Hardware Reviews Archives : koru-cottage.com

Intel NUC11 mini PC review

May 6, 2023May 6, 2023 Gerard Campbell 304 ViewsBeast Canyon, Benchmark, Gaming PC, Intel, NUC mini PC

I’ve dabbled in PC gaming since the days of the Sinclair ZX81 and Spectrum (I’m truly showing my age here).

While modern PC gamers are running graphics cards with 12 Gigabytes of VRAM (and more) and CPUs that are more powerful than anything you could imagine in 1990.

Which brings me to Intel’s Beast Canyon Intel NUC11 PC: A small but mighty gaming PC that is unobtrusive, packs a powerful punch in a small form factor – and there’s not a bit of beige to be seen!

Gaming Hardware Hardware Reviews

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7, Review

January 29, 2023January 30, 2023 Guy 1029 ViewsArctis Nova, Bluetooth, Nova 7, Sidetone, Wireless Headset

The new SteelSeries range under the “Arctis Nova” banner have had a good showing thus far at the Cottage.

But up until now its only been the wired models we have looked at, the Nova 7 changes that. Wireless headsets are a complex beast.

But, there is noting to be worried about here, as the SteelSeries pedigree continues with a very solid set of cans.

Hardware Hardware Reviews

JBL Quantum Stream

December 4, 2022December 4, 2022 Richard Armitt 434 ViewsJBL, Microphone, Podcast, Quantum, Streaming

The JBL Quantum Stream has saved my bacon.

Having recently launched a fledgling podcast alongside this site, I needed a way to record consistently.

This microphone delivered exactly that.

Gaming Hardware Hardware Reviews PC / Mac PS5 Switch Console

EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid, review

October 15, 2022October 15, 2022 Richard Armitt 519 ViewsANC, Bluetooth, EarBuds, Headphones, Hybrid

New to our market the GTW 270 from EPOS is a great addition to the family. A set of earbuds with all the hallmarks of the EPOS family.

Delivering easy functionality, fluid connections and some impressive noise cancelling.

This set of Earbuds made me realise something, the wired earpieces that came with my phone are a thing of the past.

Gaming Hardware Hardware Reviews

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1, Review

October 9, 2022October 10, 2022 Guy 525 ViewsArctis Nova, Headset, Steelseries, Wired

The SteelSeries “Arctis” Range has undergone a face-lift in 2022. I was lucky enough to spend some time with the Nova Pro X in July, and they seriously impressed.

I now have got my hands on SteelSeries entry level Arctis model, the Nova 1, to hear how they perform.

Hardware Hardware Reviews

JBL Quantum 810 wireless, review

September 29, 2022September 29, 2022 Richard Armitt 882 ViewsBluetooth, JBL, Quantum 810, Quantum Gaming Headsets, Wireless

A mere 3 months after reviewing the 610s, I’m fortunate enough to be back with the JBL Quantum 810 wireless.

I could sum up the rest of the review right here; this set is glorious. Lightweight, sleek, sexy, and simply glorious.

I now have to back that up.

Gaming Hardware Hardware Reviews

Astro A10 Gen 2 Headset Review

July 15, 2022July 15, 2022 Barrie Clarke 750 ViewsAstro, Dolby Atmos, Headphones, Headset, Wired

This day and age it seems we all have more than one set of headphones. From an everyday carry set of earbuds to an all singing, all dancing set of headphones for home use.

Many of you may even have dedicated sets for each purpose. Movies, music, working from home, fitness, and gaming.

Each purpose has different requirements and demands from a headset and the Astro range have been at the forefront of gaming headsets for a long time now.

Gaming Hardware Hardware Reviews

Nova Pro X (Steel Series), Review

July 10, 2022July 10, 2022 Guy 1734 ViewsComfy, DAC, Headset, Steelseries

In a couple of weeks, gamers are being treated to the release of the brand-new ‘Nova Pro’ range of Steel Series (SS) headphones.

And I have been lucky enough to have been given a pair early, to put through their paces.

Gaming Hardware Hardware Reviews PC / Mac PS5 Xbox Series X

JBL Quantum 610 Wireless, review

June 21, 2022June 21, 2022 Richard Armitt 1205 Views3d Sound, JBL, Quantum 610, Quantum Gaming Headsets, Wireless

I’ve been lucky enough to spend the last few weeks playing with the JBL Quantum 610 Wireless headset. As laid out in my review of the 600’s the brand is solid, so here we are with an upgrade.

I think it’s only fair to get this out of the way. This is a seriously good headset.

Gaming Hardware Hardware Reviews PC / Mac PS5 Xbox Series S Xbox Series X

Logitech G923 “TRUEFORCE” Racing Wheel, Review

May 20, 2022May 20, 2022 Guy 3360 ViewsAccessory, Driving, Gran Turismo, GT7, Logitech

The Logitech G923 steering wheel is not cheap, with its RRP around the $600+ NZD mark.

That is a lot of money, but in this particular case, its a strong argument for the adage…”you get what you pay for”.

I loved every moment with the wheel and was gutted I had to send it back to Logitech NZ.

Gaming Hardware Hardware Reviews PC / Mac

Aerox 9 Wireless Mouse

May 17, 2022May 17, 2022 Richard Armitt 804 ViewsLED, Lightweight, Mouse, Steelseries

A long time ago a mouse for me was a wired device with a dust gathering ball at its heart.

The Aerox 9 proves we are a long way past the days of white spirit soaked cotton-buds. Before getting the chance to review a ‘real’ gaming mouse, I wouldn’t walk past the budget mice.

I mean, they all point and click, right?

I’m never too proud to say I was wrong.

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