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I loved how many features this affordable gaming soundbar has, but audiophiles might want to look elsewhere

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Creative Sound Blaster GS5: One-minute review The Creative Sound Blaster GS5 is a gaming soundbar that can be used with all sorts of devices, with a form factor that’s suitable for desktops, according to the brand. Its plain appearance won’t set hearts ablaze, but it has a certain minimalist charm that’s unlikely to offend. Customizable RGB lighting is on hand for those who want to brighten their setup, too. The build quality of the GS5 is reasonable. It feels quite solid without being too heavy, although the chassis material doesn’t feel particularly premium. It falls short of the best soundbars in this regard, and no doubt contributes to its relatively low price tag. And while it’s a compact unit, I still think it’s a bit too large to sit comfortably on your desk. (Image credit: Future) The remote is similarly compact and functional. It’s well made and easy to use, although it can be slow to r...
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I wanted to love the Logitech G512 X, but two keyboards in one don't always add up to a single great product

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Logitech G512 X two-minute review The Logitech G512 X reminds me of what Citroën tried to do with the C3 Pluriel — a car so busy trying to be everything that it ended up being not quite enough of anything. This is a keyboard that seeks to blur the lines between gaming and enthusiast-grade, which is a tricky line to walk — and one that the G512 X doesn't quite manage. On one hand, it's trying to be one of the best keyboards money can buy, with capable tactile switches, gasket mounting and strong acoustics, and on the other, it's positioning itself as a top-end TMR gaming deck with potent HE switches with rapid trigger, dual actuation and all the rest of it. For $199.99/£199.99, this feels like a two-for-one deal I can get behind, but only in some respects. In practice, the G512 X impresses with strong mechanical credentials and fast analog switches that can be swapped in an instant wi...
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IceWhale ZimaCube 2 Personal Cloud NAS review: A modern, high-performance network-attached storage device with plenty of room to grow

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ZimaCube 2: 30-second review The original ZimaCube was a Kickstarter campaign by IceWhale that delivered a workable NAS with a reasonable specification. Having proven the concept, the ZimaCube 2 Personal Cloud NAS is a direct-to-retail launch that addresses several shortcomings of the original. Replacing the N100 CPU is a Core i3-1215U, an Intel 12th Generation Alder Lake chip with six cores, eight threads, 20 PCIe 4.0 lanes, and DDR5 memory support. At $799, it ships with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB NVMe SSD pre-installed, along with ZimaOS already loaded, which can be upgraded to ZimaOS+ for a small fee. Six SATA bays are ready for drives, and four M.2 slots sit in the expansion section for NVMe storage. That puts it in direct competition with the UGREEN NASync DXP6800 Pro, which costs north of $1,000, though that machine does come with an i5-class CPU. Where the ZimaCube 2 stands out is its pair of...
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I've been gaming on my phone with the GameSir G8 Galileo, and it's the closest I've come to replacing my console

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GameSir G8 Galileo: one-minute review The GameSir G8 Galileo is an excellent mobile controller that packs plenty of value for both casual and more serious mobile gamers. With full-size grips, Hall effect thumbsticks and triggers, and a pair of programmable rear buttons, it comes close to replicating a true console controller experience. From my time with the G8, its thumbsticks are a real highlight. In testing, I found them to be smooth and precise, though they are quite sensitive and may take a little getting used to if you’re not familiar with a pro-style controller. The triggers are equally refined with configurable deadzones and a useful hair-trigger mode for instant response. The buttons are membrane yet tactile and reliable, with two more hiding around the back. It’s just a nice bundle of inputs all round. As a die-hard fan of the Xbox Wireless Controller , it feels incredibly familiar. Th...
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