Here a roundup of today's reviews and articles:

1byone Bluetooth Magic Music Plasma Ball Review
Cooler Master Storm Quick Fire XTi Mechanical Keyboard Review
EVGA Z170 Classified Motherboard Review
How We Test Wireless Range Extenders
Nixeus NX-VUE24A Monitor Review
OCZ Trion 100 (480GB) Review
Philips Brilliance 241P6EPJEB IPS monitor review
SanDisk Ultra Fit 128GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive Review
Testing DirectX 11 vs. DirectX 12 performance
Ubuntu 15.10 (Wily Werewolf) Desktop Screenshots Tour
Why Windows XP Won’t Be Going Away Anytime Soon

1byone Bluetooth Magic Music Plasma Ball Review

Ever since I was a kid I’ve wanted a plasma ball, I think everyone has but I just never bought one as it’s not something I needed but when given the chance to review one I jumped right on it. Today for review I’ve got a product from our friends over ay 1ByOne and it’s a plasma ball powered by USB but it’s more than that as it’s a Bluetooth speaker as well and it also has a 3.5mm audio jack and a microSD slot so it can act like an MP3 player too. The plasma ball itself is just awesome, just for that this product is worth it I think. Read on to learn more…

Read full article @ Technogog

Cooler Master Storm Quick Fire XTi Mechanical Keyboard Review

In the summer I went to a lab to get blood work done for my annual checkup. As this was the first time I ever did any kinds of these tests, I made a number of rookie mistakes. I was told if I went in early, I would be able to get out quickly. However, if I did not, I was told to book an appointment. Unfortunately, I ignored both advice, and went right after work without booking an appointment. This left me waited at the Calgary Lab Services for over two and a half hours. When I told my friend about this, she asked me why I did not bring a book. In my mind, I did not expect to wait so long, and it would have required me to bring a book to work. She then said she always prepared for times like this by bringing a book or at least something to do. Playfully, I retorted back by saying she should carry her entire house just in case to be ready for everything. Aside from the joking, I think her point was more about being ready for the unexpected. Now, this is not exactly an easy task, considering it requires a bit of prediction based on experience. If you do not have any experience of waiting at an office before, you probably would not expect to wait for long times. But this is the reason why those with severe allergies carry Epi-Pens, or why some stash some band aids and tissue in their bags. These safeguards ensure we are ready for the unexpected reaction, sneeze, or cut. When we received today's review unit of the Cooler Master Storm Quick Fire XTi, I felt like I was ready for this keyboard. I reviewed the original QuickFire XT over two years ago, and it was a great down-to-earth mechanical keyboard. With this new one bearing almost the exact same name, I can only wonder if this is mostly the same keyboard. Will Cooler Master prove me wrong with some shocking changes and catch me unprepared? Let us read on to find out more!

Read full article @ APH Networks

EVGA Z170 Classified Motherboard Review

They say when you find a winning formula you stick with it. That isn’t to say that you cannot innovate but when it comes to computer hardware I am of the opinion that radically changing things just for the sake of change rarely works out. Most of the time it hurts consumers either by leaving them with 100% hype and only 10% product or it changes the perception of the company so much you no longer know what to expect.

EVGA is very methodical in their product designs by reusing what works and making small tweaks to fit growing market conditions. They also listen to their consumers about what works and what should be changed making many of the products crowd sourced in a way. Together this builds a very solid base to build on that is also strangely progressive.

In this review I’ll be looking at the new EVGA Z170 Classified motherboard. Like previous versions this is the top of the line edition for the high-end computer enthusiast looking to get the most from their computer. These might inlcude custom system builds, multi-GPU setups, high-end gaming and any level of overclocking you can imagine.

Read full article @ Hardware Asylum

How We Test Wireless Range Extenders

Our networking team explains the hardware, software and physical considerations involved in testing wireless range extenders.

Read full article @ Toms Hardware

Nixeus NX-VUE24A Monitor Review

FreeSync and G-Sync monitors are selling at a premium but Nixeus breaks that trend with a value-priced 24-inch model the runs FreeSync from 30 to 144Hz. Today we check out the NX-VUE24A.

Read full article @ Toms Hardware

OCZ Trion 100 (480GB) Review

Traditionally, OCZ has offered two lines of SSDs: the Vector for the high-end and enthusiasts users, and the ARC for the mainstream and budget market. As you may recall, OCZ was purchased by Toshiba back in 2014 and today, the release of the Trion 100 marks the first new line of SSDs from OCZ since the takeover. It is interesting to see that the first new drive from OCZ since the Toshiba takeover is the value drive Trion 100. This means that the ARC 100 series is probably going to be retired soon. Let’s take a closer look at the latest drive from OCZ.

Read full article @ Bjorn3D

Philips Brilliance 241P6EPJEB IPS monitor review

The 2410P6EPJEB is a 24-inch IPS display with a 1080p native resolution. It is aimed at a professional market and therefore offers a lot more than a typical entry-level display, with a flexible stand, integrated USB hub and a wide range of inputs.

Read full article @ KitGuru

SanDisk Ultra Fit 128GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive Review

Up for review today I’ve got the third USB 3.0 flash drive in my little series of reviews. This one is a massive 128gb in capacity but yet it’s tiny in size. The drive is called the Ultra Fit and it’s from SanDisk and I’ve tested it and it’s fast, very fast and I compared it to the other USB 3.0 flash dries I’ve got on hand. Read on to learn more…

Read full article @ Technogog

Testing DirectX 11 vs. DirectX 12 performance

Windows 10 has been out for a few months now and with it came a number of improvements that make it Microsoft's best OS yet. However, one of the operating system's biggest features has yet to be seen in action. DirectX 12 is a key ingredient dedicated to PC gamers but the long wait is coming to an end.

Read full article @ TechSpot

Ubuntu 15.10 (Wily Werewolf) Desktop Screenshots Tour

Sponsored Link Ubuntu 15.10 will be supported for 9 months for Ubuntu Desktop, Ubuntu Server, Ubuntu Core, Kubuntu, Ubuntu Kylin along with all other flavours.

Read full article @ Ubuntu Geek

Why Windows XP Won’t Be Going Away Anytime Soon

Despite their stuffy corporate veneer, Microsoft certainly knows how to throw a party. It was the evening of October 25, 2001. Microsoft was launching Windows XP, its then latest operating system. Earlier that day, they had thrown a free concert, which Sting headlined, Bill Gates emceed, and thousands attended. A few hours later, Times Square the beating neon heart of New York had been taken over. A ring of photographers, journalists, and Microsoft super-fans had surrounded the opulent Marriot Maquis theater, where Microsoft was running its launch event.

Read full article @ MakeUseOf