What makes the Dynabook Thunderbolt 4 Dock special?

A Thunderbolt 4 dock will cost you significantly more than a basic USB-C dock. So, why pay extra for a Thunderbolt 4 dock? Thunderbolt 4, like Thunderbolt 3 and USB 4, supports data throughput of up to 40Gbps (gigabits per second). This is the fastest and most versatile wired connectivity standard.Ìý

It simultaneously gives you very fast data transfer, plus high-resolution video and charging. Don’t confuse it with basic USB-C ports. Thunderbolt 4 uses the USB Type-C connector shape, but has different data, video, and power capabilities than the more common and far slower USB-C 3.2 Gen-1 (5Gbps) and USB-C 3.2 Gen-2 (10Gbps) ports. Thunderbolt ports and connectors are marked with the “lightning bolt” logo.

We tested the Dynabook Thunderbolt 4 Dock courtesy of Dynabook and used a single USB-C Thunderbolt cable from our Thunderbolt 4-enabled laptop to the dock. This then allowed us to connect a variety of devices including external monitors and storage.

The dock has its own power supply and can power connected devices as well as charge a laptop via its USB-C Thunderbolt port (up to 90W laptops).

The front of the dock provides easy access to a full-sized SD card reader, one USB-A and two USB-C 3.2 (Gen-2) ports (speed not specified but assumed to be 10Gbps as not stated to be 2×2), a headset port, and indicator lights (power and Thunderbolt connection). These USB ports should be used for devices that you would insert and remove on a regular basis, such as external drives that you use on multiple computers.Ìý

The rear of the dock gives three USB-A 3.0 ports (good for keyboard, mouse, and permanent external USB storage), gigabit ethernet (RJ45), and power. There is also the upstream Thunderbolt 4 port that connects to the laptop’s Thunderbolt port, and a cluster of video ports.ÌýThere are two full-sized DisplayPort ports, and two full-sized HDMI ports.Ìý

There is one downstream USB-C Thunderbolt 4 port, which can be used for a monitor that supports USB-C (up to 8K resolution), or for other USB-C peripherals, such as fast storage drives.

We had no problems running a laptop screen with a further two monitors connected via the dock, while using Windows 11. All ports support up to 4K resolution, with dual 4K output at up to 60Hz for both monitors.

There’s a cable lock slot on the right side, for use where you need to physically secure desktop devices against theft (optional security cable is not provided, of course).

You can use this dock with a laptop or desktop computer, but it will need to have a Thunderbolt 4 port. We used an LG laptop with Thunderbolt 4 port for testing, and didn’t encounter any problems, but you should be able to connect any laptop with built-in Thunderbolt 4.Ìý

We found we could connect two monitors, gigabit ethernet, and USB input peripherals and storage. The dock is built well enough to not move around or tip when packed with cables on its rear.Ìý

If you’re fortunate enough to have a Thunderbolt 4 laptop and want to connect multiple screens and other devices when back at your home or office, the Dynabook Thunderbolt 4 Dock will do the job nicely.

The post Dynabook Thunderbolt 4 dock review appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

espressoDisplay specs and optional extras

Espresso’s 15-inch touch display is just 5.3mm thick, with overall dimensions of 256mm x 359mm, and it weighs in just shy of a kilo at 864g. There’s also a 13-inch touch version for $669, or a non-touch screen for $529.

The optional ($99) folding espressoStand adds 546g to the weight and the $69 espressoCase adds 535g (though you don’t use them at the same time).Ìý

The espressoCase works like a kind of kickstand to support the display at various angles, but despite the name it doesn’t enclose the whole screen to protect the front.

The optional espressoPen stylus ($119) is just 14g, and attaches to the display magnetically as well.

Physically, the display screen by itself is just like a laptop screen (without the laptop) with two USB-C ports and built-in magnets for attaching the optional extras. These include the folding stand or the magnetic VESA-style espressoMount ($79) that can be attached to a standard monitor arm.Ìý

The screen surround edges are thin on the sides and the top (when viewed in landscape mode), but the bottom is thicker to accommodate the built-in ports.Ìý

Adjustable espressoStand

The espressoStand collapses down flat for ease of transport and it’s easy to unfold and attach the screen magnetically, but there’s no visible indication where the stand needs to be attached on the back of the monitor – you just have to place it in the centre and feel around for the strongest magnetic connection.

We also found it can be a bit fiddly to get the stand and display adjusted to the right angle. If you try to adjust the angle while the screen is on the stand, the screen will tend to come loose from its magnetic anchor point.Ìý

Through trial and error we found that the easiest way to do it is to first set the stand at the angle you want, then add the screen.Ìý

We experienced a similar problem with the screen detaching too easily when adjusting the angle on the espressoCase.

Getting set up

Initial setup was a little frustrating as the display didn’t come with documentation, just a QR code which takes you to the Espresso website where you then have to click ‘Support’ on the main menu to access info about how to properly use the screen and its associated accessories (while a link to the support page flashes on the screen when it boots up, it’s too easily missed).

Once on the support page, however, you’ll find what you need with sections on all the components: espressoDisplay, espressoCase, espressoMount, espressoStand, espressoPen and the espressoFlow touchscreen software. You need to download this to access the auto-rotate feature and to make it easier to adjust the brightness. You can download the software for Mac and Windows (both Intel and M1).

USB cable options

The ideal setup is to have a single USB cable from the display to your computer. But this can only be the case on laptops that have a USB-C port that can transport a video signal and power (Thunderbolt or Mini DisplayPort labelled ports will work).

If your computer doesn’t have this sort of USB-C port, but has HDMI or Mini DisplayPort, then you’ll need the optional cables for video and USB-C to USB-A cable for power.

espressoDisplay performance

As far as the display itself is concerned, it performs as expected and having a 15-inch Full HD screen you can take with you provides a good amount of extra work space for laptop users outside the home or office too.

The versatility of being able to rotate the screen into portrait mode is something you don’t get with laptops or even most desktop monitors. You can also customise touch gestures to suit the way you like to work.

Espresso claims brightness of 300nits (we measured it at 264nits, which is about the same as the screen on a mid-range laptop) and the display has a 60Hz refresh rate, and being 1080p it uses a standard 16:9 aspect ratio.

Brightness and contrast were good, showing detail in shadows and not blowing out highlights. Colour can depend on the graphics settings of your computer, but we found the colour mostly neutral compared to our reference monitor, which is fine.

The screen has a glossy finish and it does reflect background light noticeably in well-lit environments, but viewing angles are wide and there’s not much of an issue when viewing from well off-centre (except the image can become slightly paler).

Living with two screens

We like the portability and versatility of the display and accessories, especially the ease of being able to switch stands and rotate the screen into portrait mode.

We found a few frustrations, from the initial setup to the on-screen display which didn’t always show up when invoked, and the lack of text labels on the on-screen menu and in the espressoFlow app.Ìý

You also need to sign up for an account just to use the auto-rotate function that the espressoFlow app provides, and there’s a lack of documentation about the ports.Ìý

Basically, it would benefit from being a bit more user-friendly.ÌýBut overall, the 15-inch espressoDisplay V2 performs as expected and its portability means you don’t have to give up the luxury of using two screens at once just because you’re not at home or the office.Ìý

It’s light and easy to carry and the choice of folding stand or kickstand-style case makes it a versatile and convenient option, especially if your laptop’s connectivity lets you get away with using just one USB-C cable to connect it.

The post espressoDisplay 15-inch portable USB screen review appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

An Australia-based start-up is looking to cash in on people’s concerns about radiation and their laptops, charging a premium for a laptop cover that can supposedly block ‘potentially harmful’ radiation when on your lap.Ìý

The company claims that the ‘nanocrystal’ layering of its Wavepro laptop cover blocks up to 99.9% of electric and magnetic field (EMF) radiation from laptops, reducing the risk of cancer, infertility and nerve-function damage.Ìý

And all those layers of protection from ‘potentially harmful’ radiation will only set you back a cool $180.

Lack of evidence

But the Cancer Council of Australia says there’s absolutely no evidence to link using a laptop on your lap with cancer, infertility or cell damage.

“Computers, like many other electrical appliances, produce electric and magnetic fields, however most are in the extremely low frequency range,” the Cancer Council says.Ìý

“According to the World Health Organization [WHO], the field strengths are far below international exposure limit guidelines and there is no scientific evidence of health effects from long-term, low-level exposure.” 

Wavepro also carries the logo of WHO and the American Cancer Society on its webpage under the headline ‘The Experts Have Spoken’.

But after ÌÇÐÄVlog sent questions about the logos and whether they created the false impression of an endorsement for Wavepro, the website was amended to remove them.

ACCC warns customers to be wary

Wavepro is just the latest company that appears to be cashing in on people’s health concerns with dubious products.Ìý

Last year activewear company Lorna Jane was fined $5 million in the Federal Court after the ACCC took action against its claims that its clothes could ‘prevent COVID-19’.

We sent screenshots of the Wavepro laptop cover’s claims to the ACCC, along with some questions. The ACCC told us that under Australian Consumer Law (ACL), businesses should not engage in misleading or deceptive conduct, or make false and misleading representations.

“Consumers should be wary about businesses that make claims about the particular health benefits of their goods, and charge a premium price for those goods,” the ACCC says.Ìý

“Consumers should also do their due diligence and research any health or endorsement claims made by businesses prior to purchase.Ìý

“In addition to obligations under the ACL, businesses that make claims about the health benefits of goods must also comply with requirements under the Therapeutic Goods Act, which is regulated by the TGA.”

Wavepro responds 

We sent questions to Wavepro and the company replied denying that it’s engaging in misleading or deceptive conduct. It also says its intent was never to provide false or misleading information.Ìý

“What we know is that this is an evolving space, we believe there simply isn’t enough evidence to irrefutably conclude that there are zero risks of long-term, frequent exposure to electromagnetic radiation caused by a laptop or other electronic devices,” Wavepro says.Ìý

“Blocking technology aside, we believe our genuine leather cases are pretty darn stylish.” 

When we asked Wavepro why it featured the WHO logo on its webpage (now removed) and whether the logo implied an endorsement that didn’t exist, the company said that WHO had made comments about EMF radiation in the past.Ìý

“We believe in being consciously minded and are on a mission to normalise EMF protection,” Wavepro states.Ìý

“We are currently undergoing a project to revamp our website with a strong focus on education.” 

The post ‘Cancer blocking’ laptop cover marketed with dubious health claims appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

On this page:

• How we choose what we test
• How we test
• General data we collect
• Test criteria explained

We test wired and wireless headsets and headphones to help you find a product that has good sound quality, is comfortable, durable and, most importantly, suits your needs. You may want nothing more than a simple headset for meetings, or maybe you’re after some good quality headphones for day-to-day use instead.

How we choose what we test

Our priority is to test what you see in shops and prominent online stores. We ask manufacturers and check current market figures to see what’s selling well, and we’ll also include models that you’ve requested. If a lot of members want it, we’re going to test it.

Our buyers then go out and anonymously buy the headsets from a variety of retailers and bring them in as-is. This means we get what you’d get, so we can be sure the results match what you’ll find and the products haven’t been ‘tweaked’ in any way.

Selecting headsets

We test a broad range of affordable and higher-end products to cover as much of the market as possible. These include products that:

• are marketed as headsets or headphones compatible with smartphone/PC video chat
• have internal or external microphones (on an arm)
• are around-ear, on-ear or in-ear (earbuds)
• are wired and/or wireless
• connect with Bluetooth, auxiliary (3.5mm) or USB-A.

How we test

We assess sound quality (sending and receiving), comfort, durability and ease of use.

Sound receiving and sending

We set up a video call using Google Meet on two Windows PCs. At one end, we connect a broadcast quality microphone to a laptop, then mount it 10cm from a speaker playing a recorded message on loop. The speaker is set at a human’s average speaking volume, approximately 70dB, and played into the microphone.

Three panelists assess the quality of the headsets and headphones by listening to the recording through a Google Meet chat in a soundproof room, on a separate Windows laptop. They listen for clarity, volume, echo, warmth, distortion, signal strength and interference such as hiss or crackle.

Next, we play the recorded message through the headset and headphone microphones. Panelists assess the quality of the mic by listening to the recording in the same soundproof room on a pair of reference grade headphones.

Fit and comfort

Three panelists put the headsets and headphones on and adjust them accordingly. This includes moving the microphone arm (if applicable) and sliding the headset band for optimum fit. They assess how easy it is to use the sliders, fit the earbuds and adjust the microphone arm, and whether joints feel secure or loose when putting the headset on.

Panelists note comfort on the top of the head, on, around or in-ears and whether the headset or headphones shift or fall out when moving (e.g. when bending over to pick up a pen). They also consider restrictiveness of wires and clips during movement, particularly if the cable is short and prone to curling. Wireless headsets score 100% by default in this part of the test.

Durability

We assess the quality of materials used and whether the cable is prone to tangling, if applicable. Joints, sliders and cable connection points undergo a basic stress test in a typical usage environment to see if they feel secure or loose. We also look at whether headset or earbud parts can be easily replaced, such as the padding around the ear.

Ease of use

We test the setup and connection process as well as using controls such as volume and mute.

General data we collect

In addition to product specifications, we also make sure the headsets and headphones are compatible with popular programs and operating systems. This includes Windows, MacOS, iOS and Android, and Facebook Messenger, Google Meet, Skype and Zoom.

Test criteria explained

The overall score is a combination of sound receiving and sending, comfort, durability and ease of use.

• Sound receiving (30%)
• Sound sending (30%)
• Fit and comfort (25%)
• Durability (10%)
• Ease of use (5%)

The post How we test headsets appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

The Dell S3221QS has little competition around its $748.99 price tag, as you’ll usually find that similar curved, 31.5-inch, 4K displays tend to cost north of the $1000 or $1500 mark, if not more.Ìý

Unsurprisingly, Dell has made some compromises to be this affordable, but fewer than you might expect.

Specifications

• Screen size: 31.5 inches
• Aspect ratio: 16:9
• Resolution: 4K (3840 x 2160)
• Refresh rate: 60Hz
• Response time: 4ms
• Panel: LED-backlit LCD, Vertical Alignment (VA)
• Brightness: 300 cd/m²
• Contrast: 3000:1
• Colour: 99% sRGB and 90% DCI-P3
• HDR (high dynamic range)
• AMD FreeSync/Adaptive Sync
• Audiovisual input: 2x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort (all capable of 4K at 60Hz)
• Speakers: 2x 5-watt
• USB hub: 1x USB 3.0 upstream, 2x USB 3.0 downstream
• Stand: height adjustable, no tilt or pivot
• Weight: stand = 3.1kg, monitor = 7.4kg
• Dimensions (with stand): 70.92cm x 20.7cm x 44.81cm

Design and build quality

The plastic shell of the Dell S3221QS isn’t going to turn heads, especially with its dull, black fascia.Ìý

But where a monitor this size could easily crowd a room, the slim bezels, white back panel and silver stand reduces its visual impact – although a white stand would’ve better matched the monitor’s aesthetic.

The stand is sturdy and weighs about 3.1kg. It doesn’t wobble easily and holds the monitor firmly in place. It’s height-adjustable, although anyone taller than about 180cm or six feet will need to prop it up on something else (a common complaint of a tall person).Ìý

It can tilt up and down – an important feature to fix its viewing angles – but doesn’t swivel and only pivots about five degrees, so no portrait mode.

Removing the stand reveals a VESA-compatible (100 x 100) mounting area on the back for attaching a different stand or monitor arms. But keep in mind that not all arms can handle this monster’s 7.4kg weight.

Image quality

Brightness, contrast and colour accuracy are the three strengths of the S3221QS.Ìý

It supports 99% sRGB and 90% DCI-P3 colour, making it an affordable, if imperfect, option for professional video and image editors.ÌýThe panel shows no light bleed and colours are consistent across the whole area.

Fast-paced motion in video and gaming is smooth, objects are clearly defined, and there’s no screen tearing or artifacting. But at times panning camera shots can introduce some noticeable stutter.

The onscreen blacks are a mixed bag. By default, a “Dark Stabilizer” setting is turned on, which appears to turn the gamma up in dark scenes of video games and movies, ruining the picture. Once this setting is off, black tones are much darker, but still not comparable to a more expensive professional display or an OLED panel.

The main weakness is in the viewing angles, which show noticeable variation across the screen depending on how close you sit to the monitor. The sweet spot is about 60–70cm, but some people might find this annoying and it could hinder delicate design or editing work.

Tilting the screen slightly upwards helps this significantly. But if you plan on buying monitor arms, keep in mind that some might struggle to hold its 7.4kg weight at a tilted angle, even if they’re rated to carry more.

Display Manager

Dell’s downloadable Display Manager app for the S3221QS is a must-have.Ìý

Among its many features is the Easy Arrange menu, which lets you customise which areas of your screen let windows snap to them. This is great to see on such a big screen where Windows 10’s default half- and quarter-size zones might be bigger than you need.

The app is easy to launch with shortcut keys (such as ctrl + shift + D) and lets you quickly adjust settings and features such as brightness and contrast, as well as others that aren’t available via the standard menu buttons.

By default, the colour mode is static and needs to be changed manually. But set it to auto and the colour mode changes to one you’ve chosen based on the type of app you’re using.Ìý

This is useful for full-screen apps, but causes problems when switching between various windowed programs that are snapped to different areas of the display.

A handy inclusion for those with two devices plugged into the one display is a customisable input switch shortcut key. This allows you to set your display to switch between devices by pressing ctrl + shift + L, or another combination of keys.

Gaming on the S3221QS

The S3221QS isn’t designed for gaming. But that doesn’t mean your average professional or casual user doesn’t want to settle into a welcoming and graphically beautiful experience at the end of the day.Ìý

And, for a non-gaming screen, the S3221QS handles itself well enough.

Pros:

• FreeSync/Adaptive Sync
• No screen tearing (even with FreeSync disabled)
• Smooth movement
• Well-defined characters and objects
• Colours appear accurate
• The combination of 4K with a 32-inch display.

Cons:

• Refresh rate is only 60Hz
• Response time of 4ms
• It doesn’t handle HDR gaming well
• Dark scenes are sometimes washed out, even with Dark Stabilizer turned off.

The PC gaming world can be derisive about 4K screens because they tend to be limited to 60Hz. While it’s true that 120Hz and above is much better for gaming, firing up a graphics-heavy title on a 32-inch, 4K display still looks stunning. Coupled with reliable colour accuracy and contrast, it’s an enjoyable experience.

Surprisingly, we didn’t experience any screen tearing or artifacting, even with FreeSync/Adaptive Sync disabled. The edges of characters and objects were always well-defined without any jagged edges.

But using HDR on the S3221QS for gaming is a problem. Blacks either become even more washed out – as if Dark Stabilizer were turned on – or too dark and lose detail, colours become oversaturated, and exposure is too high.

The post Dell S3221QS 32-inch 4K monitor review appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

On this page:

• How we choose what we test
• How we test
• Scoring
• Our expert testers

How we choose what we test

Webcams are in higher demand than ever due to more people working from home. We take a look at the brands and models being sold in major Australian retailers, as well as some of the easier-to-find models from online stores.

How we test

Performance

To assess performance, each webcam was tested on a high-end PC in the computer lab, running the most up-to-date version of Windows 10 at the time (20H2 for October–November 2020), as well as the latest motherboard BIOS (F21) and graphics drivers (27.21.14.5709).

All webcams were plugged into a USB 3.0 port on the rear of the PC, except for the Logitech StreamCam, which is a USB-C camera, and was therefore plugged into a USB-C port.

Light readings were taken for bright and dim lighting conditions, which helped provide a guide for lighting conditions in future tests.

We used the Windows Camera app to record video and audio from each webcam at its native resolution and frame rate, which was detected by the app. We used the Windows Camera app as it’s built in to Windows laptops and desktops.Ìý

The results from the app showed that the picture quality was not as expected for each camera, so we used a second application to test for image quality: OBS Studio.

OBS Studio is freely available and can be used to record webcam video much like Windows Camera. We used OBS Studio to give a second perspective on the image quality (not audio) that each webcam is capable of delivering.Ìý

We set the program to use the default resolution and frame rate of the webcam manually. It provided a very different picture compared to Windows Camera in many cases. We assessed the image quality for both applications.

One of the main reasons people buy webcams is to participate in online meetings and video conferences. We also use video conferencing platform Zoom to test how each webcam performs when streaming at Zoom’s default quality settings (640 x 360).Ìý

For this test, a meeting was initiated on a high-end PC, which was then accepted on the tester’s work laptop (streaming recipient). Permission was then given to the recipient to record the stream on the work laptop. The recording is then assessed to see what the audio and video quality was like through Zoom. Note, at the time of testing, Zoom was the most popular video conferencing program.Ìý

For video, we looked at the overall clarity of the image (straightness of lines, noise and focus point), as well as colour reproduction, motion blur, illumination, and low-light performance.Ìý

We used the tester’s two work monitors to simulate backlighting on the face during low-light testing, as well as a lamp directly behind the subject to assess any lens flare and light bleeding into the subject. We checked for autofocus by moving around in the frame and seeing if the image was refocused by the webcam.

Each camera was placed in the exact same position on the test PC’s monitor, and angled so that the face was central in the frame and that some key colours could be seen in the background (red, green and blue).Ìý

There was no previous colour reference or reference monitor (for the output), so we tested a MacBook Pro and a Microsoft Surface Laptop Go to get comparison points for the quality.

For audio, we wanted to make sure we could hear all the words that were spoken, and we wanted to hear how background noise was handled. If a webcam tried to combat background noise, sometimes it made the recording sound a bit warbled or compressed.Ìý

We also looked for lip sync issues. Audio that was clearly audible with minimal compression or warbling was given a higher score.

Ease of use

We assessed: 

• how easy it was to install each camera
• how easy it was to mount each camera on a thick or thin monitor – for the thick monitor, we used a BenQ BL Series monitor, and for the thin monitor, we used an Acer Swift 5 laptop
• how each camera sits on the monitor – whether it’s sturdy or wobbly, and how easy it might topple if the cable is moved
• the length of the cable for each camera – as this can be an issue on a desktop computer.

Privacy

Privacy becomes a factor if the webcam has a built-in visible video indicator light and a supplied lens cap or cover.

Scoring

We give every webcam a ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating so you can see at a glance which are the best and worst performers, plus how the models compare to each other in features and specifications.

The ÌÇÐÄVlog Expert Rating ignores price and is based on the following criteria:

• Performance (60%)
• Ease of use (35%)
• Privacy (5%)

Our expert testers

Our testers have years of experience testing digital cameras through vigorous processes. We test cameras in group batches in a range of conditions under controlled circumstances.

The post How we test webcams appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

Tired of re-pairing Bluetooth devices to your wireless keyboard? The Logitech K780 can switch between three devices almost instantly, saving time and desk space.

Pairing and connection

The Logitech K780 multi-device keyboard works with:

• Windows
• Mac
• Chrome OS
• Android
• iPhone and iPad

Multi-device keyboards can be paired to computers, phones and tablets, so you can switch between them without cluttering your space with multiple peripherals.

We found connecting the K780 to each device the first time is a quick process. The instructions are on the inside of the box, and only take a few seconds to follow if your device is ready for pairing.

It can be paired with up to three devices at once, either via Bluetooth or the single radio frequency USB dongle included in the box.

The range is about 10m and its two (included) AAA batteries should run for 24 months before needing to be replaced, says Logitech.

Once paired, switch between devices by pressing the three numbered buttons in the top-left of the keyboard. The time it takes to change input is usually about how long it takes for your finger to travel back to the letter keys after pressing one of the device buttons, so you barely have to break your typing flow, if at all.

Using with PCs, laptops and Macs

The default layout is for Windows, with some added buttons, but it can be paired with Macs and Chrome OS. It’s not quite as wide as many standard keyboards, which can reduce neck strain by letting you use your mouse closer to the centre of your body.

The lack of trackpad is worth noting for those who use their laptop without a mouse. For that, you either need a different mouse per device, or a multi-device mouse such as the Logitech M720 Triathlon ($99.94) or MX Anywhere 2S ($129.95).

Using with phones and tablets

The K780 is useful for typing on phones and tablets, but their inclusion feels more like a bonus than a focus. And how well it works is limited by your operating system and individual app design. There are some handy phone and tablet buttons such as Home, App-Switch, Contextual Menu, Search, Screenshot, and Back, which worked well in all scenarios we tried.

The built-in gadget stand is handy, but also means the keyboard needs enough weight (875g) to hold up a hefty tablet like a Surface or iPad Pro, reducing its portability.

You can unlock a mobile device by hitting the spacebar then typing in your PIN, but you can’t open lock screen notifications directly – you have to unlock the phone then find the app.

Navigating phone/tablet and app user interfaces (UIs) is a bit clunky, so you’ll still need the touchscreen. This can slow things down a bit, but given your screen is right in front of you (thanks to the stand), it’s not much of a hassle.

Being able to type quickly from a keyboard not only makes replying to messages easier, it reduces the potential for the distractions that come from picking up a mobile device. It can also turn your phone or tablet into a portable work or study device, thanks to apps such as the Microsoft Office Suite, Apple Pages, and other productivity options.

Using multiple devices at once

Not only does having a single keyboard reduce workspace clutter, switching between devices easily has quickly become something we’ll have trouble going back from.

At the moment, many people are working from home with a laptop provided by their employer. If you have your own device as well, it’s helpful to switch between work and personal uses to respond to notifications or address personal errands you suddenly remembered.

If your personal computer is more powerful than your work one, you can spend most of your work hours on your most powerful device and only switch back to the work laptop when you need to access secure servers (if your workplace allows official work to be done on personal devices).

An unexpected benefit is portable dual-screening, albeit with restrictions. If you need two screens to work or study, but have always envied people who work from cafes or parks, a multi-device keyboard might solve your problem. It lets you open up spreadsheets or do research on one device and write up reports on the other.

You can’t directly copy, paste or drag content between screens because they’re not actually connected, but thanks to modern cloud apps such as Google Docs, you can paste content into an open document and have it immediately available on all connected devices.

The post Logitech K780 multi-device keyboard review appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

Build quality

The Omnidesk Pro 2020’s tabletops come in two colours of powder-coated medium-density fibreboard (MDF) or real bamboo (our model), and in varying lengths. All are 76cm deep. You can also opt for a rounded cut-out in the middle to get closer.

The MDF tabletops come in 122cm, 152cm and 183cm widths; the bamboo is only available in 152cm and 183cm.

There’s a hole at the back to run cables through, which you can cover with a small cut-out, and a panel on the underside hides mechanism wiring.

The metal legs and frame come in white or black and are relatively easy to attach to the tabletop.

The instructions that come with the Omnidesk aren’t great, and some are seemingly left over from previous models. Thankfully, after you place an order you’ll receive an email that includes a YouTube link to a good tutorial – which is still of a previous model, but is close enough to make things easy.

Ours was both sturdy and heavy. Omnidesk doesn’t provide the total weight, but we suggest getting someone to help you move the table once you’ve set it up.

Optional add-ons include swivel arms for monitors, a built-in wireless charging pad, a cable management system, and a motorised powerboard that rises up out of the desktop, among others.

The price is based on the size and type of tabletop you choose, plus any optional add-ons. The starting price for the smallest (122cm) MDF desk is $900. Our 152cm bamboo model with no add-ons retails for $1150, however ours was on sale for $970.

How easy is it to adjust?

The Omnidesk Pro’s controller allows for delicate height adjustments between 64cm and 127cm, and four programmable buttons let it memorise specific heights so you can switch between saved settings at a single touch.

The difference between this easy system and a spring-loaded or hand-cranked standing desk is huge. The easier it is to switch between heights, the more likely you’ll spend time standing.

You can also program the maximum and minimum heights, and alter the collision detection weight for safety.

One thing to keep in mind: if you have any wires that need to extend to the ground, such as power or screen cables, make sure they’re long enough to make the trip from sitting to standing position.

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For a desktop monitor, there’s something to be said for a bit of bend. You get a larger screen without having to move your eyes as much, and the deeper curves of the CT55 32-inch and 27-inch take it even further. Once you get used to a non-flat display, it’s a relaxing, immersive experience. Even the larger 32-inch model can be comfortably viewed as your eyes don’t have to travel quite as far to get from one corner to another.

But this sharper curve is good for one monitor, not so much for two or more. Side-by-side, the 32-inch and 27-inch CT55s wrap around so far you’ll be turning your head further than with flat screens, or screens with a subtler curve. And arranging them in a line introduces an awkward hump where the curves meet.

Tech specs

• Screen size: 27-inch or 32-inch
• Ratio: 16:9
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (1080px full HD)
• Contrast ratio: 3000:1
• Brightness: 250cd/m2
• Response time: 4ms
• Interface: 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x DisplayPort, 1x D-sub, 1x 3.5mm headphone jack
• Curvature: 1000R
• Speakers: 2x, 5W stereo

Picture quality

Both the 32-inch and 27-inch models deliver 1080px resolution (1920 x 1080 or full HD), giving them just 69 or 82 pixels per inch, respectively. That’s pretty low by today’s standards, with many 27-inch and up models boasting 1440px (2560 x 1440) or higher. But given the price point, this lower resolution is expected.

Both screens are bright and the colours are good for mid-range screens, but you’ll need to tinker with the display settings yourself for best results. If you want extreme colour accuracy for something like visual design, you’ll still need to look at the much higher end of the market.

The 32-inch had some minor light bleeding at the sides of the screen, but the screen is so big it’s easy to forget it’s there. The 27-inch didn’t seem to share this problem. This example of the 32-inch suffering from issues that the 27-inch doesn’t will be a continuing theme.

Productivity

Surprisingly, 1080px on a 32-inch screen is workable for tasks such as browsing and office suites. The pixels are definitely visible, but the brightness and contrast partially make up for the lower resolution. The 27-inch is better thanks to the higher pixel density, but you can still make pixels out with the naked eye.

Despite the full-HD resolution being usable on the 32-inch, one of the appeals of a big screen is running three or four windows simultaneously. That’s not an option with 1080px resolution. Text quickly becomes too small to easily read and images are pixelated. Two windows side-by-side works fine, but the text needs to be roughly the same font size as on a smaller display. In short, the 32-inch CT55 is great for viewing things bigger, not for viewing more at the same time.

Video

While both screens work well for general office applications, look elsewhere if you want to watch movies and TV.

The slow, well-lit action of a YouTube video is fine for 1080px playback on either screen. However, the 32-inch model can’t handle scenes with dark lighting at all. Almost any movement introduces glaring flashes of colour distortion and pixelation, making anything but bright, sunny camera shots unpleasant.

The 27-inch doesn’t have this problem. In general, it’s fine for watching videos, but still won’t be replacing your TV anytime soon. Black colours have a milky tone, darker scenes are hazy and the edges of shapes and people can be over-sharpened.

Gaming

While we’re told these monitors are targeted at productivity and office work, the CT55’s display menus include a gaming mode that Samsung says provides “optimal colour, contrast and shades”. Unfortunately, this wasn’t our experience.

In game mode, enabled colours are overdone, as are brightness and contrast. The end result is a blast of oversaturation with a distinct harshness around the edges of objects and text. Disabling game mode delivered a much better experience, but there was still significant screen tearing and edges remained jagged.

Interestingly, the colour problems we found the 32-inch had with dark video scenes didn’t come up while gaming.

Build quality

For mid-range displays, the build quality feels solid. The case for each is plastic, but is sturdy.

The all-metal stands are a nice touch – we’d expect plastic for this price. The stands tilt back and forth, but aren’t height adjustable and can’t rotate the screen 90 degrees – not that you’d necessarily want a curved monitor arranged in portrait mode.

Unfortunately, there’s no VESA mount compatibility, so you’re going to have trouble swapping the stand for a height-adjustable one. This isn’t so much a problem for the 32-inch, which is probably high enough for most people thanks to the monitor’s size. But the 27-inch will need propping up for taller people.

Sound

The built-in five-watt stereo speakers were better than expected. They’re loud and clear enough to make out dialogue from the other side of a room, which is rarely the case for monitor speakers. But built-in speakers are never a perfect replacement for the real thing.

The sound completely lacks bass and high notes are tinny. Music lovers will of course be disappointed, as they would by any monitor’s sound. But for casual media consumption, the speakers should suffice, which can free up your desk space of yet another set of peripheral devices.

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