Reviews 52161 Published by

Here a roundup of today's reviews and articles:

ASUS Sabertooth Z170 S (LGA1151) Motherboard Review
Cooler Master Masterkeys Pro S
Dell XPS 15 review: A MacBook Pro rival for Windows users
first harmonic IEB6+MIC HiFi Headphones Review
Fnatic Flick Mouse & Rush Keyboard Review
Fnatic Gear Flick Optical Gaming Mouse Review
HDPLEX H5 Fanless Computer Case Review
iPhone SE Review
Lenovo Yoga 700: A Flexible 14-Inch Ultraportable Convertible
Native Union CLIC 360° iPhone Case Review
NZXT Manta Review
Rosewill B2 Spirit HPTX Full-Tower Chassis Review
Smart Defrag 5 Review
Synology DS216 (with DSM 6.0) Review



ASUS Sabertooth Z170 S (LGA1151) Motherboard Review

ASUS have compiled a comprehensive Z170 motherboard range which caters to different sections of the consumer market. For example, the GAMING PRO line-up offers superb functionality and impeccable stability at an affordable price point. ROG products evoke a more premium feel and includes a stunning software suite for power users. The Sabertooth brand revolves around a stringent testing procedure to ensure each motherboard exhibits unprecedented reliability. The extreme thermal testing and deployment of TUF components prioritizes long-term durability. As a result, it’s a great option for consumers who demand a very high-end motherboard and have no intentions of upgrading in the near future.

Typically, motherboards opt for a red and black colour scheme because it’s the most popular option among the core gaming audience. Some time ago, ASUS unleashed the limited edition Z97 Sabertooth Mark S which utilizes an innovative white PCB and military camouflage. It’s quite rare to see motherboard sporting a white theme and while there is some competition from the MSI Krait series, ASUS is the only manufacturer to offer a pure white PCB.

The Sabertooth Z170 S is the spiritual successor to the Z97 Sabertooth Mark S and features a very unusual design philosophy. When adopting such a wacky colour scheme, it’s bound to have a polarizing reception and I’m fascinated to hear feedback on ASUS’ aesthetic choices. Looking beyond the visual aspects, I’m expecting to see some very impressive numbers given the premium electronics and DIGI+ Power Control.

Read full article @ eTeknix

Cooler Master Masterkeys Pro S

Just a few weeks ago Cooler Master introduced their new Masterkeys Pro L and S keyboards. I spent a bunch of time with the L aka the full sized model but at that time I didn’t have the chance to check out the Masterkeys Pro S. Well after our review they were quick to get an S out to me. A lot of the features of the Pro L are the same on the smaller S but there are a few differences. So today I’m going to take a look at the Masterkeys pro S and show you guys what is different. This won’t be as in depth of a review as the original, but if you check out our original review HERE and then check this out you should have a good idea of what the new Masterkeys Pro’s are all about and if they are for you.

Read full article @ LanOC Reviews

Dell XPS 15 review: A MacBook Pro rival for Windows users

By the time I hit publish on this review, something interesting had happened: Dell revealed that its XPS 15 laptop was outselling the smaller XPS 13. How could that be? Most flagship notebooks these days have 13-inch displays or smaller.

Read full article @ Engadget

first harmonic IEB6+MIC HiFi Headphones Review

Whenever i find the time to go for a walk around where i live (or around where our lab is) i see many people using wired headsets to answer calls and listen to music (especially on the Metro/Subway). Now although i do prefer wireless headsets because i find wires quite annoying while on the road i do carry around with me a wired headset (especially during the spring/summer) but since i happen to cherish audio clarity a lot i never use the basic, low-cost models that come bundled with smartphones and tablets. Unfortunately most people i see around do use those models because it seems that the majority (for some strange reason) believes that good audio quality wired headsets are not affordable. Well since i don't believe that's always the case today we are going to take a very thorough look at a pair of the brand new and budget-friendly IEB6+MIC HiFi Headphones by first harmonic which promise exceptional audio quality.

first harmonic:registered: was started by award-winning audio engineer, Aaron Fournier and Mike Tunney. After developing numerous critically-acclaimed products over the years for thinksound; we wanted to try something new. High-fidelity sound doesn't have to mean a high price tag. Often times, audio products that have a lower price usually mean a compromise was made somewhere in the development process. The sound quality or build quality (or both) are typically pretty poor. Corners were cut. We don't do that. We develop the drivers and voice our products to make sure they sound great. Our first product, the IEB6+MIC, is a tiny earbud that really packs a punch. We invite you to audition a pair of first harmonic:registered: earbuds to see what we're talking about.

The IEB6+MIC HiFi headphones use two mini 5.5mm dynamic drivers that feature a frequency response of 9Hz-20KHz and an in-line microphone (with an answer/end/play/pause button) which can be used to answer calls on compatible Android and Apple devices (unfortunately no details on the microphone are currently available). First harmonic has used good quality materials for the IEB6+MIC including aluminum for the two driver housings, cable splitter and in-line microphone, silicon for the ear tips, PVC-free rubber for the tangle resistant cable and in-line button and gold plating for the 3.5mm plug. Can the IEB6+MIC however produce exceptional audio quality as first harmonic claims? Let's find out.

Read full article @ NikKTech

Fnatic Flick Mouse & Rush Keyboard Review

It was only a matter of time until the top eSports teams went from endorsing computer tech to making their own. London-based FNATIC, which includes players from all around the world, has released a new keyboard and mouse set informed by the needs of its elite team. These tools are meant to deliver precision and speed, let’s see how they stack up with the competition.

Read full article @ Hardware Canucks

Fnatic Gear Flick Optical Gaming Mouse Review

We welcome Fnatic, one of the most accomplished and prestigious competitive gaming organizations in the world, as newcomers into the realm of PC hardware. Though they have operated for over a decade, fielding and managing players from many countries over time across several games, we still have to wonder if Fnatic’s new lineup of gaming gear is any good.

Read full article @ Legit Reviews

HDPLEX H5 Fanless Computer Case Review

HDPLEX is widely known within the HTPC and audiophile communities for making premium, fanless computer cases. Can the second generation H5 build on the success of its predecessor?

Read full article @ Toms Hardware

iPhone SE Review

Apple's new smartphone may be small, but it's hella powerful. THE LAUNCH of the iPhone SE was one of Apple's most low-key to date, but we've come to the surprise conclusion during our time with the 4in handset that it's one of the firm's most interesting releases so far.

Not only is the iPhone SE Apple's cheapest smartphone, it's the most powerful. Unlike the plastic-clad iPhone 5C before it, the latest cut-price iPhone offers near-identical specs to the flagship iPhone 6S, stuffed inside a smaller shell and powering a downsized 4in display.

Read full article @ The Inquirer

Lenovo Yoga 700: A Flexible 14-Inch Ultraportable Convertible

With the release of Windows 8, Microsoft effectively encouraged its hardware partners to think beyond the confines of traditional PC design, giving them the nudge they needed to introduce bold new products. Lenovo embraced the challenge, and in 2012 it brought its first Yoga system to market, a multi-mode laptop that could fold back onto itself like a carnival contortionist.

The design proved popular, so over the past few years Lenovo has added new laptops to its Yoga line. One of the newest is the Yoga 700, a 14-inch convertible that takes advantage of the latest technologies, pairing Intel's Skylake architecture with Microsoft's Windows 10 platform. It's a marriage of hardware and software made flexible through the Yoga's familiar ability to assume different modes...

Read full article @ HotHardware

Native Union CLIC 360° iPhone Case Review

There are so many companies out there who make iPhone cases. Because if this it is really hard to know if I company is actually creating a quality product that is unique. Native Union is a company I’ve really liked so far, I use their JUMP cable on a daily basis. Today we will be taking a look at their CLIC 360° iPhone case which is available for both iPhone 6/6s and iPhone 6 Plus / 6s Plus iPhone models. The CLIC 360° is designed to give your iPhone maximum protection with minimum bulk. It features military grade drop-proof protection, a very unique British Millerain waxed canvas on the back, and screen protection. I have been using the CLIC 360° for about a month now, read on to see what I think about it.

Read full article @ ThinkComputers.org

NZXT Manta Review

With Manta, NZXT offers its first mini-ITX case designed for high-end systems. Since this is a rather large mini-ITX case, the Manta is capable of accommodating numerous fans and even up to three radiators. Apart from that the build quality looks decent as well and there are even good cable management options.

Read full article @ ocaholic

Rosewill B2 Spirit HPTX Full-Tower Chassis Review

Rosewill is one of the most popular chassis manufacturers in the US, offering up an impressive product range that caters to every part of the market. Recently, Rosewill has moved their products across the Atlantic, giving the wider world a taste of their chassis, power supplies and more! With that in mind, we’re very happy to see their flagship product, the B2 Spirit, in the eTeknix office today.

“Rosewill’s flagship case, the B2 SPIRIT delivers an aesthetic touch with a stealthy appearance, although seeing can be deceiving… Underneath its silent strength is a formidable arsenal with serious expansion flexibility. Whether you are building a massive storage monster, a sophisticated cooling system, or a pure performance beast, the Rosewill B2 SPIRIT has got you covered – with style!” – Rosewill

The B2 Spirit, a name derived from the legendary B2 stealth bomber, is not to be taken lightly. Equipped with room for (up to) HPTX motherboard, a colossal amount of storage drives, extensive cooling, it’s an extremely capable chassis for the enthusiast and workstation market.

Read full article @ eTeknix

Smart Defrag 5 Review

Smart Defrag is a free defragmentation program for all versions of the Windows operating system starting with Windows XP. File fragmentation can cause a number of issues on systems running Windows, but the most common one is that the loading of files takes longer than it should.

Read full article @ gHacks

Synology DS216 (with DSM 6.0) Review

Having reviewed many Synology NAS units at Vortez and used them on our own personal networks over the years, it’s evident that we’re quite a fan of their products. The secret to their success lies in the fine balance between solid hardware specifications and an all-encompassing software suite. Rarely do you find a company which can strike this balance as one of these elements is generally weak (usually the software).

Over the years Synology has built-up a strong reputation in the NAS arena as having one of the most flexible and intuitive operating systems available. Their DSM OS receives regular updates and it’s clear that the company places particular emphasis on software development. Last month Synology release their sixth iteration of DSM to the public and today we’ll be exploring it along with the DS216.

DS216 is Synology’s 2016 edition of their popular two-bay NAS designed for workgroups and small offices. This elegant unit makes use of MARVELL Armada 385 88F6820, 512MB of DDR3 and can accommodate up to 16TB of data storage.

Read full article @ Vortez