reviews
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At Windows Central, we pride ourselves on our reviews. We often write very long, in-depth expert reviews. We also publish medium-length reviews that cover all the bases without delving too deep. And we post quick-and-dirty "rapid" reviews that get right to the point, so you can get on with your day.
And we review just about anything that's relevant to Microsoft and the Windows ecosystem, including PCs (laptops, desktops, 2-in-1s, all-in-ones, convertibles, towers, and everything else), phones, apps, games (Xbox and PC), and what seems like an endless array of peripherals and accessories for all of these things.
If it is Windows-related reviews you seek, you have come to the right page.
Latest reviews
![XREAL Air 2 Pro Review](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/S6dbVjBAwb89KUWFmBeYdn-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/S6dbVjBAwb89KUWFmBeYdn-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/S6dbVjBAwb89KUWFmBeYdn-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/S6dbVjBAwb89KUWFmBeYdn-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/S6dbVjBAwb89KUWFmBeYdn-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/S6dbVjBAwb89KUWFmBeYdn-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/S6dbVjBAwb89KUWFmBeYdn-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/S6dbVjBAwb89KUWFmBeYdn-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
XREAL Air 2 Pro (2024) review: Leaving HoloLens in the dust, the sky's the limit for XREAL
By Jez Corden published
REVIEW XREAL Air 2 Pro (2024) review: XREAL said no to ugly glasses or bulky face computers, and emerged with something you may actually not only want to use — but love to use.
![Xbox Series S](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eYbVvYCyQRZ9YR8GJEcFU9-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eYbVvYCyQRZ9YR8GJEcFU9-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eYbVvYCyQRZ9YR8GJEcFU9-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eYbVvYCyQRZ9YR8GJEcFU9-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eYbVvYCyQRZ9YR8GJEcFU9-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eYbVvYCyQRZ9YR8GJEcFU9-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eYbVvYCyQRZ9YR8GJEcFU9-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eYbVvYCyQRZ9YR8GJEcFU9-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Xbox Series S review (2024): The best choice for gamers on a budget
By Jennifer Young published
Review The Xbox Series S is a cheap and cheerful console for the current Xbox generation, but not without some minor drawbacks
![Image of the Acer Swift X 14 (SFX14-71G).](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yzmjebjtRvRxiaQ36b4eDG-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yzmjebjtRvRxiaQ36b4eDG-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yzmjebjtRvRxiaQ36b4eDG-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yzmjebjtRvRxiaQ36b4eDG-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yzmjebjtRvRxiaQ36b4eDG-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yzmjebjtRvRxiaQ36b4eDG-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yzmjebjtRvRxiaQ36b4eDG-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yzmjebjtRvRxiaQ36b4eDG-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Acer Swift X 14 (SFX14-71G) review: A great OLED display isn't enough on its own
By Zachary Boddy published
Review The Acer Swift X 14 pairs powerful internals with an amazing OLED screen, but a boring design, bloated software, and inconsistent network performance hold it back.
![ROG Ally SSD upgrade: Install new SSD.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eJPsm4KC8vR55R6mhVtRYN-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eJPsm4KC8vR55R6mhVtRYN-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eJPsm4KC8vR55R6mhVtRYN-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eJPsm4KC8vR55R6mhVtRYN-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eJPsm4KC8vR55R6mhVtRYN-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eJPsm4KC8vR55R6mhVtRYN-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eJPsm4KC8vR55R6mhVtRYN-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eJPsm4KC8vR55R6mhVtRYN-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
WD_Black SN770M SSD for ROG Ally review: Forget microSD cards, THIS is the definitive upgrade
By Rebecca Spear published
Review Installing the WD_BLACK SN770M SSD into my ROG Ally has perfected my gaming handheld experience, and I can't recommend it enough.
![Image of the AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2) external capture card.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uit5kWqG2jjo4z5zTFb2dJ-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uit5kWqG2jjo4z5zTFb2dJ-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uit5kWqG2jjo4z5zTFb2dJ-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uit5kWqG2jjo4z5zTFb2dJ-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uit5kWqG2jjo4z5zTFb2dJ-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uit5kWqG2jjo4z5zTFb2dJ-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uit5kWqG2jjo4z5zTFb2dJ-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uit5kWqG2jjo4z5zTFb2dJ-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2) review: True 4K/60 FPS recording on consoles and PC, but the software needs work
By Zachary Boddy published
Review The Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 is a premium capture box for recording up to 4K @ 60 FPS footage on practically any HDMI-connected device, and it's a pretty great option.
![Image of the Audeze Maxwell.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qbHsuLmWZxtVQvF7rDon5F-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qbHsuLmWZxtVQvF7rDon5F-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qbHsuLmWZxtVQvF7rDon5F-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qbHsuLmWZxtVQvF7rDon5F-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qbHsuLmWZxtVQvF7rDon5F-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qbHsuLmWZxtVQvF7rDon5F-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qbHsuLmWZxtVQvF7rDon5F-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qbHsuLmWZxtVQvF7rDon5F-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Audeze Maxwell review (Xbox & PC): Incredible sound and all the right pieces, but not quite perfectly put together
By Zachary Boddy published
Review My review of the Audeze Maxwell wireless gaming headset for Xbox and PC details the absolutely incredible sound quality and all the little flaws.
![AYANEO Retro Mini PC AM01 in hand.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Fu2iz3VDgDCxDMCwMWCPs4-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Fu2iz3VDgDCxDMCwMWCPs4-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Fu2iz3VDgDCxDMCwMWCPs4-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Fu2iz3VDgDCxDMCwMWCPs4-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Fu2iz3VDgDCxDMCwMWCPs4-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Fu2iz3VDgDCxDMCwMWCPs4-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Fu2iz3VDgDCxDMCwMWCPs4-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Fu2iz3VDgDCxDMCwMWCPs4-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
AYANEO Retro Mini PC AM01 review: Compact but mighty enough for light gaming
By Rebecca Spear published
Review AYANEO Retro Mini PC AM01 is a fantastic Windows 11 computer resembling an old rival, but it handles office work and light gaming — our review.
![Autonomous SmartDesk Core with IKEA tabletop](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/feL3FisxQwGBYvARPcfoZV-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/feL3FisxQwGBYvARPcfoZV-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/feL3FisxQwGBYvARPcfoZV-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/feL3FisxQwGBYvARPcfoZV-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/feL3FisxQwGBYvARPcfoZV-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/feL3FisxQwGBYvARPcfoZV-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/feL3FisxQwGBYvARPcfoZV-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/feL3FisxQwGBYvARPcfoZV-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Autonomous SmartDesk Core review: This standing desk transformed my home office, and it's so quiet it doesn't wake my dog
By Sean Endicott published
Review The Autonomous SmartDesk Core is a sturdy standing desk that is also perfect for sitting. I spent around one month with the desk, which transformed my home office.
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