With more and more people aiming for a higher resolution than 1080p for gaming, 1440p displays slowly dominate the market. As manufacturers continue to pump out their best 1440p monitors, finding the one that will suit your gaming setup the best can be a struggle. To help you out, let me introduce to you the Asus ROG Swift PG329Q.
This particular gaming monitor is one of the newest gaming displays from ASUS’ Republic Of Gamers lineup. It boasts a 1440p 32-inch display with lightning-fast 1ms response times, as well as ASUS’ unique ELMB-sync, which enables simultaneous Motion Blur Reduction and Variable Refresh Rate usage. With that being said, is the Asus ROG Swift PG329Q what you’re looking for? Find out in our review below.
The Asus ROG Swift PG329Q, which has an AU Optronics screen, is without a doubt one of the best 1440p gaming monitors available. It’s a 32-inch 1440p 175Hz monitor with G-SYNC compatibility and handles most tasks admirably.
Response times at 175Hz are less than 5ms on average, leading to exceptional motion clarity. Meanwhile, the availability of variable overdrive ensures that gaming performance remains stable across the refresh range.
For a clean image, Asus includes backlight strobing in this single overdrive setting, and it even works with adaptive sync enabled, but not always with the best results when compared to a static refresh rate. In terms of visual quality, we also get all of the advantages of AU Optronics’ current generation IPS panels. An extraordinarily wide color range, as well as great viewing angles and uniformity, are among the features.
Because the contrast ratio isn’t as good as some of the other gaming monitors on the market, it’s not as good for gaming in low-light circumstances. However, the Asus ROG Swift PG329Q is a fantastic choice with a wide range of features and performance that will surely satisfy a lot of gamers.
Unsurprisingly, just like with any ROG product, the Swift PG329Q is the type of gaming monitor that screams the usual “gamer” aesthetic. The overall design has a lot going on. It sports a really chunky stand that has a dramatic twist at the bottom as well as asymmetric legs. The monitor boasts a brilliant RGB illumination and is compatible with Asus’ Aura Sync for synchronization with other compatible peripherals.
From the asymmetric legs of the stand to the bezels that frame the screen, everything is matte black. It’s a couple of centimeters thick on the bottom and a couple of millimeters thin on the sides. But the real highlight of this gaming monitor’s design is what you’ll find on the back.
The two sections of the monitor’s back are separated by a sweeping diagonal, with one side having textured diagonal lines and the other filled with intricate lines to give it a futuristic effect with the huge, glowing ROG logo sitting on the upper right corner of the monitor.
Whether this is a good or bad thing is completely up to you. Some gamers like a very bold and unique design to their gaming setups to dazzle anyone nearby, while others love a more toned-down or minimalistic approach.
However, if you’re the latter and you really want this model, the bold design on the back will easily be covered anyway if you place this against the wall. The glowing light from the logo is barely noticeable too. When it comes to cable ports, the ASUS ROG Swift PG329Q features a good selection. There’s one DisplayPort 1.2, two HDMI 2.0 inputs, two USB 3.0 ports, and a headphone jack.
That’s not too shabby and should satisfy most gamers. However, knowing that more people will use these displays as USB hubs, USB-C inputs would have been greatly appreciated if it was included in the hardware. Not to mention, seeing a DisplayPort 1.4 adapted to this monitor will also be a really good addition.
Features
Asus is quite known for packing a lot of features into its products, and the ROG Swift PG329Q is no exception. A built-in crosshair and time, an FPS counter, a sniper mode (which zooms to a tiny area of the display), a plethora of genre-specific image quality preset, Shadow Boost, and Aura RGB backlighting are just among the many gaming-focused features this gaming monitor offers.
Of course, this isn’t a bad thing at all. Lots of gamers will surely appreciate this fact and benefit from it as well. Especially gamers who are very into competitive shooter games, you’ll certainly enjoy these features. If you want to enhance visibility and situational awareness, a crosshair, zoom, timer, and black equalization make for a great configuration.
The PG329Q also offers a number of fine-tuned image quality options. Three particular gamma settings, three hazy color temperature presets, and the ability to adjust RGB color and overall color saturation are all included. This is fine for a gaming monitor, but if you’re a content creator who’s looking to use this for both work and gaming, this might not be enough for you.
Furthermore, the on-screen menu of the monitor is controlled via a joystick. It’s accompanied by four tactile buttons tucked away on the right flank. Apart from the on-screen menu, the buttons aren’t labeled, but they’re large enough that I rarely press the wrong one.
The Asus settings are also pretty simple to follow and configure despite the sheer number of options that may be overwhelming to certain gamers. For most games, the default settings are sufficient, so casual gamers won’t need to spend a lot of time navigating and customizing the menus.
Performance
When it comes to gaming performance, Asus ROG has definitely knocked it out of the park with the PG329Q. It produces a bright image that mainly relies on the wide color range and excellent color accuracy of its sensor. In games like Genshin Impact, which relies largely on bold color and dazzling presentation, you’ll surely appreciate the quality this gaming display provides.
The monitor’s resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 which is ideal for PC gaming. It delivers a higher resolution than your regular 1080p, but it also doesn’t have the ultra-sharp image of a 4K gaming monitor. However, 4k gaming on a PC is not really necessary especially with a 32-inch monitor and you’re going to need a very powerful GPU that can handle that much load anyway.
Apart from that, you might not really notice the difference in the most recent games. Especially if the display is more than three feet away from you if the game has a good anti-aliasing feature. So if you’re on a limited budget, this 1440p display is a good balance between 1080p and 4K.
The color performance of the Asus ROG Swift PG329Q is also very good. It’s a wide color gamut display and it can compete with some of the best professional monitors in terms of color accuracy, and it even offers real 10-bit color.
Our Least Favorite Things
Contrast Ratio
While the ROG Swift PG329Q is quite excellent in its own feat, the contrast ratio on this display was pretty disappointing. IPS monitors are notoriously bad at this, but the PG329Q is particularly foggy and bright when rendering situations that should be dark and ominous. This is bad news for games that strive for very realistic visuals. Depending on the game, some scenes may appear blurry and foggy as well.
The PG329Q relies on brightness to convey a sense of contrast and depth because of its weak black levels. It looks fantastic in bright outside scenes, such as those featured in many open-world games, but it falls short once the environment gets darker.
In A Nutshell
Now that we’ve discussed what we liked and disliked about the Asus ROG Swift PG329Q, here’s a narrowed-down list of the good and the bad with this 1440p gaming monitor.
Pros
Incredibly low latency.
Fast response time.
Overall excellent gaming performnce.
Cons
Contrast ratio is just average.
Not the best gaming monitor to use for dark room gaming.
Our Final Verdict
All in all, the Asus ROG Swift PG329Q is a terrific gaming monitor with a lot of pros and one major con. Games that rely on shadows for depth or have a lot of dark scenes may be suffocated by this display’s weak black levels. However, if graphics aren’t that important to you and you would rather prioritize a monitor’s responsiveness, fast refresh rates, and intuitive gaming features, then this is a solid display to consider for your PC setup.
Have you already bought your own 1440p monitor for gaming? Did you get the Asus ROG Swift PG329Q? Was our review on this monitor helpful? Let me know in the comments section below if you have any suggestions, insights, or questions to ask. I would love to hear all your thoughts!
Whether you’re looking to upgrade from your 1080p monitor or shopping for the first time for your gaming PC setup, it can be quite difficult to find a model that’s going to check all the right boxes in your criteria. A high refresh rate usually means a lesser resolution of 1080p, sometimes the model you want is out of your budget, or you might have to settle with a smaller screen, or even a cheaper TN panel. Enter the Samsung Odyssey G7. This amazing gaming monitor voids all of these tradeoffs by running at 240Hz on a 32-inch curved 1440p VA panel. If you’d like to find out more, just keep scrolling to read our full review below.
The Samsung Odyssey G7 is without a doubt the best 1440p gaming monitor with native FreeSync compatibility on the market. It comes in three sizes: 27″, 28″, and 32″, so you may choose the one that best meets your gaming demands. Although all three sizes operate similarly, they all have the same native resolution. So you can expect the larger units to have lower pixel density and sharpness.
Its refresh rate is lightning fast, resulting in incredibly crisp motions; it’s also incredibly consistent, delivering nearly identical results at lower refresh rates, which is ideal for console gamers; and it has very little input lag, resulting in a very smooth gaming experience. This model supports variable refresh rate technology out of the box, but it’s also G-SYNC compatible, making it a versatile monitor.
While the high contrast ratio is excellent and makes this model perform well even in darker environments, it comes at the expense of limited viewing angles. When viewed from the side, this may cause images to appear washed out. This is something to keep in mind if you play a lot of co-op games.
On the plus side, it has a number of extra features, such as two USB 3.0 ports and a Picture-in-Picture mode that allows you to display data from two different input sources at once. Overall, this is an excellent gaming monitor that will appeal to both casual and hardcore gamers.
Features & Specifications
Brand: Samsung
Available Sizes: 27, 28, 32 inches.
Dimensions: 7.37 x 27.96 x 17.29 inches
Screen Size: 31.5 inches
Screen Resolution: 2560 x 1440 pixels
Max Refresh Rate: 240Hz
Response Time: 1ms
Variable Refresh Rate: FreeSync
Pixel Type: VA
Screen Surface: Curved
Inputs: 2 DisplayPort 1.4, 1 HDMI 2.0, 2 USB 3.0, 1 Analog Audio Out 3.5mm
What’s In The Box
Power brick and cable
DisplayPort cable
HDMI cable
Cable management clip
VESA-mount adapter
Manuals
Check Out Samsung’s Preview Of The Odyssey G7 Below.
In terms of looks and design, the Samsung Odyssey G7 certainly nailed it out of the park. It’s nothing new from Samsung and if you’ve been keeping up with their recent releases of monitors, this appears to sport a similar aesthetic. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth appreciating.
This model has almost frameless bezels with an extremely curved surface that just adds to the clean and sleek aesthetic while you can also see a two-legged stand that allows for height, tilt, and swivel adjustments as well as some front-facing LED lighting at the pivot point to protect you from any glare.
It also has a touch of lighting along with the bottom bezel, which gives it a bit more of a gamer vibe than other Samsung monitors you might come across. However, keep in mind that doesn’t have as many color options as your traditional RGB gear, and it won’t sync with your PC’s lighting, but it has enough colors for you to mix and match.
Aside from that, the style continues around the back with a variety of elegantly flowing lines that nicely highlight the curve of the panels. There isn’t a single straight edge insight. With its turbine-like texture, the pivot ring looks to be moving. The monitor looks super-clean if you attach the input cover and route your cables through the upright.
While the Odyssey G7 is definitely a good-looking piece of hardware, take note that this is also a pretty bulky product. So make sure that you have an ample amount of space on your desk to set this up. The two-legged stand takes up quite a bit of real estate so it’s best to keep this in mind too before buying this.
Performance
When it comes to its overall capabilities, the Samsung Odyssey G7 is as good as it gets in the 1440p market. The extreme curvature of the Odyssey G7 is a huge plus, not only for gaming but also for your everyday use. While the screen ratio might cover more of your peripheral vision, the perfect height of a 32-inch monitor will really draw you in and provide a more familiar shape for your daily duties.
Documents can be positioned in the center of the screen, with utilities to the sides to help you multitask easier. In a word processor, you may view the entire page, or have as many as 60 rows in a single spreadsheet. If you’re worried about image distortion of any kind, the G7 didn’t have any issues at all with that.
With most games, frame rates were adequate, and when combined with the quick panel response, motion and input latency were completely absent. Even if you sat 2 feet away, you won’t be able to see the pixel structure. The image details, such as textures, were improved by Samsung’s superb contrast and perfectly saturated color.
The HDR was also a unique experience. With efficient selective dimming, Samsung’s ultra-curved monitor performs admirably in HDR. It’s a wonderful monitor for playing games late at night in a dark room because it features a VA panel, which has deeper black levels than IPS displays. It did, however, fall short when it came to its contrast ratio. But because of the 600-nit peak brightness, blacks were deep and well-detailed.
Our Least Favorite Things
Viewing Angles
The viewing angles, like those of most VA panels, were not great, which can be a pain depending on how big your monitor is. Despite the extraordinarily deep curve, it was difficult to get the top and bottom of the screen to look the same on this 32-inch unit, and the sides never exactly aligned up.
However, if you’re only intending to use this monitor for your regular work chores or some casual gaming, this shouldn’t be an issue or a deal-breaker. If you play a lot of co-op games, though, you should look for a 1440p display with better viewing angles.
In A Nutshell
Pros
Incredibly low input lag.
Fast response times.
Terrific contrast ratio, providing deep blacks.
Picture quality is decent even for dark room gaming.
Supports FreeSync and is GSYNC compatible as well.
Cons
Viewing angles could be better, not the best for co-op gaming.
Our Final Verdict
Overall, the Samsung Odyssey G7 finds the sweet spot for gamers who are looking for the best gaming monitor they can get their hands on without having to settle for a lower 1080p resolution and at the same time, not having to break the bank by splurging on a 4K display with lower refresh rates.
This boasts a native 240Hz refresh rate, FreeSync support, while also being G-SYNC compatible. The response time at its maximum refresh rate and at 60Hz are both excellent, resulting in little to no blurring. Because of its restricted viewing angles, it’s not ideal for co-op gaming, although the picture quality does provide deep blacks, making this ideal for some darkroom gaming.
Have you already bought the Samsung Odyssey G7? Or are you still contemplating it? Was our review helpful? Let me know in the comments section below if you have any suggestions, insights, or questions to ask. I would love to hear all your thoughts!
The HP Pavilion gaming laptop is an entry-level model that features a solid Intel Core i7 processor and an Nvidia GeForce GPU, as well as a speedy SSD and long battery life. At the same time, it’s housed in a fairly stylish and lightweight chassis. While the display quality could be better, this gaming rig’s excellent mix of hardware, power, and endurance made it one of the best entry-level gaming laptops under $1000 on the market. If you want to learn more, check out our entire review below.
If you’ve been on the hunt for an entry-level gaming laptop, the HP Pavilion is an excellent choice that will certainly not disappoint. As previously stated, this model features a powerful and fast Intel Core i7 processor, as well as an Nvidia GeForce GPU, responsive SSD, and long battery life, all packaged in a very beautiful green and black chassis.
The design is something to be appreciated too. It’s not too gaudy or screams “look at me, I’m a gaming laptop!”. It’s sleek enough to be used in a more professional setting while still maintaining a unique look that doesn’t look tacky.
Despite its low price, the Pavilion isn’t something you should underestimate. This gaming machine comes with some impressive specs, allowing it to run games at high frame rates with ease. It also boasts plenty of endurance, with a battery life of around 6 hours, which should be more than adequate if you’re more into casual gaming.
Apart from gaming, this compact computer also works pretty well with both school and office activities as well as day-to-day tasks.
If thermal throttling is what you’re concerned about, the Pavilion manages to sustain a comfortable temperature when gaming. Overall, the HP Pavilion is a strong contender for one of our list’s best budget gaming laptops. So, if you’re looking for a strong entry-level gaming laptop, this one comes at a great price point and has a stylish design.
Features & Specifications
Dimensions: 10.08 x 14.17 x 0.92 inches
Product Weight: 4.92 pounds
Brand: HP
CPU: 2.6GHz Intel Core i7-9750H
GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti with Max-Q
RAM: 16GB DDR3 SDRAM 2,666MHz
Storage: 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD + 1TB 7,200-rpm HDD
Operating System: Windows 10 Home
Display Size: 15.6 inches
Display Resolution: 1920 x 1080 IPS display
Ports: 1 SuperSpeed USB Type-C (DisplayPort), 2 SuperSpeed USB Type-A, 1 DisplayPort, 1 HDMI 2.0, 1 RJ-45, 1 headphone/microphone combo jack
Battery: 52.5Whr 3-cell lithium-ion
Camera: HP True Vision 720p HD camera
Keyboard: Backlit keyboard
Check Out HP’s Preview Of The Pavilion Gaming Laptop Below.
Without a doubt, one of my favorite things about the HP Pavilion is its design. I truly appreciate that this doesn’t have a bold aesthetic that will catch a lot of unwanted attention. Instead, it’s just edgy enough to provide a good balance between professional and gaming. Not to mention, I find this more lightweight compared to other gaming laptops at the same price point.
Additionally, design-wise, the Pavilion also isn’t your typical gaming laptop. The chassis is black with lovely emerald accents, rather than the usual black-and-red theme you must already be tired of seeing everywhere. If green’s not your color, HP also offers a variant with purple accents as well. Personally, I highly prefer the latter but that’s just my taste.
Upon opening the laptop, you’ll notice an illuminated keyboard and a set of uniquely-shaped speakers. The screen size is the usual 15.6 inches with slim bezels around it. Though I feel like the bezels could be trimmed a bit more, but it’s no deal-breaker.
You’ll also find a generous amount of ports with the HP Pavilion. A USB 3.1 Type-A port, a USB 3.1 Type-C port, an HDMI port, an Ethernet RJ-45 port, and an SD media card reader are located on the laptop’s left side. On the right side, there are two more USB 3.1 Type-A connections as well as connectors for headphones and power.
Gaming Performance
The Pavilion 15 comes with a 4GB VRAM Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 GPU. You should be able to play mainstream games like Far Cry 5 without a hitch at the laptop’s highest graphics settings (1080p with Ultra settings). With games like Cyberpunk 2077, though, you may want to adjust your resolutions and expectations a bit. But, for a laptop at this price, this is to be expected, and it’s still quite impressive in my opinion.
In lower fidelity titles, the Ryzen 5 5600H processor helps push better frame rates in my opinion. It’s not the most powerful of AMD‘s new 5000 series mobile CPUs, but with six cores, 12 threads, and a boost frequency of up to 4.2GHz, it’s more than capable of performing a wide range of tasks outside of gaming.
With that in mind, it’s no surprise that the HP Pavilion gaming laptop excels so well at multiple tasks. It readily performs activities like transcoding 4K films and other media production tasks without a fuss, keeping many tabs open in Google Chrome doesn’t interrupt its smoothness. This laptop boasts excellent hardware that’s ideal for non-gaming tasks, thanks to its 16GB of RAM.
A refresh rate higher than 60Hz is practically required if you’re into esports or just a competitive gamer in general. Many higher-end gaming laptops in the market come with a 144Hz refresh rate, but obtaining the same rate on an entry-level model under a thousand bucks is even more difficult. This is where the HP Pavilion shines as it offers a 144Hz refresh rate for a fairly budget-friendly price.
Though, keep in mind that the base model is capped at 60Hz. So if you’re willing to shell out an extra hundred dollars, you can easily get the 144Hz variant. Given that this Pavilion can play first-person shooters and MOBAs where fine graphics aren’t a priority at speeds above 100 frames per second, 144Hz is a must-have. So I have to commend HP for adding it to one of their entry-level models.
Cooling Performance
One of the great things worth noting with the HP Pavilion is that it doesn’t overheat or get so hot to the point you need to constantly sit right next to your AC system. Overall, It’s safe to use the Pavilion on your lap for regular tasks. Casually browsing the internet shouldn’t pose a problem with heating and the laptop and keyboard will still be quite comfortable to use.
When gaming, you can expect it to get a bit warm but not hot enough to make you want to run your hands under cold water. Internally, the components, particularly the processor, are kept at a safe temperature for the most part. As a rule of thumb, the lower the average temperature, the longer the CPU will last and you will be able to use the laptop for the years to come.
Our Least Favorite Things
Display
Don’t get me wrong, the display on the HP Pavilion isn’t terrible. It definitely can do some good with a bit of improvement but it’s not that bad. The display could be brighter and for games that are really heavy on the graphics department, you might want to keep your expectations low on this one.
But at the same time, it’s quite understandable for a gaming laptop at this price point to not have the best display in the market. Manufacturers usually cut the costs on display quality as this is one of the most expensive aspects of creating a gaming laptop.
In A Nutshell
Now that we have finished discussing the things we liked and disliked about the HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop, here’s our narrowed-down list of the good and the bad with this particular gaming rig. The 15.6-inch, 1080p screen on the HP Pavilion isn’t the brightest or most colorful, but it still manages to give acceptable visual quality.
You won’t have any trouble seeing minute details when watching movies or playing video games. They’re pretty sharp, crisp, and the color accuracy isn’t bad either. However, when compared to other budget gaming laptops, the Pavilion falls short in terms of brightness. To be more specific, it only averaged 241.2 nits.
But don’t let this set you back. For affordable gaming laptops, the display quality is usually the main feature manufacturers skimp on to keep it low-cost since this is one of the most expensive components when creating a gaming laptop.
Pros
Lightweight compared to other gaming laptops within this price range.
Solid battery life for casual gaming.
Gaming performance is quite excellent.
Sleek design.
Cons
Picture quality could be brighter.
Our Final Verdict
Despite being an entry-level model, the HP Pavilion gaming laptop delivers excellent 1080p gaming performance for a wide range of games. You may need to keep the graphics settings on medium or low for certain games, but for the price, you won’t be disappointed. This will surely be enough to satisfy a lot of casual gamers.
Have you already bought the HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop? Or are you still contemplating it? Was our review helpful in your purchasing decision? Let me know in the comments section below if you have any suggestions, insights, or questions to ask. I would love to hear all your thoughts!
Without a question, the Dell G5 15 SE is one of the best gaming laptops you can buy for the money. It isn’t the most lightweight or most powerful gaming laptop on the market, but with a price tag of just under $1,000, an AMD Ryzen processor, and an RX 5600M graphics chip, you’ve got yourself a solid gaming rig. This particular Dell gaming laptop is also miles ahead of its competition within the same price category thanks to other fast components like fast RAM, an NVMe SSD, and a 144Hz refresh rate display. If you’d like to know more about this impressive device, just keep scrolling to read our full review of the Dell G5 15 SE Gaming Laptop.
Affordable gaming laptops are so in demand these days. Especially with the pandemic still ongoing, people are reaching out to play their favorite games as a way to cope with the numerous lockdowns we have faced. Along with the rise of demand for games, so does the demand for PC parts and gaming laptops and consoles.
Not to mention, gone are the days when you had to spend $2000 just so you can game on the go. This is where the Dell G5 15 SE comes in.
This gaming rig is a crowd favorite among gamers and an overall outstanding gaming laptop thanks to its strong CPU, long battery life, and bright 15.6-inch display with a 144Hz refresh rate. Additionally, due to its AMD Ryzen 5000 H-series processor, this gaming system routinely outperforms its competition without a fuss.
The battery life of this gaming laptop was also excellent, lasting well over 7 hours. With that and an AMD graphics card capable of handling today’s most demanding AAA games, you’ve got yourself a capable gaming rig that won’t break the bank. Furthermore, this gaming laptop includes a display screen that is sharp and colorful enough for the price, as well as a very ergonomic keyboard to operate.
In terms of design, I personally like it. It’s not the sleekest looking laptop out there (nor the most lightweight, either) but I appreciate how the chassis is painted in gleaming silver. It’s a welcome change from the traditional red and black colors associated with gaming laptops.
On top of all that, the Dell G5 15 SE offers a large number of ports, allowing you to connect all of your important devices. Overall, it’s no surprise that this gaming laptop ranked first on our list of the best affordable gaming laptops in 2021.
Features & Specifications
Dimensions: 14.4 x 10 x 0.85 inches
Product Weight: 5.51 pounds
Brand: Dell
CPU: 1.6GHz AMD Ryzen 7 4800H
GPU: 6128GB AMD Radeon RX 5600M
RAM/Storage: 16GB DDR4 SDRAM 3,200MHz / 512TB SSD
Display Size: 15.6 Inches
Display Resolution: 1920 x 1080, 144Hz
Operating System: Windows 10 Home (1909)
Networking: Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX1650x (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.1, Ethernet
Ports: 1 x USB-C, 3 x USB-A, 1 x mini DisplayPort, 1 x combo audio
Keyboard: Backlit Keyboard
Touchscreen: No
Color: Supernova Silver Cover
Check Out Dell’s Product Preview Of The G5 15 Below.
Honestly, there’s nothing particularly outstanding with the Dell G5 15 SE’s design. It’s quite straightforward, simple, and can easily blend into a professional setting. I do appreciate that it doesn’t sport the in-your-face gaming aesthetic a lot of gaming manufacturers tend to strive for with their products. This one’s more subtle and the silver chassis is definitely enough to make it stand out from the usual dark colors.
To put it simply, the G5 15 SE is a rather plain-looking laptop with a few design embellishments that don’t scream “look at me, I’m a gamer.” It’s no head-turner and the lid has the most of these flourishes. It’s silver with a metallic gleam, carved with two vertical lines, and topped with a gleaming Dell logo.
The overall design is otherwise fairly modest, with gray plastic on the bottom panel and a plain black keyboard deck that does have RGB illuminations you can tinker around with. Personally, I don’t mind if a gaming laptop has bold, eye-catching colors or numerous RGB lights, as long as it’s not overdone or tacky. But the subtlety in the G5 15 SE is something else.
Whether that’s a good or bad thing is completely up to you. If you prefer gaudy, gaming colors, then this kind of style the G5 15 SE sports might not be for you. But if you want a gaming laptop that you can also use for work or in public without catching too much attention, then this is a nice balance.
Size
In terms of size, the G5 15 SE doesn’t stand out much as well. Weighing at 5.51 lbs, it isn’t particularly bulky, but it’s definitely not small or light either. Most gaming laptops I’ve seen at this price point also share the same weight and size, more or less. It’ll take a bit more effort in carrying this around with you but it shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
Also, I noticed that with more affordable gaming laptops, the size of the model is one of the few things you’ll most likely have to compromise on. Packing such powerful hardware in a thin and light chassis is usually more commonly seen in premium and high-end gaming laptops. So if you’re on a budget, it’s much better to focus on the gaming performance of these laptops rather than the size.
Performance
When it comes to gaming performance, the Dell G5 15 SE certainly didn’t disappoint. The fundamental components of the Dell Gaming G5 15 SE are well-matched and even graphics-heavy games run pretty smoothly on this gaming rig.
The Intel six-core CPU, Nvidia RTX 2060 graphics, and 1080p LCD display work together to produce flawless frame rates in the latest games at high settings that’s sure to satisfy a lot of casual gamers. We’re not talking about the absolute pinnacle of a buttery-smooth gaming performance but this is definitely a solid experience either way.
If you’re looking for something more, you’ll need a more powerful GPU and a monitor that refreshes at 120Hz or higher. Not to mention, a bigger budget too. In any case, frame rates in the 60 to 70 fps range when set to ultra detail are highly enjoyable. However, they also show that using a high refresh panel with this setup is practically pointless.
With that said, the Dell G5 15 SE is a pretty solid contender among entry-level gaming laptops. It’s competent and capable enough to make sure that you get a nice gaming experience out of this rig for the years to come.
Display
The display on the Dell G5 15 SE is about what you’d expect from an entry-level gaming laptop. But with a few quirks. Its 1080p Full HD resolution is an excellent match for the modern components inside its chassis. However, the highlight of the display is the 144Hz refresh rate which allows you to have smoother-looking gameplays. Though the base model of this laptop comes with just a 60Hz refresh rate.
Keep in mind, reaching 144fps will be pretty near impossible with the latest AAA titles but this shouldn’t be a problem if you’re more of a casual gamer. The overall visual quality is likewise rather high, and the screen does get quite bright when set to its maximum brightness.
Battery Life
Gaming laptops don’t always have the best battery lives, which is understandable since playing games tend to drain batteries faster than your normal day-to-day tasks. The Dell G5 15 SE, on the other hand, provides some of the best battery life I’ve seen in a gaming laptop. This model easily lasted 7 hours, though this can vary depending on how frequently you use it.
Under heavy load, most gaming systems fall short of the 4-hour mark, but the G5 15 SE performed admirably. Especially if you think about how affordable this laptop is.
Our Least Favorite Things
Thermal Throttling
No product will ever be completely perfect and the Dell G5 15 SE is no exception to that. One major concern that you might want to keep in mind with this particular gaming laptop is that thermal throttling is a bit of an issue here.
Under stress, the laptop becomes noticeably heated, both on the underside and in hot patches surrounding the keyboard. So this is something to keep in mind in case heating is an issue with you. However, this isn’t a problem exclusive to this model. Most affordable and low-cost gaming laptops seem to encounter this problem as well. I guess a better cooling system is a luxury and a privilege?
In A Nutshell
Now that we have discussed the things we liked and disliked about the Dell G5 15 SE gaming laptop in this review, here’s a narrowed-down list of the good and the bad with this particular gaming rig.
Pros
Amazing CPU & GPU performance.
Solid battery life.
Terrific RAM & storage.
Cons
Expect some bloatware.
Not the most lightweight design.
Our Final Verdict
Overall, the Dell G5 15 SE exceeds expectations for an entry-level gaming laptop. It sports a subtle design that doesn’t look tacky, provides a terrific gaming performance thanks to its AMD chip, has plenty of ports, and pretty decent battery life. This computer is also not limited to gaming. You can easily use this for your professional work or everyday tasks as well. Although a few compromises were made to keep this gaming rig affordable, it still provides outstanding value for the money.
Have you already bought the Dell G5 15 SE? Or are you still contemplating it? Was our review helpful? Let me know in the comments section below if you have any suggestions, insights, or questions to ask. I would love to hear all your thoughts!
The Razer Naga Pro’s three interchangeable panels with 20 remappable buttons can be a little overwhelming for some gamers. Especially if you’re new to gaming mice and don’t know much how everything works. However, with that being said, if this isn’t a clear indication that this is a high-performance gaming mouse, then I don’t know what is. So for today, let’s see in our dedicated Razer Naga Pro review below if this is a mouse worth getting over its hugely successful predecessor, the Naga Trinity.
The Naga lineup from Razer has gone through a handful of changes over the years. The very first Razer Naga in 2009 was designed specifically for MMOs. It boasted a whopping 17 buttons which allowed you to do every movement, command, and attack at the reach of your fingertips. A few years later, the Naga Hex was introduced in 2012. The side buttons were reduced significantly to adjust to certain types of games. Then more years passed and the Naga Trinity was launched, offering three interchangeable side panels.
Finally, enter the Naga Pro. This is Razer’s latest iteration of their Naga gaming mice series, which basically combines all the things you loved about the Naga Trinity and the Naga Epic Chroma. The new Naga Pro is built in the image of its predecessors and is definitely a worthy successor, shamelessly showing off the upgrades and refinements it had gotten thanks to Razer’s latest gaming mouse technology.
Furthermore, this wireless gaming mouse has six buttons laid out in two rows, which gives you enough buttons to configure many skills without becoming overwhelmed or having issues with misclicking. The Naga Pro also has a longer battery life and is Razer Mouse Dock compatible.
Not to mention, you might also find that this gaming mouse has a lower form than the regular gaming mouse you’re used to. This is something to bear in mind if you have huge palms. On the other hand, the relaxed grip of this gaming mouse is great for MMO gaming. But it should also function well in MOBAs, first-person shooters, and other fast-paced games.
While the Naga Pro was built mainly for right-handed use, Razer has released a left-handed-specific version of the Naga. Unfortunately, the variant for lefties only comes in with one set of side buttons.
Features & Specifications
Dimensions: 2.94 x 1.7 x 4.68 inches
Item weight: 13.4 ounces
Brand: Razer
Wireless: Yes
DPI: 20,000
Sensor: Razer Focus+ optical sensor
Ergonomics: Right-handed
Buttons: 3 interchangeable side plates with up to 20 programmable buttons
When it comes to the overall design, the Naga Pro’s basic form is pretty much similar to that of its immediate predecessor, the Razer Naga Trinity. To support the 12-button MMO arrangement, this is a right-handed mouse with a more obvious slope on the left side. In between the pointer fingers, you’ll find a textured scroll wheel with a tactile scroll.
The DPI sensitivity buttons are a little further back, and they’re a little more recessed than the Naga Trinity’s were placed. This is a good thing as this means you’re less likely to accidentally click them unless you were really meaning to. The whole device is enclosed in a plastic that’s slightly textured, grainy, and matte. Despite being made of plastic, though, this gaming mouse doesn’t feel cheap at all.
Like most wireless gaming mice in the market, the Naga Pro also comes in with its own wire if you’re not into a completely wireless experience. The braided 6-foot cable included in the box is Razer Speedflex.
Four 0.8mm thick PTFE feet on the bottom of the Naga Pro keep the buttons on the underside from contacting your mouse pad or desktop, which is quite intuitive in my opinion. One of those buttons switches the mouse from wired mode to the 2.4 GHz Razer HyperSpeed dongle (USB Type-A) or Bluetooth for wireless connectivity. You’ll also find two pegs for charging on a Razer mouse dock if you have one.
As previously mentioned, the Naga Pro comes with three swappable side panels. One has 12 buttons for MMO gaming, the second has six, and the third panel has two buttons. Lastly, the Naga Pro also has RGB illumination, which can be tinkered with using the Razer Synapse program.
Software
When it comes to the Razer Naga Pro, its main features are obviously its three interchangeable side panels, wireless connectivity, and its Synapse software. Razer Synapse has evolved into a powerful customizing software over the years and it just makes the Naga Pro the boost it needs to be an even more excellent product.
With the exception of the left click, the profile button, and the connection switch, you can program any button on the mouse to your liking. You can easily set a wide variety of macros, keyboard operations, controls, and commands to these buttons at your fingertips.
On top of that, you’re also getting a slew of performance improvements with this particular software. There are mouse surface calibration, polling rate changes, sensitivity adjustments, low power mode, power-saving options, as well as RGB lighting effects, among other things.
You can also use them in conjunction with the programmable buttons in profiles. On the Razer software, you can create an unlimited number of profiles and save up to five of them to the Naga Pro’s onboard memory. For maximum versatility, each profile has its own set of settings. Programs and games can also be linked directly to each profile.
Overall, the Synapse software is just simply an amazing tool that really puts your Razer peripherals to the next level.
Performance
You might take a little extra time getting acclimated to the Naga Pro’s distinctive shape if you’re used to more minimalistic designed gaming mice. To be more specific, the Naga Pro has a chunky additional portion that juts out on the right flank.
However, contrary to popular belief, this is actually quite comfy. It not only gives you something to lean against, but it also gives you more accuracy and control, which is especially beneficial given the Naga Pro’s abundance of extra buttons.
When it comes to gaming, without a doubt, you won’t find a mouse with more versatility than the Naga Pro because of its swappable side panels. Doesn’t matter what kind of game you’re playing. Those three interchangeable side panels are just so useful in any type of game genre, making this the ideal mouse for anyone who enjoys a wide range of genres.
If you’re worried that swapping between these panels may be a bit fussy, then worry not! It’s actually no problem at all to switch gears and play something else on the spur of the moment because they’re so quick to snap on and off thanks to magnets.
Finally, there is no delay or issues at all with latency. But if you’re still worried about that, you can also plug this in via USB. It’s also worth mentioning that the Naga Pro’s battery life is just as good. This gaming mouse can easily last a number of days without needing to be recharged.
In A Nutshell
Now that we have finished discussing the things we liked and disliked in our Razer Naga Pro review, here’s a narrowed-down list of the good and the bad with this wireless gaming mouse.
Pros
Has interchangeable side plates with plenty of programmable buttons for optimum gaming.
Ideal for MMOs.
Excellent battery life.
Strong wireless connectivity.
Cons
Might feel a little heavy for some gamers.
Form might be a bit low for gamers with bigger palms.
Our Final Verdict
Overall, the Razer Naga Pro is probably the best iteration of Razer’s Naga lineup to date. It’s just simply an excellent piece of technology with great utility, terrific software support, and battery life. Doesn’t matter if you’re using it exclusively for gaming or for work as well.
Have you already bought the Razer Naga Pro? Did our review of the Razer Naga Pro helpful to your purchasing decision? How was the experience? Let me know in the comments section below if you have any suggestions, insights, or questions to ask. I would love to hear all your thoughts!
The Logitech G502 Lightspeed has always been a reliable and capable gaming mouse that surely meets the needs of the vast majority of gamers today. It’s no wonder that it has become one of the popular choices in the gaming industry despite its premium cost. If you’d like to know more about this particular gaming mouse, just keep scrolling to read our dedicated review.
Taking the same design as its predecessors, the G502 Lightspeed is everything you knew and loved from the popular G502 Hero but made faster, lighter, and completely wireless. Without a doubt, this is a wireless gaming mouse that is well-made and comfortable to use at any given time.
Despite its expensive price tag, the G502 Lightspeed quickly pays for itself with premium features like six variable weights for optimal customization and adjusting the mouse’s feel in your hand. Apart from that, the G502 Lightspeed’s best feature is that it can be used in any gaming genre. So whether you favor first-person shooters, MMOs, MOBAs, or anything else, the G502 Lightspeed will do its job well.
This was made feasible by Logitech’s high-CPI and power-efficient Hero sensor, as well as a huge number of programmable buttons you can customize to your liking. In terms of design, the g502 Lightspeed was built in the style of a first-person shooter while maintaining a comfortable shape that won’t feel weird when you’re using it.
Another feature of the G502 Lightspeed that’s worth noting is that it is set up to never require the usage of a cable. Yes, that also involves charging. If you have the Logitech G Powerplay wireless charging mouse, you can just plug this into a USB port and it will charge the G502 Lightspeed for you.
However, it’s also important to keep in mind that this charging mousepad will set you back an additional hundred dollars. If the G502 Lightspeed’s wireless capabilities aren’t enough to pique your interest, you’d be happy to know it also comes with its own cable. This way, you won’t have to worry about latency issues, battery life, or if you’re just not into wireless gaming.
If you’ve used any of the previous G502 models from Logitech, you’re most likely already familiar or might have an idea of what the G502 Lightspeed looks like. In case this is your first time ever looking at this model, it’s a large, right-handed, mouse with a curved thumb rest and textured grips with a very ergonomic shape that feels comfortable to use.
In terms of style, it has a very in-your-face gamer aesthetic. So if you were looking for a more minimalistic gaming mouse, this might not be for you. That being said, this mouse doesn’t look or feel tacky at all. Among a sea of gaming peripherals, this is definitely a premium device that sure looks like it.
Looking over the mouse, you’ll find that there are ten buttons on the top side of the mouse. There’s also a right-click button, a left-click button, a clickable scroll wheel, as well as a button to modify the resistance of the scroll wheel for optimum accuracy. Personally, I found this feature pretty handy when scrolling between pages.
Additionally, there is also a programmable button beneath the adjuster. This usually indicates the battery level of your gaming mouse by default but you can also configure this however you like. On the far left of the click buttons, you’ll also find a pair of DPI sensitivity adjustment buttons.
You can also locate two huge thumb buttons on the side and right below is another button that momentarily reduces the DPI. This may seem like a lot of buttons especially if you’re not that hardcore of a gamer but the overall built and how the buttons are placed are pretty organized and don’t feel cluttered at all.
Adjustable Weight System
One of the great things about the Logitech G502 Lightspeed is that you can customize how it weighs in your hand for a better gaming experience that suits your playstyle. Like its wired predecessors, you’ll find a detachable panel on this particular model as well that will allow you to add or remove metallic weights.
Some users may also prefer the G502 Lightspeed’s customizable weights over the previous models’ weights. They’re tinier and it’s a lot easier to add and remove weights now than it was before. Not to mention, there’s still a little carrying case to keep extra weights in. However, it’s important to note that you can’t use the 4-gram weights on the PowerPlay wireless charging mouse pad.
Performance
The G502 Lightspeed functioned wonderfully in games, which should come as no surprise to anyone who has used a Logitech mouse in the last few years. With this gaming mouse in your hands, you’ll discover that it’s quick, responsive, and precise.
The particular gaming mouse also has 11 programmable buttons and is ready for any type of game. It features a first-person shooter form factor, which is useful if you’re frequently playing games like Valorant, Overwatch, or other FPS titles. Aside from that, the DPI button near your thumb allows you to take exact aim at opponents with ease.
Those extra buttons on the side are also ways to personalize for MMOs, allowing you to load up on spells. In particular, the Hero 25K sensor, DPI sensitivity settings, and the 1,000 Hz polling rates easily provide gamers with a lot of options, making it ideal for any type of game genre.
While delays and latency aren’t likely to be an issue with the G502 Lightspeed, you may always connect the detachable cord if you’re concerned about losing connection in the middle of your game.
Wireless Capabilities & Reliable Software
For the ultimate wireless gaming experience, the G502 Lightspeed is compatible with Logitech’s Powerplay charging mouse pad, which connects to your PC via USB Type-A. So if you genuinely want to go for a completely wireless experience, it’s worth investing in the charging mouse pad as well. It’s a little costly, but not having to worry about any additional cords for a significant amount of time, it sounds worth it.
The G502 Lightspeed may also be used with Logitech’s G Hub software. This software allows you to remap buttons, tweak RGB illuminations, as well as DPI sensitivity adjustments. For those who are quite particular with their gameplay, you can freely personalize your gaming mouse as much as you like using this software. Furthermore, you can also create multiple profiles and have your customizations ready for every game that you’re playing or for other activities like professional use.
Our Least Favorite Things
Premium Costs
Honestly, there’s not a lot of bad things to say about the Logitech G502 Lightspeed, which is a good thing when you’re paying this much for a gaming mouse. That being said, the biggest drawback about the G502 Lightspeed is its expensive price point. It’s not the most affordable option out there and if you’re on a budget, this is definitely something that might be too heavy on the wallet.
However, I do think its premium features and well-built design more than justify its high-end costs. A gaming mouse this good doesn’t come cheap. But at the same time, there are also other gaming mice in the market that could cost you a lot less and also offer great value. At the end of the day, it’s up to you if you’re willing to splurge on the G502 Lightspeed.
In A Nutshell
Now that we have discussed the things we liked and disliked about the Logitech G502 Lightspeed, here is a narrowed-down list of the good and the bad with this particular wireless gaming mouse.
Pros
Excellent customization for weight adjustments.
Has a cord available if you want it to be wired.
Sleek and lightweight design.
Wireless charging capabilities.
Extremely low latency.
Configurable buttons.
Cons
Expensive.
The charging mousepad costs an extra hundred dollars.
Our Final Verdict
Overall, the Logitech G502 LightSpeed gaming mouse is an excellent choice. It’s responsive and precise without ever requiring a cable, even for charging. Its great ergonomics and gaming performance are top-shelf as well. It is, however, on the high-end side of gaming peripherals. It’s entirely up to you whether or not you’re willing to spend a hundred bucks on this gaming mouse. But if you do, you won’t be disappointed.
Have you already bought the Logitech G502 Lightspeed? Was our review helpful in your purchasing decision? How’s your experience with this gaming mouse? Let me know in the comments section below if you have any suggestions, insights, or questions to ask. I would love to hear all your thoughts!
