ROG Strix SCAR 17 Special Edition & ROG Flow X16 Malaysia release: starting price from RM9,499

Following the announcement of the ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) gaming laptop lineup back in the middle of June 2022, the company has released yet two more models that are the ROG Strix SCAR 17 Special Edition and the ROG Flow X16. As you may know, 2022 laptops have become more expensive than before due to inflation so the starting price is a hefty RM9,499.

Starting with the new ROG Strix SCAR 17 Special Edition, it houses the latest hardware such as the 12th Gen Intel Core i9-12950HX processor, RTX 3080 Ti 16GB GDDR6 GPU, 32GB of DDR5-4800MHz of RAM, and a dual 1TB+1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD (RAID 0) of storage. Yes, this is a highly premium gaming laptop that's on full steroids.

To complement the high-end tier specs, a maximum CPU TDP of 65 W and a maximum GPU TGP of 175 W with Dynamic Boost, the SCAR 17 SE has the horsepower to reach QHD 240 Hz refresh rate and just 3 ms response times. The 90WHrs battery is also supported by a 330W AC adapter. Should you get this gaming laptop at the price of RM17,999, it comes bundled with a ROG Keystone, ROG Backpack, ROG Delta Headset, and a ROG Chakram Core gaming mouse.

As for the ROG Flow X16, it's another better variant of the ROG Flow X13. The ROG Flow X16 is a 16-inch thin and light convertible laptop, powered an AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS processor and up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti Laptop GPU, with support for the XG Mobile family of external GPUs. Weighing at just 2.1 kg, the Flow X16 also features the ROG Nebula HDR Display, and up to QHD 165 Hz Mini LED panel with 1100 nits peak brightness and a 100% DCI-P3 gamut.

Alternatively, you can also get the other model that features a QHD 165Hz IPS display and an RTX 3060 6GB GDDR6 GPU. The memory configuration for both models are the same - a 16GB DDR5-4800MHz of RAM and 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD of storage. Prices for the ROG Flow X16 based on the GPU and display are RM11,999 and RM9,499 respectively.

Both the ROG Strix SCAR 17 Special Edition and the ROG Flow X16 are now available for purchase in the Malaysian market. To know more about these gaming laptops, you may visit the hyperlinks given. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


ROG Strix SCAR II and Hero II revealed with new design, major tech-specs and more

While the ROG Phone was announced, ASUS Republic of Gamers also unveiled two brand new laptops which are the ROG Strix SCAR II and Hero II Edition as gaming laptops built exclusively for eSports games. New features for the Strix SCAR II include a new keyboard layout with Kevlar-inspired markings and a front light bar with customizable Aura Sync lighting, while the Strix Hero II has upgraded its design with a super-narrow bezel for the IPS-level display of 100% sRGB colour gamut as well as a desktop-grade keyboard.

But what's the difference between the two laptops? Well, just like last year - the Strix SCAR II is specially designed for FPS games and the latter is more suitable for MOBA games. Strix SCAR II has a highlighted WASD key group and a Kevlar-like finish for palm rest, which makes the laptop design part look like it was made from an assault rifle. Then for the Strix Hero II, the QWER key group are highlighted with a metallic Mystic Black finish with rear vents in Burning Red.

The Strix SCAR II edition, the overall design is quite similar to the Strix Hero II edition except for the QWER keys and the back cover

The keyboard layout with the anodized Gunmetal Gray finish, looks pretty rad

Design looks quite slim for a gaming laptop, both editions weighs 2.4kg

For the tech-specs, though, both laptops have the world's first 144Hz display with an ultrafast 3ms gray-to-gray (GTG) response time, a HyperStrike Pro gaming keyboard for improved control, a HyperCool Pro technology to cool its high-performance CPU and GPU, as well as having a multi-antenna Wi-Fi for improved connectivity. Below is the official tech-specs for both laptops:

Meanwhile, the ROG Zephyrus M was also properly introduced this time (since it already appeared in the Malaysia market) and picks up where its predecessor left off. It’s powered by up to an 8th Generation Intel Core i7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 graphics and features an IPS-level display with a 144Hz refresh rate, 3ms response time, and NVIDIA G-SYNC technology. In addition, there's also an Active Aerodynamic System (AAS) to ensure it runs cool and quiet even at high processor loads. To find out more, you can go over to their official webpage here to check it out.

Unfortunately, no price and availability were shown but we think it might arrive to Malaysia in August or September 2018. Stay tuned for more ROG news at TechNave.com.


ROG Strix XG17 - A pretty cool but pricey portable gaming monitor

If "Wow, that's a small monitor" is the first thing that comes into your mind, you're correct. The ROG Strix XG17 size is exactly what you think but with a good reason. This monitor is marketed as a portable gaming monitor but how does that work? And why should anyone get it? Well, I've been using this for two weeks now so here are all the pros and cons you need to know. Without further ado, here's the ROG Strix XG17 portable gaming monitor review!

Right off the bat, the box comes with the portable gaming monitor (ROG Strix XG17AHP) that measures 17.3-inches, a ROG stand, a ROG Smart Cover, HDMI to microSD cable x1, USB-C to USB-C cable x1, and different plugs for use in different countries. Strangely, ASUS didn't provide any USB-A to USB-C cable to be used with the power adapter so you would have to get one yourself. But on the other hand, at least they prepared a nice ROG sling bag for the monitor.

Simple and clean design, the screen panel is 17.3-inches

All the ports and buttons can be found on the left side. There's the usual power button, volume controls, and settings on the upper half. On the bottom half, you can find the ports (HDMI x1 and USB C x2) including a 3.5mm headphone jack which is nice

The ROG Cover, ROG Stand, and the rest of the plugs

Using the ROG Cover, which connects the monitor magnetically

You can find the speaker at the bottom of the monitor, meaning you can play your games or videos on the spot

The Micro-HDMI and USB-C to USB-C cables

There are two ways to set up the monitor, you can either use the stand or the smart cover depending on your preference. Personally, I find using the smart cover the smarter choice when you're bringing it around but if you're planning to just put it at home, then the stand is obviously the way to go. You can also set up your own gaming profiles in the GameVisual setting with 8 modes available - Scenery, Racing, Cinema, RTS, RPG, FPS, MOBA, sRGB Mode. Of course, you could also customise the setup to your personal preference.

In terms of the tech specs, this compact gaming monitor is quite impressive as it supports 1920 x 1080 resolution, up to 240Hz refresh rate, 3ms response time, and even has a built-in 7800mAh battery! That's right, you can play your games without a power adapter but we will talk more about that later. Besides connecting to your laptop or a gaming console, it's also worth mentioning that you can sync it with a ROG Phone (and other compatible phones) thanks to the USB-C to USB-C cable, so you don't even need a monitor dock.

Without wasting too much time, we have now come to the graphics display performance. When we were testing the monitor with some 4K resolution videos, we were blown away by the sharpness and detail. The photos that you see here don't do any justice and we really wished that you could see how the actual monitor performs in person. Additionally, graphics performance in games were impressive as well. However, we did notice some lag if you connect an entry-level laptop to the monitor so it's best to pair it up with a gaming laptop.

This photo of a 4K video sample does not do the monitor any justice

Colour contrast representation is excellent

Playing The Witcher 3 on max graphics settings and 120Hz, no screen tearing

Not a problem for games like Doom Eternal and cinematic scenes were good

Although this wasn't mentioned on the website, we suspect that the monitor has its own graphics card enhancement feature. For example, playing Pokemon Sword on the Nintendo Switch with the ROG Strix XG17 felt kinda different, same goes for playing Doom Eternal when connecting to an ASUS TUF gaming laptop. Watching a Blu-Ray anime movie on this monitor was also a delightful experience thanks to the sRGB 100% colour palette.

Despite all the activities mentioned above, I was surprised at how durable the monitor's battery life is. After playing Doom Eternal for nearly 2 hours and watching an anime movie (Blu-Ray) for an hour, the ROG Strix XG17's battery only dropped down to 56% with the monitor set to 120Hz the entire time. In other words, if you bring this monitor to a friend's house and play some games on Nintendo Switch or PlayStation 4, it could potentially last for around 6 hours (depending on refresh rate setting)! That's more than enough for everyone to take turns and have fun together.

This was around 3 hours of usage, most impressive

Apart from being portable, the graphics performance and battery life are also commendable and we really enjoyed using it. But how much does it cost? Well, ASUS Malaysia didn't specifically list the price on their website but its price ranges from RM1998 to RM2689 on the websites of authorised online retailers. I suppose that would be the only downside of this monitor.

At that price range, you can easily get larger gaming monitors that offer similar tech specs and features, though it will lack the portability. I guess in the end, this really depends on your lifestyle say like - if you happen to be a pro-gamer who's often on the move, then this monitor can be quite useful for you. I guess you can also get this for your gaming smartphone (if compatible) but otherwise, it's a rather heavy investment.

Pros: Great for Switch or PS4 parties with your friends, amazing graphics performance, durable battery life (unplugged) and extremely compact

Cons: Quite pricey and falls into a niche market

Conclusion: Get this gaming monitor only if you travel a lot as a professional eSports gamer


ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 GX650 with AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX leaked online

Hey, it's December - the season for Christmas shopping! For some, it might be a good time to consider getting a new gaming rig. Of course, not all of us like having bulky desktop PCs. If you're in the laptop gang, ASUS is ready to launch a new ROG laptop soon.

As spotted by MyLaptopGuide, new variants of the ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 GX650 are on the way. Specifically, three variants of the laptop have been certified on the Bluetooth SIG website. The model numbers are GX650RX, GX650RW, and GX650RM. Interestingly, the listings have since been removed. We're not sure if this means it's not ready for launch, but we think that ASUS will introduce these during CES 2022.

In terms of specs, the ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 GX650 will allegedly come with the AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX CPU. It'll also pack an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti GPU, 16GB of DDR5 RAM (4666MHz), and 1TB of NVMe SSD storage. Being a 16-inch device, it comes with a 16-inch FHD+ display with a 300Hz refresh rate too.

Overall, this is going to be a high-end gaming laptop. It might not quite be ready for Christmas, but you might want to take note of it. Having said that, which do you prefer - gaming desktop or gaming laptop? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 review - An overpowered & overpriced laptop

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) has always been known for coming up with wild gamer aesthetics for its gaming devices, and the ROG Zephyrus is no different. Although it has come a long way since 2017, this gaming/content creator laptop is truly one of a kind. For this year's model, it may have become beefier than before and a beast in its own league.

Now, I have reviewed a few gaming laptops over the years but never anything like the ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 2023 (GX650). The secondary display is bonkers, but one question that almost everyone has in mind is - is it still necessary? After playing with it for two weeks, I can definitely tell you this is a very niche product. Read on below to check out the pros and cons.

For starters, the Zephyrus Duo 16 hasn't changed much since the inception of the secondary screen in 2021. The display got upgraded from 15.6 inches to 16 inches for a 16:10 aspect ratio in QHD+ (2560 x 1600) resolution. Besides the 240Hz refresh rate, the display panel is Pantone Validated, VESA DisplayHDR certified and supports Dolby Vision. Needless to say, the visuals are superb and pleasing to the eyes.

Before and after setting up the ScreenPad Plus

The Zephyrus Duo 16 cover. There's no AniMatrix LED on it, though

It's nice to have some ports at the back

The power connector is oddly placed on the left side. I would prefer it to be behind, though, next to the HDMI port

I usually need to put a small box to elevate it higher for a better working posture

The hinge got higher too, compared to its predecessor

On the other hand, the ScreenPad Plus' secondary display specs are impressive too. It features 400nits of brightness, a 100% sRGB colour gamut, as well as Gorilla Glass DXC to reduce surface reflections. Since it was my first time using it, I was bewildered about what I could do with it. It's a great way to multitask if you're that type.

Like before, ASUS' integrated ScreenXpert is back with the third version to make out the best of the touchscreen. You can manage app windows if you like but ultimately, ScreenPad Plus is meant to let you be productive as a content creator. This includes video editing with the control panel at the bottom and streaming while gaming. Some video games also support the function but from what I know, only the Dying Light series (which I don't have) integrated this feature.

While it sounds great on paper, the practicality of the Zephyrus Duo 16 could use some improvement. I'm not saying the ScreenPad Plus is useless, but it's not high enough. If I lay it on a table, I have to put a small box behind it to elevate it slightly because it's hard for me to look at the ScreenPad Plus when it's laid flat. A laptop stand is very useful for this situation but you would need to get a much more durable one, as the Zephyrus Duo 16 is too heavy for plastic laptop stands to handle.

Managing my emails and watching YouTube at the same time. It's a touchscreen too, but I wouldn't want to smudge the panel too much

Ideally, this is what you can do with the ScreenPad Plus

While you can simply drag windows to the bottom, not all the programs work with the ScreenPad Plus (unfortunately)

As you can see, that's just a little tiny issue, so it wasn't much of a problem. Working on the Zephyrus Duo 16 is pretty great too, as I could multitask on it - looking at incoming emails, replying to WhatsApp and doing my work at the same time. You could even put a small YouTube window on the ScreenPad Plus and listen to some videos or songs while working.

Video editing on the Zephyrus Duo 16 is... well, I couldn't experience it because my Vegas Pro 15 program wasn't supported. However, I would imagine that I won't get used to looking at the video timeline below. But it's nice to give the video preview more space. I don't stream either, but theoretically, this should also provide a pleasant experience for streamers to play their games on one screen without much intrusion from the chats below.

I should also mention that the laptop froze when I tried using the Vegas Pro 15 to edit my videos. It could either be a bug or just the video editing program's fault, but it got better only after I plugged in the power adapter. As a compact laptop for content creators, it would have been a problem if you couldn't find power sources nearby. And it's unclear if other programs have the same bug as well. Hopefully, ASUS can patch this up.

Benchmark from Far Cry 6 in HD Texture with the highest settings

In terms of performance, this bad boy runs on AMD's Ryzen 9 7945H processor, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU, and 64GB of DDR5 RAM. It also has 2TB of PCIe 4.0 NVMe M2 SSD (RAID 0) storage. This is seriously an overpowered gaming laptop, so I don't think I'll need to tell you about its gaming performance. But if you like, I can tell you that it can run Far Cry 6 in HD textures like butter in the highest settings. The display can also handle fast-paced FPS like Doom Eternal seamlessly, and I didn't use the MUX Switch that often.

With great power comes great heat generation too. Thankfully, ASUS integrated an improved ROG Intelligent Cooling Liquid Metal Conductonaut Extreme Ecosystem for the CPU. So, my fingers didn't feel like they were on fire. And because the laptop was always sitting on a small box on its rear, the heat could flow out better.

It's also worth mentioning that the Dolby Atmos six speakers are excellent and sound great. Even at max volume, the laptop handled it like a champ, delivering a respectable sound balance between the bass and treble. Battery performance is also not bad. I could typically work on the Zephyrus Duo 16 for the whole morning before needing to charge. Also, thanks to Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, I could download those big AAA games within two hours or so (per download).

The Zephyrus Duo 16 is undoubtedly a powerful workstation for gamers and content creators. However, you should know that it costs a hefty price of RM22,999. I suppose that's the only downside of the laptop because that amount of money can easily be used for something more important. As a Malaysian, spending that much money on a laptop just doesn't make sense.

You might as well spend the money on an ultrawide monitor to pair it with your laptop

As I've mentioned, the Zephyrus Duo 16 is a very niche product for a niche target group. Ideally, this laptop is a great compact companion for those on the go, travelling to events and places. There's nothing wrong with using this at home either, but you might as well get an ultrawide monitor. Even that would cost less. The Zephyrus Duo 16 is just too damn expensive.

Pros - An extremely powerful laptop for gamers and content creators who are often on the go for their work

Cons - Requires a solid laptop stand or small box to keep the laptop elevated (for an easier view of the ScreenPad Plus), and too damn expensive

Conclusion - It's a powerful performing and expensive laptop for a niche market


ROG Zephyrus now in Malaysia for RM15,999 along with a new ROG Masters 2017 season

Today, ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) Malaysia has finally brought in the world's slimmest gaming laptop called the ROG Zephyrus (GX501VI) at the price of RM15,999. Pre-order is now available and customers who order it will get a nice Epic 12 Limited Bundle consisting a ROG Centurion 7.1 Headset, a ROG Gladius II gaming mouse and a pair of ROG Masters International Grand Final VIP tickets @ KLCC (valued over RM2000). Below is the official tech-specs for the Malaysia market.

For a gaming laptop, it doesn't weigh that heavily

The gaming laptop has four ventilation grills

On the other hand, there are also other two desktops - ROG GT51CH and ROG Strix GD30CI which are RM11999 and RM7499 respectively. The GT51 features a 4.8GHz Intel Core i7-7700K processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 2-way SLI, and 64GB of DDR4 2800MHz memory, while the latter sports the latest 7th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080Ti graphics, a plug-and-play 2.5-inch SSD module and more. Pre-order for the GT51 is available now but not for the GD30 which will come on 18 September 2017.

Models showing the ROG Strix GD30 (left) and ROG GT51 (right)

In conjunction with the launch, the ROG Masters 2017 Malaysian Qualifier registration has started for all DotA 2 and Counter-Strike: Global Offense to participate (FOC) in the qualifying round and stand a chance to win a total prize pool of RM100k. The tournament will take place on 16 and 17 September 2017 at 1 Utama, New Wing LG Concourse.

Stay tuned for more ROG news at TechNave.com


ROG Zephyrus revealed as the world’s slimmest gaming laptop by ASUS

Today, ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) proudly presented their latest and the world’s slimmest gaming laptop - the ROG Zephyrus. Alongside that, ROG also announced a new pair of specialized ROG Strix Scar and Strix Hero edition, two new motherboards (ROG Rampage VI Extreme 2D and 3D with Aura), ROG Strix Fusion gaming headset, and a new ROG Swift Curved PG35VQ gaming monitor.

Let’s take a look at the Zephyrus specifications:

As a high end compact gaming laptop, it possess an exclusive Active Aerodynamic System (AAS) that runs cooler and quieter without sacrificing performance. How this is done is the AAS will increase the speed and efficiency of airflow through the laptop, then then the fan’s 3D-curved surface cover and accelerator guides enhance airflow and move heat away from the components more efficiently by 20%. It can be noted that there are 4 vents with two at the back and each by the side.

ASUS Aura RGB lighting technology allows gamers to have a customizable lighting effects over the entire keyboard, as well as separately highlighted customizable effects for the WASD and QWER key groups. The touchpad on the right side of the keyboard also integrates a 10-key function.

ROG Marketing Director Derek Yu unveils the latest esports laptops - Strix SCAR edition (left) and Strix Hero edition (right)

On the other hand, the brand-new Strix SCAR Edition and Strix Hero Edition gaming laptops are respectively targeting FPS gamers and MOBA gamers. In both cases, the core functionality has been meticulously designed with Intel Core i7 processors, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 10 Series graphics and a 120Hz wide-view display with rich color.

There were no prices revealed, neither the availability of the all the products mentioned above. We will keep a close eye on ASUS Malaysia if they plan to bring into Malaysia or not, stay tuned for more ASUS ROG news at TechNave.com.


ROG showcased new Zephyrus 2023 lineup with Intel Core i9, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU & more

This year, ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) is back again with the Zephyrus M16. Built for gamers and creators alike, the laptop retains the same design but with an improved Tri-Fan Technology cooling system and many more.

Equipped with an Intel Core i9 13900H CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU with a MUX Switch and NVIDIA Advanced Optimus, the 2023 Zephyrus M16 now runs 25W higher than the predecessor. It's also the first 16-inch device equipped with ROG’s iconic AniMe Matrix LED lighting array.

Also upgraded to a 16-inch, QHD Nebula HDR Display with Mini-LED technology, the Zephyrus M16 doubles the amount of last year's panel with 1100 nits of peak brightness. The display also supports up to 240Hz refresh rate and 100% DCI-P3 coverage, whereas other new Zephyrus models also received hardware upgrades.

For example, there's a brand-new Zephyrus G16 with an Intel Core i9 13900H CPU and up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU with a MUX Switch and NVIDIA Advanced Optimus. The G16 also comes equipped with its very own Nebula Display, a 16-inch, QHD, 240 Hz Display. Additionally, the Zephyrus G14 features up to an AMD Ryzen Zen 4 CPU and up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU with the same MUX and NVIDIA features. It's the first 14-inch Nebula HDR display for the Zephyrus lineup, with 504 dimming zones, 600 nits of peak brightness and 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 colour grade.

Finally, the Zephyrus Duo 16 continues its dual display setup comprising a 16-inch Mini LED panel and a 4K touchscreen. Now upgraded with an AMD Ryzen Zen 4 processor with 16 cores and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU with a MUX Switch, this laptop should be a dream device for creators who multitask a lot as usual.

ASUS hasn't announced all the prices and availability for the laptop models above, but they should arrive in Malaysia in due time. Until then, stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


ROIDMI EVE PLUS robot vacuum going for RM1588 + free air purifier on Shopee

ROIDMI recently announced an early year promotion on their website for their ROIDMI EVE PLUS self-emptying robot vacuum and mop at just RM1588. Normally priced at RM2699, the robot vacuum will not only get a discount of RM1111 but there’s also a free desktop air purifier with HEPA filters for the first 88 customers worth up to RM399. The offer starts at 0:00 on 27 March 2022 while stocks last so be prepared for a midnight raid.

Coming in black and white, the ROIDMI EVE PLUS will not only vacuum and mop your home, once it returns to its station, it will also empty the dust tray automatically into a 3L enclosed dust bag which will then be self-sterilized. ROIDMI tells us that the bag can hold about 30 dust trays, so you won’t need to replace that 3L dust bag for at least 60 days (but that depends entirely on how dusty your home is of course).

Other features for the ROIDMI EVE PLUS include suction power up to 2700pa and a smart mopping module with 3 settings with a 220 ml water tank but for all the tech specs and functions do check out their site. It can also do along-the-wall cleaning over door strips and has an estimated 250-minute runtime with its 5200 mAh battery, so you can just plug in the station, do the settings via the phone app and let it do the job by itself.

So, what do you think? Would you be interested in picking up the ROIDMI EVE PLUS? If you’ve already bought one, leave us a review of it on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more tech deals like this.

You can set the ROIDMI EVE PLUS self-emptying robot vacuum and mop using the phone app

The ROIDMI EVE PLUS can do wall to wall cleaning...

It has a 220ml water tank for mopping too

When the ROIDMI EVE PLUS is full or needs recharging it will automatically return to the station to empty the dust tray, which will then be self-sterilized


RRQ.ATHENA emerged as the champion of the PMCO 2019 SEA Grand Finals

At the end of the PMCO 2019 SEA grand finals, team RRQ.ATHENA emerged the victors of the tournament bagging a total of USD35000(~RM144795) in prizes. With that said, the champions along with teams such as ILLUMINATE THE MURDER will both given a slot to compete in the Global Final Stage, while other teams such as MEGA CONQUEROR, BIGETRON as well as ORANGE.ESPORTS will have to go through the preliminary round of the PMCO Global Finals.

With all that said, all this is made possible thanks to the vivo V17 Pro which comes with various features to ensure that esports athletes are able to perform at their best. The aforementioned smartphone comes with various features such as Game Mode as well as Multi-Turbo acceleration.

These features work by optimizing the game as well as the smartphone, in order to make the make run smoother and more immersive. With all that said, Head of E-sport for PUBG Mobile in Southeast Asia has announced their plans for PUBG Mobile esports for the year 2020. Did you manage to catch the PMCO 2019 Grand Finals? Let us know on our Facebook page, and for more updates like this stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Acer's latest Nitro 5 gaming laptop now available for RM2999, comes with 120Hz refresh rate display

When it comes to gaming laptops, there's no lack of option these days even if you have a tight budget. But this time around we've found an option that you might be interested in. Acer's latest variant of the Nitro 5 gaming laptop comes with pretty good specs and has a price tag that won't make your finance manager (read: wallet) cry.

Earlier today, Acer Malaysia announced the new Nitro 5 for Malaysia with a price of RM2999. It has an AMD Ryzen 3750H CPU, Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 GPU, 4GB of DDR4 RAM, and a sizable 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD. If that's not enough, you can upgrade the RAM all the way to 32GB, add another SSD via the M.2 slot, or slot in a 2.5-inch HDD using the upgrade kit for even more storage.

Appreciate good graphics and audio quality? Acer has you covered too. The Nitro 5's 15.6-inch IPS display (1080p) comes with a refresh rate of 120Hz and its speakers optimised by Acer's TrueHarmony technology, which promises better bass and audio clarity. Additionally, it has gigabit ethernet for better data throughput and a dual-fan dual-exhaust cooling system to keep everything inside from getting too hot.

With all that said, what's your ideal budget gaming laptop? Is the internal hardware more important to you, or do you prefer it to have excellent visual and audio performance? Share your thoughts with us on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news like this.


RX100 IV Hands-On Impression with Photos & Video Sample

Sony RX100 IV has been released for almost a year and it also rated as one of the best pocket compact camera. It pack a tech specs of 20.1 MP 1.0"-type (0.52" x 0.35") Exmor RS® CMOS sensor, aspect ratio 3:2, ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70 mm lens with F1.8-2.8 aperture, Up to 40x super slow motion, 4k resolution video recording. Check out the video below for more details!


Rack up more rewards now with Samsung Rewards, only with Samsung Pay

Samsung Malaysia Electronics has just unleashed upon us their first of a kind, all new rewards programme for its mobile payment platform, Samsung Pay. Introducing Samsung’s very own Samsung Rewards.

Samsung Rewards works in a way just like any other point-based credit card programme. Every time you make a purchase with Samsung Pay, you will earn some well-deserved reward points.  All you have to do is to activate and update Samsung Pay to the latest version upon which you will also earn 450 welcome points! Samsung Rewards also allows “double dipping” – which means that every credit card purchase made via Samsung Pay will still rack you some points, miles or cash back from their original card issuer as well Samsung Rewards points. Prepare for trouble, and make it double – double rewards I mean.

Like most loyalty programmes, Samsung Rewards is no different with their Gold, Silver and Bronze loyalty tiers which provides point multipliers depending on how often a user uses Samsung Rewards each month. More uses equal more rewards!

Still not good enough for you? Then get this -  Samsung Rewards will also partner with retailers and other small businesses to provide users to earn additional points! As of right now, participating merchants are Juice Works, dal.komm Coffee, GSC, Kenny Rogers Roasters, Lazada, and Dominos.

What do you do with these reward points? You can redeem a Wireless Charger Stand, Battery Pack and the Gear S3 Frontier fresh from Samsung.

Samsung Pay currently supports MasterCard and VISA credit cards issued by CIMB, Citibank, Maybank, Standard Chartered and RHB Bank, along with a growing number of loyalty cards.

Need more information? Head on down to their official website, here.


Ragnarok Online: Homecoming Open Beta officially launched in Malaysia and Singapore

By now, you should have heard the once beloved and popular MMORPG that happened a decade ago, Ragnarok Online (RO) is making a return. Currently, RO is being handled by Electronics Extreme with the courtesy of Gravity, the original publisher and they are pleased to announce that RO: Homecoming Open Beta has officially started today (30 November 2017) in Malaysia and Singapore!

So what can we expect from the resurrected MMORPG? Well for starters, Electronics Extreme assured the Ragnarok Online fans that they would provide the best service possible to players in both Malaysia and Singapore, and to take community feedback seriously (we hope so too). Just so you know, Electronics Extreme has been operating RO in Thailand and Philippines as well so they are quite well versed in handling this.

During the Q&A session, it was also mentioned that Electronics Extreme has integrated a new security system that will detect illegal third-party software such as botting, which was the main cause for RO's downfall a few years back. You can be sure that the game will be updated regularly after Open Beta begins, such as new maps, classes and game features that suits our local style.

At the end note, Electronics Extreme is keen to explore the possibility of holding more live events in the future in Malaysia and Singapore. This will allow the team to get closer and interact with the supportive Ragnarok Online community.

For more information about Ragnarok Online (Malaysia and Singapore), you can start by visiting either one of the links below:


Rapid KL to allow customers to pay using debit cards in the future

Based on a tweet by Twitter user @orangesalji83, it seems that a MyDebit card reader has been spotted at Rapid KL Wangsa Maju, hinting that it could be possible to pay using debit cards in the future. While there’s no official information on when we can officially pay using a debit card, Lowyat did mention that only MyDebit cards are accepted by the card reader.

But that’s not all, there could be a possibility that customers will be able to pay via their smartphone but there’s no confirmation on that for now. Rapid KL mentioned that they will make an official announcement as soon as customers will be able to pay using their MyDebit card.

Perasan benda ni kat LRT Wangsa Maju tadi. RapidKL pun dah boleh buat direct payment guna kad ATM. Touch n Go pulak nak tunggu tahun 3030 baru boleh topup online agaknya. pic.twitter.com/YJhGyTwu7Z

With all that said, what are your thoughts on being able to pay for Rapid KL rides using your MyDebit card? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


RapidKL: All ticket vending machines will not be in service throughout free ride period

RapidKL has clarified that customers using its services during the month-long free ride period will have to either use a Touch ‘n Go card or collect tokens at the respective station’s customer service office. This is because ticket vending machines in all of Rapid KL’s station will not be in service throughout the period.

Previously, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that all public transportation services under RapidKL will be free of charge for one month starting from 16 June 2022. These include MRT, LRT, Bus Rapid Transit, monorail and RapidKL bus services are all free for commuters throughout the period.

However, commuters are still required to use tokens or their Touch ‘n Go cards for the aforementioned services, though no charge will be imposed for the latter. Tokens are required for those that are using RapidKL’s train services but do not have a Touch ‘n Go card. The tokens can be collected at the respective customer service office counters at each station.

Malaysians can also utilise the Touch ‘n Go function embedded on their Identification Cards for the free rides. However, do note that for children, MyKid do not have any Touch ‘n Go function.

So, what do you guys think about the RapidKL free ride? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for the latest tech news in Malaysia and beyond.


Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart review - A must-have game for your PlayStation 5

Even after several months, the Sony PlayStation 5 is still difficult to purchase in Malaysia. That being said, if you managed to get your hands on one, congrats! But there is also a question of which video games you should buy? At the moment, there are only a few Triple-A titles to choose from and getting the first game should be worth your time and money (trust us, it's not cheap).

For these past few weeks, we had the opportunity to play an exclusive PS5 video game called Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. Old school PS2 gamers should be familiar with this franchise. But for the new generation, is this game worth it? One of our writers thought it was a super fun game so without wasting any time, let's get to our review of this game.

Obviously, the graphics on the PS5 is no joke and playing Rift Apart on it is simply captivating. We have played plenty of Triple-A games with excellent graphics, but we think this one really takes the cake. Our writer said that it is the equivalent of a Pixar movie such as Inside Out. Not only is it nice to look at, but the textures in the game are given extra attention to detail.

One feature that makes Rift Apart different from other video games is the usage of ray-tracing. If you're a gamer, you probably have heard of this feature. But if not, it basically helps you to see reflections on the floor, windows, and even on Clank's body or any surface that reflects light. Hence, it makes the characters and the world more prominent and brings graphical realism to another level.

The attention to detail on the fur reminds me of Pixar movies

Clank's body is not just shiny but also reflective

The world of Rift Apart is vast, with many planets to visit!

In addition, the lighting in this game is near perfect with the right amount of light and shadows. The depth of field or Bokeh effect is often used to enhance the game's 'cinematic feel'. So like most Triple-A games nowadays, you're essentially playing a movie instead of watching.

For sure, the PS5's graphics and SSD capabilities makes the loading and rendering time shorter. When it comes to loading the next stage, we usually don't have to wait any more than 2 seconds. The same applies when you Ratchet switches between the many dimensions and scenarios of the game. Transitions are seamless, without any lag at all.

In the settings, you can set the graphics to Fidelity, Performance, or Performance RT mode. If you're already satisfied with the 1080p resolution and want a frame rate of up to 60FPS, you can choose Performance mode. But if you prefer better-looking visuals, go for Performance RT mode. As the name suggests, it has the aforementioned ray-tracing features.

For those who are not familiar with the Ratchet & Clank series, Rift Apart is a platformer video game. It features the titular duo of the series, tasked to save the world once again. Besides the main storyline, you can also choose to play some side missions in a third-person view. Unlike those live service games that are popular these days, you can play this game without an internet connection. The only caveat is that you would lose out on some online achievements.

Do you often hope for a stress reliever after finishing work? Then you would be glad to know that Rift Apart is the perfect game for that. It allows you to dive into a vast world (remember the realistic graphics we talked about?) and have fun blasting a horde of enemies at some point. And speaking of enemies, the game throws a variety of enemies your way. So if you like challenges, switching from long range to melee can be fun. In addition, the background music is really catchy and does well to set the mood.

One of the many chaotic battles fought in real-time

Don't worry so much if you are not good at third-person shooting games, as you can always set the difficulty level to your preference. If you want to challenge yourself, the hardest difficulty level will give you a real adrenaline rush, especially in boss fights. Also, the game revives you with enough ammo and a full health bar every time you die.

As for the story, it is surprisingly engaging even for newcomers. Rift Apart's story is actually full of emotions filled with tense moments and bland jokes that we appreciate. It even touches on the topic of mental health indirectly. Besides Ratchet & Clank, the other characters are also unique. The game does its best to help you understand them and their motivations, even Dr Nefarious.

However, if there's something to nitpick on, it would be the game levels. Specifically, there are too many levels with recurring gameplay. But to be fair, it is almost impossible for a gaming studio to offer new content all the time.

If you are a fan of the gaming franchise, you will be in for a ride with Rift Apart's array of unique and quirky weapons. Each weapon has its own advantages and is suitable for a specific type of enemy. Overall, there are 15 kinds of weapons available that you'll be switching between a lot. At the very least, you won't get bored of the action for a while.

What's even more impressive, though, is that the PS5 Dualsense controller will offer different haptic feedback vibrations for each weapon. Besides weapons, each movement, jump, and even the background music in the game will provide haptic feedback. It is not easy to describe the feeling that we had on the controller. But we can agree that this experience is indeed the future of gaming.

Of course, there are hundreds of boxes and enemies for you to break. Each time you do so, you will get some money that can then be used to buy new weapons in the store. You can also upgrade your weapons using the 'Raritanium' obtained in this game. On top of that, the game lets you change how Ratchet looks with different helmets, armour, shoes, and skin on. There are many enticing options and colours available, so do get creative!

If you have a PS5, we think Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart should be part of your gaming library. The graphics are breathtaking, the gameplay is fun, and the storyline is quite engaging. There may be some repetitive game levels here and there, but it is still fun to play nonetheless. Without a doubt, this is indeed a next-gen video game specifically for next-gen consoles like the PS5.

A highly recommended game, we rate Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart a 9 out of 10 ratings. Enough said.

Pros – Beautiful graphics and a great storyline with entertaining characters

Conclusion – An exclusive PS5 game that is fun to play


Raya Bergaya Bersama HUAWEI: Up to RM2000 off selected products and free gifts worth up to RM1199!

HUAWEI Malaysia today announced its seasonal sale in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri in our country, Raya Bergaya Bersama HUAWEI. Encompassing a variety of promotional packages for the festive month, read on to find out more.

Happening from now until 30 April 2023, consumers in our country can get up to RM2000 off on selected HUAWEI products. Moreover, you can also get complimentary gifts worth up to RM1199 at HUAWEI Experience Stores (HES) nationwide.

Check out some of the key highlights of the promotion here:

Besides that, customers who purchase the nova 10 will also have the exclusive opportunity to acquire the Band 7 for only RM1 during the campaign period. That’s not all either, as customers who purchase any Huawei product at all HES will be entitled to a lucky draw contest and stand a chance to walk away with mysterious gifts.

To add to the Ramadan blessings, the company is also calling Malaysians for a Buka Puasa dinner session. This is exclusive to those who make purchases of any HUAWEI products from 10 April 2023 until 15 April 2023 at selected HES stores.

Furthermore, if you are interested to purchase the Mate 50 Pro Standard version, you can get a free upgrade to the Kunlun Glass screen with the purchase of the Mate 50 Pro Standard version.  All you have to do is purchase a Mate 50 Pro (Standard Version) from 8 to 30 April 2023 and walk into the participating HUAWEI Authorized Service Centres for a free Kunlun Glass.

This upgrade is valid for a period of 90 days from the date of purchase. Here’s the list of participating HUAWEI Authorized Service Centres:

Alternatively, you can get a postal arrangement to upgrade the phone by calling HUAWEI Hotline at 1800-22-0086 or through the live chat. For more information or latest updates on the promotions, please visit HUAWEI Official Website, HUAWEI Official Facebook page or Instagram. As always, make sure to stay tuned to TechNave for more trending tech news such as this.


Raya Bersama Amazfit now live on Shopee and Lazada with up to 26% discount

The Raya 5.5 sale has officially begun and many products are on discount since midnight. This includes Amazfit Malaysia and if you're looking for a brand new watch, here's what you can get from the brand in both Shopee and Lazada.

Looking at both the official Amazfit online store in Shopee and Lazada, the discount list is the same with up to 26% discount sale. The Amazfit T-Rex Pro which was released in late March is on promotion too, but only with a slight discount of RM629 (RRP RM659) on all three colour options (Meteorite Black, Desert Grey and Steel Blue). The vanilla T-Rex is also on sale for RM409 (RRP RM499) and that's quite a good RM90 discount.

Besides that, there are many other Amazfit watches on sale. You can refer to the list below for your reference:

On top of the discounts, Amazfit Malaysia will offer a 15-day Return Policy (TnC apply), 1-year warranty and after-sale service. You can visit the Shopee and Lazada store right now to check them out. Stay tuned for more local trending tech gadget deals at TechNave.com.


Raya Bersama Shopee with a new 'Deals Near Me' and more exclusive promo deals

Today, Shopee Malaysia just kicked off a new feature for ShopeePay called 'Deals Near Me'. In conjunction with the upcoming Raya season and Raya Bersama Shopee campaign, Deals Near Me allows users to use ShopeePay to connect to offline merchants.

To explain it more simply, Deals Near Me is an online-to-offline (O2O) feature that uses location-based services to help users discover ShopeePay Vouchers by nearby merchants including cafes, restaurants, and services. With this, users can purchase vouchers on the Shopee app then redeem them at participating outlets and enjoy cashback via Shopee Pay. The campaign will last until 14 May 2021 while the Deals Near Me will remain as a permanent feature on Shopee.

To date, around 130 merchants are part of Deals Near Me such as MR DIY, Tealive, The Black Whale and many more. The vouchers can also be found at three different periods of the day - Sahur Specials at 5 AM, Jom Berbuka dengan ShopeePay at 12 PM, and Moreh Specials at 10 PM. It can go as low as 5 sen and earn up to RM8 cashback from merchants like Nasi Kandar Pelita, Nando’s, TGI Friday’s, Boat Noodle, Johnny’s, OLDTOWN White Coffee, J.Co Donut and Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tart.

Moving on to the Raya Bersama Shopee campaign, Shopee users can also benefit from more exclusive promotions below:

Phew, that was a lot to cover. To know more about Raya Bersama Shopee, visit the official web page here. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Razer Anzu release: Bluelight filter, polarised lenses, and Bluetooth audio for ~RM815

It seems smart glasses are going to be more of a thing than many expected. Apple may be looking to take its time with the Apple Glass, but some companies like Lenovo already have something to show. Now, Razer joins that small group with its Razer Anzu.

Quietly revealed on its website, the Razer Anzu is a pair of smart glasses that's not too fancy. But it has a thick frame that houses important hardware inside. Besides that, its lenses can filter out 35% of blue light. This reduces the eyestrain from long hours of staring at a monitor. If you were to head out with it, you can also attach a pair of polarised lenses that provide 99% UVA/UVB protection.

However, that's not all there is to the Anzu. The reason it's considered a pair of smart glasses is its ability to function as a headphone. It has a built-in mic and speakers, so you to take calls or listen to music from a connected smartphone. For ease of use, its functions can be activated by both touch and voice controls.

If you're curious about the Razer Anzu, do check out the official website. It's currently retailing for USD 199.99 (~RM815), but note that it's not really available here yet. Having said that, would you be interested in buying a device like this? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


Acer's new Predator 21 X Gaming Laptop, featuring the world's first curved screen notebook

Besides the new gaming monitor from Acer, Acer also presented their highly anticipated Predator 21 X gaming laptop and Predator 17 X gaming notebook. The Predator 21 X will be available in North America in February with prices starting at $8999 (around RM40491) and in EMEA in February with prices starting at €9999; while the Predator 17 X will be available in the North America in January with prices starting at $2599 (around RM11694), and in EMEA in January with prices starting at €2999; and in China in February with prices starting at ¥39,999 (around RM25877).

As the world’s first curved screen notebook, it features a curved 21-inch IPS display (2560 x 1080 resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate) and a Tobii eye-tracking technology as well. What’s more, this beast also lies a NVIDIA G-SYNC technology, dual NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 graphic cards in SLI, an overclockable 7th Generation Intel Core i7-7820HK processor, 4GB of DDR4-2400 memory, up to four 512GB solid state drives in RAID 0 configuration (including 2 NVMe PCIe SSDs, which are up to 5x faster than SATA SSDs) and a 7200 RPM hard drive of 1TB capacity.

In addition, Killer DoubleShot Pro automatically picks the fastest network connection (Ethernet or wireless) and sends all high priority traffic over that interface while standard traffic is sent over the other. What this means is that it ensures the highest priority traffic will always be put on the fastest and most reliable link.

To combat excessive heat, it adapts 5 system fans (including 3 ultra-thin AeroBlade metal fans) and 9 heat pipes. It also includes Acer DustDefender, which removes dust build-up and improves heat dissipation, and Acer’s CoolBoost app, that can be used to adjust the fans’ airflow to deliver extra cooling performance during heavy use.

On the other hand, the Predator 17 X gaming notebook received both a CPU and GPU upgrade, and will now include models with a 7th Generation Intel Core i7-7820HK processor and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 GPU with 8G GDDR5X video memory. Featuring overclocking (up to 4.3GHz for the CPU; up to 1732MHz for the GPU; and up to 5.4GHz for VRAM), a custom triple-fan cooling system with front air intake and a server-class vapor chamber, it is ideal for the most demanding games and running virtual reality (VR) devices, accompanied by G-SYNC Full HD IPS (1920 x 1080) or UHD IPS (4K 3840 x 2160) display.

Exact specifications, prices, and availability will vary by region. To learn more about availability, product specifications and prices in specific markets, please contact your nearest Acer office via www.acer.com.


Razer Barracuda, Barracuda X & Barracuda Pro Malaysia release: starting price from RM549

It's been a year since the Razer Barracuda X (2021) was released, and now there's not only one, not two but three new Barracuda gaming headphones. There's the standard Barracuda, Barracuda X and Barracuda Pro for 2022 with a starting price of RM549.

Among the wireless headsets, the high-end one is obviously the Barracuda Pro with a new Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation Technology (ANC). It also has a SmartSwitch Dual Wireless, which allows it to connect to two devices at the same time and switch between the two. All Barracuda models support both Razer HyperSpeed Wireless (2.4GHz) and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity, for high-speed gaming performance and mobile-friendly Bluetooth convenience.

For online communication, the Barracuda Pro features dual integrated beamforming noise-cancelling microphones for peak vocal pick-up. This is further supported by three levels of active noise suppression, selectable through the companion Razer Audio App. Finally, there is a pair of new Razer TriForce Bio-Cellulose 50mm drivers with world-class THX Achromatic Audio Amplifier (THX AAATM) and THX Spatial Audio.

Moving on from the pro variant, the standard Barracuda also has the same TriForce Titanium 50mm drivers, SmartSwitch Dual Wireless connectivity, and THX Spatial Audio. It can last pretty long too with up to 40 hours of use on a single battery charge. On the other hand, the Barracuda X can last even longer up to 50 hours of usage. The latter is the lesser variant among the three, featuring 40mm TriForce Drivers and 7.1 Surround Sound.

All the three new Razer Barracuda wireless headphones are now available in Malaysia on Lazada and Shopee. For reference, the Barracuda X is the one priced at RM549, whereas the Barracuda Pro and Barracuda are priced at RM1399 and RM899 respectively. For more information, you may visit the official website here and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Razer Barracuda X Malaysia release: a 4-in-1 wireless gaming and mobile headset priced at RM499

Today, Razer is proud to announce a brand new wireless gaming headphone. Dubbed as the Barracuda X Wireless Multi-platform Gaming and Mobile Headset, it is priced at RM499 and can be connected to your PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and Android devices.

As a 4-in-1 wireless headset, you can easily switch in between the devices without having to keep pairing and turning it off. Focusing on style and comfort, the Razer engineering team designed the Barracuda X for both indoor and outdoor use. It is also not compromised with high-end features such as Razer TriForce 40mm drivers for the best possible sound performance and a detachable, Discord-certified Razer HyperClear Cardioid microphone that prioritises voice and blocks out ambient sounds.

On top of that, the Barracuda X comes with a Razer HyperSpeed Wireless USB-C Dongle. This is the cable that allows you to connect to the PC, PlayStation, Switch or Android device if you prefer to plug and play. Moreover, there is also a USB-C to USB-A adapter cable (and charging cable, ideal for PC or the Switch dock) and a 4-pole, 3.5mm jack when an analogue connection is needed. Also, the wireless headset can last up to 20 hours of battery life.

The Barracuda X Wireless Multi-platform Gaming and Mobile Headset is now available on the Razer Malaysia website right here. It will also be available at authorized resellers from 15 July 2021 onwards as well. Stay tuned for more local trending tech gadget deals at TechNave.com.


Razer Barracuda X review - Gaming headset that can plug-and-play to almost everything

Make no mistake, most gaming headsets, especially the wireless variety can be supremely fiddly when connecting or pairing up via Bluetooth. Then there’s the problem of Bluetooth audio lag, which can be a major nitpick for gamers along with all the other problems that come with Bluetooth wireless headsets.

The Razer Barracuda X does away with all that by cutting out Bluetooth completely, instead it offers Wireless connectivity through a dongle and practically every cable type in the market. This means that you can just connect it plug-and-play style with practically any device. Does it deliver? Find out in our review of the Razer Barracuda X below.

At first glance, if you were to miss the Razer logos on the cups and the headband, you’d be forgiven if you thought this was an OEM or unbranded pair of headphones. There’s no RGB, none of Razer’s usual neon green trim but the Barracuda X does still look good, but in a rather understated sort of way. At least there’s some neon green near the base of the mic off button but there’s also Razer logo stickers if you want as well.

Fortunately, the Barracuda X offers a pretty good design with an adjustable headband while the foam ear cushions are covered by sweat absorbing flowknit fabric. The cups can also swivel flat, so it’s easier to bring about, but the headband cushion is still artificial leather (I wonder why no flowknit here?), so we expect this part to be the first to start flaking and wearing down over time. The lack of any hard case is understandable given the RM499 price tag (about $120 or so) but we do miss it since Razer almost always included it in their other products.

The cups fold flat for easier portability

Everything is controlled and connected from the left ear cup, with a microphone off button, volume slider, power button, 3.5mm audio jack, USB Type C port and a jack for the removable and adjustable microphone. All the controls are spaced nicely within reach and are distinctive enough to differentiate based on just touch. The windshear foam covering for the microphone is quite large compared to most gaming headsets, so you probably won’t want to bring it out and about.

Strangely enough, the power button alone can be used to control music and answer calls. A long press turns it on, a single press lets you play/pause/answer calls/end calls, double press skips the track and triple press goes to the previous track.

All the controls are on the left cup but the power button can also be used to play, pause, answer calls, go forward and go back

Going on to why we say it’s almost the plug-and-play connectivity king is the fact that the Barracuda X comes bundled with a USB-A to USB Type C cable, a 3.5mm audio cable and a Wireless Wifi dongle complete with USB-A to female USB Type C extender cable. This allows it to plug-and-play to a PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch and even smartphone or tablet. We’ve tried them all and everything works well without having to set up or pair anything. I like it that the Wireless dongle is fairly slim and rounded as well, so it doesn’t get in the way of your usual gaming grip too much.

Audio performance is solid but not excellent, so while there’s a good bass and clear trebles, it’s not as rich of an experience as some other headsets, especially when listening to lossless music. Plugging in the wireless dongle and turning on the Barracuda X results in lag free audio for gaming.

The microphone is rather large but detachable

Mic performance is top notch, even via the wireless dongle, clearly picking up your voice but since there’s no ANC or Active Noise Cancelling, you can sometimes pick up people talking or other noises in the background. Thankfully there’s none of the usual static or whooshy background noise so you could perhaps use the Barracuda X to record voice overs if you don’t want to use it for gaming.

Wireless range is very good with stable connectivity except for some static behind multiple walls. Obviously, it didn’t do that well with our bathroom test but if you’re gaming with your device on the toilet seat, this shouldn’t be an issue, lol.

If it fits like this on your phone it should be just fine on the Nintendo Switch

What's in the box? ~ All the connections you could want for all your gaming devices

Overall, the Razer Barracuda X seems like the most straightforward choice of gaming headsets if you have multiple gaming devices like a PC, a PlayStation, Switch or gaming phone. Thanks to all the cables and wireless dongle, connecting is not an issue at all. The detachable mic works great for voice and while audio is not the best, it’s great enough for most games. If you don’t mind pressing the power button a lot, you can also bring it out and about or use it for workouts.

Because of these features, there are no similar contenders in this price range of below RM500 or around $120, making the Barracuda X another niche Razer gaming product. So, if you’re looking for a headset around this price for all your gaming devices or to do a Twitch or live-streaming session, then you should definitely give the Barracuda X a try.

Here are the tech specs and features for the Razer Barracuda X:

Pros: Relatively affordable lag free gaming audio. Plug-and-play connectivity for almost every gaming device.

Cons: Lack of rich sound. No Razer RGB. No Bluetooth.

Summary: The 1 plug-and-play gaming headset for nearly all of your gaming devices.


Razer Basilisk V2 review - fully customizable RGB free-wheeling gaming mouse

Yay! Time for reviews again, but this time we’re covering the main tool that many PC gamers will use instead of a mobile phone, the Razer Basilisk V2 gaming mouse. Featuring a fully customizable gaming wheel, keys and more, read on to see if it is the gaming mouse for you.

First off, the Razer Basilisk V2 has a height of 42mm, a length of 130mm and a width of 60mm. Weighing in at 92g, it has a very comfortable grip with a grainy texture on the sides and matte keys on the top. The design has a rest for the right thumb making it just right for righties.

The Razer Basilisk V2 should fit most hands but the right thumb rest does mean that it's designed more for the right-handed

The scroll wheel in the middle glows and you can adjust pretty much everything about it

As usual of Razer products, the Razer brand logo shines green in the palm of your hand but the main focus of this gaming mouse remains the scroll wheel in the middle. Offering a “DaDaDa” sound and feedback each time you scroll, the wheel’s smoothness can be adjusted at the bottom and the it can also be pressed on the left and right sides.

We set this particular feature for volume adjustment, which was quite convenient and elegant. Below the wheel are 2 buttons for adjusting DPI. On the sides of the mouse there are 2 programmable side keys which you can customize and a multi-function paddle.

The bottom of the Basilisk V2 is a non-stick material for smoother glide

There's customizable keys and a multi-functional paddle on the sides

The bottom of the Razer Basilisk V2 is made of pure PTFE material which Razer claim as being a non-stick material. In our experience, it felt very smooth on both the mouse pad or directly on the table.

The attached cable of the Razer Basilisk V2 is quite flexible and generates less resistance. It’s also quite tough and doesn’t produce knots very easily. According to Razer, the Basilisk V2 uses a new and improved sensor with native 20000 DPI sensitivity for 99.6% accuracy with a 70 million clicks lifecycle.

The woven thread of the cable makes it tough and not so easy to knot

You can adjust the RGB of both the wheel and the Razer logo

For our own experience, the keys on the Razer Basilisk V2 felt quite satisfactory with good performance for both shooting games and Dota 2. There’s practically no delay and the mouse is very accurate and responsive.

You can also download the Razer Synapse firmware from the Razer official website. Once you’ve set it up, you can easily adjust and customize all of the 11 keys. You can also customize the RGB colour of the wheel and Razer logo (of course you have to adjust the RGB if it’s a gaming device!).

You can set the RGB colours in the Chroma settings for the Razer Synapse along with plenty of other effects

Overall, the Razer Basilisk V2 offers plenty of customizable gaming fun and should be great for most gamers (you should probably read the manual to understand all the features though). It is very lightweight and super smooth with an excellent scroll wheel.

For its price of RM390, we think it’s quite acceptable for most gamers looking for a more professional gaming mouse but it is a bit on the high side for casual gamers. Still, if you’re looking for a wireless gaming mouse, you can get the Razer Basilisk Ultimate. So that’s all for now folks, gamers and TechNavers alike! Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more tech reviews.

The Razer Basilisk V2 is a pretty good gaming mouse

Pros - Fully customizable RGB scroll wheel. 11 customizable keys. Comfortable gaming grip.

Summary - A professional-level wired gaming mouse that will satisfy most gamers, especially those who use the scroll wheel a lot.


Razer Basilisk V3 Malaysia release: equipped with a smart Razer HyperScroll Tilt Wheel, priced at RM329

Today, Razer is releasing yet another gaming mouse for gamers in Malaysia. As the third generation, the Razer Basilisk V3 is priced at RM329 at selected retail outlets across the nation and below are some details of the newest wired gaming mouse.

According to Razer, the Basilisk V3 returns as a customisable and adjustable mouse that gamers can fully enjoy with full control. Gamers can also enable a new smart Razer HyperScroll Tilt Wheel shifts between modes, or toggle between three unique modes - Tactile Scrolling, Smart-Reel and Free-Spin Scrolling.

Moreover, the Basilisk V3 scroll wheel also features Virtual Acceleration that increases the mouse's scroll speed the faster it spins. Finally, it has 10 easy-access buttons and 1 customisable profile switch button underneath the mouse. Gamers can customise it to quickly access push-to-talk, ping, macros and secondary functions as well.

Equipped with Razer Focus+ 26K DPI Optical Sensor, Razer said this is the most advanced and precise sensor in the world that features intelligent functions like Asymmetric Cut-Off for customising lift-off and landing distance alongside an actuation speed of 0.2ms to get rid of unintended double clicks. Of course, the Razer Chroma lighting is integrated too.

To read more about the Razer Basilisk V3, you can visit the official webpage right here. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Razer Basilisk V3 Pro + Mouse Dock Pro Malaysia release: priced at RM799 and RM369 respectively

It's been almost a year since the Razer Basilisk V3 made its debut in Malaysia and there's a new pro variant now. Simply dubbed the Basilisk V3 Pro, Razer said this is the next-gen customizable wireless gaming mouse. It's now available for purchase at every retailer and e-tailers for RM799.

Like most new Razer products, the Basilisk V3 Pro is overloaded with Razer Chroma RGB with a 13-Zone Chroma Lighting + Full Underglow. It offers gamers over 16.8 million colours and countless lighting effects to get their gaming mood on. Over 200 video games are Chroma-integrated and gamers can also make use of the Razer HyperScroll Tilt Wheel for fast spinning or switching to tactile mode.

Moreover, the Basilisk V3 Pro's Focus Pro 30K Optical Sensor offers a complete resolution accuracy of 99.8%. With the Smart Tracking feature, the Basilisk V3 Pro auto-calibrates across different surfaces so that it is able to maintain a consistent lift-off distance no matter what surface it’s used on, allowing gamers greater control and accuracy, even on glass.

There are still many things to talk about the gaming mouse but for simplicity's sake, below is the complete list of features that you should also know:

Besides that, there is also a new Razer Mouse Dock Pro with an integrated 4KHz transceiver. It's basically a magnetic wireless charger for the Basilisk V3 Pro at the price of RM369. For more information, you may visit the official website right here. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Malaysia release - a dedicated eSports gaming headset, priced at RM1099

Today, Razer unveiled a new wireless gaming headset. Dubbed the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro, it was designed for the top eSport athletes and it's retailing for RM1099 on Razer.com, RazerStore and selected retailers.

As an enhanced BlackShark V2, the Razer team integrated a HyperClear Super Wideband Mic for HD voice chat quality. Gamers can also customize multiple profiles through Razer Synapse, save them directly to the headset and use it for long hours. According to Razer, it has more than triple the battery life of the predecessor, boasting up to 70 hours of gameplay, and 6 hours of battery from a 15-minute charge via Type C.

Moreover, the BlackShark V2 Pro features noise-isolating earcups and ultra-soft memory foam for long gaming hours. In addition, a refined clamping force, reinforced steel headband, and strengthened sliders, provide gamers with even more comfort and increased durability. In terms of sound, it houses TriForce Titanium 50mm Drivers like other flagship Razer headsets.

Equipped with Razer HyperSpeed Wireless, the BlackShark V2 Pro supports a 2.4GHz wireless connection, USB extender as well as SmartSwitch on-device control. This allows gamers to seamlessly switch between a 2.4GHz or Bluetooth connection on their headset.

To learn more about the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro, you can visit the official web portal right over here. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Razer BlackShark V2 series Malaysia release: Passive Noise Cancellation & more starting from RM349

Don't get it confused for the gaming smartphone, this pair of gaming headphones is by Razer. Called as the Razer BlackShark V2 series, the gaming headphones are now available in Malaysia at a price of RM599 (and RM349 for the lesser version, more on that later) and while it may seem quite expensive, there are some good reasons for it.

According to Razer, the BlackShark V2 comes with a wide range of features such as the TriForce Titanium 50mm Drivers, HyperClear cardioid mic, and an advanced passive (yes, passive) noise cancellation to provide the best audio gaming experience for gamers. Also, in case you're wondering what does passive noise cancellation means, it means the headphones is purely relying on the external earcup to block out the environment sounds and this save costs compared with active noise cancellation.

Besides that, you can find the THX Spatial technology (channel 5.1 or 7.1.) there as well. It's a feature that offers a surround sound for the gamer to get immersive in any game as well as identifying the enemy's position in first-person shooter games. On the other hand, the HyperClear Cardioid microphone can be connected with a USB Sound Card to record clearer audio and this also includes settings for mic boost, mic equalizer, ambient noise reduction and more.

Like most gaming peripherals, you can also set your gaming profile with the THX Game Profile technology which is scheduled for 6 August 2020. Razer mentioned that the audio profile program will include the 18 most popular video games such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Valorant, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and more. By the way, there's also a Razer BlackShark V2 X for RM349. The difference between this and the other is that it uses a non-titanium TriForce 50mm Driver and relies on a 3.5mm jack instead of a USB sound card.

Not bad for a mid-range gaming headset but what do you think of it? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more trending gadget news at TechNave.com.


Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed release: Ultra compact body, Bluetooth connectivity, and mechanical switches for RM799

A lot of gamers love compact designs these days, and they prefer not to do with cables. Products like that are more versatile and portable, which can be convenient for people like students. Well, if that's you, then check out the new Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed.

Razer's new keyboard is a 65% gaming keyboard, which doesn't have a Numpad or dedicated Function keys. It's super compact, allowing you to take it along with you if you so desire. On top of that, it supports Razer HyperSpeed Wireless. This means you don't have to use a cable with it (unless you're charging it), so you can keep your desk free from clutter.

The BlackWidow V3 Mini Hyperspeed comes with Razer's Green mechanical switches, highly clicky switches with plenty of tactile feedback. Of course, it also has Razer Chroma RGB backlighting, so you can make it glow like a disco light if you want. You can choose to connect to your devices via wireless (2.4GHz), Bluetooth, or USB-C connector. In particular, the Bluetooth option is really good, as it means you can hook this up with devices like your smartphone, Apple TV, and more.

Its compact design and versatility come at a cost, of course. Razer has confirmed that the BlackWidow V3 Mini Hyperspeed will retail for RM799 and will be available next month. If you want to find out more about Razer's new keyboard, you can visit the website here. With that said, what are your thoughts on the keyboard? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


Razer BlackWidow V3 Tenkeyless & Gigantus V2 Malaysia release - now available at a starting price of RM149

Today, Razer announced three new Pokemon-themed gaming peripherals for Malaysia and other selected countries in the Asia Pacific. Basically, it's a new Razer BlackWidow V3 Tenkeyless and Razer Gigantus V2 mouse pad Pokemon Edition, with a starting price of RM149.

For starters, the Razer BlackWidow V3 Tenkeyless keyboard is embellished with a Pokéball motif on the surface and unique Pokeball keycaps throughout. Equipped with Razer Green Mechanical Switches, the keyboard is powered by Razer Chroma RGB and features Pikachu and Eevee flanking the arrow keys. This keyboard cost RM989.

As for the Razer Gigantus V2, the gaming mouse pad comes in two variants - one in medium and the other in XXL size. The XXL variant features all the Eeveelutions alongside Pikachu and Eevee, whereas the former only has Pikachu and Eevee. Both pads feature the same texture of micro-weave cloth surface, thick, high-density cloth surface and anti-slip rubber base. They cost RM149 and RM219 respectively.

Besides Malaysia, these new Pokemon Edition gaming peripherals are also available now in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand. Do check with your local stores for the official pricing.


Acer’s new Swift 7 is the world’s first laptop to measure less than 1 cm thin

Today, at IFA Berlin event, Acer has unveiled its new Swift series of ultra-thin and lightweight notebook PCs. Comprised of four lines, namely the Swift 7, Swift 5, Swift 3 and Swift 1, the new ultra-thin models feature Windows 10 and include something for every budget and lifestyle.

“We are thrilled to announce the new Swift series, a complete ultra-thin laptop lineup with something for everyone,” said Jerry Hou, General Manager, Consumer Notebooks, IT Products Business, Acer Inc. “Front and center is the flagship Swift 7 with an all-aluminum chassis that’s less than one centimeter thin, while still packing in performance and stamina for all-day productivity.”

“The new 7th Generation Intel Core processors set a new bar for performance and efficiency enabling amazingly fast, responsive designs that are also incredibly thin and light,” said Chris Walker, Vice President of the Client Computing Group and General Manager of Mobility Client Platforms, Intel Corp. “Intel and Acer’s strong collaboration is on full display with the new Swift series which delivers great performance in a beautiful package.”

“Acer’s new Swift series notebooks give customers looking for a Windows 10 laptop a variety of options to align with what they need most.” said Peter Han, Vice President of Worldwide OEM Marketing, Microsoft Corp. “Whether looking for a high-end, performance-driven machine, a solidly-built value-priced device, or something in between, the Swift notebooks are designed to bring to life Windows 10 features to maximize entertainment, or productivity.”

The Swift 7 is the world's first laptop that measures a mere 9.98 mm thin and weighs 1.1 kg. The combination of black-and-gold dual tone, all-aluminum uni-body design and Corning Gorilla Glass 13.3-inch Full HD IPS1 display offers a high premium look, it can last up to 9 hours of battery life, featuring 7th Generation Intel Core i5 processor, fast 256GB SSD and up to 8GB of memory.

It also has the latest wireless technology (2x2 802.11ac with MU-MIMO), so it's able to deliver three times faster connections, while dual USB 3.1 Type-C ports are included for quick data transfer, connection to an external display, and to charge the notebook. An HD webcam with HDR (High Dynamic Range) imaging support provides clear, bright and detailed images.

The second Swift product in line, Acer managed to fit a 14-inch Full HD IPS display into a 13-inch frame, and weights in 1.36kg. Inside the laptop, it features a 7th Generation Intel Core processors coupled with fast SSDs (256 or 512 SATA or PCIe), up to 8GB of memory and the latest wireless technology delivers big results in a small package. In addition, the keyboard itself is backlit, an option of touch display, fingerprint reader, a reversible USB Type-C port and can last up to 13 hours of battery life.

Sporting 6th or 7th Generation Intel Core processors, fast 512GB SSDs, up to 8GB memory and 2x2 MU-MIMO 802.11ac wireless technology for fast and reliable internet connectivity, the 14-inch HD or Full HD IPS anti-glare display is some ways similar to the Swift 5; as it also features a USB Type-C port, an optional backlit keyboard. To add on to that, a HD webcam with HDR installed, along with a built-in fingerprint scanner is located at the upper right-hand corner of the palm rest and works in conjunction with Windows Hello for enhanced security.

Last but not least, this one should be a favourite for students because the laptop is of great value and highly portable. Weighing 1.6 kg only, the Swift 1 can last up to 12 hours of battery life, thanks to the Intel Pentium or Celeron processor, 4GB of memory and either 32GB, 64GB or 128GB of eMMC storage; the screen measures 14-inch HD display and features a fingerprint sensor for security reasons as well.

As for the price and availability, all four Swift laptops' exact specifications, prices, and availability will vary by region. To learn more about availability, product specifications and prices in specific markets, please contact your nearest Acer office via www.acer.com.


Razer BlackWidow V3 series release: New switches, stronger frame, and even a tenkeyless variant for RM490

Getting ready to drop some money for a sleek, new gaming keyboard? Well, hold up for a bit because you may want to wait for the new ones from Razer. The company has launch the third generation of the BlackWidow gaming keyboard series - the BlackWidow V3 - that now comes with a tenkeyless variant.

Razer added the three new BlackWidow V3, BlackWidow V3 Pro, and BlackWidow V3 Tenkeyless to its line up of mechanical gaming keyboard earlier today. The Pro variant is a wireless keyboard powered by Razer's Hyperspeed Wireless technology, while the Tenkeyless provides a more compact build that many will appreciate. They are priced at RM699, RM1099, and RM490 respectively.

So what's new? Well, most of the improvements are made on the hardware side. All three models come with a more durable aluminium frame, Doubleshot ABS keycaps, and new Razer Green or Yellow mechanical switches. The switches also come with transparent housing now, which makes it easier for the RGB lights to shine out of it, and have a rated lifespan of 80 million keystrokes. In addition to that, the BlackWidow V3 and V3 Pro both come with multimedia controls and a leather wrist rest.

If you are using an old keyboard and want an upgrade to something premium, the BlackWidow V3 series could be an option for you. But what do you guys think, is there a particular keyboard you consider a better choice? Let us know what type of mechanical keyboards you prefer in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news like this.


Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro release - a full-fledged mech keyboard with Command Dial

Today, Razer announced the latest gaming mechanical keyboard - BlackWidow V4 Pro. At the moment, it's only available in the US at $229.99 and there's a good chance that it may come to Malaysia. Anyway, let's check out what it has to offer.

Like the predecessors, the BlackWidow V4 Pro is powered by Razer Chroma RGB and integrated into a number of video games. If you like, you can assign a custom function to the keyboard's programmable dial as usual, as well as a set of macro keys for key binding. You may also choose between yellow or green switches for quick or precise actuation respectively.

Razer also added a new wheel at the top left (the programmable dial) to adjust the RGB brightness on the go. Not only that, it allows you to zoom in on the monitor, switch apps and browser tabs, jog and choose songs, and even scroll horizontally or vertically. On top of that, there are also four media keys for media playback.

Other worthy features on the keyboard include USB ports, detachable Type A to Type C cables, and up to 8000Hz polling rate for fast response. Of course, the wrist rest pad is back with an underglow that can be magnetically attached, and the keyboard itself isn't wireless.

In direct currency exchange, the BlackWidow V4 Pro could cost over a thousand Malaysian Ringgit but we shall see if that's the case. Until then, stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com and let us know in the comments below what you think.


Razer Blackshark V2 Review - The ultimate headphone for serious e-sports players

A few weeks ago, Razer launched its latest gaming headphone, the Razer Blackshark V2. This is a headphone that's designed for e-sports, with special features that help in that regard. Customers will expect the best audio experience from this premium headset due to its high price tag of RM599 per pair. But is it worth the price tag? Read on to find out!

The first thing you'll notice is that the Razer Blackshark V2 is not a small, compact headset. Out of the box, you can see that it's quite large, with big earcups and rather thick cushioning. But this large size is not just about aesthetics because it also has a functional purpose.

The large earcup and thick cushioning help with audio isolation, reducing noise from the outside so that you won't be distracted while gaming. Essentially, Razer has chosen materials and a design that provides passive noise cancellation for the Blackshark V2.

Razer Blackshark V2 with its cardioid microphone

Large and deep earcups, with comfortable cushioning

There's soft cushioning for the headrest too

You can hook the headphone to a PC or console via the USB sound card (left), or just plug it to a mobile device via a 3.5mm audio jack (right)

Once we put these headphones on, the sound from the environment quiets down. Also, the cushions on the earcups covered our ears well and were very comfortable.

Even though this headphone is large, it didn't feel heavy on my head. The minimalist design allows it to weigh just 262 grams and its flexible design makes it comfortable for a variety of head sizes. For example, my head is quite large but I'm certain that the Blackshark V2 could still fit those with larger heads.

The exterior of the earcup is made of plastic but it didn't feel like the cheap kind of plastic. On the contrary, the build quality was solid. Most of the Blackshark V2 was black but there was some green too - typical of a Razer product. In the left earcup, there is a volume control knob, a mute button and a removable microphone. What's nice is that the microphone is quite flexible, so you can adjust its position to your preference.

Although the microphone can be removed, it doesn't mean that the Blackshark V2 is portable. In my opinion, these headphones are designed to be left on a computer desk. That's because it's too large to fit in a bag and the earcups can't be folded. Yes, you can connect these headphones to a mobile device via a 3.5mm audio jack, but you'll have trouble bringing these outdoors.

Speaking of the 3.5mm audio jack, you can directly plug the Blackshark V2 to a PC using that too. But you should connect it to the 7.1 USB sound card for the best experience during gaming. Once you have connected the sound card, you can install Razer software like the Razer Synapse to adjust the settings of the headphone.

With Razer Synapse, you can also activate THX Spatial Audio for better surround sound or set up THX Game Profiles for games that support it. In case you're unaware, THX Game Profiles is a new feature for tuning audio settings that have been created by developers for selected games. Currently, there are 16 games with THX Game Profiles support and more will be added in the future.

Make sure you install Razer Synapse to get the best audio quality from Blackshark V2

With Razer Synapse, you can adjust various audio settings for Blackshark V2

In Razer Synapse software, games that support THX Game Profiles will be displayed with the “THX” logo (example on Battlefield 1)

Make sure you select THX Spatial Audio in your computer settings to enjoy the clearer surround sound (7.1)

I'm sure that FPS gamers, who need high situational awareness at all times, will appreciate the technology available in the Blackshark V2. I tried playing popular FPS games such as Battlefield 4 and Counter-Strike Global Offensive (CS: GO) and I was able to easily identify the position of my enemies from the sounds of rifle shots and footsteps. The passive noise cancellation also helped me to better discern such sounds.

For example, Battlefield 4 is known for having jets, helicopters and other vehicles that can quickly change positions. But with the THX Spatial Audio, I'm able to identify the position of these vehicles and take precise steps - either to take cover or eliminate them with a rocket.

THX Spatial Audio helped me detect this fast-moving target

It's also great for FPS games that don't involve vehicles. Take CS: GO as an example. In this game, I can identify the position of enemies and teammates through the sound of gunfire and footsteps. With this information, I can either choose to flank the enemy, attack straight on, or wait for a teammate to help me.

The microphone equipped with the Blackshark V2 is also excellent. I didn't get a chance to test the microphone in FPS games because I was playing on a public server but I tested it in the VRChat social game, where my friends said my voice quality was very clear. Even though it's a unidirectional mic, it did well to capture the sound from my mouth.

You can also use the microphone for live-streaming. It's not as good as a proper condenser mic like the HyperX Quadcast, but I guarantee that it is much better than microphones on a laptop or phone. Here is a voice sample that was taken with the Blackshark V2 microphone and a comparison with other microphones:

So what about THX Game Profiles? I tested it with two games supported by the feature, namely Battlefield 1 and CS: GO, and found that it's not all that different from the usual THX Spatial Audio. In other words, don't worry if your game is not supported by THX Game Profiles. Having THX Spatial Audio is more than enough.

Maybe professional e-sports players who have spent thousands of hours in a game can hear some differences. But for casual gamers like me, THX Game Profiles feel like a marketing gimmick that has no greater benefits than THX Spatial Audio. You can evaluate for yourself the difference in the introductory video of THX Game Profiles by Razer below:

Although Battlefield 1 supports THX Game Profiles, enabling it didn't make much of a difference

If you are a professional or serious e-sports player, you could consider getting the Blackshark V2. Its clear audio and solid microphone will be able to give you an advantage over your opponents.

At RM599, it is quite expensive but if you are craving for victory, this is the price you have to pay. For your information, there's a lower-end variant called the Blackshark V2 X that costs RM349. But it doesn't come with the 7.1 USB sound card, so I am not sure if the sound quality is as good as the Blackshark V2.

If you are interested in owning these headphones, let us know in the comments below! Also, stay tuned to TechNave.com for more reviews like this.

Pros: Very light and comfortable design, well-functioning passive noise cancellation, clear ambient sound quality that makes it easy for players to identify threats in the game, clear and flexible microphone

Cons: Expensive, difficult to carry anywhere, THX Game Profiles is not much different from THX Spatial Audio

Conclusion: Suitable for serious e-sports activists who spend the majority of their time playing games and want an extra edge to defeat opponents


Razer Blade 14 release: AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX processor and more, priced at RM9999

Today, the Razer Blade 14 was announced by Razer during E3 and it's now featuring the latest AMD Ryzen 9 59000HX processor. In case you're unaware, the Razer Blade 14 haven't made an appearance for three years and certainly fetches a price of RM9999 (#yikes). You can read below about what you can expect from this laptop.

For starters, the Blade 14 is the first Razer laptop to feature an AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX processor which is the latest and most powerful one to date. The 8-core, 16 thread processor is capable of clocking up to 4.6GHz and it's accompanied by an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 GPU. As a compact laptop, its 14-inch display supports up to a 165Hz refresh rate and QHD resolution.

By default, the display features FHD resolution and can reach up to 100% sRGB and up to 100% DCI-P3 when in QHD panel mode. As for other features, you can find a 720p webcam, IR sensor for security, Razer Chroma RGB as well as a THX Spatial Audio sound system. Even though this laptop is thin, there are plenty of ports around including USB Type-C, Type-A and HDMI 2.1.

Besides the Blade 14, Razer also announced its first Razer USB-C GaN Charger. It can support up to 130W of combined charging power between the two USB-C ports and two USB-A ports which allows you to charge your phone, tablet, or laptop at the same time. This charging adapter has no local price yet but it's priced at $179.99 (~RM740).

The Razer Blade 14 has not appeared on the Razer Malaysia website yet but if you want to learn more, you can visit this official Razer webpage to check it out (or the new GaN charging adapter here). Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Razer Blade 15 Advanced Model review: Pricey but well-rounded performance laptop

When the Razer Blade 15 Advanced Model was unveiled by Razer from RM11999 in 2021, it was one of the first gaming laptops to come equipped with an RTX 3000 series graphic card.  With that in mind, the laptop is a more than capable tool for those who frequently compete in esports and content creators thanks to its performance.

In this review, we’ll be taking a closer look at the laptop and see how it performs while gaming as well as day to day tasks. That being said, let’s have a closer look!

The Razer Logo lights up green when the laptop is turned on

Look at that huge trackpad and the RGB backlit keyboard!

Power button that's located at the top of the speaker grill

Starting with the design, the laptop has a sleek unibody design with a matte finish that feels solid and extremely premium to the touch. If you look at the lid of the laptop, you’ll see Razer’s logo that lights up green when you turn on the laptop. The logo does not have RGB lighting, unfortunately.

The first thing you will notice after unfolding the laptop is the RGB backlit keyboard, two large stereo speakers situated towards the sides and no dedicated number pad likely due to space constraints as well as a rather large trackpad at the bottom. If you look closely at the top of the speaker on the right side, you’ll find a power button that does not have a capacitive fingerprint sensor built-in.

As for the display, our variant comes equipped with a 240Hz QHD display. It’s catered more towards individuals who play competitive esports titles such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Valorant, or Apex Legends because of the higher refresh rate. The hinge that connects the body to the lid feels extremely solid. It gives you the confidence that the display will not break or sag after extensive use.

As for the I/O, you’ll find a DC power socket, 3x USB3.2 Type-A ports, 1x Thunderbolt 3 port that supports 20V charging with PD 3.0, 1x USB Type C 3.2 Gen 2, HDMI 2.1 port, as well as a full-sized SD card reader (great for content creators). With all that in mind, the laptop provides adequate ports for you to hook up an external monitor, keyboard, mouse, as well as a USB Gaming headset so that you can get the best gaming experience possible or even increase work productivity. You might want to consider plugging in a USB Hub for additional devices such as flash drives and printers.

Charging port, 2x USB Type-A port, 1x USB Type-C port, and a 3.5mm audio jack slot

HDMI port, USB Type-A port, Type-C port, and a Kensington lock at the right

Onto the tech specs, our variant comes equipped with an Intel Core i7-10875H processor with Intel UHD Graphics, 16GB of RAM, an NVIDIA RTX 3070, a 1TB internal SSD storage, 15.6-inch QHD 240Hz display and an 80WHr battery. There is a variant of the Razer Blade 15 Advanced Model that’s equipped with a 360Hz display but it only has a display resolution of FHD and it’s much more expensive at RM14599.

Putting the laptop through some synthetic benchmarks, the Razer Blade 15 managed to achieve a score of around 8441 points on 3DMark TimeSpy and around 5665 points on PCMark 10. With that in mind, it’s more than capable of handling almost any game or software you throw at it including RAM intensive tasks such as 3D modelling and video editor thanks to the pre-installed 16GB RAM.

However, if you require more RAM you could always install higher capacity RAM modules as the laptop can support up to 64GB. When it comes to games, the laptop ran Total War: Three Kingdoms at an average of 34FPS during the battle phase with every graphical option turned up.

On Apex Legends, I’m able to get around 90 to 100FPS in the training range with everything turned up to the max at 1440p resolution. With that in mind, you may encounter minor drops in FPS when traversing through the map or during an intense firefight.

Around 35FPS on Total War: Three Kingdoms. Battles are usually a lot more taxing on the system!

Around 100FPS with everything maxed out on Apex Legends

If you change around the settings you could get more than 400FPS!

If you value FPS over fidelity, it’s possible to get around 240 FPS by turning the graphic options down to low or off as well as dropping the resolution down to 1080p. When it comes to Valorant, I’m able to run the game at 300FPS and above with everything turned up. That being said, it’s possible to hit past the 400FPS mark if you turn down a few settings as well.

When it comes to editing videos, the laptop is able to scrub through 1080p 60FPS raw footages with ease. Props to Razer to include a full-sized SD card slot as I don’t need to hunt around for an external card reader.

The keyboard feels smooth and tactile, making it great for typing. The RGB backlight makes working in the dark a breeze as you can see which keys you are tapping on, however, this does come at the expense of the laptop’s battery life.

Speaking of the battery life, the laptop is able to last around 3 hours 30 minutes playing YouTube on maximum screen brightness. Your battery performance may vary depending on the workload. For example, if you’re only using the laptop for word processing, the battery life could last a lot longer. Another thing to note is that the speakers sound amazing mostly because of how large they are.

Vegas Pro 15 didn't chug at all while scrubbing through the timeline

To charge the laptop, you can either use the proprietary charging brick that came bundled with the laptop or via a USB Type-C cable that supports Power Delivery 3.0. However, one of the issues I noticed while testing the laptop was that it felt uncomfortably warm around the wrist rest area. This can easily be remedied simply by using an external keyboard while gaming though.

In conclusion, if you are looking for a well-rounded laptop the Razer Blade 15 Advanced Model would make a great choice when it comes to gaming, video editing, and more. However, if you value performance more than graphical fidelity, you could get the more expensive variant of the laptop that’s equipped with an NVIDIA RTX 3080 GPU and a 360Hz FHD display at the price of RM14599.

However, if what you’re doing doesn’t require those kinds of specs, you can opt for the cheapest variant which comes with an RTX 3060 that powers a 144Hz FHD display instead at RM8299. Alternatively, you might want to have a look at Acer Nitro 5 AMD Ryzen 5000 series that's equipped with an RTX3080, 16GB RAM, and a 15.6-inch 165Hz QHD IPS display at the price of only RM8999.

That being said, what are your thoughts on the Razer Blade 15 Advance Model? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.

Pros - Very sleek design and it comes with a 240Hz QHD display

Conclusion - Great looking laptop for almost any workload if price isn't a factor


Razer Blade 15, Blade Pro 17 and Core X Chroma Malaysia release: up to 300Hz refresh rate, price starting from RM1999

Today, Razer announced the latest Razer Blades and external GPUs for the Malaysian market. Three products that were revealed are none other than the Razer Blade 15, Blade Pro 17 and the Razer Core X Chroma. All these products are coming soon at selected retailers, priced from RM8999, RM12,499 and RM1999 respectively.

To kick-off, the Blade 15 is an all-rounder laptop for work and play featuring an octa-core 10th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTS Super GPUs, and an ultra-fast 300Hz display. Its also accompanied with a new keyboard layout, upgraded I/O, and a huge chunk of SSD storage up to 1TB PCIe with 16GB of RAM. 4K OLED display is also available with 100% DCI-P3 colour space. The full tech specs details can be found here.

As for the Blade Pro 17, this one is packed with the 10th Gen Intel core i7-10875H processor with a base clock speed of 2.3GHz and 5.1GHz Turbo Boost on the new 8-core processor. Its 17.3-inch display is present as well with a 4K 120Hz refresh rate and a full HD 300Hz option, alongside an up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER GPU. Furthermore, it also features a USB 3.2 Gen 2, 2.5Gb Ethernet, a UHS-III SD Card Reader, Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Windows Hello, and Thunderbolt 3. More information about the laptop right over here.

Last but not least, the Razer Core X Chroma is an external graphics enclosure (eGPU) powered by Razer Chroma RGB. This gaming-grade desktop utilizes a 700W power supply, USB and Gigabit Ethernet, designed to work with Thunderbolt 3 Windows laptops and MacBooks. It's also compatible with the gamer's choice of desktop PCIe graphics cards which includes NVIDIA GeForce RTX, GeForce GTX, and Quadro cards to AMD XConnect enabled Radeon and Radeon Pro cards. For more information, click here.

Razer also revealed that the Razer Tomahawk gaming chassis is available at the price of RM1099 at selected retailers. This was announced during RazerCon quite recently and will come in two sizes - ATX and mini-ITX. Stay tuned for more trending gadget news at TechNave.com.