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Notebookcheck opinion articles

Occasionally, our writers can share their personal opinion concerning current events with Notebookcheck readers in the form of opinion articles to encourage debate.

Notebookcheck strives to be an unbiased and independent technology publication with a main focus on objective data oriented reviews, along with comprehensive CPU and GPU benchmark score aggregation and delivering trustworthy, transparently sourced news articles on a daily basis.

Notebookcheck has around 80 experienced contributors from all over the world producing written content, as of 2025. We offer our writers an opportunity to share their views with the readers in the form of opinion articles with the goal of encouraging and shaping public debates, in which all parties are welcome to partake. This is why we have a comments section at the end of each article. Readers are not required to sign up to participate.

Opinion articles only express the individual opinion of the author, and not of that of the entire editorial team. To avoid any possible confusion, these articles are clearly labeled as „comment“ and have a distinct visual style as compared to news articles and reviews.

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additional restrictions: Opinion
Casio

🎙️ OpinionUnder $300? Here's my "perfect" watch collection starter kit, with only Timex and Casio

Five watches on a $300 budget, and almost all of them from Casio and Timex. Here's why these two brands give the best bang for your buck, with alternative picks in every slot, from the AE-1200WH and Duro to the AQ-230A, MTP-1302D and Timex Expedition Scout 40.
Anubhav Sharma, 23 Sep 2026 06:58
Diablo 5 has a chance to turn the franchise around, but it will take some serious work

🎙️ OpinionBlizzard, this is the Diablo 5 I want

Diablo V has a rare opportunity to learn from everything that came before it, both within the series and outside it. Here is what I want Blizzard to keep, rethink and completely overhaul for the next chapter.
Anil Ganti, 18 Sep 2026 05:31
Two Starfield characters in a futuristic facility with Nvidia DLSS 5 enabled

DLSS 5 looks creepy in some games, but these examples show its real potential

CheckMag Nvidia's DLSS 5 has faced criticism for its uncanny visuals and performance hit, but when used correctly, it can transform how games look. Here are some of the best examples of the neural rendering technology enhancing visuals while preserving the original art direction.
Anmol Dubey, 08 Sep 2026 09:12
GTA VI, Insomniac's Wolverine, DLSS5, The Blood of Dawnwalker, Gamescom and more, all in one place.

The biggest gaming news from August 2026

GTA VI's Netflix-paywalled trailer, EA's $55B go-private buyout, Marvel's Wolverine backlash, Elden Ring hitting Switch 2, free Witcher 3 expansions, a leaked DLSS 5, Valve's Steam Frame, and a wild month for fighting games. August 2026 had it all, and we're breaking it down in one massive recap.
Santiago Nino, 05 Sep 2026 21:03
Rematch X Blue Lock is finally arriving ahead of the anime's highly anticipated season 3 release.

Rematch's Blue Lock crossover is real, landing right before the anime's return

It's time to officially lock in, egoists. Sloclap confirmed during Sony's State of Play on September 3 that Rematch is finally getting the Blue Lock collaboration fans have been waiting for.
Santiago Nino, 05 Sep 2026 03:15
Professional cosplayers and me

🎙️ OpinionMy first Gamescom: Cosplayers, party vibes, DnD, Schweinsteiger — and elves at the supermarket

This wasn't my first time in Cologne, but it was my first time at Gamescom. Young people, costumes, atmosphere, music and games everywhere you look, but also long lines, lots of advertising and plenty of crowds. Here's how I experienced the massive gaming expo.
Christian Hintze, 31 Aug 2026 15:42
Vampire the Masquerade Reawakened brings both the old and modern world into play using Skyrim's engine as a tool to create an entire standalone experience.

Upcoming Skyrim mod converts the engine into a full Vampire: The Masquerade game

Skyrim is being hollowed out and rebuilt as an old-school World of Darkness RPG. Vampire: The Masquerade Reawakened goes far beyond swapping dragons for vampires, replacing Bethesda’s familiar systems with blood hunting, Disciplines, Humanity and the constant threat of breaking the Masquerade.
Santiago Nino, 31 Aug 2026 02:06
GTA 6 weapon wheel.

GTA 6 preview had one major let down and fans hate it

The Netflix preview is no longer exclusive to the streaming platform and can be watched on YouTube or even downloaded directly from Rockstar. Almost everything about the gameplay looked stunning, but the UI is something that fans unanimously hate.
Vineet Washington, 28 Aug 2026 19:57
The ID. California Cruise electric camper van

Cheaper than the diesel: first electric VW California campervan comes with 2kW outlets and folding mattress

Volkswagen’s ID. California Cruise brings the storied campervan name into the electric era, pairing more than 300 miles of range with a mattress for two, 48-hour cabin power, and 2,000W V2L abilities. The price is reasonable, too, and even lower than the diesel variant.
Daniel Zlatev, 28 Aug 2026 12:10
"I wanted to make a city that feels alive, but is made fully of ASCII symbols."

Solo dev builds ASCII Cyberpunk city in one HTML file

At a time when corporate greed is top-of-mind in the gaming zeitgeist, there are still people who are creating things for the love of the game, instead of the investors. Indie solo dev Grow Now! Games have created a walkable cyberpunk city rendered entirely with ASCII characters.
Santiago Nino, 28 Aug 2026 03:46
Path of Exile 2 will finally get its 1.0 release on December 11

🎙️ OpinionPath of Exile 2 is going 1.0, but I’m still wondering where the rest of the game is

Grinding Gear Games has set December 11 as Path of Exile 2’s 1.0 release date. However, several planned classes, Ascendancies and weapon types are still absent, making the move out of Early Access feel premature.
Anil Ganti, 26 Aug 2026 23:21
The Casio F-91WF-1A

🎙️ OpinionCasio wants almost $50 for fabric-strap on the F-91W, while fans are building it for half that

Casio's F-91WF has been confirmed to sell for about $48 in Thailand. We priced 18 mm nylon straps on AliExpress between $0.99 and $4.85, meaning a standard F-91W plus a band ends up near $25. The catch is fitting the strap, not cost, since spring bar clearance is tight.
Anubhav Sharma, 08 Aug 2026 17:52
Insomniac Games' Marvel's Wolverine puts everything on the line to save a piece of physical media in one of the most ironic trailer releases following Sony's move to end physical media.

Wolverine has become the poster boy in the fight for physical media

Insomniac Games' latest Marvel's Wolverine story trailer was supposed to get fans talking about Logan's brutal journey, Lady Deathstrike, and the game's September release. Instead, much of the conversation has shifted toward Sony's controversial move away from physical media, with perhaps their last physical disc release becoming the centerpiece of the debate.
Santiago Nino, 27 Jul 2026 20:05
One Citizen and Seiko watch

🎙️ OpinionCitizen is now a better watch choice than Seiko

Citizen's watch division has now matched Seiko's revenue for the first time, and the spec sheets detail exactly why. Better movement accuracy, sapphire further down the price range, a five-year warranty, and next to zero service bill — the value crown might've quietly changed hands.
Anubhav Sharma, 24 Jul 2026 13:41
Here we go again. Debian installer.

🎙️ OpinionHot take: Vanilla Debian distro is mid

CheckMag The landscape of Linux distros would be nothing without the solid foundation that is Debian. However, with most other forks using their flagship distros as a showcase, why doesn't Debian?
Stephen Pereyra, 09 Jul 2026 21:58
Bertie Carvel speaks for the first time about his portrayal of Cornelius Fudge and explains why he sees the Minister for Magic not as a villain, but as a traumatized politician.

Harry Potter: HBO actor offers an interesting insight into the character of Cornelius Fudge

Cornelius Fudge is one of the more controversial characters in the Harry Potter universe. Now, HBO actor Bertie Carvel has spoken for the first time about his interpretation of the Minister for Magic. To him, Fudge is less of a coward than a traumatized politician.
Marius Müller, 07 Jul 2026 15:16
The new Seiko x FMA collab comes with automail-screw indices and a transmutation circle dial.

Seiko has turned anime collabs into a product line, and the new Fullmetal Alchemist is the latest drop

Seiko has quietly built a repeatable anime collab formula in 2026, and the new Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood watch is the clearest proof yet that it's working (and that the brand is choosing its IP partners very deliberately).
Anubhav Sharma, 17 Jun 2026 22:31
Mario boards Princess Peach's vacation plane in Super Mario Eclipse.

🎙️ OpinionYou Should Be Modding: Super Mario Sunshine Eclipse

Super Mario Eclipse, the definitive Super Mario Sunshine mod, just received its 1.1 update that (among other fixes & improvements) makes it fully playable on original hardware.
Christopher Harper, 17 Jun 2026 01:46
The Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 (FIFA World Cup 26™ Edition) is now available in the US.

Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 FIFA World Cup 26 now available in the US, but it isn't worth buying

Lenovo has begun selling the FIFA World Cup 26 Edition of the Legion Tab Gen 3 in the US. However, with the standard version available for significantly less, there's no compelling reason to buy the FIFA edition.
Habeeb Onawole, 13 Jun 2026 21:16
The Apple Watch only receives two major operating system updates.

🎙️ OpinionApple Watch becomes smartwatch with ultra-short update support for no good reason

Two major updates. What sounds like the sad footnote of a cheap Android smartphone from the last decade is now a harsh reality for all users of an Apple Watch. Software support is obviously being artificially curtailed without technical necessity.
Hannes Brecher, 08 Jun 2026 21:51
A promo image for the new Seiko x PADI Prospex watch

🎙️ OpinionSeiko's new Prospex collab is beautiful, but why is a $750 limited-edition watch running a budget movement?

Seiko's PADI 60th anniversary Prospex HBB002 is a new beautiful limited-edition diver with a ceramic bezel, sapphire crystal, and a globe-patterned dial. But at $750, it runs the same 4R36 movement found in Seiko's entry-level watches. That's a little...not okay.
Anubhav Sharma, 05 Jun 2026 13:02
1,400 "Overwhelmingly Positive" reviews in 6 days: New free-to-play Steam game with unique mechanic tops charts

1,400 "Overwhelmingly Positive" reviews in 6 days: New free-to-play Steam game with unique mechanic tops charts

Control, I'm Not Coming Back is a free-to-play Steam walking sim that won't let you press S. A 45-minute drift through space with Voyager 1, it's 98% positive across nearly 1.4k reviews days after launch. Here's why this little hopecore game lands so hard.
Anubhav Sharma, 03 Jun 2026 12:17
A clip showing a bot in Old School RuneScape

Old School RuneScape finally feels fair again as Jagex bans 6.2 Million bots

Jagex’s intensified anti-bot measures have reshaped Old School RuneScape in 2026, with over 6.2 million accounts banned and once-crowded farming areas now largely empty. Player reports and creator analyses suggest the crackdown has stabilized key parts of the in-game economy, though remaining bot activity indicates the fight is not over.
Rahim Amir Noorali, 02 Jun 2026 05:13
Nintendo Switch 2 not only offers a roster of compelling exclusives (DK Bananza pictured), but far better performance in third-party titles than Steam Deck or its contemporaries.

🎙️ OpinionPC price hikes make Switch 2 the best value handheld

Price hikes on the Steam Deck and handheld PCs at large make the Nintendo Switch 2's $449.99 MSRP genuinely appetizing in comparison, at least if you want to play games.
Christopher Harper, 01 Jun 2026 21:24
Is Diablo 4 finally good?

🎙️ OpinionDiablo 4 Lord of Hatred isn’t all that it is hyped to be and I will not be convinced otherwise

The newest Diablo 4 expansion has been praised to the high heavens by fans and critics alike. While Lord of Hatred has its upsides, it still doesn't address some fundamental issues with Diablo 4. If anything, some parts make Blizzard look even worse.
Anil Ganti, 27 May 2026 16:47
Battlefield 6 is getting another quality-of-life update with patch 1.3.1.5.

🎙️ OpinionRant incoming: Battlefield 6 needs more than minor QoL fixes

Patch 1.3.1.5 for Battlefield 6 is due to be released on May 26 and is meant to fix several key issues with the shooter. The focus is mainly on fixes for respawns, deployment, maps, Battle Royale, Portal and matchmaking. Here is why that probably will not be enough to shift the mood in the community.
Marius Müller, 25 May 2026 14:37
Devil May Cry 3 Crimson's new title screen added with the 0.5 Update.

🎙️ OpinionYou Should Be Modding: Devil May Cry 3 Crimson 0.5 Update

After a small break, You Should Be Modding returns with a showcase of the best Devil May Cry 3 mod of them all: DMC3 Crimson, a complete transformation that gives the game depth akin to 4 and modded 5 by adding Inertia, new moves, a modernized HUD, and more.
Christopher Harper, 23 May 2026 02:40
Final Fantasy VI original 1994 key art by Yoshitaka Amano.

Final Fantasy VI creator stands by AI remake praise after backlash

Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi has reiterated his support after backlash over his praise of an AI-generated FF remake video, posting his own AI-generated Lost Odyssey art to prove the point.
Darryl Linington, 20 May 2026 08:50
Lossless Scaling's vendor-neutral Frame Generation is a godsend, and not just for games or devices that can't reach high FPS on their own.

🎙️ OpinionYou Should Be Modding: Lossless Scaling Optimization Guide

Update Edited on Monday, May 18th with more detailed optimization info and a few corrections. The first installment of [Tuesday Tweaks] covers Lossless Scaling, its vendor-neutral Frame Generation, and how it can be used to achieve higher framerates in games locked to 30 or 60 FPS, including emulators, fighting games, and etc. The actual Scaling functionality will also be briefly discussed.
Christopher Harper, 18 May 2026 21:51
Steam Controller (2026) close-up

Steam Controller now works without Steam

A patch to Simple DirectMedia Layer (SDL), a universal library for input devices, now allows Steam Controller mappings to be recognized on Windows and Linux without Steam Client being active.
Christopher Harper, 16 May 2026 20:38
Among other features, Devil May Cry 4 modding can grant Dante a proper Judgement Cut, allow you to remove HUD elements, and even add a combo tracker akin to the Tony Hawk series' own.

🎙️ OpinionYou Should Be Modding: Devil May Cry 4

Devil May Cry 4 and the follow-up Special Edition are both very moddable releases, and remain long-time favorites within the Devil May Cry community. In this installment of [Throwback Thursdays], I'll be highlighting the best Devil May Cry 4 mods, for both versions of the game.
Christopher Harper, 15 May 2026 01:36
Apple goes Cherry with the iPhone 18 Pro, say the rumors.

iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max new colors, camera design show up in another leak - Apple playing it safe?

A fresh iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max leak reiterates previous "Dark Cherry" hero color leaks and the triple-lens camera design. Apple’s new Pro and Pro Max models are expected to balance familiar aesthetics with major internal upgrades like a 48MP variable aperture camera, a new camera app and the 2nm A20 Pro chip.
Martin Filipov, 13 May 2026 22:17
Garmin sticks to its high-price strategy

🎙️ OpinionGarmin Forerunner 70: Lack of ideas or robust confidence?

The cat is out of the bag, the Forerunner 70 is official. With it, Garmin is not only offering additional technologies, but also staying fairly true to its pricing strategy. From a business perspective, Garmin basically has little to complain about, though the question of future viability certainly arises.
Silvio Werner, 12 May 2026 17:36
For the first time in official animation, half-demon brothers Dante and Vergil clash outside of the games.

Deal | Devil May Cry Season 2 goes live with whole series on sale

Devil May Cry Season 2 continues its alternate continuity while the original series, as well as the reboot, gets massively discounted on Steam.
Christopher Harper, 12 May 2026 09:15
Devil May Cry 5 modding isn't only cosmetic—it also allows you to play missions and bosses normally locked to other characters.

🎙️ OpinionYou Should Be Modding: Devil May Cry 5

[Modern Mondays] begins with an overview of the best Devil May Cry 5 mods ahead of Season 2 of the Netflix series premiering tomorrow. PC players missing out on Special Edition features need not worry—thanks to mods, the best way to play DMC is on PC.
Christopher Harper, 12 May 2026 02:13
The Sony Xperia 1 VII offers a true zoom camera.

🎙️ OpinionSony Xperia 1 VIII's tele camera said to be better, but is still disappointing

The Sony Xperia 1 VIII is said to get rid of one of the most unique features of the Xperia 1 VII - the telephoto camera with true optical zoom. Thanks to a drastic sensor upgrade, this is (almost) always an upgrade for users, but this change in strategy is a loss for the smartphone market.
Hannes Brecher, 05 May 2026 21:10
The Blade 18. Some elements stick out but it's all for a reason.

🎙️ Opinion5 notebooks with nicer-looking bottoms from the last 365 days

CheckMag Notebookcheck reviews hundreds of laptops every year. Some review units earn extra points for features not found elsewhere, or delivering higher-than-average performance, or being easier on the user's eyes. It's the last category that gets some spotlight today.
Sergey Tarasov, 04 May 2026 00:09
Counter-Strike 2 banner with M249s overlaid on it.

🎙️ OpinionCounter-Strike doesn't deserve this weapon, and for good reason

The M249 is CS2's most expensive weapon at $5,200 - and its most useless. With worse stats than guns half its price, zero pro pick rate, and a kill reward identical to budget rifles, Valve's forgotten LMG is less a weapon, more a $5,200 mistake.
Anubhav Sharma, 01 May 2026 23:08
An ingame screenshot with the Steam "Mixed" review rating overlaid on top.

Invincible VS is off to a rough start on Steam - users are asking for refunds

Invincible VS launched on Steam April 30 to decent critic scores, but user reviews tell a whole different story - pre-order bonus failures, a 90-minute story mode, and aggressive skin pricing have already put Skybound's new fighter on somewhat shaky footing.
Anubhav Sharma, 01 May 2026 10:37
Windrose entered Early Access on April 14.

🎙️ OpinionWhy Windrose borrows from the competition – and still stands out

After the failure of Skull and Bones, Windrose is emerging as a new hope for pirate fans. Here’s what sets the game apart from its competitors – and why abandoning the MMO model was probably the right decision.
Marius Müller, 20 Apr 2026 16:38
The Casio F-91W on a wrist.

🎙️ OpinionThe $20 Casio F-91W might finally be obsolete and overpriced in 2026

Is $20 Casio F-91W a steal or just a "Heritage Tax"? Outclassed by MRW-100H and AE-1200, the legend’s value is under fire nowadays. We explore why this icon might be overpriced - and why enthusiasts still keep giving it a nod of approval.
Anubhav Sharma, 19 Apr 2026 13:27
The Nintendo Switch 2 could be cheaper and more powerful as a pure home console.

🎙️ OpinionNintendo Switch 2 Home could defy DRAM crisis with more power at lower price

With a list price of $449, the Nintendo Switch 2 is more expensive than the Steam Deck, and could soon become even more expensive due to the DRAM crisis. With a version of the Nintendo Switch 2 that only functions as a home console, Nintendo could offer more performance at a lower price.
Hannes Brecher, 15 Apr 2026 21:04
The Leica M12 could also be offered as a Heritage Edition with retro features of the Leica M4-P pictured here.

🎙️ OpinionLeica M12 Heritage Edition should offer these 7 retro features

Leica has already hinted that the Leica M12 could be offered as a "Heritage Edition". The compact full-frame camera could take up the legacy of the Leica M series with a range of retro features, clearly setting it apart from all digital cameras on the market.
Hannes Brecher, 15 Apr 2026 20:32
The Xbox Wireless Controller Starfield Edition is no longer available to buy.

🎙️ OpinionXbox's best limited edition controller deserves a DualSense version

Starfield is now available for the PS5/PS5 Pro, but unlike when it launched on the Xbox, there isn't a limited edition controller based on the video game. However, it isn't too late to make one.
Habeeb Onawole, 10 Apr 2026 10:46
Side by side images of Thragg from the comics vs Thragg from the TV show.

🎙️ OpinionInvincible should stop paying for names and start paying for frames

Why does a $4M-per-episode show look like a PowerPoint? From single-frame animation sequences to the 'fat baby' Thragg character design, Amazon’s celebrity tax is killing the series. This is a look inside the Hollywood-first strategy that’s trading actual frames for marquee names. This article contains spoilers.
Anubhav Sharma, 10 Apr 2026 10:38
Invincible VS's open beta runs from April 9th to April 11th, exclusively on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S|X consoles.

🎙️ OpinionInvincible VS headed by Killer Instinct producer, and Open Beta has started

Mike Willette, voice actor and producer, discusses his work on Killer Instinct 2013 as part of Invincible VS' background during its simultaneous Game Informer cover story and Open Beta start earlier today.
Christopher Harper, 10 Apr 2026 04:33
A magnifying glass hovering over the Google logo.

🎙️ OpinionAI slop is winning the battle for the internet front page

As of April 2026, a huge chunk of new web pages are AI-generated, which is making finding authentic hardware benchmarks harder than ever. This flood of automated slop warrants a return to whitelist browsing and verified sources.
Anubhav Sharma, 08 Apr 2026 17:27
Counter-Strike 2's new animation overhaul promises a far more seamless, realistic handling of animations on sloped surfaces and in general.

🎙️ OpinionCounter-Strike 2 movement update is transformative

Not every Counter-Strike update is good, and not every video essay is worthy of an essay—but Counter-Strike 2's new animgraph overhaul ported and overhauled from Half-Life: Alyx may be worth revisiting the game.
Christopher Harper, 07 Apr 2026 02:29
The looming shadows of the sci-fi conflicts to define the rest of the series stop being shadows here.

🎙️ OpinionInvincible may never have a better episode

The latest episode of Invincible, Season 4 Episode 5: Give Us A Moment, may be the most-balanced episode of television the show can ever give us. This is thanks to a 50-50 split between some of the best slow character work and most savage action the series has to offer. Warning for minor spoilers ahead.
Christopher Harper, 03 Apr 2026 07:43
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Notebookcheck, 2020-06- 2 (Update: 2025-07-30)