructions.

Read more

Google Home Max Review: a powerful yet disappointing connected speaker

Apple’s only connected speaker is the HomePod (which makes up for Siri’s shortcomings with its excellent acoustic quality). Google, on the other hand, offers several such products geared to “Home” use, with names like Mini and Max. The largest of these products, the Google Home Max, is the one we will be discussing here.

Retailing for around 399$, this connected speaker was engineered to satisfy even the most demanding listeners. In other words… to make you forget about the mediocre acoustic performance of the Google Home (which retails for much less: 129 dollars). A world leader in wireless technology, Google is now seeking to validate its wireless connected speaker. And, after having spent a few weeks testing the Home Max, we have to say that it still has a lot of room left for improvement.

Google Home Max

The Home Max isn’t very elegant but it does have some great features

A connected speaker designed to fit in with a person’s interior decor should, above all, be aesthetically appealing. However, it would be fair to say that the Google Home Max is somewhat lacking in this respect. Very massive, the Google Home’s big brother is not very elegant: it resembles a large gray or black brick (your two color options) that sticks out when it is placed on top of a piece of furniture. At least the Home Max has very good finish quality (there’s nothing protruding from the speaker’s case); also noteworthy is its ability to be placed vertically in the manner of a bookshelf speaker. Google also supplies a small, magnetic silicone support to prevent the speaker from being in direct contact with the surface it is sitting on.

Google Home MaxWe did like this speaker’s front panel: it is covered with thin fabric that is translucent enough to allow the speaker’s four luminous indicators to show through when using the Google Assistant. Of course, the direction of these indicators will depend on the speaker’s orientation. At the top of the speaker (or on its side if it is being used vertically), can be found a tactile surface (distinguishable by its darker color) which will allow you to increase/decrease the speaker’s volume or pause audio playback. These controls work very well and can be used if you prefer not to make use of the speaker’s voice commands.

Read more

Acer Predator X34P Review: luxury beast with minor weaknesses

Acer Predator X34P

The Acer Predator X34P is unbelievable. 120 Hertz, 1440p resolution, 34-inch, 21:9 curved display and NVIDIA G-Sync. It has almost everything today’s gamer wants, but of course at a price which would shock many. With our test you can find out whether it is really worth 900 dollars.

Pro

  • Sleek 120 Hz panel
  • NVIDIA G-Sync
  • 21:9 format
Con
  • “mellow” frame
  • No HDR
  • 5ms response time

The Acer Predator X34P really does want to be a predator. At such a high price, it should at least be able to make coffee. To cut a long story short, the Acer Predator X34P is a stylish monitor which does everything right. Unfortunately, though, there are more problems in the B note, which costs it the title of the perfect gaming monitor. Let’s begin as we always do by looking at the specs.

Delivery and assembly

A 34-inch 21:9 monitor does not come in a small box. At least you can still carry it by yourself. In the box you can find, next to the Acer Predator X34P, the HDMI cable, display port and the power cable with a German and British plug layout. You also get a remote control and metal plate, which you need to hang it on the wall. Not necessarily a lot, but it is enough.

Read more

Cheap Gaming Monitor 2018 Recommendation (144 Hz, Low input Lag, 4K)

Arguably the most important peripheral, a good monitor is supposed to provide a good immersive experience for gaming and productivity. There are myriads of factor to be considered here, first and foremost being the resolution and the color reproduction. Next and equally important factor, especially for gamers, is the refresh rate of the monitor and the availability of FreeSync or G-sync for smoother gaming experience. The unknown factors are of course backlight bleed and dead pixels, especially, if you are going for esoteric Korean panels which have flooded the market these days.

Our review however is concerned with the most well-established manufacturers with relatively uniform production quality and better customer support. If you want to take the risk, go ahead and experiment with a Korean panel.

Your personal workload is also an important factor in deciding the kind of panel you may want to use. Want higher response time and really low latency for your fast-paced Counter-Strike then you may want a TN panel. Most people prefer using an IPS panel, because of better viewing angle and higher color saturation. This is good for content creators and people who watch movies with their friends and family using their monitor.

Read more

Best Laptop under 600 Dollars 2018

Are you looking for the best possible laptop but do not want to spend too much? It’s difficult trying to find good gaming or office laptop within a budget when you have to do all the research by yourself. Luckily, you have come to the right place if you want guidance and reviews of the best gaming laptops under 600 dollars.

In this article, we will guide you about things you should be looking for in a budget laptop before buying it. We will also share with you our list of Best laptops under $600 that we feel are the best in this budget.

Buying a laptop within $600 means that you will have to make some compromises. When you are trying to find a budget laptop, you won’t be getting the latest tech and the highest possible storage at once.

For example, there would be one laptop with an excellent display, but on closer inspection, you will find that the computer has a processor that is two generations behind the latest generation of processors. Alternatively, Probably, you will find a laptop that has specs that are far beyond what you were expecting but lacks a graphics card.

Read more

Nvidia GT 1030 vs AMD RX 550: What’s the difference? Which is better?

Competitive PC video gaming no longer requires a very expensive hardware configuration. Both Nvidia and AMD are now offering graphics cards retailing for under 100€ which are powerful enough for gaming in 1080p.

Beginning with its GT 1030, Nvidia has been more focused on improving the efficiency of its graphics cards than their raw performance characteristics. AMD has also adopted a similar strategy for the design of its two newest graphics cards – the RX 550 and the RX 560 (which belongs to a slightly higher product line). But what can these graphics cards be used for? In addition to being well-suited to building small media-center computers (that can be placed under a TV), these graphics cards are also ideal for entering the world of competitive PC gaming without having to spend hundreds of euros on hardware.

In fact, the majority of competitive PC games are very highly optimized and do not require a powerful hardware setup in order to be played. The main consideration with this type of game is ensuring a constant, and sufficiently high frame rate (in order to allow players to follow all of a game’s action without their computer lagging).

Among the most highly competitive PC games are, of course, Overwatch, Starcraft 2, and Heroes of The Storm as well as League of Legends, Dota 2, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Not to mention Hearthstone which can even be played on an iPad.

Read more

What are the best computers and tablets for studying?

PC or tablet? macOS, iOS, Windows or ChromeOS? We will help you make the right choice before it is time to go back to high school or university!

It is almost time to go back to school! That means its time, once again, to stock up on all the supplies you’ll be needing. In 2018, depending on your particular educational institution and level of studies, you may want to replace your notebooks, papers, and pencils with either a PC or a tablet.

Read more

Top 10 Torrent Sites of 2018

  • by

Torrent websites are loved by many as they allow you to download large files easily and quickly. You can download video games, movies, software, music albums, eBooks, and more. This is made possible with the help of communication protocols for peer-to-peer file sharing (P2P) such as BitTorrent. It is important to note, downloading torrent files …

Read more