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Gaming with Winlator (Image Source: Retro Tech Dad)

It can run Crysis: Windows gaming on Android featuring the Retroid Pocket 5 and Mini

CheckMag YouTuber Retro Tech Dad has just released a deep dive exploring the viability of PC gaming on Android using the Windows emulator, Winlator. Using a host of different tips and tricks, the results speak for themselves.
Stephen Pereyra, 11 Dec 2024 20:14
20 years ago, IBM sold the ThinkPad: How Lenovo used the it to become the PC juggernaut (image source: Benjamin Herzig)

20 years ago, IBM sold the ThinkPad: How Lenovo used it to become the PC juggernaut

CheckMag December 2004: IBM, one of the founding fathers of the personal computing world, announces that its ThinkPad business is being sold to a then little known entity called Lenovo. 20 years later, the combined company is the largest P...
Benjamin Herzig, 10 Dec 2024 18:02
Play Moida Manson for free (Image Source: itch.io - edits)

Playing Moida Manson: A free adventure game on a stunning virtual handheld

CheckMag Featuring the classic LCD handheld stylings, Moida Manson is a retro adventure game in which players must find and help their friends escape Moida Manson. This is Lucas Pope's latest title, and it features immaculate LCD visuals a...
Stephen Pereyra, 08 Dec 2024 01:08
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a fun game that I would recommend everyone experience at least once (image source: Machine Games)

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: Fun, action-packed brawler that will keep you engaged for hours

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is an action-adventure-stealth-puzzle game that doesn't set out to do anything new, but offers a solid experience. Its replayability might not be much, but you'll be spending a fair amount of tim...
Anil Ganti, 06 Dec 2024 01:00
S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2: Heart of Chornobyl is one of the most fun open-world experiences launched in 2024 (image source: GSC Game World)

S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2: Heart of Chornobyl review: Marvellous, buggy open world experience that will only get better with time

After what seemed like a never-ending wave of delays, S.T.A.L.K.E.R 2: Heart of Chornobyl is finally out. Is the seventeen-year wait worth it? Totally. It promised to be the most ambitious S.T.A.L.K.E.R game ever, and it exceeded ...
Anil Ganti, 01 Dec 2024 14:31
Keychron K15 Max with a split space bar Alice design

Split space bar mechanical keyboards are dumb — until they aren't

CheckMag Nobody needs two space bars, but that's not the point of a split space bar design. A split space bar can help reduce finger strain and even increase typing speed and accuracy, as long as you put in the effort to make it work for y...
Julian van der Merwe, 27 Nov 2024 05:49
The M4-powered Mac Mini (Image source: Notebookcheck)

The M4 Mac Mini is the best desktop for most people

CheckMag The new M4 Mac Mini is making waves in both the critical and consumer circles, and for good reason. The tiny desktop is an engineering marvel that boasts plenty of power packed into a tiny (and relatively inexpensive) package. Whi...
Sam Medley, 26 Nov 2024 07:05
Akko's YU01 resin case mechanical keyboard features a jade-inspired translucent design and comes in at under $100 for Black Friday (Image source: Akko)

Early Black Friday deals on mechanical keyboards deliver massive discounts and premium features

CheckMag Grab a premium mechanical keyboard from the likes of Akko, Keychron, Epomaker, Yunzii, and more at up to 50% off, and give your gaming or work setup a massive upgrade in the look and feel department, all without exorbitant prices. Update: More mechanical keyboard deals added on November 24
Julian van der Merwe, 24 Nov 2024 03:32
The PS5 Digital Edition is down to $374 on Amazon. (Image source: PlayStation)

5 best Black Friday gaming deals on Amazon including the PS5 and Lenovo Legion Go

Deal Amazon has already begun its Black Friday sales which will run for a week. Here are the best deals for gamers or anyone looking for a gaming-related gift.
Habeeb Onawole, 24 Nov 2024 00:18
Hands-on with teach mode (Image Source: Stephen Pereyra)

Rabbit R1 teach mode hands-on: the AI's speed is surprising

CheckMag The teach mode beta is finally here, as Rabbit Inc. strives to deliver on the promised features of the Rabbit R1. In this hands-on, the R1 will be tasked with getting our latest review.
Stephen Pereyra, 24 Nov 2024 00:15
The Keychron V1 custom mechanical keyboard has premium features on a budget this Black Friday. (Image soure: Keychron)

4 more top sub-$100 Black Friday mechanical keyboard deals that deliver premium features and build quality

CheckMag Ajazz, Cidoo, Epomaker, Keychron, and Nuphy are delivering the goods this Black Friday with up to 40% off on high-quality, customisable mechanical keyboards, bringing prices down to a fraction of what you'd pay for a custom mechan...
Julian van der Merwe, 23 Nov 2024 05:41
The Epomaker TH40 offers a compact 40% layout with a more familiar layout than many 40% custom mechanical keyboards. (Image source: Julian van der Merwe / Notebookcheck)

Fixing the Epomaker TH40 - 110% effort for a 40% mechanical keyboard

CheckMag The Epomaker TH40 is an excellent affordable entry to the 40% keyboard form factor, but in our recent review, we found that it was impossible to use with the out-of-the-box layers and key bindings. Here's how we set up and optimis...
Julian van der Merwe, 21 Nov 2024 00:11
The return of the clunkpad? Lenovo ThinkPad trackpad comparison - Sensel vs. Synaptics

The return of the clunkpad? Lenovo ThinkPad trackpad comparison - Sensel vs. Synaptics

The battle of the clickpads. Ten years ago, Lenovo tried to integrate the dedicated mouse buttons for the ThinkPad TrackPoint into the touchpad, to make the trackpad bigger. In 2024, they are trying it again. We compare ThinkPad P1 G7 with the ThinkPad T440s ...
Benjamin Herzig, 19 Nov 2024 09:05
The Casio AE-1200WHD-1AV, which is only $13 more expensive than the basic AE-1200WH-1A owing to the metal elements. (Image source: MTR Watches)

The $30 Casio AE-1200WH - or the 'Casio Royale' - proves that affordable can be brilliant

CheckMag In a world saturated with expensive, feature-overloaded timepieces, Casio's AE-1200WH is a masterclass in designing affordable yet functional watches. The 2012 model has world time, multiple alarms, a stopwatch, a countdown timer,...
Anubhav Sharma, 17 Nov 2024 14:32
Honor's MagicBook Art 14 comes with an unusual camera that delivers the usual pale, weird colors (Image source: Notebookcheck)

Best 2024 laptop webcams deliver better color accuracy than the iPhone 16 Plus but sharpness remains an issue

CheckMag The iPhone 16 Plus's main camera has an average delta-E of 7.41; in the meantime, the XPS 13 9345's 2 MP webcam delivered a value of just 5.53 in our testing. However, the number of webcams with bizarre delta-E values such as 20+ ...
Sergey Tarasov, 17 Nov 2024 12:11
This piece of smart clothing comes equipped with multiple sensors (Image source: Textile school)

Smart fabrics: Improving athletic performance, one drop of sweat at a time

CheckMag Smart fabrics come in many shapes and sizes. Some pieces of smart clothing are impregnated with various sensors for performance tracking and comfort control; other options never get sweaty or have other unique superpowers. This li...
Nafisa Nazneen Choudhury, 14 Nov 2024 23:34
Safer by Leaf pendants were available in a variety of colors (Image source: Stumagz)

Safer: An attempt at making smart jewelry that would protect its female owner

CheckMag Safer brand products were meant to combine fashion with function. These attractive little gadgets could do SOS alerts and live tracking at pretty reasonable price points. Unfortunately, the project seems to have quietly disintegra...
Nafisa Nazneen Choudhury, 11 Nov 2024 15:49
What will the laptops of the future look like? (image source: Dall-E 3 AI)

Stale designs: The laptop market needs an Elon Musk style disruption

CheckMag Laptop designs started to feel stale in recent years, with most laptops adopting similar design attributes - most following the example of Apple MacBooks. For this reason: The market needs an Elon Musk disruption!
Benjamin Herzig, 11 Nov 2024 15:46
The Epomaker Shadow-X is a 70% mechanical keyboard with premium features and materials. (Image source: Epomaker)

4 unique Epomaker custom mechanical keyboards get massive discounts in limited-time 11.11 Big Sale Event

CheckMag Epomaker's 11.11 sale is now offering up to 50% discounts on everything from custom mechanical keyboard kits to mid-range, fully customisable pre-built boards with QMK/VIA support. Unfortunately, the main sale event ends on 11 Nov...
Julian van der Merwe, 08 Nov 2024 23:18
Handheld ultrasound machine (Image source: Indiamart)

From clinics to remote villages: How Butterfly iQ brought ultrasound to expectant mothers worldwide

CheckMag Butterfly iQ series products are portable ultrasound machines for prenatal care. The original model launched several years ago as the future of ultrasound technology being not just compact and efficient but also easy to use.
Nafisa Nazneen Choudhury, 04 Nov 2024 23:07
Detective Dotson is targeting an early 2025 launch (image source: Anil Ganti, Notebookcheck)

Detective Dotson review: Fun indie side-scroller that decently captures the Indian aesthetic

Detective Dotson is an indie game developed by Masala Games, an India-based developer. You get to roam around a typical Indian city and solve puzzles as the game's protagonist. It will launch on Steam and Xbox Series S|X early nex...
Anil Ganti, 04 Nov 2024 16:54
Dual boot Asahi Linux on your Apple Silicon Mac and open the door to a wider selection of games. (Image Source: Notebookcheck / Apple - edited)

Asahi Linux gaming toolkit offers native dual boot and opens the door for more games on Apple silicon - Tested

CheckMag Since dropping x86 in favour of ARM, Apple has more or less closed the door on native dual booting on its hardware. However, Asahi Linux, for some time, has offered native Fedora builds for Apple silicon Macs. The latest release n...
David Devey, 01 Nov 2024 15:30
Google is always ready to devour services (Image Source: Canva - edits)

Google's Graveyard: 4 Google offerings cut down in their prime

CheckMag Year after year, Google adds to its graveyard whether users like it or not. Often, it's warranted, but other times, the motivation seems to be to form a monstrous amalgamation of services in a misguided effort to streamline the us...
Stephen Pereyra, 30 Oct 2024 19:04
The PS5 Pro might be be unexciting in performance and dreadful in price, but crucially for many - it Just Works. (Image source: Sony)

Consoles might be stagnating, but the gap to PC gaming is only growing wider

CheckMag Halfway through the ninth generation of consoles, it's probably safe to say that much of the gaming audience is unimpressed. Yet the release valve for console gamers that is mainstream PC gaming is growing further and further out ...
Matthew Lee, 29 Oct 2024 17:39
A doctor communicating with a patient via the Internet (Image source: Pixabay)

6 Android telehealth apps to get a consultation immediately

CheckMag Teladoc, MD Live, Amwell and 3 other telehealth apps allow one to get an immediate remote consultation whenever needed, meaning convenience and quality healthcare can finally be had in a single package.
Nafisa Nazneen Choudhury, 29 Oct 2024 14:03
Until Dawn: Interactive horror survival game now available for PS5 and PC (Image source: Ballistic Moon)

Until Dawn review: A $60 crash? Game-breaking bug ruins new survival horror

Sony's survival horror Until Dawn returns just in time for the Halloween season, but the remake offers more than improved graphics. A new ending and tense atmosphere promise an even more immersive horror experience, including enha...
Nicole Dominikowski, 21 Oct 2024 13:18
A period tracking app (Image source: Freepik)

Flo is the most downloaded period tracking app on Play Store

CheckMag Discover Flo, the most popular period tracking app that empowers women with personalized insights for menstrual and reproductive health.
Nafisa Nazneen Choudhury, 19 Oct 2024 00:03
The long arm of Nintendo's legal team made fast work crushing Ryujinx and Yuzu once they set their mind to it (Image source: Nintendo - edited)

Ryujinx and Yuzu have bitten the dust, and Nintendo was right to shut them down

CheckMag Nintendo has a long history of screwing over its fans, whether it’s releasing underpowered hardware, suing fan projects, shutting down services older consoles rely on, and constantly re-selling its back catalogue of games to peopl...
David Devey, 18 Oct 2024 20:02
The new Zeiss camera has impressed the first international smartphone reviewers, some of whom travelled to China with a Galaxy S24 Ultra or iPhone 16 Pro. (Image source: Vivo)

Vivo X200 Pro: Early testers are impressed by the Zeiss camera, even in comparison with the Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro

CheckMag Vivo invited some international reviewers to China for the X200 launch event. These reviewers are slowly releasing their first impressions of the new Vivo flagship, which features a Zeiss camera system with a 200MP telephoto lens....
Alexander Fagot, 18 Oct 2024 14:07
Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred is the game's first major DLC (image source: Anil Ganti, Notebookcheck)

Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred review: Fun, but not $40 worth of fun

Diablo 4's first-ever DLC Vessel of Hatred aims to breathe new life into the game. While the expansion has its moments, it doesn't feel like a $40 DLC, especially after the standards set by Elden Ring and Cyberpunk 2077.
Anil Ganti, 18 Oct 2024 13:41
Five really cool demos from Steam's Next Fest that are worth checking out (Image source: Steampowered.com - screenshot)

Five cool Steam Next Fest demos to check out

CheckMag Steam's triannual Next Fest is a huge showcase for upcoming games with a truckload of demos for gamers to try out. We made a short list of five options that sound a little more exciting than the rest.
Rohith Bhaskar, 17 Oct 2024 00:39
Five AI music generators you should check out (Image source: AI-generated)

Five AI music generators that are actually good

CheckMag The AI music landscape is evolving at an astounding pace. Many websites are now available that let one bring ideas to life with just a few mouse clicks.
Rohith Bhaskar, 16 Oct 2024 18:19
A humanoid robot (Image source: AI-generated)

Tesla's Optimus isn't Prime yet and that's okay

CheckMag Tesla does not always deliver on its promises, and the latest news on its humanoid robot proves as much. While that's unfortunate, it does not mean Tesla is a bad company.
Rohith Bhaskar, 15 Oct 2024 18:26
The Fujifilm X-M5 strikes an excellent balance between price, convenience, and features. (Image source: Fujifilm - edited)

Fujifilm X-M5 is the compact, beginner-friendly X-T30 replacement the overpriced X-T50 should have been

CheckMag Fujifilm divided its community earlier this year when it launched the X-T50, with many calling it overpriced, and others criticising it for failing to adequately appeal to either beginners or experienced hobbyists. The Fujifilm X-...
Julian van der Merwe, 15 Oct 2024 06:26
Image source: Amazon with edits

A barrel plug with a PD charging trigger is an elegant way to retire that old laptop charger

CheckMag Power Delivery-enabled chargers communicate with the device they are connected to prior to letting those amperes pass through, unlike old non-PD chargers. The easiest way to mate a PD charger to an old laptop is to purchase a barr...
Sergey Tarasov, 14 Oct 2024 12:45
Five horror games to play this Halloween (Image Source: Valve/Canva)

5 Steam Deck friendly horror games to play this Halloween

CheckMag October is a great time to add a little fright to gaming sessions. In this list, we will explore a few games that will maximize a handheld horror experience.
Stephen Pereyra, 08 Oct 2024 23:18
Not much has changed in the second edition of EA FC. (Image source: Notebookcheck)

EA Sports FC 25 review: More of the same

The latest installment of EA Sports FC feels like a halfway attempt to deliver on the promises of last year's rebrand. With the exception of chaotic arcade-style ‘Rush’ matches, upgraded gameplay tactics and a refreshingly new tak...
Sarfo Ashong-Listowell, 05 Oct 2024 19:38
YouTube (and Google) have agressive data tracking practices, but there are ways to keep one's YouTube data in house. (Image Source: OpenArt.ai)

No YouTube tracking: Is it worth it (or practical) to host your own YouTube front end?

CheckMag Google is notorious for tracking people across websites, and this extends to almost every service it offers, including Android and YouTube. If you are on a quest to escape Google's aggressive data practices, you might want to cons...
David Devey, 05 Oct 2024 12:03
The Fujifilm X-M5 will be a modernised version of the X-M1, but its missing features may be a blessing in disguise. (Image source: Fujifilm)

Missing Fujifilm X-M5 features could be the compact camera's biggest strength

CheckMag The launch of the Fujifilm X-M5 is apparently upon us, and recent leaks and rumours indicate that the upcoming compact APS-C camera will be missing a few key features from its larger counterparts — crucial among them, IBIS and an ...
Julian van der Merwe, 04 Oct 2024 19:31
Starfield's first major DLC, Shattered Space, is now available for purchase (image source: Notebookcheck)

Starfield Shattered Space review: Great idea, poor execution

CheckMag Starfield's new Shattered Space expansions fails to improve upon the numerous issues that plagued the base game. The plot is tepid, at best, and there isn't enough content to justify its $30 price tag.
Anil Ganti, 03 Oct 2024 17:49
Opera Mini expands its offerings for free Internet access. (Image: Andreas Sebayang / Notebookcheck.com)

The forgotten: Opera wants to enable free web browsing in more countries with Opera Mini

CheckMag Opera Mini is not done yet. In fact, the browser boasts several hundred million users in developing and emerging countries, a number is expected to rise even more with the introduction of free Internet access. Notebookcheck spoke ...
Andreas Sebayang, 30 Sep 2024 17:01
Both the Xiaomi 14T Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24 FE have a metal frame and glass back. (Image source: Xiaomi and Samsung)

4 reasons I'll choose the Xiaomi 14T Pro over the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE

CheckMag Samsung's Galaxy S24 FE and the Xiaomi 14T Pro will be going head to head in several markets. They both have flagship features and a price to match, but when it comes down to making a choice between the two phones, it is an easy d...
Habeeb Onawole, 30 Sep 2024 02:08
The PS5 Pro is expensive, there's not doubt about it. But is it possible to build a PC that can beat a PS5 Pro for the same money? (Image Source: Sony)

How much PC performance can you buy for the price of a PS5 Pro?

CheckMag The PS5 Pro is not cheap by any stretch of the imagination. At $699 (plus $75 extra if you want a physical disk drive), that’s a good chunk of change for a device that only really plays games. So, exactly how much PC could one buy...
David Devey, 24 Sep 2024 16:18
Yahoo VS Warhard XXL (Image Source: NHRL)

Veteran fighting robot Yahoo claims top spot in NHRL 30 lb weight class

CheckMag Despite taking a few hard hits from competitors, Yahoo has earned the top spot in round six of the National Havoc Robot League qualifiers. With one more qualifier in October, pressure is mounting for teams hoping to be a part of t...
Stephen Pereyra, 24 Sep 2024 06:40
AMD needs to take mobile seriously in order to effectively compete against Snapdragon X and Lunar Lake. (Image source: AMD)

AMD cannot afford to alienate its laptop partners and needs to step on the gas, now!

CheckMag A recent report by AC Analysis seems to indicate AMD's relationship with its laptop OEM partners isn't exactly a rosy affair. The Santa Clara semiconductor giant is reportedly unable to supply enough CPUs to meet partner demands, ...
Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, 18 Sep 2024 19:18
Apple's upcoming M4-powered MacBook Pro lineup is expected to bring substantial performance improvements to the table. (Image source: Own)

Buying a MacBook Pro right now might be a grave mistake - here's why

CheckMag Apple's upcoming MacBook Pro lineup with M4 Pro and M4 Max SoCs is likely to boast serious performance improvements owing to the increased demands of Apple Intelligence, even though any visual changes or OLED displays are unlikely...
Sambit Saha, 13 Sep 2024 19:23
This is the one iPhone feature Android manufacturers need to copy. (Image source: Apple - edited)

The iPhone 16 hardware camera button is the best thing to happen to Android smartphone photography in years

CheckMag Apple may be copying a 15-year-old feature with the Camera Control button, but it's almost guaranteed that Samsung and its ilk will copy the feature. This is excellent news for anyone that wants a physical shutter button but doesn...
Julian van der Merwe, 11 Sep 2024 22:59
"Pro" at last means the same regardless of the screen size - thankfully, a trend a number of manufacturers are now onboard with. (Image Source: Apple)

Finally, the iPhone 16 Pro doesn’t discriminate against those who want a smaller screen

CheckMag Historically, the best features have been reserved for the largest screens, regardless of the "Pro" moniker attached to the name. But some manufacturers are waking up to the fact that not everyone wants a monolith in their pocket....
David Devey, 11 Sep 2024 12:32
The LG OLED Posé Smart Lifestyle TV transforms into a digital canvas when you are not watching it. (Image source: LG)

Five TVs that double as decor for the house

CheckMag A TV doesn't have to be a giant black screen hanging on the wall or sitting on a console table. There are TVs that can also make a statement with unique designs and features that make them more than just another electronic device.
Habeeb Onawole, 07 Sep 2024 10:28
There are options for those who do not want to disassemble their dash to install an Android Auto or Car Play head-unit (Image Source: Carpuride)

Here’s how to add Apple Car Play or Android Auto to your older vehicle without the need to dismantle the dash

CheckMag After-market head units from big brands with Car Play and Android Auto support tend to start at around $250. Even then, they offer a screen that isn’t much bigger than your smartphone. Most relatively modern cars will need a costl...
David Devey, 05 Sep 2024 12:48
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Notebookcheck, 2022-04-20 (Update: 2025-11-17)