Audi ha presentado su línea e-tron GT actualizada, que presenta los típicos ajustes sutiles en el diseño exterior, una gran cantidad de nuevas características interiores y un sorprendente aumento de potencia.
Las actualizaciones siguen cambios similares a Porsche Taycánun modelo del que Audi toma prestada gran parte de su tecnología de chasis y baterías.
Como resultado, el Audi e-tron ve cómo la potencia utilizable de sus paquetes de baterías aumenta de 84 kWh a 97 kWh, con velocidades máximas de carga que aumentan de 270 kW a un máximo de 320 kW desde los puertos de carga rápida adecuados.
Las velocidades de carga mejoran naturalmente, cargando la batería de alto voltaje del 10% al 80% en sólo 18 minutos a través de una estación de carga de alta potencia. En 10 minutos, puede sumar hasta 174 millas de alcance.
(Crédito de la imagen: Audi)
Pero es la potencia de salida lo que tiene a muchos sentados y prestando atención, ya que el RS e-tron GT Performance de gama alta (y, lo sabemos, torpe) tiene 912 caballos de fuerza. De esta forma, la aceleración de 0 a 100 km/h tarda sólo 2,5 segundos.
Para poner esto en perspectiva, el poderoso Audi R8 logra generar alrededor de 612 CV con su motor de gasolina V10 de 5,2 litros. El superdeportivo pionero pero algo práctico logró un tiempo relativamente lento de 0 a 62 mph de 3,1 segundos.
Por el contrario, el último e-tron GT tiene cuatro puertas, espacio interior para cinco personas y suficiente espacio en el maletero o en el maletero para la tienda de alimentación semanal.
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(Crédito de la imagen: Audi)
Si 912 CV no es lo tuyo, siempre puedes optar por la versión básica de doble motor, que ahora lleva la insignia S e-tron GT y ofrece una potencia francamente vergonzosa de 671 CV, suficiente para avergonzarte. un Ferrari moderno.
Audi afirma que la experiencia de conducción también ha mejorado con la introducción de la suspensión neumática de serie en toda la gama.
También existe la opción de un sistema activo que inclina la carrocería en las curvas y contrarresta las fuerzas que se sienten al acelerar y frenar, similar al sistema que vimos en el modelo actualizado. Porsche Panamera.
En términos de diseño exterior, ahora es más fácil diferenciar entre los modelos S y RS, este último presenta una parrilla frontal más agresiva con inserciones oscuras en los bordes que la hacen parecer más ancha.
En el interior, hay un nuevo volante plano con botones sensibles al tacto que se encargan de las funciones principales del automóvil. En ambos modelos RS hay dos botones grandes para activar los modos de conducción e iniciar configuraciones de modo de conducción personalizadas.
Los vehículos eléctricos están rompiendo el libro de reglas de los superdeportivos
(Crédito de la imagen: Audi)
Actualmente, el precio solo está disponible para el mercado alemán, con el nuevo e-tron GT a partir de 126.000 euros para el modelo S (alrededor de 135.300 dólares / 106.500 libras esterlinas / 203.300 dólares australianos), aumentando a 147.500 euros para el modelo RS (alrededor de 158.400 dólares). / 124.670 AU$).
No será barato, pero con una brecha del tamaño del R8 en la gama de Audi (la producción cesó en marzo de este año), la marca alemana está recurriendo al e-tron como un producto de alto rendimiento que atraerá a los recién llegados a su gama electrificada. .
A pesar de la enorme potencia disponible, es seguro decir que el e-tron GT no traerá la emoción alucinante del superdeportivo anterior. Pero no se puede negar que es la elección más lograda técnica y prácticamente del grupo. Prueba de que puedes quedarte con el pastel y comértelo en la era de los coches eléctricos.
Benchmarks giving an early look at the performance of the Apple M4 processor in the 2024 iPad Pro reveal that the new chip is 21% faster than its predecessor.
The processor launched in the latest iPad but is expected to make its way to Mac later this year.
M4 continues long string of Apple performance improvements
The M4 is built on second-generation three-nanometer technology. It has up to four performance cores and includes six efficiency cores — two more than M3. It’s intended to be even more power efficient than its predecessor.
When Apple unveiled the chip on Tuesday, it didn’t compare it to the M3. Instead, it said, “M4 delivers up to 1.5x faster CPU performance over the powerful M2 in the previous iPad Pro.”
Those wondering how much the processor improves over the M3 that debuted in MacBooks just seven months ago now have a (preliminary) answer. Geekbench 6 scores found on the Primate Lab website (via X) show that the M4 earned a 14,677 on the Multi-Core test. For comparison, the M3 MacBook Pro scored 12,102 on that same test, according to Engadet, so the new one did 21% better. (Incidentally, M3 was 25% better than M2.)
The M4’s Single-Core score was 3,767. The M3 MBA scored 3,190, so the newer processor came in 18% better.
Note that these scores are preliminary. After its big announcement on Tuesday, the 2024 iPad Pro is just now reaching reviewers so the publication of their reviews won’t be for several more days. It’s possible final benchmark scores from reviewers will be even higher than these early ones. The tablet won’t get to customers until May 15.
Other specs revealed by Geekbench 6 show that each CPU core runs at 4.4 GHz. The chip has 16GB of RAM, which means the iPad Pro it’s installed in has at least 1TB of storage.
Apple M4: An emphasis on AI
Part of the upgrades in the new processor are intended to make it better at running artificial intelligence software.
At its announcement, Apple said, “M4 has Apple’s fastest Neural Engine ever, capable of up to 38 trillion operations per second, which is faster than the neural processing unit of any AI PC today. Combined with faster memory bandwidth, along with next-generation machine learning (ML) accelerators in the CPU, and a high-performance GPU, M4 makes the new iPad Pro an outrageously powerful device for artificial intelligence.”
We don’t yet have benchmark scores to indicate definitively how well the processor will run AI software. But Apple is expected to unveil iPadOS 18 at WWDC24 in June, and Apple CEO Tim Cook himself strongly hinted that new features in all the company’s operating systems will heavily focus on AI.
The end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025 will bring “new iMacs, a low-end 14-inch MacBook Pro, high-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros, and Mac minis — all with M4 chips,” reported Bloomberg in April.
Of course, these won’t all use the basic version of the processor that’s in the iPad Pro. Expect to see M4 Pro, M4 Max, etc. in the coming months.
Highlights of the Apple M4 processor. (Click/tap for larger image) Image: Apple
When Apple unveiled the new M4 iPad Pro at its May 7 ‘Let Loose’ event, the company talked up the M4 chip’s artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, saying it was more powerful than any neural processing unit (NPU) in any AI PC today. Well, the M4’s performance has apparently just leaked in a fresh set of Geekbench benchmarks, and the results are fascinating from an AI perspective.
Compared to the previous-generation M2 iPad Pro, the latest model shows a modest improvement in performance. In Geekbench’s ML 0.6.0 test – which measures machine learning capability – the new iPad Pro scored 9,234. That’s roughly 23% higher than the M2 iPad Pro’s score of 7,511.
According to Tom’s Hardware, the M4 iPad Pro improves on the M3 chip’s ML 0.6.0 performance by roughly 10%. When it comes to measuring operations per second, the M4 clocks in around 5% faster than the M3 in the latest MacBook Pro when the benchmarks are converted and equalized.
The Geekbench results didn’t explicitly say they were for the M4 iPad Pro, but the listed specs seem to suggest this, as the iPad being tested contains a 10-core ARM chip alongside 16GB of memory. Those specs are only available in the iPad Pro with the M4 chip. The device was also listed as running iOS 18 (in reality, it will be iPadOS 18), which isn’t out for any iPad yet, further suggesting that this is an unreleased product – almost certainly the M4 iPad Pro.
What does all this mean for you?
(Image credit: Apple)
Benchmarks and acronyms can get confusing, especially when you just want to know whether upgrading is worth your time and money. And on the face of it, this modest upgrade in AI performance might not seem like much.
But it’s also worth remembering that Apple’s chips are already among the best on the market when it comes to combining power and efficiency. Apple wouldn’t need to do much to keep that crown, as even an incremental improvement would only further extends its lead over its rivals – although Qualcomm’s upcoming Snapdragon X Elite chip could prove a serious threat to Apple’s throne.
Apple’s chips already have plenty of power to perform AI operations at a high level, and the company’s devices have been outfitted with AI tools for years (the behind-the-scenes stuff that happens when you take a photo on an iPhone is a good example). What will make a real difference is software – and we’ll find out a lot more about that at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 10.
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There, Apple is expected to unveil iOS 18, which could potentially be the largest overhaul iOS has ever seen. AI will be a major focus of the event, with machine learning embedded into almost every aspect of Apple’s devices. Those software updates, combined with the M4 chip’s AI smarts, could finally make Apple a true competitor in the world of artificial intelligence.
BitLocker, which is Microsoft’s software encryption for SSDs, has run into its fair share of issues over the years since its release. And now there’s another potential problem looming over Windows 11 users with the upcoming version 24H2 update.
There’s a new report that Windows 11 version 24H2, also called the 2024 update, “may enable BitLocker by default during installation” across various versions of Windows including Home edition, according to German news outlet Deskmodder (reported on by Neowin). Why is this considered bad news? For several reasons.
What’s the problem?
The first is that using BitLocker for encryption can seriously slow down your PCs’ performance by up to 45% in Windows Pro, and would most likely affect other versions of the OS similarly. This occurs due to Windows 11 constantly prompting encryption and decryption processes with data on your SSD while your computer carries out read and write operations.
The second issue is that a user unfamiliar with encryption in general or this specific issue with BitLocker could encrypt their data without knowing and then not be able to decrypt and recover their data due to misplacing or not saving the needed key.
There’s also a third issue with BitLocker in terms of security as well — according to YouTuber Stacksmashing, its encryption can be cracked remarkably easily. Their video demonstrates that if you’re using either a Windows 10 or Windows 11 Pro device with a dedicated external Trusted Platform Module (TPM), your encrypted data can be decrypted and read. You only need a $10 Raspberry Pi Pico, physical access to the target endpoint, and the knowledge of how to do it.
How to fix it
Of course, there is a simple way to fix this auto encryption. You only need to disable Device Encryption inside Privacy & security in Settings. Thankfully users have that option, but many casual Windows 11 users, especially those with Windows 11 Home, may not be aware of the situation, let alone how to fix it.
Hopefully, if this report is true, Microsoft will disable auto-encryption before the update launches. It’s not necessary and causes more problems than it really solves.
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The march of lower-cost laptops that offer some measure of artificial intelligence-focused tuning continues with the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED, the latest in a line of affordable, no-nonsense, ultralight laptops that has been kicking around for more than a decade. Like the Acer Swift Go 14, the Asus Zenbook 14 (model UM3406HA) hits the market at a price that’s comfortably less than $1,000. But unlike the Swift Go, the Zenbook is built around AMD’s latest Ryzen CPU. Among other questions, I was curious to see how the two directly compared.
The Acer and Asus laptops have more than a little in common. Both feature 14-inch touchscreens at 1,920 x 1,200-pixel resolution, 16 GB of RAM, and integrated graphics. The Zenbook has a more basic 512-GB solid-state drive compared to the 1-terabyte model on the Acer, but the biggest difference is the CPU, an AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS on the Asus instead of Acer’s Intel Core Ultra 7.
Photograph: Asus
Walk around the laptop and you’ll see a considerably less well equipped port lineup too. Two USB-C ports (one USB 4, one USB 3.2; one is used for charging), a single USB-A port, and a full-size HDMI output are your connectivity options, altogether a clear step down from what Acer has on offer. Again, all ports are side-mounted here, as the design of the screen causes the rear edge of the LCD to cover up the backside of the chassis when the screen is opened.
The aluminum frame feels much sturdier than you typically find in this price bracket, but I wasn’t in love with the overall design. It’s entirely black with a lid that’s etched with seemingly random lines, creating a haphazard geometric pattern that feels more and more like it was drawn from the ’80s the more you stare at it.
I like the keyboard, which is compact but thoughtfully laid out and offers acceptable key travel, including a Copilot key and functional, half-height arrow keys. The keyboard backlighting is understated. The touchpad is large but just shy of being too big; my palms tended to brush against the corners when typing, but this fortunately didn’t adversely impact the user experience. The Harman Kardon speakers are loud and offer plenty of range for any entertainment needs.
Photograph: Asus
The big question surrounds performance, and I’m happy to report that compared to the Acer Swift Go, the two laptops turned in similar results. On a few tests, the Zenbook would score moderately higher, on others, the crown would go to Acer. Quite a few benchmarks saw results that were functionally identical, including big ones like PCMark 10, which measures mainstream application performance.
The MSI Claw has been in a world of trouble ever since its launch, with plenty of reviews and buyers both criticizing it for its inconsistent gaming performance, poor optimization, and more. But now it seems the handheld’s luck is finally looking up, thanks to a brand new update.
According to MSI, its latest GPU and BIOS driver updates — the E1T41IMS.106 BIOS (referred to as 106) and 31.0.101.5445 GPU driver (referred to as 5445) — have increased performance by up to 150%. The update also apparently smooths out performance issues, allowing players to “smoothly play the top 100 popular games on the Steam platform.”
MSI seems to be very aware of the optimization issues concerning the CPU, as it mentions working with Intel to stabilize the handheld better. The updates also let users update straight from the Windows environment without having to use a USB drive or dock the system.
You can download the latest BIOS from the MSI official website and the newest GPU drivers from the Intel ARC official website.
Is it too little too late?
While the new updates and continued support are admirable, users are finally getting them over a month after its official release. Meanwhile, other PC gaming portables like the Steam Deck and Lenovo Legion Go work right out of the box with solid and stable performance, especially the former which continues to be the gold standard.
Not to mention how expensive the MSI Claw is, which makes it more concerning that it launched in such a state and needs to be continuously patched and updated to even meet the standard of an older and less powerful portable like the Steam Deck.
At this point, though MSI and Intel are working together, we still don’t know whether it boils down to Intel’s processors or MSI-related issues, though the upcoming launch of the Intel-equipped AOKZOE A2 Ultra should give us a better sense of where the problem lies.
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Hopefully, MSI learns from this and if it releases a Claw 2, it ensures that the OS and general performance are up to snuff before its launch.
The Razer Blade 14 (2024) continues to impress as a gaming powerhouse in a remarkably compact form.
It remains largely unchanged in design from its predecessor, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, considering it has long been my top pick for the best gaming laptop going, and this latest refresh makes a compelling case for keeping that title.
Starting with its design, the familiar all-black CNC-milled aluminum chassis is both eye-catching and sturdy, with a weight that reinforces its premium build without sacrificing portability.
Performance-wise, the Blade 14 is more formidable than ever, thanks to its updated AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor and the choice between Nvidia RTX 4070 and 4060 GPUs. This setup handles everything from intense gaming sessions to demanding creative workloads with ease, supported by a cooling system that, while noisy, effectively manages heat even during extended use.
The display is another highlight, boasting a 2560×1600 resolution with a 240Hz refresh rate. It delivers vibrant colors and smooth visuals, making it a delight for both gaming and multimedia consumption. However, it does fall short of some competitors when it comes to brightness and HDR support.
Keyboard and trackpad functionality are excellent, providing comfortable typing and precise control. Razer Synapse software remains a useful tool for tweaking performance settings and personalizing the RGB lighting to enhance both aesthetics and functionality.
Battery life is decent for a gaming laptop, offering about 10 hours of light use and significantly less during gaming or high-performance tasks. Port selection is adequate, though the lack of an Ethernet port might irk some users.
Overall, the Razer Blade 14 (2024) is an excellent, if expensive, choice for those who need a powerful, portable laptop that can handle almost anything thrown its way.
Razer Blade 14 (2024): Price and availability
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
How much is it? Starting at $2,199.99 / £2,149.99 / AU$3,999
When is it available? It is available now.
Where can you get it? You can get it in the US, UK, and Australia
The Razer Blade 14 (2024) is available now globally, starting at $2,199.99 / £2,149.99 / AU$3,999 for the base model with an RTX 4060 GPU and 16GB RAM. You can opt for my review configuration, which gets you an RTX 4070 and 32GB of RAM for $2,699.99 / £2,699.99 / AU$5,199, and honestly, this is the configuration to get. You’re already spending north of two grand, so there’s no reason to settle for an RTX 4060.
Still, this pricing does put it on the higher end of the 14-inch gaming laptop market, particularly when compared to alternatives like the Asus ROG Zephyrus 14 or HP Omen Transcend 14, both of which start at a lower price point. There is also the Razer Blade 14 (2023), which is still available for a lower starting price on Razer’s website right now.
Given where 14-inch laptops are right now, this is easily one of the most, if not the most, expensive 14-inch laptop that isn’t called the MacBook Pro. So, if you’re really concerned about your budget, then the 2023 Blade 14 is likely a better bet since other than the processor and the extra RAM, there isn’t much difference between the two Blade 14 models.
Razer Blade 14 (2024): Specs
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Header Cell – Column 0
Razer Blade 14 (2024) Base Config
Razer Blade 14 (2024) Review Config
Razer Blade 14 (2023)
Price
$2,199.99 / £2,149.99 / AU$3,999
$2,699.99 / £2,699.99 / AU$5,199
$1,999.99 / £2,099.99 / AU$3,887
CPU
AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS
AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS
AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS
GPU
Nvidia RTX 4060
Nvidia RTX 4070
Nvidia RTX 4070
RAM
16GB DDR5
32GB DDR5
16GB DDR5
Storage
1TB PCIe SSD
1TB PCIe SSD
1TB PCIe SSD
Display
14-inch QHD+ 240Hz, 2560 x 1600p, up to 100% DCI-P3, Factory calibrated, Calman Verified
14-inch QHD+ 240Hz, 2560 x 1600p, up to 100% DCI-P3, Factory calibrated, Calman Verified
14-inch QHD+ 240Hz, 2560 x 1600p, up to 100% DCI-P3, Factory calibrated
Ports
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A , 2 x USB4 Type-C Ports with Power Delivery and Display Port 1.4, Charging supported with 20V USB-C chargers with PD 3.0 (100W), 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x Power port, 1 x 3.5mm combo jack
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A , 2 x USB4 Type-C Ports with Power Delivery and Display Port 1.4, Charging supported with 20V USB-C chargers with PD 3.0 (100W), 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x Power port, 1 x 3.5mm combo jack
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A , 2 x USB4 Type-C Ports with Power Delivery and Display Port 1.4, Charging supported with 20V USB-C chargers with PD 3.0 (100W), 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x Power port, 1 x 3.5mm combo jack
Battery
68.1 WHr
68.1 WHr
68.1 WHr
Dimensions
12.23 x 8.97 x 0.70 ins | 310.7 x 228 x 17.99mm
12.23 x 8.97 x 0.70 ins | 310.7 x 228 x 17.99mm
12.23 x 8.97 x 0.70 ins | 310.7 x 228 x 17.99mm
Weight
4.05 lbs | 1.84kg
4.05 lbs | 1.84kg
4.05 lbs | 1.84kg
Razer Blade 14 (2024): Design
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Gorgeous finish and solid build
Mercury silver colorway is stunning
Mercury silver colorway costs substantially more
Razer’s commitment to premium materials and build quality continues with the Blade 14.
Its chassis, crafted from a single block of aluminum, offers a sleek, durable feel with a weight that is reassuring yet portable. The design mimics the minimalist, professional aesthetic of modern ultrabooks, which might deceive some into underestimating its gaming capabilities.
The display, a speedy 240Hz QHD+ IPS panel, sports up to 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut with Calman verification for vivid, fluid-looking visuals, while the 3ms response time will make sure that the display is about as responsive as you’ll find without going for mini LED or OLED panels.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
The body of the Blade 14 is very reminiscent of the MacBook Pro 14-inch, though turning the laptop over, you’ll find two intake fans to help keep the components cool. Of course, fans produce noise, and under load, this laptop can get rather loud. You do have some control over this though through Razer’s Synapse software.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Razer’s THX audio is another standout feature of the laptop, thanks to its top firing speakers, but this does cut back on what keyboard space is available for everything else, and on a 14-inch laptop, typing space is at a premium.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Typing on the Blade 14 is still a pleasure, and the keys are adequately spaced and have a great feel to them, even after typing for several hours.
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Finally, there are a good number of ports, including two USB-A and two USB-C ports, the latter of which allow for power delivery and features DisplayPort output for a second screen.
Razer Blade 14 (2024): Performance
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Best-in-class performance for a 14-inch laptop
RTX 4070 GPU is powerful enough to handle just about any game
For the price, there are more powerful gaming laptops out there
While the aesthetic appeal of the Razer Blade 14 is undeniable, at the end of the day, this is a gaming laptop, and so you’re going to want it to perform at the highest level possible, especially considering the investment you’re making in this device.
Fortunately, the Blade 14 delivers outstanding performance thanks to its Ryzen 9 8945HS processor and RTX 4070 GPU, leveraging both to get the most frames per second of any 14-inch laptop we’ve tested this year so far.
Despite its size, the laptop’s cooling system manages heat relatively well, although it can get quite loud under load. The high-performance components do not throttle significantly, which is impressive given the limited space for air circulation and the fact that the GPU can be pushed to 140W, making this the most powerful RTX 4070 laptop you’re going to find right now (something backed up by my testing data).
In the end, you’re going to want this laptop to game at its best and possibly transition into a mobile workstation for high-end design work or content creation on a regular basis. It will certainly be able to swing that with ease, especially if you opt for the Mercury colorway, which gives the Blade 14 something of a distinguished look about it that won’t be out of place in meetings.
Razer Blade 14 (2024): Battery life
Decent enough battery life with light-use
The 140W GPU drains the battery quick
Relatively fast charging
Battery performance is solid, with Razer promising up to 10 hours of power life — under the right settings, of course. However, like most gaming laptops, intense gaming sessions will drain the battery very quickly, though the laptop does supports fast charging that’ll get you up to 80% in an hour.
Unfortunately, it does seem to get less battery life than its predecessor, and it’s battery performance is the only metric where this average falls below the 14-inch class average in our tests.
That said, the power brick is portable enough, and the Blade 14 itself is more than capable of hopping from power outlet to power outlet if needed thanks to its slender build and lightweight construction.
Finally, this is a gaming laptop, after all, so if you’re hoping for all-day battery life, there isn’t a gaming laptop out there that will give it to you, so it’s hard to knock off too many points here.
Should you buy the Razer Blade 14 (2024)?
(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Razer Blade 14 (2024) Scorecard
Value
While not the most expensive gaming laptop out there, the Blade 14 (2024) has been and is a premium device.
★★★☆☆
Design
The design, though not really different from last year’s model, is still unmatched in a gaming laptop.
★★★★★
Performance
There are more powerful laptops, but only the Blade 14 can give you this kind of performance in such a portable package.
★★★★★
Battery Life
Given that the Blade 14 (2024) is a gaming laptop, I wasn’t expecting much in terms of battery life, but it’s slightly down from last year’s model.
★★★☆☆
Total
The Razer Blade 14 (2024) easily the best gaming laptop I’ve reviewed so far this year, and it’s very likely to hold onto that title for a long while yet.
★★★★☆
Buy the Razer Blade 14 (2024) if…
Don’t buy it if…
Also consider
If my Razer Blade 14 (2024) review has you considering other options, here is another laptop to consider:
How I tested the Razer Blade 14 (2024)
I spent the better part of three weeks with the Razer Blade 14 (2024), using it as my everyday laptop for work, content creation, and gaming in the evenings.
In addition to its real world use, I also ran our standard battery of benchmarks on the device, including synthetic, creative, gaming, and battery benchmarks.
I’ve been reviewing gaming laptops for nearly half a decade, and have a Master’s Degree in Computer Science. I am also a lifelong gamer, so I’m better positioned to judge the merits and value of this laptop than many in the industry.
The BenQ Zowie EC2-CW is a no-frills wireless gaming mouse intended for high-level esports play. It trades flashy specs and extraneous features for supremely reliable performance and comfortable ergonomics, making it easy to recommend if you’re searching for a plug-and-play mouse specifically for use in competitive first-person shooter (FPS) titles like Counter-Strike 2. For everyone outside of that niche, however, the high asking price and plain design mean that you’re likely to be better served by more mainstream options.
A wireless version of the existing Zowie EC2-C, which is a popular pick for professional FPS players, the Zowie EC2-CW sports a highly ergonomic right-handed asymmetrical factor that fits in your palm like a glove. It remains impressively comfortable over extended periods of use, which is especially important if you’re going to be undertaking lengthy practice sessions.
(Image credit: Future)
While I personally experienced the highest level of comfort with the medium-sized EC2-CW, there are also two additional models available: the EC1-CW and the EC3-CW. The EC1-CW is longer and wider and the EC3-CW is a little shorter. Each version differs by a few grams in weight but is otherwise identical in terms of features. I suspect that the EC2-CW is going to be the best option for the majority of players, but it’s still excellent to see alternatives for those with bigger or smaller hands. That said, there isn’t a single model that is suitable for left-handed users at the moment which is a disappointment.
Although manufacturer BenQ declined to offer any exact details regarding the construction materials and components used in the mouse, making them seem like some kind of closely guarded trade secret, it’s safe to say that the exterior is made of a smooth black matt plastic. This means that I also can’t say for sure what kind of micro switches are used for the main buttons, but can vouch for their satisfying level of actuation depth and ability to provide accurate, clean inputs. The mouse also features two additional buttons on its left side, which are both generously sized and fit well under the thumb thanks to their slightly curved shape.
The scroll wheel is made of a rubberized material, with pronounced ribs. Scrolling uses a careful notched motion that requires a fair amount of force to turn, which took me a little while to get used to. In the long run, however, the more precise controls proved extremely beneficial and helped prevent any unfortunate accidental weapon-switches in even the most high-intensity moments of ranked Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.
(Image credit: Future)
Hidden just below the scroll wheel are three miniscule white LED lights. These illuminate while the mouse is receiving power, denoting the current charge level on a scale of one to three. It’s a useful way to keep track of your remaining battery life which is quoted to last roughly 70 hours – a figure that I found was generally accurate no matter my choice of settings. On the underside of the mouse, you will find the mode switch (which alternates between wired and wireless mode), a report rate switch button, and a DPI switch button. LED lights positioned alongside intuitive labels show your current report rate, which can be switched between 125 Hz, 500 Hz, and 1000 Hz.
There is also an RGB LED denoting your current sensitivity, which can be raised to a limit of 3,200 DPI. This is quite a modest figure, ten times lower than the 32,000 DPI of other premium mice like the Logitech Pro X Superlight 2. While this might be a dealbreaker for some, most professional Counter-Strike 2 players actually tend to favor a sensitivity as low as 400 DPI or 800 DPI. Handily, both a 400 DPI and 800 DPI mode are built-in – an essential addition when there is no available companion software meaning the mouse is restricted to its range of out-of-the-box presets.
(Image credit: Future)
Another area where the Zowie EC2-CW appears to be behind the competition is in its relatively hefty weight of 2.79oz (79g). This is higher than many other wireless gaming mice at this price range, but seems to be a considered choice rather than an oversight. Playing at 800 DPI, the weight lends a fantastic level of precision that would simply wouldn’t be able to achieve otherwise. Accidental movement is almost impossible, helping you keep your sights on target in titles where one pixel of inaccuracy can cost your team the win. A replacement set of adhesive skates is also provided in the box, ensuring that you can keep the level of friction consistent if the set that comes preinstalled begins to wear out.
Even though the mouse can be charged through a front USB-C port using the lengthy cable packed in the box, which is also used for wired play, it comes packed with its own compact charging dock. The mouse connects to the dock through two metal contacts on its underside, easily slotting into place. In addition to providing easy charging, the dock doubles as a wireless receiver, reducing the potential for signal interference by drastically cutting down the distance that would be present with a traditional wireless dongle. I’ve suffered from the occasional signal dropout or odd moment latency using other wireless mice via a wireless dongle, but did not experience anything of the kind with the Zowie EC2-CW with its wireless receiver.
(Image credit: Future)
It’s a fantastic inclusion on the whole, especially when you consider that it’s quite compact and easy to fit into your setup. Although using the wireless receiver is definitely the way to go, a more conventional USB receiver and dongle extender are also included here giving you plenty of options.
If you have the budget to spend and truly value reliability and performance in competitive FPS titles above leading specs and a flashy design, it’s easy to recommend the Zowie EC2-CW. If that’s not you, however, be sure to check out some of the top alternatives listed later on.
BenQ Zowie EC2-CW: Price & availability
How much does it cost? $119.99 / £129.99 / AU$179
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia
The Zowie EC2-CW costs $119.99 / £129.99 / AU$179. It is readily available in the US, UK, and Australia either directly from BenQ or via third-party retailers like Amazon. Although this is very much a high-end price tag, it comes in slightly cheaper than some of the leading alternatives such as the ASUS ROG Harpe Ace Aim Lab Edition, which costs $139.99 / £139.99 / AU$189.
Given the more modest specs of this mouse, you’re definitely paying a large premium for the ergonomic shape and wireless receiver. If you’re willing to compromise on the wireless connectivity, you can pick up the wired Zowie EC2 for just $44.99 / £64.99 / AU$99 which boasts the same fantastic design. If you are set on a wireless gaming mouse, however, the comfort offered by the Zowie EC2-CW definitely makes it worth considering even at this lofty price.
(Image credit: Future)
BenQ Zowie EC2-CW: Specs
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Interface:
Wired (USB-C), 2.4GHz wireless
Ergonomics:
Right-handed asymmetrical
Buttons:
5
DPI:
Up to 3,200
Switches:
Micro Switches
Weight:
2.79oz (79g)
Should you buy the BenQ Zowie EC2-CW?
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Value
The Zowie EC2-CW is expensive, especially compared to its wired counterpart, but it’s still worth considering thanks to the superior comfort on offer.
3 / 5
Design
The Zowie EC2-CW isn’t flashy looking, but it’s well-designed in the one area where it truly counts: ergonomics.
4 / 5
Performance
If you’re playing competitive FPS games like Counter-Strike 2, the performance of this mouse is second to none.
5 / 5
Avarage rating
The Zowie EC2-CW stands out as a result of its brilliant ergonomics and top performance.
4 / 5
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
BenQ Zowie EC2-CW: Also consider
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Row 0 – Cell 0
BenQ Zowie EC2-CW
Razer Basilisk V3 Pro
Cooler Master MM311
Price:
$119.99 / £129.99 / AU$179
$159 / £159 / AU$289
$39.99 / about £34 / AU$59
Interface:
Wired (USB-C), 2.4GHz wireless
Hyperspeed Wireless, Bluetooth, Wired
2.4GHz Wireless
Ergonomics:
Right-handed asymmetrical
Right-handed asymmetrical
Right-handed asymmetrical
Buttons:
5
5
5
DPI:
3,200
36,000
32,000
Switches:
Micro Switches
ROG Micro Switches
LIGHTFORCE Hybrid Switches
Weight:
2.79oz (79g)
1.90oz (54g)
2.12oz (60g)
How I tested the BenQ Zowie EC2-CW
Tested for three months
Tested with top esports titles
Used daily for both work and gaming
I spent three whole months using the Zowie EC2-CW as my main mouse. This meant daily use for productivity tasks and internet browsing, plus a lot of gaming.
While I predominantly focused on PC esports FPS titles like Counter-Strike 2 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, I also played plenty of other games. This included lots of nefarious scheming in Evil Genius 2, a playthrough of The Caligula Effect: Overdose, some Team Fortress 2 with friends, and more. I made sure to test the mouse using its wireless receiver, in addition to its wireless dongle and a wired USB-C connection.
As a hardware writer at TechRadar covering gaming hardware, I have no shortage of hands-on experience with gaming peripherals. In addition to maintaining our guide to the best mice for CS:GO and CS2, I’m a dedicated FPS player with an almost embarrassing number of hours spent in all the latest and greatest titles.
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