Hardware Reviews Archives - Page 3 of 6

February 20, 2022February 20, 2022 Barrie Clarke 1709 Views Bluetooth, keyboard, Logitech, Portable

MX Keys Mini, Review (Hardware)

Keyboards. The unsung heroes of both work and play.

Most of us are just happy with whatever we get with the computer. We don’t even give it a second thought until the space bar stops working.

But in this day and age we all tend to have multiple devices, many that don’t have a physical keyboard. TV’s, tablets, phones, even gaming consoles. And we all know the pain of using the TV remote to enter Arnold Schwarzenegger into the Netflix app.

A Bluetooth keyboard is what you need. A nice sleek, mini one that looks at home on the coffee table.

Gaming Hardware Hardware Reviews PC / Mac

January 27, 2022January 27, 2022 Gerard Campbell 3130 Views Alienware, Benchmarking, Hardware Review, Laptop, RGB

Alienware M15 R6, gaming laptop review

Alienware’s M15 R6 gaming laptop is a beast of a machine. Clad in Alienware’s dark side of the moon colour scheme, the laptop looks nice as soon as it comes out of the box and ticks all the required boxes for a gaming laptop.

As a long time Intel CPU user, the i7 11800H CPU performed excellently in everything I threw at it, as well. It’s a winning combination.

A big thanks to Intel ANZ for providing the laptop for us to review.

Gaming Hardware Hardware Reviews PC / Mac

December 17, 2021March 9, 2022 Gerard Campbell 1591 Views Gaming Mouse, LED RGB, Roccat

Roccat Kone Pro Air Mouse, review

The Roccat Kone Pro Air wireless mouse has done the unthinkable: It’s become my go-to gaming mouse.

Superseding the excellent Logitech G gaming mouse that has been my staple for, well, I’ve lost track of how many years I’ve used it.

Gaming Hardware Hardware Reviews PC / Mac PS5 Xbox Series X

November 6, 2021November 6, 2021 Richard Armitt 1465 Views EPOS, H6PRO, Headset, Wired

EPOS H6PRO

H6PRO comes in a couple of variants, today we’re looking at the ‘Closed Accoustic Gaming Headset’. EPOS have been delivering quite the range of quality headsets over recent times and the H6PRO is a welcome addition.

In a wireless world it sometimes feels a step backwards going for a wired solution. The EPOS build quality is unmistakable, it’s obvious that the headset is built to last. The H6Pro is solid, light and moving parts all feel spot on.

Hardware Reviews Gaming Hardware PC / Mac Playstation Switch Console

August 26, 2021August 26, 2021 Richard Armitt 3121 Views 3d Sound, Headphones, JBL, Speakers

JBL Quantum Duo, review

I’m fond of my JBL products, that’s no secret. The 600 Headphones are absolutely my go-to for close up sound in game. That said it’s easy to overlook the need for crystal clear sound outside the TV. This is where the JBL Quantum Duo comes in, sleek, classy and full of colour.

This is a desktop set that offers versatility in a simple package and plenty of “cool kids” effects.

Hardware Reviews Gaming Hardware PC / Mac

August 22, 2021August 25, 2021 Gerard Campbell 1241 Views CPU Review, Intel, PC

Intel i5-10600K CPU review: The heart of a new PC build

Recently, Intel Australia/New Zealand got in touch and offered me the chance to test out its 10th Generation i5-10600K CPU – and I jumped at the chance.

I was keen to have the chance to re-build my PC with a newer generation CPU & see how Intel’s 10th Gen chip compares to the i5 8400 that I had been using for the past four years or so.

A big thanks to Intel Australia/New Zealand for the opportunity.

Gaming Hardware Hardware Reviews

July 24, 2021July 24, 2021 Richard Armitt 1252 Views Nanoleaf, Nanoleaf Elements

Nanoleaf Elements

The Nanoleaf Elements is the latest design in the Nanoleaf family. The tech has been around since 2012 when it was launched with a successful Kickstarter, since then the brand has gone from strength to strength. A shot spin around Instagram will show you the lengths that fans will go to to Nanoleaf their homes. On a personal note, I’d always been on the fence. A fan of LED technology and smart solutions, the product was intriguing to me, but never essential.

Now, thanks to Nanoleaf Australia I’ve had the chance to play around with the Nanoleaf Elements kit and safe to say, I’m on board.

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

March 28, 2021March 28, 2021 Richard Armitt 1158 Views 3d Sound, Headphones, Microsoft, XBOX SERIES S, XBOX SERIES X

Xbox Wireless Headset

Yes, I got influenced, the Xbox Wireless Headset was not something I really needed, but seeing it flaunted on Socials and flying off the shelves. I decided I’d better shell out for a set before they were gone. So after seeing my local EB Games run out, I hit a quick ‘Click and Collect’ on the JB hiFi website and turned to my flexible friend.

I had an email from them by 6:30pm, and was dashing into late night shopping to pick it up by 7:30pm. No supply issues there.

Fortunately we’ve had a few Headsets run through the team in recent times. Wired, wireless and both first or third party.

At the end of the day, it’s about how they enhance your game time. The Xbox Wireless Headset is no exception, the first reveals promised a quality unit and they didn’t mislead.

Fresh out of the minimalistic packaging and box, which is more PS5 than Series X the new Headset smell is unmistakable.

Gaming Hardware Hardware Reviews Video Content youtube review

December 30, 2020 Guy 2430 Views BBQ, Everdure, Grill Master, Hardware Review, Man Cave, Meat, Steaks

Everdure Force BBQ – Review

We tend to be a pack of nerds here at the Cottage. So as a slight departure from the normal Video Games and Tech reviews, I have found myself reviewing, of all things, an Everdure Force Barbecue.

Going into this Covid-free Kiwi summer I needed to upgrade my old BBQ and wanted something better than ‘average’. So I looked into various top of the line brands like Webers, Broil Kings and the Everdures.

Gaming Hardware Hardware Reviews Microsoft Xbox Series S

November 21, 2020November 21, 2020 Guy 1786 Views Impressions, Microsoft, XBOX SERIES S, XBOX SERIES X

XBOX SERIES S, Impressions

Oh the excitement! Oh the Hype! We are entering a new generation of Consoles and I have been lucky enough to have an Xbox Series S for the last couple of weeks to play with.

Richard has put the Big Brother Series X through its paces, so check out his impressions in that post.

But for now, here is my Review of the lil Xbox Series S.

Gaming Game Pass Hardware Hardware Reviews Microsoft XBLA Xbox One Xbox Series X xbox360

November 7, 2020November 21, 2020 Richard Armitt 2188 Views @XBOXANZ, Backwards Compatible, Crackdown, Dirt 5, Gamepass, Gears of War, Microsoft, Minecraft, Too Human, XBOX, XBOX ONE S, XBOX SERIES S, XBOX SERIES X, xbox360

XBOX SERIES X, Impressions

I’ll come straight out with this, Microsoft and Xbox ANZ very kindly supplied us with an XBOX SERIES X in their review window. That means we’ve had it for about a week and a half. What follows are my thoughts after unboxing and those first steps with the next generation of gaming.

Don’t judge an Xbox Series X by its cover.

At least until you’ve read a bit.