One of the easiest ways to enhance your PC experience is to get a better monitor. It doesn’t require any upgrades for your desktop or laptop, and it shines up the primary way you interact with almost everything: the visuals. Prime Day is upon us again, and from July 8th-11th, there are plenty of deals to be found on the best and most affordable displays. (Here’s how to get Amazon Prime for free so you can get in on the deep, deep discounts.) With U.S. tariffs affecting prices, to say nothing of general consumer trends, it might not be the smorgasbord of discounts we saw in previous years. But there are still savings to be had, on OLED monitors, gaming monitors, and standard office designs — and I’ve hunted down the best monitor deals in the list below. Even though it’s Prime Day, some of the best discounts can be found elsewhere on the web, so I’ve included those in the list as well. Best Prime Day 2025 deals on OLED monitors Samsung Odyssey OLED G93SC 49-inch, 5120×1440, 240Hz OLED gaming monitor — $899.99 ($700 off at Amazon) LG UltraGear OLED 34-inch 1440p 240Hz OLED gaming monitor — $714.99 ($585 off at Amazon) ASRock 27-inch 1440p 240Hz OLED gaming monitor — $479.99 ($166 off at Newegg) Alienware 27-inch 1440p 360Hz OLED gaming monitor — $619.99 ($280 off at Dell) Alienware 34-inch ultrawide 240Hz OLED gaming monitor — $679.99 ($120 off at Amazon) Alienware 32-inch 4K 240Hz OLED gaming monitor — $849.99 ($350 off at Dell) MSI 49-inch ultrawide 144Hz OLED gaming monitor — $749.99 ($350 off at Amazon) OLED monitors are the cream of the crop for gamers, thanks to incredible color vibrance and contrast, even if they’re not the absolute fastest on the market right now. For my money, MSI has the best deal at the moment…but then I’m an ultrawide fanboy and I love that gigantic 49-inch format. If you’re looking for an OLED upgrade at the lowest price, ASRock is leading the pack with a rare 27-inch pick under the $500 mark. Best Prime Day 2025 deals on gaming monitors KTC 24-inch 1080p 165Hz gaming monitor — $93.99 ($46 off at Newegg) Asus 25-inch 1080p 180Hz gaming monitor — $109.00 ($50 off at Amazon) ASRock 27-inch 1080p 240Hz gaming monitor — $104.77 ($85 off at Newegg) LG 27-inch 1440p 144Hz gaming monitor — $180.49 ($119.50 off at Amazon) Alienware 34-inch ultrawide 1440p 180Hz gaming monitor — $309.99 ($90 off at Dell) Gigabyte 28-inch IPS 4K 144Hz gaming monitor — $329.99 ($270 off at Newegg) LG 27-inch, IPS 1440p, 240Hz gaming monitor — $284.05 ($215.94 off at Amazon) For more affordable options for gamers, ASRock once again delivers with a 27-inch, 1080p display at just a hair over a hundred bucks. But I’d say that Gigabyte is giving the best bang for your buck with its 28-inch 4K option. Not only is it using an IPS panel for greater color accuracy, it’s packing a USB-C port for flexible video. It’s a great, affordable centerpiece to a setup that works for both, well, work and gaming. Prime Day 2025 deals on office monitors Acer 27-inch 1080p IPS 120Hz monitor — $99.99 ($50 off at Best Buy) Samsung 27-inch 1080p IPS monitor — $99.99 ($50 off at Amazon) Dell 27-inch 1440p IPS monitor — $179.99 ($40 off at Amazon) LG 27-inch 4K IPS monitor — $229.99 ($150 off at Amazon) Asus 32-inch 4K IPS monitor — $209.99 ($90 off at Amazon) Samsung 34-inch 1440p ultrawide monitor — $219.99 ($110 off at Amazon) MNN 15-inch portable USB-C monitor — $59.97 ($30 off at Amazon) I can personally recommend Dell’s 27-inch, 1440p IPS monitors, because I’ve been using them for years on either side of my ultrawide center display. It’s a perfect way to expand your desk space, but unless you need some gaming-grade speed, it works great as a primary display too. For laptop users, there’s no easier way to expand your mobile capabilities than with a USB monitor (especially since they now include power and video). And there are a bunch of affordable options now, too. Other great Prime Day deals These aren’t the only Prime Day deals being tracked by the PCWorld team. If you’re looking to supercharge your home setup with the juiciest tech sales, hit the links for only the best expert-curated picks we’ve found. Best Amazon Prime Day tech deals: Great sales chosen by experts Best Prime Day PC computer deals: Gaming & mainstream desktops Best Prime Day laptop deals: Gaming notebooks, 2-in-1s, and more Best Prime Day deals on SSDs and storage Best USB flash drive deals for Prime Day 2025 Best monitor deals for Prime Day 2025: OLED, home office, and more Best Prime Day deals on Thunderbolt docks and USB-C hubs Best Prime Day mini PC deals: Big savings on tiny computers Best Prime Day deals on battery chargers and power banks Best Prime Day 2025 deals on Chromebooks Best Prime Day deals on office chairs and standing desks FAQ 1. What size of monitor should I buy? Monitor size depends on personal preference and location.  A 24-inch monitor is fine for a desk that is around 24 inches deep, or less. Its small size will still be sufficient because the monitor is closer to you. Most people, however, will want to go with a 27-inch monitor. The added size will make the monitor easy to see. This also opens up a wider range of 4K monitor options, as 4K is very rare on a 24-inch monitor. Larger monitors, such as a 32-inch widescreen or 34-inch ultrawide, are great for deep desks and people who want an immersive experience. Monitors this large can serve as a TV replacement in a small room.  Displays of even larger size, such as 42-inch or 48-inch HDTVs, are best for home theater setups or an unusually large office. You’ll want to sit four to six feet away from a display of this size. 2. What display input is best? (HDMI vs. DisplayPort vs. USB-C) USB-C is the best display input for most people. It works by bundling DisplayPort into USB-C, so offers all the same features as DisplayPort. Yet it retains the features of USB-C including optional support for Power Delivery to charge external devices. This is why we recommend a USB-C monitor for most people. DisplayPort is generally second-best. It supports higher resolutions and refresh rates than HDMI. This input is particularly common on desktop computers.  HDMI comes in third due to lower resolution and refresh rate support. This is improved by HDMI 2.1, but this feature remains hard to find and often adds to a monitor’s price. All three of the options above handle 1080p at 60Hz, which is the most common resolution and refresh rate available today. It’s also important to buy a monitor that has an input compatible with your PC. 3. Are all monitors compatible with Windows and MacOS? Modern monitors are compatible with all recent versions of Windows and MacOS. They’re plug-and-play, which means the monitor should display an image without the need to install driver software or mess with Windows or MacOS settings. 4. Are tariffs affecting monitor prices? Yes. Deals for monitors around this sale aren’t as good as they were during Amazon’s last big sale in October, particularly for the largest, most expensive models. That said, we have managed to avoid the complete shutdown of imported stock that seemed likely during the most tumultuous back-and-forth tariff negotiations…so that’s something. Prices are unlikely to improve later in the year, so if you find a delectable deal on a monitor you’re interested in, Prime Day may be one of your best bets of the year. Especially if you buy on day one of the event — President Trump says additional reciprocal tariffs will return on July 9, the second day of Prime Week, and could plunge prices into chaos. Read...

Amazon Prime Day 2025 is officially live, and if you’ve been eyeballing those juicy laptop deals, now’s the time to commit and jump in. But this year, Amazon’s switching things up. Prime Day is now a four day event (July 8th to July 11th), which gives you more time to snag the best discounts. Just remember, you’ll need a Prime membership to access the deals. Here’s how to get it for free. If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with a curated list of the best laptop deals on Prime Day. Why should you care about what I’ve got to say? Fair question. I oversee all laptop and Chromebook review coverage at PCWorld. I also maintain our best laptop deals roundup daily, along with our best laptops of 2025 roundup weekly. That means I’m hunting for the best laptop discounts online every single day, so I’m pretty well-attuned to the landscape, while my hands-on knowledge helps me unearth the true gems. Best Prime Day 2025 deals on budget laptops Lenovo IdeaPad 1, Intel Celeron processor/15.6-inch 1920×1080 display/12GB RAM/128GB eMMC + 256GB PCIe), $284.05 ($74.95 off at Amazon) Asus VivoBook Go, AMD Ryzen 5 7520U processor/15.6-inch 1920×1080 display/8GB RAM/512GB SSD, $329.99 ($100 off at Amazon) Dell Inspiron 15 3535, AMD Ryzen 5 7520U processor/15.6-inch 1920×1080 display/8GB RAM/512GB SSD, $399.99 ($50 off at Amazon) Our top pick: With 8GB of RAM, a comfortable 1080p display, and a spacious 512GB of storage, the Dell Inspiron 15 3535 really hits the sweet spot at this price point (under $500). If you want a laptop that remains peppy after weeks of use, then this is the one to pick. Best Prime Day 2025 deals on mid-range laptops Samsung Galaxy Book4 (AI), Snapdragon X Plus processor/15.6-inch 1920×1080 display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $599.99 ($300 off at Amazon) Dell Inspiron 5441, Snapdragon X Plus processor/14-inch 1920×1200 display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $694.99 ($105 off at Amazon) Dell Inspiron 16 Plus, Intel Core i7-13620H processor/16-inch 2560×1600 display/16GB RAM/1TB SSD, $816 ($133.99 off at Amazon) Apple 2025 MacBook Air, M4 chip/13.6-inch 2560×1664 display/16GB RAM/256GB SSD, $849 ($150 off at Amazon) Asus Vivobook 14 Flip, Intel Core Ultra 5 226V processor/14-inch 1920×1200 OLED touchscreen display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $869.99 ($130 off at Amazon) Our top pick: The Dell Inspiron 16 Plus is a great pick because you’re getting a high resolution 16-inch display (2560×1600), a good amount of RAM (16GB) and storage (1TB), and a powerful Intel Core?i7-13620H processor–all for under $800. Best Prime Day 2025 deals on premium laptops Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024), Snapdragon X Elite processor/13.8-inch ?2304×1536 display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $989.99 ($410 off at Amazon) Apple MacBook Air, M4 chip/13.6-inch 2560×1664 display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $1,049 ($150 off at Amazon) Samsung Galaxy Book5 360, Intel Core Ultra 7 processor/16-inch 1920×1080 AMOLED display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $1,049.99 ($300 off at Amazon) Asus Vivobook S 14, AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 processor/14-inch 3840×2160 OLED display/24GB RAM/512GB SSD, $1,057.99 ($142 off at Amazon) Asus ZenBook 15 Pro OLED, Intel Core i7-13620H processor/15.6-inch 1920×1080 display/16GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,099.99 ($100 off at Amazon) HP Envy, Intel Core Ultra 7 155H processor/17.3-inch 1920×1080 display/64GB RAM/2TB SSD, $1,399 ($290 off at Amazon) Our top pick: Just a little over a grand for the Asus Vivobook S 14? That’s an excellent price for a laptop with the latest AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 processor and a super crisp 14-inch 3840×2160 display. You’re also getting 24GB of RAM, which is more than most laptops get at this price point. Best Prime Day 2025 deals on gaming laptops Acer Nitro V, Intel Core i5-13420H processor/RTX 4050 graphics/15.6-inch 1920×1080 display/8GB RAM/512GB SSD, $649.99 ($150 off at Amazon) Acer Nitro 17, AMD Ryzen 5 8645HS processor/RTX 4050 graphics/17.3-inch 1920×1080 display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $979.99 ($220 off at Amazon) Asus ROG Strix G16, Intel Core i9-14900HX processor/RTX 4060 graphics/16-inch 2560×1600 display/16GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,359.99 ($340 off at Amazon) Lenovo Legion 16, Intel Core i9-14900HX processor/RTX 4070 graphics/16-inch 2560×1600 display/64GB RAM/2TB SSD, $1,999 ($239.74 off at Amazon) Our top pick: The Asus ROG Strix G16 really stands out. Not only does the RTX 4060 graphics card deliver excellent gaming performance, but you’re also getting 16GB of RAM (ideal for running modern games) and 1TB of SSD storage for large installs. The 16-inch 2560×1600 display also gives you slightly more vertical space than your standard 1080p panel.  Other great Prime Day deals These aren’t the only Prime Day deals being tracked by the PCWorld team. If you’re looking to supercharge your home setup with the juiciest tech sales, hit the links for only the best expert-curated picks we’ve found. Best Amazon Prime Day tech deals: Great sales chosen by experts Best Prime Day PC computer deals: Gaming & mainstream desktops Best Prime Day laptop deals: Gaming notebooks, 2-in-1s, and more Best Prime Day deals on SSDs and storage Best USB flash drive deals for Prime Day 2025 Best monitor deals for Prime Day 2025: OLED, home office, and more Best Prime Day deals on Thunderbolt docks and USB-C hubs Best Prime Day mini PC deals: Big savings on tiny computers Best Prime Day deals on battery chargers and power banks Best Prime Day 2025 deals on Chromebooks Best Prime Day deals on office chairs and standing desks FAQ 1. What kind of laptop should I get? Well, it depends on your needs and lifestyle. A 2-in-1, for example, is a good fit for someone who travels often. You can swing the screen back 360 degrees and use it in tablet mode for taking notes or you can prop it up like a tent for watching movies with friends. If gaming is a top priority, then you’ll want to look into a laptop with powerful graphics hardware and a display with a high refresh rate. For those of us who need a basic laptop for general web browsing, a low-powered Windows laptop should do you just fine. 2. How can I tell whether a laptop is a good Prime Day deal? I always use CamelCamelCamel, a free tool that tracks Amazon price history. Just create an account, enter a product’s ASIN (found in its Amazon URL and starts with the letter B), and you’ll see a graph of its price history over time. It’s an easy way to spot the good stuff and to also know if you’re getting the lowest price. 3. Do laptop brands matter? Not really, as long as you stick to well-known brands. Big manufacturers like Acer and Dell make solid machines and often offer steep discounts on their websites. You might have a personal preference, though, like maybe you’ve historically stuck with HP machines. 4. How much memory do I need in a laptop? I always tell my friends and family to aim for at least 8GB of RAM. Anything less, and you’ll likely notice things starting to slow down. If you can go higher than 8GB, even better. The more RAM you have, the snappier your laptop will feel, especially for everyday tasks like web browsing or working in spreadsheets. For more demanding work, 16GB is a solid choice for productivity and gaming, while 32GB and beyond is ideal for video editing and other intensive tasks. 5. Is now a good time to buy a laptop? Will tariffs affect laptop prices? Yes! Prime Day tends to offer some of the lowest laptop prices of the year, especially on budget and mid-range models. Prices on premium and gaming laptops are all over the place, but Prime Day is one of those rare times where you’ll see good discounts across every category.  As for external factors like tariffs, there are currently no major new tariffs affecting laptops in the U.S., but this can change fast depending on trade decisions. Manufacturers hike the prices up later in the year, especially if supply chain issues pop up again, so if you’re thinking about pulling the trigger on a new laptop, now’s a good time to do it. Read...

Scammers commonly try to take advantage of shoppers hunting for a good deal—and with Amazon Prime Day just around the corner, opportunity is ripe for them to strike again. Even if you don’t shop at Amazon, enough competing retailers try to muscle in during this decade-long tradition, so you could still fall for a nasty trick. The same applies if you plan to sit out from the buying frenzy. Fraudsters more easily slither around our normal defenses during busy and chaotic times. So your job is to know how they could strike, and be prepared to avoid their tactics. These three key scams are the top ones to look out for. Prime Membership scams: A popular scam claims your account has a problem that won’t be resolved until you get in contact. This tactic applies just as equally to any other retailer (e.g. Best Buy, Newegg, Target, etc). Fake order confirmation scams: With these scams, you’ll receive an email, text, or call about an order you never placed. A variant: Communication that says a problem with your order has occurred. Fake listing scams: You can encounter phony links for deals through social media, email, and text. They often spoof official sites, with prices too good to be true. Package delivery scams: You may receive messages (most commonly through text) letting you know about delayed or misdirected packages. Don’t click that link.Tech Advisor Scammers of course hope you’ll click the links in their email or texts, or that you’ll return their call. Once they have you communicating with them, their goal is to steal something from you. Bad links can send you to fake product listings that send you junk or cheap imitations. Or the address sends you to an imitation of the official site, in order to steal your login info. Scammers can then take over your account and start buying things on your dime. During phone calls, scammers skilled at social engineering will try to spark fear, urgency, or other strong emotions in you, so that you end up giving away information that lets them access your shopping account—or worse, your bank info. How to avoid Amazon Prime Day scams Two simple tactics will help you avoid shopping scams (and most scams in general).  Checking up on your Amazon account, orders, or delivery status? Use the official website or app.Christian Wiediger / Unsplash First: Don’t act immediately on any sudden, strong emotions. Fear and urgency are key feelings that scammers exploit.  Maybe you think you spotted an incredible deal, and you’re both excited and also worried you’ll miss out if you don’t act fast. Perhaps you’re concerned that an issue happened with your order, and you’ll lose the deal. Or you’re stressed because you think your package has been misrouted, and it could now become lost or stolen. Or you never bought anything at all, and you’re now freaking out a bit that your account could have been compromised. Second: After taking a breath, verify the situation by logging into your account directly—not through any provided link. Or, if you’ve been called, call them using contact info from the company’s official website. This method lets you check on your account, order, or package status in a safe way. Bonus tips Even the built-in antivirus in Windows is a pretty good backup defense—but don’t count on it (or any AV app) saving you from harm.Foundry Before any shopping period, make sure your accounts are protected by good passwords (unique, random, and strong). Password managers make this task easy. For an Amazon account, I also recommend adding two-factor authentication too, especially if you have stored payment information. Even if someone captures or guesses your password, that second layer of authentication should stop a scammer from taking over the account. Our favorite Antivirus Norton 360 Deluxe Read our review Also, make sure your antivirus software is up to date. Scammers sometimes try to trick people into installing infostealer malware, which records information directly from your PC, including passwords and banking details. This kind of malware was in part responsible for the recent massive collection of 16 billion leaked passwords. Good antivirus software acts as a backup line of defense, stamping out potential infections—hopefully before any sensitive data gets lifted. And of course, if you want legit links to genuinely good deals, check out the curated lists by well-known, respected websites—like those we publish right here on PCWorld.com. You can check out our top picks, starting with this week’s best early deals. Read...

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At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Great CPU performance Often record-setting GPU performance Fast SSD and AI performance, too 4K 120Hz display with Mini-LED backlight Lots of connectivity Cons Heavy and bulky So-so keyboard and touchpad RTX 5090 price premium is hard to justify Minimal battery life Our Verdict The MSI Raider A18 HX A9W pairs AMD’s new Ryzen 9 9955HX3D CPU with Nvidia’s top-tier RTX 5090 mobile GPU. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the combo delivers record-setting performance. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: MSI Raider A18 HX A9W Retailer Price $6,714.89 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices 2025 is shaping up to be a good year if your laptop buying tastes skew towards the equivalent of a family-sized meat-and-cheese platter. The launch of new Nvidia RTX mobile graphics—including the top-tier RTX 5090 with 24GB of VRAM—has the potential for chart-topping performance. Now it’s joined by AMD’s Ryzen 9 9955HX3D, a 16-core CPU with the company’s vaunted 3D V-Cache, an extra stack of L3 cache that can prove useful in games. The MSI Raider A18 HX A9W brings both new chips into one chassis. And, as a bonus, it tosses in 64GB of memory and a 2TB PCIe 5.0 solid state drive. That’s incredible hardware, but the laptop retails for an equally incredible MSRP of $5,099.99. So, is it worth it? MSI Raider A18 HX A9W: Specs and features The highlight of the MSI Raider A18 HX A9W is undoubtedly the combination of AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D processor and Nvidia RTX 5090 graphics. Each is an undisputed heavyweight in its category and should deliver a killer one-two punch of CPU and GPU performance. With that said, however, this MSI Raider A18 HX A9W still must deal with the power and thermal constraints faced by every laptop—and it will be interesting to see the results. The MSI Raider A18 HX A9W delivers additional technical highlights, too, like the PCIe 5.0 solid state drive and the 4K Mini-LED display. Model number: A18?HX?A9WIG-082US CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D Memory: 64GB DDR5-5600 Graphics/GPU: Nvidia RTX 5090 (Max 175W with Dynamic Boost) NPU: None Display: 18-inch 3840×2400 120Hz Mini-LED with HDR Storage: 1x 2TB PCIe 5.0 SSD Webcam: 1080p 30fps camera with Windows Hello support Connectivity: 2x Thunderbolt 5 / USB-C 4 with DisplayPort and Power Delivery 3.1, 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 1x SD card reader, 1x HDMI 2.1 (up to 4K @ 120Hz), 1x 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45) Networking: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 Biometrics: Facial recognition, fingerprint reader Battery capacity: 99 watt-hours Dimensions: 15.91 x 12.11 x 1.26 inches Weight: 7.94 pounds Operating System: Windows 11 Pro Price: $5,099.99 MSRP Features like these don’t come cheap, of course, so the Raider A18 HX A9W rings up at $5,099.99. That’s a lot of money! However, it’s not unusually expensive for a top-tier gaming laptop. A variety of high-end laptops retail at higher prices, from fully configured Apple MacBook Pro 16 configurations to top-end Razer Blade, Alienware, and MSI Titan laptops. If $5,099.99 is a bit rich for your blood, MSI provides a configuration with Nvidia’s RTX 5080 for $4,099.99. It’s otherwise identical to the model reviewed here and a good bet for gamers who don’t plan to use the laptop’s GPU for creative or AI workloads. The MSI Raider A18 HX A9W is a CPU, GPU, and storage performance powerhouse. It delivers across the board with strong results in every benchmark, from multi-core sustained CPU workloads to ray-traced gaming and even AI large language models. MSI Raider A18 HX A9W: Design and build quality IDG / Matthew Smith The MSI Raider A18 HX A9W shares a chassis with its Intel-powered sibling, and it’s a substantial piece of hardware. It tips the scales at nearly 8 pounds and measures 1.25 inches thick, as well as close to 16 inches wide. It won’t even fit in a typical backpack or messenger bag meant to carry a laptop. You’ll need a special bag designed for the purpose (and MSI has a bag to sell you). Beyond its imposing size, the Raider 18 provides a functional yet unremarkable aesthetic. The black plastic construction is punctuated by red detailing, creating a decent visual appearance that falls short of the premium feel found in more professionally oriented machines like Razer’s Blade 18. It also lacks the dramatic flair of MSI’s own Titan laptop, which serves more as a statement piece (at an even higher price). The most notable visual quirk is the LED lighting at the front of the laptop, but that trick is emulated by other high-end machines. Still, the Raider 18 feels dependable. There’s not much flex to be found, even in traditional weak spots like the center of the keyboard, and the laptop doesn’t creak or groan when handled. Machines in this category can feel a bit rickety due to their size, bulk, and the numerous chassis components and internal PCBs they’re constructed from. The Raider 18 isn’t as solid as the Razer Blade 18, but it feels more robust than most laptops in its category. MSI Raider A18 HX A9W: Keyboard, trackpad IDG / Matthew Smith MSI stretches a spacious keyboard with numpad across the Raider 18 HX AI’s deck. Most keys feel generously sized though a few, like Caps Lock, remain slightly smaller than standard. The numpad keys match the size of the main alphanumeric keys, which is a welcome change from laptops with undersized numpads. Despite the SteelSeries branding, the keyboard’s feel disappoints. I didn’t notice a difference between this keyboard and typical competitors, including alternatives that are much less expensive, like the Asus TUF series. The large chassis provides ample room for key travel, but the bottoming action is lacking in tactile feedback. The keyboard is still fine, but the Raider’s price tag sets expectations the keyboard doesn’t deliver. RGB backlighting saves the keyboard from complete mediocrity. Owners can customize each key individually through the Steelseries GG app, which handles both lighting profiles and macro configurations. I appreciate this software—it looks polished, works intuitively, and lets you save multiple setups. While these features aren’t groundbreaking, SteelSeries outpaces competitors like Gigabyte and Acer, which lag in software quality. The touchpad is more of a mix. It measures roughly 5 inches wide by 3 inches deep, which isn’t large for an 18-inch gaming laptop. The surface is responsive, but unremarkable, and the physical button action produces a springy yet hollow click. Competitors like the Razer Blade 18 and Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 offer a noticeably larger touchpad. MSI Raider A18 HX A9W: Display, audio IDG / Matthew Smith The MSI Raider A18 HX A9W has the same 18-inch Mini-LED display found in the Intel-powered Raider 18 HX AI. It provides 3840×2400 resolution, which is a bit higher than a typical 4K display (4K is usually 3840×2160), alongside a 120Hz refresh rate. A Mini-LED backlight lights the display with numerous individual LEDs positioned directly behind the LCD panel. Those LEDs can turn on and off individually, which greatly improves contrast. In my testing, the Raider A18 HX can hit a minimum luminance of zero nits, which means its contrast is technically on par with OLED. However, Mini-LED displays suffer a “blooming” issue where bright halos (or inverse shadows) appear around or inside small, high-contrast objects. The MSI Raider A18 HX does a good job of minimizing that issue, and I personally didn’t find it distracting, but it’s something to keep in mind. The Raider A18 HX has a matte panel, rather than a glossy panel, so it doesn’t “pop” in quite the same way. Despite that, the display still provides an incredible color gamut. It’s also ultra-bright and ultra-sharp; the pixel density works out to 252 pixels per inch, which is higher than even a 27-inch 5K monitor (which has 218 pixels per inch). HDR support is great, too, and this is an area where many gamers will prefer the Mini-LED over OLED, because OLED can’t match Mini-LED in HDR brightness. The Raider 18 also provides solid audio performance, though it’s ultimately less impressive. The built-in speakers have plenty of volume, and the laptop includes woofers for low-end bass, but I found the audio presentation was a tad metallic, grating, and muddy as I cranked the volume up. Still, the sound system is good for a Windows laptop. MSI Raider A18 HX A9W: Webcam, microphone, biometrics A decent 1080p webcam is found in the Raider A18 HX A9W. It boasts 1080p resolution and provides good video quality in rooms with moderate to great lighting. Though not suitable for YouTube or other more serious work, the 1080p webcam is ideal for video calls. It also has a physical privacy shutter. The microphone is respectable, too. It picked up my voice without issue and had decent noise cancellation. Notably, the MSI Raider A18 HX A9W doesn’t support Windows’ built-in Studio Effects filters, which use AI for effects like background blur. That feature is supported on the Intel-powered Raider 18 HX AI. The Raider A18 HX A9W supports biometric login with a fingerprint reader and an IR camera for facial recognition. Both biometric login options worked well in my testing. MSI Raider A18 HX A9W: Connectivity IDG / Matthew Smith The MSI Raider A18 HX A9W provides top-tier connectivity. We’re talking two Thunderbolt 5 ports, each with USB-C, DisplayPort, and Power Delivery. Thunderbolt 5 can provide data rates up to 80 Gbps bi-directional which, frankly, is way beyond what most use cases require. They’re particularly useful for people who want to use the laptop with a Thunderbolt 5 dock that has numerous downstream ports. The Thunderbolt 5 ports are joined by three USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports, HDMI 2.1, a 2.5G Ethernet port, and a 3.5mm combo audio jack. There’s an SD card reader, too. Overall, the laptop’s ports offer a great range of physical connectivity that can handle both the latest Thunderbolt and USB peripherals and older USB-A devices. However, as with the Intel-powered MSI Raider 18 HX AI, I have a small nitpick. Both Thunderbolt 5 ports are on the right flank, and at roughly the mid-point between the front and rear of the laptop. That can lead to more cable clutter on your desk, since it’s difficult to neatly hide and route cables connected to these ports. Wireless connectivity is great, as well, with support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4—the latest version of each standard. MSI Raider A18 HX A9W: CPU Performance The MSI Raider A18 HX A9W is, on paper, one of the most expensive, exotic, and powerful laptops ever sold. It provides two heavy hitters. The first is AMD’s Ryzen 9 9955HX3D, a 16-core and 32-thread chip with AMD’s 3D V-Cache, which could improve performance in games. It’s joined by Nvidia’s RTX 5090 mobile, the most powerful RTX-series mobile GPU in Nvidia’s line-up which, by extension, makes it the most capable mobile gaming GPU available right now. As mentioned earlier, PC World also reviewed an MSI Raider 18 laptop with Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285HX and Nvidia’s RTX 5080. It was a bit less expensive at $4,499. So, does the Ryzen 9 9955HX3D and RTX 5090 provide a useful upgrade? IDG / Matthew Smith PCMark 10, a holistic system benchmark, spat out a result of 8,581 on the MSI Raider A18 HX A9W. That’s highly competitive with other laptops in this category, though it doesn’t quite match some Intel-powered laptops we’ve recently tested. Still, the results here are very close, so this benchmark alone isn’t enough to make any firm statements about how the AMD Radeon 9 9955HX3D and Nvidia RTX 5090 perform. IDG / Matthew Smith Next up is Handbrake, a heavily multi-threaded CPU benchmark, where we use the CPU cores (and not any special encoding hardware on the chip) to transcode a feature-length film from .MP4 to .MKV. This benchmark shows a lean towards Intel’s chips. This is perhaps due to their higher number of cores overall. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX has 24 total cores (though only eight are performance cores, with the remaining 16 being efficiency cores). This is a trend across all Intel and AMD chips, with the Intel P-core + E-core architecture being a better fit for this benchmark than AMD’s CPUs that only have high-performance cores, but fewer cores overall. IDG / Matthew Smith Next, we jump over to Cinebench 2024, the latest version of the popular benchmark, which again places a heavy load on all CPU cores. In this test, however, the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D provides performance that is more directly competitive with Intel’s best CPUs. In fact, the MSI Raider A18 HX A9W’s score of 2,111 is the second-best PCWorld has recorded from a laptop to date—coming just a hair behind the MSI Raider 18 HX A2XW with Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX. The AMD and Intel CPUs are basically tied here, and both deliver results that rank among the strongest from any laptop ever sold. The results might seem a bit disappointing, however, at least if you’re an AMD fan. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D is great, but in PCWorld’s tests, it didn’t clobber Intel’s top-tier equivalents. But let’s be clear here. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D didn’t run away from the pack, but it’s still among the most powerful mobile CPUs we’ve ever tested, and certainly an outstanding pick for CPU-heavy workloads. MSI Raider A18 HX A9W: GPU Performance However, the 9955HX3D is aimed firmly at gamers, as the chip’s 3D V-Cache can often provide an advantage there. The RTX 5090 also deserves time in the spotlight, too. So, let’s move on to the 3D benchmarks. IDG / Matthew Smith 3DMark, the gold standard of 3D gaming benchmarks, produced mixed results that ultimately favor the MSI Raider A18 HX A9W. The AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D and Nvidia RTX 5090 didn’t leap ahead in 3DMark Time Spy, which is an older (though demanding) benchmark that doesn’t test ray tracing. But in the Port Royal benchmark, which does test ray tracing, the Raider A18 HX A9W leaped ahead to a score of 16,416. That’s the new high-water mark in PC World’s testing, and by a respectable margin—it’s roughly 11 percent quicker than the quickest Intel/Nvidia RTX 5080 laptop we have tested to date. IDG / Matthew Smith Next up is Shadow of the Tomb Raider, which PCWorld tests at 1080p and on Highest detail, but with ray-tracing off. Here the MSI Raider averaged 230 frames per second, which is an excellent result. It’s not the best we’ve seen, however, so there’s not much benefit to selecting the RTX 5090 over the RTX 5080 in this game. IDG / Matthew Smith Now we move on to Metro: Exodus, which we run at Extreme detail but without raytracing turned on. Here, the Raider A18 managed to reach an average of 99 frames per second, which is an excellent result. It’s only a minor uplift over RTX 5080 laptops, however, so the RTX 5090 isn’t a compelling GPU upgrade for this title under the conditions we tested it. IDG / Matthew Smith We wrap up gaming testing with Cyberpunk 2077, as the graph shows, the MSI Raider 18 was quick in any situation, hitting new high scores. The uplift was often rather substantial, too—20 FPS or more at 1080p and Ultra detail, and 5 FPS or more in the Overdrive ray-raced preset (which is meaningful when most laptops average 30 to 40 FPS).And that’s with Nvidia DLSS turned off. I also tried the game with the DLSS Transformer model in use, with Nvidia DLAA upscaling quality and DLSS Frame Gen 3x turned on. With all those options in use, Cyberpunk 2077 averaged 127 frames per second at 1080p in the Overdrive ray-traced preset. That’s an incredible result, and in general, Cyberpunk 2077 felt incredibly smooth—smoother than on any laptop I’ve tested so far. The MSI Raider A18 HX A9W’s overall GPU performance is outstanding. With that said, the RTX 5090 is a luxury. Choosing the RTX 5090 over the RTX 5080 adds $1,000 to the Raider A18 HX A9W’s price, but provides a performance gain of about 10 percent, at best. That’s tough to justify. MSI Raider A18 HX A9W: AI performance When it comes to AI, however, the RTX 5090 is a bit more appealing—and it mostly comes down to the memory. The RTX 5080 has 16GB of VRAM, which is a healthy figure for gaming, but rather cramped if you want to run AI models on your laptop. The RTX 5090, however, provides 24GB of VRAM. That increase means it’s possible to offload larger models like Google Gemma 3 27B and Qwen3 32B to the GPU. Both weigh in at a tad above 16GB, which is above the VRAM available on the RTX 5080. Google Gemma 3 27B produced an average of 12.67 tokens per second across three prompts and replies, that spanned about 1,000 tokens each. That’s a solid result and more than twice the speed of the Raider 18 HX AI, as that laptop, which was tested with an RTX 5080, didn’t have enough VRAM to execute the model on the GPU. On top of that, models like Google Gemma 3 27B are more intelligent than their smaller siblings. In that way, the RTX 5090 can provide a boost to both model quality and the speed at which responses are generated. MSI Raider A18 HX A9W: SSD performance The MSI Raider A18 HX A9W’s solid state drive performance deserves special mention. Like its Intel-powered sibling, the Raider 18 HX AI, the A18 has a PCIe 5.0 solid state drive. In this case, it’s the 2TB Samsung PM9E1. And, wow, does it deliver on performance. I measured CrystalDiskMark read speeds of 14654MB/s and write speeds of 11046MB/s (in SEQ1M Q8T1). Those are huge figures. If you need storage performance, the MSI Raider has the goods.  MSI Raider A18 HX A9W: Battery life and portability The MSI Raider A18 HX A9W does all it can to provide acceptable battery life. It includes a 99-watt-hour battery, which is the largest found in laptops due to limitations on the size of lithium-ion batteries allowed on flights. It also supports hybrid graphics, meaning the powerful and power-hungry RTX 5090 can switch off, handing graphics responsibilities to the AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D’s miserly Radeon 610M integrated graphics. IDG / Matthew Smith Unfortunately, it’s not enough to provide much battery life. The Raider endured a bit under three hours of use in our standard battery test, which loops a 4K file of the short film Tears of Steel. My subjective use seemed to provide slightly better results, but I still found that just a couple of hours of use could leave the battery with just 30 percent of its charge left in the tank. To make matters worse, the Raider ships with a huge 400-watt power brick. To be fair, it’s not that large for a 400-watt unit, but it’s still among the larger power bricks I’ve seen so far in 2025. While the power brick connects over a proprietary connector, the laptop can be powered over USB-C. That won’t deliver enough power to fully handle the laptop in all load situations, however, so you may see the battery discharge while connected to USB-C power. While the Raider A18’s battery life isn’t great, it isn’t much worse than that of other laptops in this segment. In general, you’re going to get four or five hours, at most. The one clear exception is the Razer Blade 16, which stretched battery life to more than 10 hours. That’s thanks to its much less powerful, but much more power-efficient, AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU. MSI Raider A18 HX A9W: Conclusion The MSI Raider A18 HX A9W is a CPU, GPU, and storage performance powerhouse. It delivers across the board with strong results in every benchmark, from multi-core sustained CPU workloads to ray-traced gaming and even AI large language models. Compared to its Intel-powered alternative, the Raider 18 HX AI, the A18 is broadly similar but scores small wins in gaming and storage performance. The A18 also notches a large win in AI performance thanks to the RTX 5090’s 24GB of VRAM. It’s not a perfect laptop. The Raider A18 is thick, heavy, and not much to look at. It also suffers a mediocre keyboard and touchpad and, as you might expect, can be loud under full load. The RTX 5090 version is also quite expensive at $5,099.99; the less expensive RTX 5080 model, priced at $4,099.99, is a better value in many situations, as it has the same AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D CPU, and the RTX 5080 only slightly lags the RTX 5090 in games. But at the end of the day, performance matters, and the Raider A18 HX A9W is an obvious choice if you want the best performance you can find in a modern laptop. It set records in multiple benchmarks and was still competitive in benchmarks where it didn’t top the charts. Read...

Major General Mikhail Gudkov was killed in the Kursk region during what Russia`s defence ministry described as `combat work`. Read...

Last week, I secured my lowest price for Spectrum internet in years. All it took was a call to Spectrum’s retention department, which is where you end up after telling the automated system you want to cancel your service. After a mildly tedious conversation with an exceedingly friendly rep, my monthly bill dropped from $68 to $45 per month for the next full year. Not only did I save money, but my speeds increased from 400 Mbps to 500 Mbps. While I can’t guarantee the same results everywhere, in general it’s a great time to threaten to cancel cable internet service. For years, Comcast and Charter (which operates the Spectrum brand) have boasted to shareholders that growth in home internet more than offsets the collapse of cable TV, but now they’re losing internet customers to vendors offering faster fiber and cheaper 5G wireless alternatives. They are highly motivated to keep potential defectors on board, so you should take full advantage of their collective insecurity. What competition looks like Last year, Spectrum and Comcast lost 508,000 and 411,000 home internet customers respectively . The year before, Comcast lost 66,000, while Spectrum lost 61,000. Stock prices for both companies are already below what they were two years ago. By contrast, fiber and wireless home internet are growing. T-Mobile and Verizon added 1.7 million and 1.5 million wireless home internet customers in 2024 respectively, while AT&T added 1 million customers to its fiber service. Both of their stocks are up from two years ago. This isn’t rocket science: Wireless home internet is cheaper than cable, with plans starting at $35 per month for T-Mobile and Verizon when bundled with mobile phone service. Fiber, meanwhile, offers symmetric upload and download speeds, which aren’t always available with cable, and it can be cheaper as well. (AT&T’s 500 Mbps plan, for instance, costs $75 per month on a non-promotional basis, $10 per month less than Comcast.) Cable providers should have reckoned with this new reality years ago. Instead, they resorted to scare tactics and misinformation. Comcast and Charter both rolled out ad campaigns to convince people that they didn’t actually want cheaper internet service, which they later had to modify for being misleading. Comcast then tried to advertise its internet plans as “10G” in a desperate attempt to look better than 5G (despite being unrelated technologically). Advertising watchdogs pressured Comcast to drop that line of attack as well. Cable’s response Only now are the cable giants doing what they should have done all along, which is to actually compete. Comcast, for instance, announced a somewhat-simplified set of home internet plans last week, starting at $40 per month for 300 Mbps service with a one-year price guarantee. (Customers can also pay a higher price of $55 per month to lock in that rate for five years.) These new plans also reverse a longstanding policy of enforcing data caps in most markets. Comcast’s internet service plans as of July 2025.Comcast Last year, Comcast also launched a separate pair of internet plans under its “Now” brand, priced at $30 per month for 100 Mbps and $45 per month for 200 Mbps. Those plans don’t include data caps either. Spectrum’s response hasn’t been as splashy. It’s been more focused on increasing internet speeds and bundling more services together, including free streaming services on its cable TV side, and an offer of $30-per-month home internet (at 500 Mbps) when bundled with two mobile lines. It’s also been scrapping hidden fees and trying to improve its customer service. But here’s the problem: Cable companies don’t want to hand out big discounts to existing customers if they can avoid it. While Comcast says its new packages are available to anyone, existing customers must call in to make the switch, and I’ve heard from a few readers who’ve run into problems getting the plans they want. As my experience with Spectrum has shown, it’s all a matter of reaching the right representative. What you should do about it Negotiating a lower home internet price is easy. You just need to bypass the standard customer service department and skip straight to the one with the goal of keeping you from cancelling your service. You can often accomplish this through the automated answering system by selecting the options that lead to cancelling your service. I understand this can be nerve-wracking. If you have no intention of switching providers, you certainly wouldn’t want the cable company to call your bluff and cut you off without warning. Trust me, that’s not going to happen. Cable companies operate retention departments for the express purpose of pumping the breaks on cancellations and talking things out first. They also have access to promotions that standard customer service reps don’t. (Every Spectrum retention specialist I’ve ever talked to has relished pointing this out.) If it makes you more comfortable, just approach the subject in a circumspect way. Once the retention rep is on the line, tell them you’re thinking about cancelling, or you want to discuss the logistics of cancelling at a convenient future date. In my experience that’s enough to set the promotional gears in motion. And if that doesn’t work, maybe it’s time to look into other options. There are more of them available now in more places, much to the cable companies’ dismay. Sign up for Jared’s Cord Cutter Weekly newsletter for more money-saving advice. Read...

One of the easiest ways to enhance your PC experience is to get a better monitor. It doesn’t require any upgrades for your desktop or laptop, and it shines up the primary way you interact with almost everything: the visuals. Prime Day is upon us again, but even before it lands on July 8th-11th, there are early deals to be found. (Here’s how to get Amazon Prime for free so you can get in on the extravaganza.) With U.S. tariffs affecting prices, to say nothing of general consumer trends, it might not be the smorgasborde of discounts we saw in previous years. But there are still savings to be had, on OLED monitors, gaming monitors, and standard office designs — and I’ve hunted down the best monitor deals in the list below. Even though it’s Prime Day, some of the best discounts juiciest can be found elsewhere on the web, so I’ve included those in the list as well. Best early Prime Day 2025 deals on OLED monitors ASRock 27-inch 1440p 240Hz OLED gaming monitor — $479.99 ($166 off at Newegg) Alienware 27-inch 1440p 360Hz OLED gaming monitor — $619.99 ($280 off at Dell) Sony 27-inch 1440p 480Hz OLED gaming monitor — $714.99 ($385 off at Amazon) Gigabyte 34-inch 1440p 240Hz ultrawide OLED gaming monitor — $679.99 ($390 off at Newegg) Gigabyte refurbished 49-inch 1440p ultrawide OLED gaming monitor $729.99 — ($120 off at Amazon) Alienware 32-inch 4K 240Hz OLED gaming monitor — $849.99 ($350 off at Dell) OLED monitors are the cream of the crop for gamers, thanks to incredible color vibrance and contrast, even if they’re not the absolute fastest on the market right now. But if you do need ludicrous speed, Sony is offering a 27-inch, 1440p panel with 480Hz (about double the current standard at this size) for hundreds less than the alternatives. For my money, Gigabyte has the best deal at the moment…but then I’m an ultrawide fanboy. If you’re looking for an OLED upgrade at the lowest price, ASRock is leading the pack with a rare 27-inch pick under the $500 mark. There will probably be a few more offerings like that on Prime Day, but I’d bet you won’t find a name brand for much lower. Best early Prime Day 2025 deals on gaming monitors KTC 24-inch 1080p 165Hz gaming monitor — $93.99 ($46 off at Newegg) ASRock 27-inch 1080p 240Hz gaming monitor — $104.77 ($85 off at Newegg) Alienware 34-inch ultrawide 1440p 180Hz gaming monitor — $329 ($70 off at Dell) Gigabyte 28-inch IPS 4K 144Hz gaming monitor — $399.99 ($200 off at Newegg) Samsung 32-inch 3K 240Hz gaming monitor — $499.99 ($700 off at BuyDig, use coupon code YFF23) For more affordable options for gamers, ASRock once again delivers with a 27-inch, 1080p display at just a hair over a hundred bucks. But I’d say that Gigabyte is giving the best bang for your buck with its 28-inch 4K option. Not only is it using an IPS panel for greater color accuracy, it’s packing a USB-C port for flexible video. It’s a great, affordable centerpiece to a setup that works for both, well, work and gaming. Pre-Prime Day 2025 deals on office monitors Acer 27-inch 1080p IPS 120Hz monitor — $109.99 ($40 off at Best Buy) Asus 24-inch 1080p IPS monitor — $119.00 (regular price at Amazon) Dell 27-inch 1440p IPS monitor — $179.99 ($40 off at Dell) Samsung 34-inch 1440p ultrawide monitor — $219.99 ($110 off at Amazon) MNN 15-inch portable USB-C monitor — $59.97 ($30 off at Amazon) I can personally recomend Dell’s 27-inch, 1440p IPS monitors, because I’ve been using them for years on either side of my ultrawide center display. It’s a perfect way to expand your desk space, but unless you need some gaming-grade speed, it works great as a primary display too. For laptop users, there’s no easier way to expand your mobile capabilities than with a USB monitor (especially since they now include power and video). And there are a bunch of affordable options now, too. FAQ 1. What size of monitor should I buy? Monitor size depends on personal preference and location.  A 24-inch monitor is fine for a desk that is around 24 inches deep, or less. Its small size will still be sufficient because the monitor is closer to you. Most people, however, will want to go with a 27-inch monitor. The added size will make the monitor easy to see. This also opens up a wider range of 4K monitor options, as 4K is very rare on a 24-inch monitor. Larger monitors, such as a 32-inch widescreen or 34-inch ultrawide, are great for deep desks and people who want an immersive experience. Monitors this large can serve as a TV replacement in a small room.  Displays of even larger size, such as 42-inch or 48-inch HDTVs, are best for home theater setups or an unusually large office. You’ll want to sit four to six feet away from a display of this size. 2. What display input is best? (HDMI vs. DisplayPort vs. USB-C) USB-C is the best display input for most people. It works by bundling DisplayPort into USB-C, so offers all the same features as DisplayPort. Yet it retains the features of USB-C including optional support for Power Delivery to charge external devices. This is why we recommend a USB-C monitor for most people. DisplayPort is generally second-best. It supports higher resolutions and refresh rates than HDMI. This input is particularly common on desktop computers.  HDMI comes in third due to lower resolution and refresh rate support. This is improved by HDMI 2.1, but this feature remains hard to find and often adds to a monitor’s price. All three of the options above handle 1080p at 60Hz, which is the most common resolution and refresh rate available today. It’s also important to buy a monitor that has an input compatible with your PC. 3. Are all monitors compatible with Windows and MacOS? Modern monitors are compatible with all recent versions of Windows and MacOS. They’re plug-and-play, which means the monitor should display an image without the need to install driver software or mess with Windows or MacOS settings. 4. Are tariffs affecting monitor prices? Yes. Deals for monitors around this sale aren’t as good as they were during Amazon’s last big sale in October, particularly for the largest, most expensive models. That said, we have managed to avoid the complete shutdown of imported stock that seemed likely during the most tumultuous back-and-forth tariff negotiations…so that’s something. Prices are unlikely to improve later in the year, so if you find a delectable deal on a monitor you’re interested in, Prime Day may be one of your best bets of the year. Especially if you buy on day one of the event — President Trump says additional reciprocal tariffs will return on July 9, the second day of Prime Week, and could plunge prices into chaos. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Sharp, colorful QD-OLED panel 120Hz refresh rate with Adaptive Sync Excellent five-speaker sound system Good HDR with Dolby Vision support Undercuts competitors on price Cons Video connectivity limited to two video inputs Limited downstream USB connectivity, as well Could use more image quality options Not as bright as alternatives in HDR Our Verdict The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED delivers great image quality, solid audio, and good motion clarity, yet undercuts most competitive 32-inch 4K OLED monitors on price. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED Monitor S3225QC Retailer Price $821.24 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices 32-inch 4K QD-OLED monitors are among the most alluring computer monitors ever sold. They all provide exceptional contrast and color alongside sharpness and a big, bold display size. The catch? Often, it’s the price, as many models have an MSRP above $1,000. The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED, however, undercuts competitors with a rock-bottom MSRP of $849.99. That makes it easy to look past the monitor’s downsides. Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED S3225QC specs and features The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED’s basic specifications are typical for a 32-inch QD-OLED monitor. It provides 4K resolution (3840×2160) and a 120Hz refresh rate with Adaptive Sync. Display size: 32-inch 16:9 aspect ratio Native resolution: 3840×2160 Panel type: QD-OLED Refresh rate: Up to 120Hz Adaptive Sync: Yes, Adaptive Sync, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro HDR: HDR10, Dolby Vision, VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 Certified Ports: 1x HDMI 2.1 with FRL/HDR/VRR, 1x USB-C upstream with DisplayPort 1.4 and 90 watts of Power Delivery, 2x USB-C 5Gbps downstream with 15 watts Power Delivery Audio: 3D Spatial Audio speakers included, total 25 watts output Price: $849.99 MSRP A closer look at the details, however, reveals many differences between other 32-inch 4K QD-OLED displays. The Dell supports both HDR10, which is common, and Dolby Vision, which is unusual. It also has just two video inputs, which is roughly half as many as the average competitor. But the monitor strikes back with a five-speaker spatial sound system with a total power of 25 watts. By comparison, most similar monitors have a pair of 2-watt stereo speakers, if they have any at all. Dell’s pricing is low given the monitor’s features, as it carries an MSRP of just $849.99. Most other 4K QD-OLED monitors have an MSRP between $999.99 and $1,299.99, though sale pricing can bring some models (like the Samsung Odyssey OLED G80SD) close to the Dell 32 Plus 4K. Read on to learn more, then see our roundup of the best monitors for comparison. Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED S3225QC design The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED monitor makes an outstanding first impression. The company opts for a white hue that’s attractive and distinctive. It’s a far starker, ultra-bright look than Dell’s photos of the monitor let on, and rather close to the tone and color of the material used on some past Alienware monitors, like the Alienware AW3225QF. I also like the fabric material covering the speaker system at the bottom of the monitor. Dell has used that design touch on past monitors with built-in speakers, but it still looks attractive. Matthew Smith / Foundry The design is functional, too. It ships with an ergonomically adjustable stand that has a moderately sized flat base and doesn’t intrude too much on your desk. The stand adjusts 110mm in height, tilts 25 degrees, and swivels 60 degrees, which is a typical range of adjustments for this category. The monitor doesn’t rotate into portrait orientation, however. The monitor also has a built-in power supply. Some QD-OLED monitors use an external power supply due to their higher peak power requirements, but that’s not the case here, so you won’t have a power brick lurking under your desk. Matthew Smith / Foundry Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED S3225QC connectivity I’ll have a lot of positive things to say about the Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED monitor through the rest of this review, but there’s one weakness that will take it out of contention for some. The connectivity. The monitor has just two video inputs: one HDMI 2.1 input and one USB-C input with support for DisplayPort 1.4. Both can drive the monitor at its full 4K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, but two video inputs are slim for a monitor in this category. Many competitors offer at least three video inputs, and many have four. The USB-C port at least handles both DisplayPort and up to 90 watts of USB-C power delivery, so it’s a solid option for connecting a Windows or Mac laptop that supports USB-C. Downstream connectivity is limited, too. You’re looking at just two USB-C ports, both supporting 15 watts of USB Power Delivery and 5Gbps of data. One port is on the back and the other is hidden in a pop-out hub on the front. I can see what Dell is going for here, as the Dell 32 Plus 4K’s price is reasonable considering its other features. Dell clearly decided to keep connectivity to the essentials and spend the monitor’s budget elsewhere. Ultimately, you’ll have to decide for yourself if that makes sense for you. If you have a desktop computer and a laptop, this is enough. But if you also want to connect game consoles (or other HDMI devices), you’ll need to buy an HDMI hub. Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED S3225QC menus and features The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED’s settings can be adjusted with a joystick located behind the monitor’s lower-right bezel or with Dell’s Display and Peripheral Manager software. Both options work well, as Dell has clearly labeled menus that are easy to understand. However, the monitor’s image quality settings are a bit limited. The monitor has a variety of preset modes including a creator mode, which supports the sRGB, BT.709, DCI-P3, and Display P3 color spaces. There’s also a custom color mode for manual R/G/B adjustment. But that’s it. There’s no precise color temperature or gamma adjustments. It’s fine for most situations, but demanding content creators who want a high degree of control over image quality will be disappointed. The monitor includes a dark stabilizer, a feature common for gaming monitors. It can elevate the brightness of dark areas of the display to make foes easier to see. You won’t find other gaming features like an on-screen crosshair, however. Other features include a 4:3 aspect ratio mode and multiple picture-in-picture and picture-by-picture modes. The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED’s speakers are louder, clearer, and offer far better bass than the underpowered stereo speakers common to PC monitors. Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED S3225QC audio The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED’s audio performance deserves special mention, as the monitor has five speakers, each with 5 watts of power for a total of 25 watts. It also has support for spatial audio, which means it can adjust the audio across the speakers to provide a 3D effect. To do this, the monitor includes a camera in the lower bezel. Dell doesn’t intend it for video conferencing (and, in fact, Windows doesn’t detect it). Instead, the camera keeps track of the user’s head position to adjust the spatial audio. The spatial audio feature works reasonably well, providing some sense of 3D surround in test clips. The main issue will be finding content that supports it, because it’s rare, especially on a PC. Most people use a monitor for PC software, games, and streaming Spotify or YouTube through a web browser. Aside from some AAA games, like Cyberpunk 2077 and Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, there’s not a lot of spatial audio to enjoy. I’m also not convinced the speaker system delivers a good spatial experience. Spatial Audio certainly sounds different, but I didn’t hear the same pinpoint precision I’ve heard from headphones that support it. Fortunately, the 25-watt speaker system has other advantages. The speakers are louder, clearer, and offer far better bass than the underpowered stereo speakers common to PC monitors. The Dell’s speaker system can still sound muddy at very high volume, but it’s clear at more modest levels. Also, because the speakers are so loud—and a couple feet from your face—you’ll likely want to keep them at 25 to 50 percent of their maximum.   The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED’s speakers are solid for games, music, watching Netflix—you name it. Audiophiles will still want a system with a subwoofer and better separation between stereo channels, but for most people, this will completely remove the need for external PC speakers. Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED S3225QC SDR image quality As its name implies, the Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED has a Samsung QD-OLED panel. This type of panel is incredibly popular in 4K OLED monitors, and it generally provides outstanding image quality. Matthew Smith / Foundry First up is SDR brightness. This is a traditional weak spot for QD-OLED monitors, and the Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED maintains that with a maximum sustained SDR brightness of 246 nits. That is right in line with other OLED monitors. However, IPS monitors like the Dell U3225QE and BenQ PD2730S will often exceed 400 nits. The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED also has a glossy display coat, so glare can be an issue. The monitor’s brightness is more than adequate for a room with blinds or shades, but you may have an uncomfortable viewing experience in a room with bright, sunlit windows. Matthew Smith / Foundry Contrast is where QD-OLED typically leaps ahead of monitors with an LCD panel. OLED monitors can achieve a perfect minimum luminance of zero nits, which leads to an immersive, contrast-rich image. The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED follows the trend here. It provides a great sense of dimensionality that will draw in your eye, and it’s clearly a cut above LCD rivals. With that said, all modern OLED monitors can deliver a similar experience. The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED’s contrast is fantastic, but it’s not an advantage over its peers. Matthew Smith / Foundry QD-OLED also leads in color gamut, meaning QD-OLED can display more colors overall. It leads the Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED to provide a color gamut that spans 100 percent of sRGB, 97 percent of DCI-P3, and 94 percent of AdobeRGB, which is similar to other QD-OLED monitors. Some LCD panel monitors can rival QD-OLED, but most can’t. LG’s WOLED also tends to fall a bit behind QD-OLED in this area. Matthew Smith / Foundry The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED delivered an incredibly low color error that’s among the best I’ve seen from any monitor. And this, mind you, is an uncalibrated result straight out of the box. While some monitors can achieve similar values, most don’t. It’s also superb to see this level of color accuracy from a monitor that’s not sold as a “professional” content creation display. Though it certainly lacks image quality features that the most demanding professionals crave, the out-of-box image is outstanding, and makes this monitor a good fit for many video, photo, and digital art workflows. Consider how the Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED compares to the Asus ProArt PA32UCDM, for example. The ProArt’s out-of-box color accuracy is a tad behind the Dell, and the two are equals in color gamut. However, the ProArt is priced at $1,899—over twice as much as the Dell! The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED reached mixed results in gamma and color temperature. It nailed the target gamma curve of 2.2, which means content should look about as bright as intended. But it missed the color temperature target of 6500K with a value of 6100K, which means the image is warmer than ideal. Personally, I don’t mind a warmer display, but a value near 6500K would be more neutral. The monitor also lacks color temperature controls that target precise values, so owners may have trouble calibrating the monitor to hit their preferred color temperature target. This is an area where the Asus ProArt PA32UCDM has a big advantage, as it hits better color temperature results and provides users a lot more control over the image. The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED’s sharpness is solid. The monitor’s 31.5-inch QD-OLED panel provides 3840×2160 resolution, which works out to about 140 pixels per inch. That’s a bit less than the 160 ppi of a typical 27-inch 4K monitor, but much better than the roughly 100 ppi of a 27-inch 1440p monitor. True sharpness freaks might notice pixelation around small fonts, but it looks plenty sharp when playing games or watching Netflix. Of course, all 32-inch 4K QD-OLED monitors look similar in this regard. Overall, the Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED delivers a bright, vibrant, accurate, high-contrast image. Its overall SDR image quality is rather similar to other QD-OLED monitors, and most shoppers won’t see much difference between the Dell and QD-OLED competitors from Samsung, Asus, or even LG. Still, the Dell does notch a few wins, most notably in color accuracy and gamma results, both of which are better than average. Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED S3225QC HDR image quality The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED is VESA DisplayHDR 400 True Black certified, which is typical for a QD-OLED monitor. But it also supports Dolby Vision, which is unusual and hints at above-average HDR performance. Unfortunately, the monitor didn’t live up to that expectation. Matthew Smith / Foundry A look at the graph tells a simple story. The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED is about as bright as the alternatives when large portions of the screen are lit. However, it falls behind in HDR highlights. Small, bright, high-contrast objects don’t have the same pop that’s found on some competitive monitors. This was true across a variety of HDR modes, and oddly, the Peak HDR 1000 mode was a little dimmer than the Movie HDR mode. That’s not to say HDR looks bad, as the Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED still delivers the contrast and color required to help HDR look great. But the lack of brightness is an issue, so consider a different QD-OLED monitor if you want HDR highlights to sizzle. Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED S3225QC motion performance The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED has a refresh rate of up to 120Hz and can handle Adaptive Sync with official AMD FreeSync Premium Pro support (Nvidia G-Sync also functioned in my testing, but support is unofficial). While there’s certainly similarly priced monitors with high refresh rates and broader Adaptive Sync support, like Alienware’s AW3425DW, the Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED’s enhanced refresh rate and Adaptive Sync support are notable, as it’s sold for general use rather than gaming. Motion clarity isn’t at the top of the pack, but it’s good. The refresh rate of 120Hz, paired with OLED’s low pixel response times, provides modest motion blur behind fast-moving objects, and fast camera pans in 3D games deliver good clarity. Scrolling text is also much easier to read than on a 60Hz monitor. Once again, gaming monitors have the edge here: Most 4K QD-OLED monitors can now handle 240Hz. But the Dell 32 Plus 4K’s motion clarity is great for its category. It’s also worth pondering if a 240Hz refresh rate could provide a meaningful upgrade for your use. You’ll only enjoy the full benefit in games that can hit frame rates up to 240 frames per second, which can be difficult to achieve at 4K resolution. Gamers with beefy GPUs will see gains from a 240Hz gaming monitor, but 120Hz is a fit for users with more modest hardware. Should you buy the Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED? The Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED is an easy recommendation for most shoppers. It has outstanding image quality, good motion clarity, supports Adaptive Sync, and includes built-in speakers that beat the competition. The monitor’s downsides include limited connectivity, which provides just two video inputs (one HDMI 2.1, one USB-C with DisplayPort), and modest HDR performance despite Dolby Vision badging. If you can deal with that, the 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED is a great do-it-all monitor sold at an appealing $849.99 MSRP. Read...

It used to be the case that nothing worth having came easy–an old adage that kept us going as we powered through repetitive manual chores, such as the ongoing maintenance required to establish a perfectly manicured lawn. Today, the biggest draw of smart home tech is its ability to unlock free time for its users. That’s time to spend with family, time to socialize, time to sit back and relax–above all, it’s time not spent mowing the lawn. If you’re guilty of obsessing over the prospect of having a green and luscious lawn, but tired of the effort it takes to maintain, robot lawn mowers such as Segway’s Navimow X3 are for you. This is the robot you’ve been looking for The Navimow X3 was built to tackle more than just your lawn—this robot lawn mower was designed to remove all your frustrations regarding robotic mowers and lawncare in general. Cordless design Segway Segway’s robot lawn mower has a wire-free setup, and that means no more trip-hazards and unsightly cable mess. If your garden is oddly shaped, then not requiring boundary wires will be a blessing. Instead, the Navimow X3 uses ultrasonic sensors and 3D vision to navigate the yard and avoid obstacles, including pets and kids who might be playing in the yard. It doesn’t matter how complex is the garden layout, how uneven is the terrain, or how steep is the slope, its larger-than-average cutting blade and accelerated mowing tech will precision-cut your lawn at pace. Autonomous operation Segway Once installed, the Navimow X3 operates fully autonomously. Tasks are scheduled based on the weather, mowing happens automatically and, when done, it will return to the charging station to prepare itself for the next outing. Not only can this robot recharge itself, but it will do so twice as fast as many other robotic mowers on the market. Keeping larger lawns in top shape typically requires a lot of manual labor. The idea of a using a robot to remove some of this hard work is welcome, but the robot also needs to be able to quickly and efficiently make its way around the yard, and complete the full job properly. Thanks to its speedy mowing skills, large cutting blades, and ability to quickly recharge itself when needed, the Navimow X3 is more efficient for maintaining larger lawns than many of its competitors. And that means it can process enormous lawns up to 5,000 square meters in just 24 hours. Wake up to the smell of freshly cut grass The beauty of this robot lawn mower is you can even set it up to run super-early in the morning, or super-late at night. Since it doesn’t make much noise—just 60db— it won’t bother your neighbors. Using the app you can configure the mowing schedule, customize cutting areas, and track progress at a glance. Make the neighbors jealous Your neighbors might watch over the fence with curiosity and awe, but you needn’t worry about anyone borrowing your little yard helper. Segway fits the Navimow X3 with antitheft GPS tracking, which lets you immediately track the robot’s location, and causes it to blare out an alarm if it’s lifted and removed from the boundary you set. This app is easy to integrate with Google Home and Alexa, so you can give voice commands to your smart home assistant to send out the Navimow X3 to do its job. Automate your lawncare today If you just can’t wait to get started, Segway Navimow has an Online to Offline service for the X3 Series robotic mowers. This means you can order the mower online and go pick it up in person from an authorized retailer in your vicinity, or stop by for a product demo or usage tips. View Segway Navimow X3 Series The Navimow X3 Series retails for $2,299. You can also get various accessories to make your lawn even more beautiful, like an edge trimmer, or a signal enhancement antenna. For small-to-medium lawns, Segway is currently offering an early Prime Day deal of 25% off the Navimow i Series. Read...