Techwise Corner

 The #ad APC Back-UPS ES BE850G2-UK is the kind of piece of kit that doesn’t demand attention – and that’s precisely why it’s such a reliable companion. From the moment you unpack the compact, matt-black unit, you sense that this isn’t just another power strip: it’s a guardian for your gadgets, quietly standing sentinel against brownouts, blackouts and those sudden surges that can blunt the edges of even the most robust electronics. In today’s home and small-office environments, where we juggle desktops, routers, consoles and a myriad of chargers, having a dependable UPS is less a luxury and more a necessity. In that light, the BE850G2-UK delivers more than you might expect for its price bracket. Right out of the box, the unit feels reassuringly solid. Weighing in at just under 5 kg, it’s portable enough to be relocated without strain, yet substantial enough to indicate genuine build quality. The chassis is moulded from high-grade plastic that resists scuffs and fingerprints, mai...

 There’s something undeniably thrilling about unboxing a new piece of hardware, and the #ad Acer Predator GM7 2 TB SSD is no exception. From the moment you slide this sleek M.2 2280 drive out of its packaging, it’s clear that Acer has put just as much thought into its presentation as its performance. The understated black PCB is complemented by a slim, tempered sticker that bears the Predator emblem—subtle, yet savage enough to signal its gaming pedigree. If you’re someone who appreciates a clean build aesthetic, you’ll be pleased that this drive won’t clash with your RGB fans or neon-lit cables. First Impressions and Installation Installing the GM7 couldn’t be more straightforward. Whether you’re upgrading a laptop, desktop or even a PS5, the process is practically identical: secure the drive in the single M.2 slot, fasten the screw, and you’re good to go. Given its PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe 2.0 interface, you’ll need a platform that supports PCIe Gen4 to get the most out of its potent...

 I’ve spent the past fortnight putting the #ad MSI MAG X670E TOMAHAWK WIFI through its paces, pairing it with a Ryzen 9 7950X, a handful of fast DDR5 sticks and a PCIe 5.0 NVMe drive – and it’s been one of the more enjoyable AM5 experiences I’ve had to date. On paper, this ATX motherboard looks like a feature-packed workhorse, but it’s only when you install, configure and benchmark it that you really appreciate how MSI has struck a balance between performance, stability and value. First impressions and aesthetics Straight out of the box, the X670E TOMAHAWK WIFI presents itself with a subdued, almost industrial flair. There’s none of the gaudy RGB you might find on pricier gaming boards; instead you get a gunmetal grey heatsink array, subtle etched patterns and a reassuring heft to the PCB. Subtle LED accents peek from beneath the I/O shroud and chipset cover, but they never drown out your case’s own lighting. If you’re building a rig that needs to look understated yet lithe, thi...

 From the moment you slot the Ryzen 7 9800X 3D into your AM5 motherboard, you’re reminded that AMD is once again aiming to redefine the sweet spot between raw performance and real-world responsiveness. This isn’t just another high-end desktop processor; it’s the product of AMD’s 3D V-Cache ingenuity applied to the already-capable Ryzen 7 family. With eight cores and 16 threads under the lid, a gargantuan 104 MB of combined cache, and a peak boost frequency of up to 5.2 GHz, it sets out to tackle everything from blisteringly smooth high-frame-rate gaming to demanding creative workloads. But does it warrant the premium it commands? Let’s dive in. Design and Specifications Physically, the 9800X 3D looks much like its non-X3D siblings: a square of silicon under a sturdy integrated heat spreader (IHS), compatible with the same AM5 mounting bracket you’ve come to know. Beneath that IHS, however, lies AMD’s stacked SRAM cache perched atop the compute die—a clever layering that boosts ef...

 The #ad Motorola RAZR 50 Ultra 5G XT2451-3 arrives at a time when foldables are no longer novelties but genuine contenders in the smartphone arena. From the moment you unfurl its slimline chassis in Mocha Mousse, you sense that Motorola has fine-tuned the formula. It isn’t merely a gimmick; it feels like a phone that just happens to fold. Over the past fortnight, I’ve carried it in pockets, pitted it against flagship bar phones and commuter-card bosses, and subjected it to the rigours of day-to-day life. Here’s how it fared. Design and Build Out of the box, the RAZR 50 Ultra is a tactile delight. The Mocha Mousse finish is a muted, sophisticated taupe that evokes coffee-shop cosiness, yet manages to stay surprisingly fingerprint-resistant. The aluminium frame feels reassuringly solid, while the hinge—once the Achilles’ heel of early foldables—works like clockwork. There’s no detectable wobble, just a satisfying click as the two halves meet. When folded, it sits almost flush, th...

 The #ad Gigabyte Radeon RX 7800 XT GAMING OC 16 GB is a compelling proposition for anyone seeking solid 1440p performance without plunging into flagship-level expense. Armed with AMD’s RDNA 3 architecture and a generous 16 GB of GDDR6 memory on a 256‑bit bus, this card sits neatly between the more modest RX 7700 XT and the outright powerhouse RX 7900 XT. Gigabyte’s GAMING OC variant brings a healthy factory overclock, a robust Windforce cooling solution and a sturdy metal backplate, all wrapped up in an understated yet classy shroud. In this review I’ll dive into its design, thermals, real‑world performance, feature set and value proposition, weighing up its strengths and shortcomings to help you decide whether it earns a place in your next build. Design and Build Quality Out of the box, the GAMING OC card feels reassuringly well‑built. The tri‑fan Windforce cooler is housed in a powder‑coated black metal s...

 From the moment you slide the Technics EAH‑AZ100E‑K Wireless Earbuds into your ears, you get the sense that these are no ordinary true wireless buds. Technics has a long heritage in audio, and these earbuds show that the brand understands what discerning listeners want: a supremely comfortable fit, robust noise cancelling, seamless connectivity and a sound signature that honours detail and musicality. Having spent several weeks with them, here’s my honest take on what they do brilliantly — and where they could do a little better. First impressions and design Out of the box, the EAH‑AZ100E‑K earbuds impress with a sleek, matte‑black finish that feels understated yet premium. The charging case is compact and pocket‑friendly, with a softly rounded shape that slips easily into a jeans or jacket pocket. The earbuds themselves carry a discreet Technics logo on the outer surface, finished in a subtle glossy accent that catches the light. At around 5.5 grams each, they’re l...

 Samsung’s latest entrant in the foldable smartphone arena, the Galaxy Z Flip6 AI , arrives as a compelling blend of cutting‑edge technology and pocket‑friendly convenience. Officially unveiled at the Galaxy Unpacked event on 10 July 2024, this clamshell‑style marvel boasts a robust Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, 12 GB of RAM and a capacious 512 GB of internal storage – all wrapped in the elegant “Silver Shadow” finish. What’s more, as the UK‑version comes unlocked and paired with a generous three‑year manufacturer extended warranty, it offers unparalleled flexibility and long‑term peace of mind for discerning users. Priced from around £1,049 for the 512 GB model, the Z Flip6 AI stakes its claim not merely on impressive hardware, but also on its enhanced Galaxy AI features and refined design. Over the course of this review, we’ll explore the smartphone’s build quality, display, performance, AI‑driven capabilities, camera prowess, battery life,...

 From the moment you lay eyes on the MSI Vector 16 in Cosmos Grey, it’s clear this is no ordinary gaming laptop. Underneath its sleek, muted chassis lies a potent combination: a 14th‑generation Intel Core i7‑14650HX (16 cores, up to 5.2 GHz), NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 with up to 175 W of GPU power and Dynamic Boost 2.0, 16 GB of DDR5‑5600 RAM, and a 1 TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD – all running Windows 11 Home out of the box. Weighing in at 2.7 kg with a profile between 22.2 mm and 28.6 mm, the Vector 16 strikes a careful balance between desktop‑class performance and portable practicality. Design and Build Quality MSI outfits the Vector 16 with a tasteful “Cosmos Grey” metal lid adorned only by the subtle dragon logo. The base, constructed from high‑quality polycarbonate, feels reassuringly rigid despite the decision to forgo a full‑metal design at this price point. The hinge design prevents t...

 Stepping into the realm of mid‑range gaming PCs, the ionz KZ22 build promises to strike an enticing balance between price, performance and aesthetics. At its heart lies Intel’s 12th‑generation Core i5‑12400F processor paired with NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card, and it arrives pre‑built in ionz’s sleek black KZ22 chassis. Boasting 16 GB of RGB‑lit DDR4 memory, a 1 TB NVMe SSD, Wi‑Fi connectivity and Windows 11 out of the box, it targets gamers who demand solid 1080p performance without venturing into the lofty price brackets of high‑end rigs. Priced at around £749.95, it undercuts many branded systems while offering largely the same core components. Design and Build Quality From the outside, the KZ22 case presents a minimalist, almost stealth‑fighter aesthetic. Its matte black steel panels and tempered‑glass side window allow a tasteful view of the interior, where the RGB RAM modules add a touch of flair. The front panel’s mesh intake b...

 If you’ve been on the lookout for a gaming chair that bridges the gap between stylish design and ergonomic functionality, the AutoFull Ergonomic Gaming Chair in PU Leather (Brown) might just hit the sweet spot. Tailored not only for gamers but also for home office workers, this chair is a strong contender in the ever-growing world of ergonomic seating. I’ve been using this chair daily for a few weeks now, and this review aims to share a detailed, honest, and human-centred look at what it’s like to live with the AutoFull – beyond just reading spec sheets and photos. First Impressions & Assembly Right out of the box, the packaging was compact yet protective. Every component was well secured and labelled. The chair arrived with clear, concise instructions, and putting it together was fairly painless – a one-person job that took me roughly 25 minutes. All the necessary tools came included, which is always a plus. What immediately stood out was the deep, rich brow...