Apple has a reputation for reimagining products launched by other companies, polishing them so thoroughly that they’re often seen as synonymous with Apple itself. With the macOS 26 “Tahoe” update that Apple launched at WWCD 2025, the OS arguably has achieved what Windows 11 has struggled to be: warm, polished, and smart. Apple’s new macOS Tahoe is first defined by its “Liquid Glass” design aesthetic, a new universal design language, that I think hearkens back to Windows 10 and earlier versions of Windows operating systems. But beyond look and feel, there are practical elements, like the Spotlight search bar that understands what’s on your Mac and taps into local intelligence to find what you want. There are also shortcuts or macros to help you complete tasks, and a phone application that looks as rich as what Microsoft offers. There’s even a rudimentary Game Bar. I much prefer Windows over macOS, and have used Windows and Android products for decades. Nonetheless, there have been a few times that I’ve been impressed with what Apple has accomplished—the Apple Watch integration with iOS, for example. There’s a level of polish and integration here that I think Microsoft should pay attention to. If I had to sum it up: What I use on a day-to-day basis on Windows feels like a rough draft. What Apple showed off at WWDC seems more like the final product. Warm and rich From day one of Windows 11, I wrote that Windows 11 felt like an unnecessary replacement for Windows 10. I’ve since changed my mind about that, in part because Microsoft has pivoted toward features like Windows Spotlight and adding AI capabilities like Copilot. MacOS Tahoe looks and feels somewhat like Windows Vista’s Aero Glass design language, but you can’t hold that against them—some of Microsoft’s early Windows efforts were fondly remembered for their UI. Sure, this is way too much. But Windows just doesn’t really allow this level of customization.YouTube / Apple Apple’s widgets look very much like the old Gadgets on Windows Vista, too. They just appear to be small widgets that float on the desktop, with large icons that can show your calendar and the weather. Windows has its own Widgets Panel, of course, and there will be those who prefer that that information hides off screen. Again, however, for those who liked Windows 10’s Live Tiles and how they showed “live” information, Tahoe’s Live Activities look warm and engaging. (I don’t like Tahoe’s new ability to color-code or label folders, weirdly. It feels superficial, like something that Windows would do. ) Apple appears to have more than just light and dark modes in mind. It all looks very personal. That’s something that Windows 11 really doesn’t offer. Windows 11 is functional, but I always feel like a cubicle worker rather than someone more creative. Apple appears to be leaning harder into the individual. YouTube / Apple Productivity, too Some of what Apple showed off at WWDC looked familiar. Apple’s Control Center is just Windows’ Action Center, providing quick shortcuts to apps and controls. Apple Continuity is Apple’s efforts to traverse its iPhone, iPad, and Vision OS platforms, by allowing you to share content across platforms — something that Microsoft doesn’t do well, but hardware makers like Samsung, do. I was more impressed with Live Activities, a more dynamic sort of widget. In one example, Apple’s Craig Federighi showed an Uber delivery app connected the Mac via the iPhone, displaying a summary of how far away the driver was. Apple’s Live Activities connected the iPhone and the Mac.YouTube / Apple Interestingly, one area where it feels like Windows has an advantage is in the Phone application. On Windows, you can read and write SMS messages, grab photos from your phone, and even see the (Android) phone’s desktop. On the Mac, Apple supplies tools that are more integrated into the phone itself, such as Live Voicemail and the ability to perform live translations. Microsoft offers the latter, but that’s built into Windows itself. On the other hand, Microsoft’s UI still feels rather cold and functional, while the macOS interface bursts with life. Apple’s phone app connects the iPhone and the Mac, too. It’s livelier than what Windows offers, but sligtly less functional.YouTube / Apple Shortcuts and Spotlight Apple also showed off an updated version of the Shortcuts application, powered by Apple Intelligence. Shortcuts is a bit like IFTTT or even the Windows Power Automate application: It’s designed to take actions in response to certain conditions. Automations, in other words. On Windows, the Power applications are apps that I’ve struggled with for a few years, since it was essentially a coding language that you had to create a workflow for. Apple is trying to reduce that complexity by asking those actions to be triggered automatically, without a great deal of setup. It’s not clear how successful this application will be. Again, however, it looks crisp and clean. Shortcuts in action.YouTube / Apple The twist that Apple is adding is that macOS users will be able to create shortcuts, essentially macros that are triggered by a keyboard shortcut. One of those allows you to access the built-in version of Apple Intelligence directly, so that your queries don’t have to go out to the cloud. In a Windows context, that would be like Microsoft adding a local version of Copilot — something that it’s hinted at, but has yet to implement. If you want to use the cloud, Apple is apparently partnering with OpenAI, giving direct access to ChatGPT. One example that Apple showed off was recording lecture audio, then comparing it to notes that the student had taken, and then add to that. Shortcuts has previously lived on iOS. It will be interesting to see how Shortcuts fares on macOS, since it’s an app that hasn’t received much fanfare. This is Apple’s Spotlight, looking for local files that are relevant.YouTube / Apple Shortcuts is also being integrated with Spotlight, which is essentially Apple’s search and utility interface. It’s receiving the “biggest update ever,” Apple said, and will quickly allow you to find files that are relevant to you. Windows users will probably compare Spotlight to the built-in Windows search function and File Explorer. They’re comparable, but Apple’s Tahoe certainly looks fresh, inviting, and useful. Apple has even brought in a feature I remember from Windows 10 and Cortana: the ability to draft an email from the search box. It’s an integration that Microsoft pioneered, then dropped — and now Apple has picked up the baton and started running. YouTube / Apple Apple even spent several minutes opening a document in Pages, then adding a graphic and moving it around the page. That’s something Word has struggled with, for years. It’s time for Microsoft to pay attention Apple’s rollout of macOS 26 Tahoe didn’t push “AI” every other sentence. Instead, Apple emphasized its own “Apple Intelligence,” gently deflecting away from the acronym that divides its creative customers. Everything felt very warm, colorful, lively, and human — undoubtedly deliberately so. Microsoft could take a lesson here: Technologists are designing products for people. Windows hasn’t forgotten this, but it’s definitely downplayed it. For years, we’ve gently mocked Apple for following where others have led. This time, I think Microsoft could learn a lesson from Apple instead. Read...

Apple has previewed visionOS 26, introducing new spatial widgets, shared experiences, AI-powered photo scenes, and enhanced personalisation for Apple Vision Pro users. Read...

Apple unveils watchOS 26 with a fresh Liquid Glass design, Workout Buddy and smarter features for a personalised, motivating Apple Watch experience. Read...

Apple launches macOS Tahoe 26, featuring a sleek new design, enhanced Continuity, smarter Spotlight, and expanded AI tools for a seamless Mac experience. Read...

Apple expands Apple Intelligence with new AI features and developer access to on-device models, enhancing privacy and offline capabilities across its devices. Read...

Apple unveils iOS 26 with a Liquid Glass design, smarter Apple Intelligence, and updates to CarPlay, Wallet, Messages, and core apps. Free from iPhone 11. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros It’s an ASTM-certified pool alarm (relevant standard: ASTM F2208 – 2019) Effective alerting Sirens are ear-piercing and impossible to ignore Cons Very expensive compared to general-purpose security cameras   Can’t record video on motion detection Subpar app experience Our Verdict The SwamCam system monitors your pool and sounds an alarm if someone is around your pool when they shouldn’t be—and that’s about it. You’ll find any number of more flexible alternatives that can achieve the same results for a lot less money, even if they’re not ASTM-certified pool alarms. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today With a name like SwamCam, you might already have an inkling of what this product is designed to do. If you guessed it’s designed to keep an eye on your swimming pool, congrats! That said, my expectation is that some of SwamCam’s functionality will surprise you—as will its price tag. At its simplest, SwamCam is a camera designed with pool safety—particularly children who might not be water-safe—squarely in mind. The oblong device is a basic 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixels) camera with a fisheye camera with a 160-degree field of view and standard LED night vision. You mount the camera on a wall, fence, or somewhere else (various hardware is included, along with a 20-foot power cord—a 50-foot cord is available at additional cost) and aim it directly at your swimming pool, where it keeps a watchful eye on goings-on. If a toddler wanders into my backyard while the SwamCam is armed, the 80dBA siren (91dBA at the extender) will let me know. The camera carries a weatherization rating of IP65, which our IP code guide tells us means it is impervious to dust ingress and that it can withstand water jets coming from any direction (short of a pressure washer). Also in the mix are two-way audio, an integrated alarm system, and a button that lets you quickly dial 911 should you spot something amiss. A security camera that doesn’t record on motion detection You’ll need a paid subscription to define motion-detection zones in the SwamCam app. Christopher Null/Foundry What the SwamCam does not do is record video automatically, and officially the company says it is not designed to be “a historical data security system.” The motion detection system in the device watches for human movement at a range of up to 35 feet away, and (if armed) sounds an alarm if it detects any. That alarm keeps sounding until the motion stops. The SwamCam mobile app sends you a push notification, at which point you can check out a live video feed, but, again, video is not recorded unless you manually initiate it (which in turn requires a subscription plan; I’ll get to that in a bit). A live video feed is available for viewing any time, whether the alarm is sounding or not. Performance The optional Wi-Fi repeater (included in the bundle reviewed here) has an even more powerful siren than the one on the SwamCam camera.Christopher Null/Foundry Over several weeks of testing, I found the device to be responsive, performing well at its primary task: detecting humans in and around the pool. I placed it alongside a standard Vivint security camera and didn’t see any real difference in the alert rates—or false positives, with occasional alerts popping up when a pool robot lumbered into view. Live video was quick to load in my testing, and the alarm sounded immediately—and sustainedly—when I had the system armed. The SwamCam app is a curiosity that merits its own analysis. The main page is very simple, offering only a Live View button and a separate button for arm/disarm actions. It really couldn’t be simpler, which is entirely the point of the device. Tapping the gear icon, however, takes you to an oddball settings page, which is arranged as a grid of haphazardly organized functions. Everything else you can do with the camera is located here, from setting motion sensitivity and your motion detection zone, an arming timer and scheduling system, a custom emergency call number (if you don’t want 911), and even the video playback system. It’s weird to dig around in a settings menu to find recorded videos, but I suppose it’s something you’ll get used to. It comes with some extras SwamCam isn’t just a single device but rather part of an ecosystem that is sold in numerous bundles and configurations, including bundles that contain multiple cameras, so you can get a look at your pool from different angles, along with various accessories you can add to the mix. (The app supports a maximum of three cameras and a total of 20 accessories.) The accessories include an indoor alarm (with or without an integrated Wi-Fi repeater) and a numeric keypad that can be used to arm and disarm the SwamCam alarm. The keypad can be used indoors or out, since it’s rated IP65 for protection from dust and liquid ingress. This keypad, another option that came with the SwamCam bundle reviewed here, can arm and disarm the system. It can be used indoors or out, thanks to an IP66 weatherization rating. Christopher Null/Foundry The accessories connect to the SwamCam via Zigbee. I tested the version with the included Wi-Fi repeater, and while it promises to work at a range of up to 100 feet (from the SwamCam camera), I was unable to get it to connect to the camera at a range of 40 feet, ostensibly due to interference between the two devices. The camera only works on 2.4GHz Wi-Fi networks. Once I moved the indoor alarm/repeater to just a few feet away from the camera (but still inside the house), I was able to get a strong, reliable signal. The interior alarm is extremely loud and ear-piercing (; a voiced alternative is also available. When it went off, I knew, even if I was on the other side of the house. The numeric keypad is simplistic in both design and function. The chunky device, powered by two AAA batteries, can arm and disarm the system after entering a PIN you create in the app. Tapping any digit on the keypad causes it to light up and indicate with a small LED whether the system is armed or disarmed. Most of the time, however, the lights are all off, so you can’t readily tell without tapping it whether the system is armed or not. The cost conundrum As a basic alarm system that can alert you if someone falls into the pool, SwamCam does what it promises, and I feel reasonably comfortable knowing that if a toddler wanders into my backyard while the SwamCam is armed, the siren on the camera (80dBA at 10 feet) and/or the Wi-Fi extender (91dBA at 10 feet) will fire off and let me know. The SwamCam system sends push notifications if anyone comes into range of its camera while the system is in its armed state. The app’s Settings page is rather haphazardly laid out.Christopher Null/Foundry On the other hand, I’m equally comfortable that my existing camera system—or any of a number of other more conventional security cameras—would do the same job. But they would also record video of the incident. That said, my other security cameras are not ASTM-certified pool alarms. The big catch is that all this stuff is very, very expensive. The SwamCam bundle I received, including one camera, the interior alarm (with Wi-Fi repeater), and the keypad costs a jaw-dropping $499. Standalone products are also pricey. A replacement camera is $299. The interior alarm is $149, or $129 without the repeater. The keypad is $99. Those kinds of prices boggle the mind given their limited feature set, and I don’t know of any DIY security system that would come anywhere close to costing that kind of cash. (For rough comparison, SimpliSafe’s “The Beacon” kit with base station, keypad, two outdoor cameras, and four sensors is currently $367.) And it bears repeating that those other systems can be set to record video on motion detection. The SwamCam will not. You might also be surprised to learn you’ll need to subscribe to SwamCam’s premium service if you want many of the system’s features; namely, the ability to record and share videos, to set custom detection zones, create more than one keypad code, and more. With a paid subscription, video is stored for 30 days on SwamCam’s cloud service. The SwamCam’s 1080p video resolution is adequate for seeing if someone is around your pool when they shouldn’t be; you won’t be using it to capture license plates, after all.Christopher Null/Foundry Clips can be a maximum of 10 minutes if you have one camera, or 5 minutes if you have two.) The service costs $4/month or $40/year. SwamCam suggests customers might want to subscribe only for the months of the year when their pool is in active use. A 30-day trial subscription is included with purchase. This review is part of TechHive’s iin-depth coverage of the best home security cameras I did encounter one problem with recorded video: While the manual recordings I made at the beginning of my testing were immediately playable, more recent recordings never became available for playback, showing a “Video failed to load, please try again later” error—even after more than a day had passed since they were ostensibly created. Should you buy a SwamCam? Listen: Pool safety is no joke, with some 4,000 people drowning each year according to the CDC, most of those in swimming pools. It’s also the leading cause of unintentional death for children ages 1 to 4. As a pool owner, I take safety seriously, including fencing and round-the-clock camera surveillance, and I recommend the same to other pool owners. But while SwamCam’s heart is in the right place—and there’s something to be said for its being an ASTM-certified pool alarm—its pricing simply is not. I just can’t get my head around any calculus that would convince me that a near-$500 purchase (plus subscription fees) is warranted for the very basic functionality the SwamCam offers—no matter how good a job it does. Read...

YouTube has a lot of ads. So many, in fact, that you might wonder if owner Google is using the prevalence and annoyance of advertising to not-so-subtly get people paying for YouTube Premium. Lots of users block those ads—and I get it—but of course Google would prefer that they don’t. Now YouTube is annoying even more users that are blocking ads… in a possible prelude to even more aggressive moves. Late last week and over the weekend, users in laptop and desktop browsers (including yours truly) started seeing pop-ups on YouTube discouraging them from blocking ads and/or encouraging a paid subscription to YouTube Premium. It’s not surprising to anyone that Google isn’t a fan of ad blocking, but the message between the lines might just be “we can tell you’re blocking ads, and we can just shut off your access to the de facto home of video on the web if you keep doing it.” There’s a growing trend of otherwise free ad-supported websites detecting ad blockers and shutting off access if they’re employed. This isn’t the first time Google has tested the waters and pushed back against YouTube users who block ads. Other short-term tests have simply blacked out videos if an ad blocker is detected, baked advertisements into a hard-coded version of the video, etc. In Google’s defense, it’s also experimented in cheaper variants of the Premium service… which don’t turn off ads for all videos and don’t include useful mobile features like background listening and offline downloads. The value proposition still doesn’t make sense for me. A little testing this morning shows that multiple browser and ad blocking extension combinations are no longer showing the pop-up, so either Google has ended a relatively short-term test or the ad blocking companies have already gotten around the new system. Either way, it seems like the tension between YouTube users and advertisers isn’t going anywhere soon. Read...

Smart home technology is designed to make our lives easier, taking chores off our list and giving us more time to enjoy other pursuits. With the rapid onset of AI technology, autonomous tech is smarter than ever. Gadgets like Beatbot’s line of robot pool cleaners take over one of life’s necessary but time-consuming tasks, freeing you up to take full advantage of the summer sun. At the top of Beatbot’s robot pool cleaner line is the Aquasense 2 Ultra, a cordless model designed for effortless operation that does away with the safety concerns of tangled, damaged or trip-hazard cords. It builds in several industry-first features, including automotive-grade coating technology for enhanced durability, and comes with a strong three-year full-replacement warranty for additional peace of mind. Beatbot makes pool maintenance easy Cordless design HybridSense Pool Mapping with AI Camera 5-in-1 Cleaning: Water surface, waterline, floors, walls, water clarification Advanced AI Cruise Debris Detection Superior water surface cleaning with side brushes and app navigational control Smart water surface parking and one-touch app retrieval Skin-safe and eco-friendly ClearWater Natural Clarification The Aquasense 2 Ultra is a super-sleek robot that will not only clean the water surface in your pool, but also scrub the waterline, the floor, and walls, and purify the water to make it clearer. Get this robot and wave goodbye to manually cleaning your pool. As soon as you flip it into the water, it puts its 27 sensors and proprietary HybridSense AI technology to use, mapping out the pool and deciding on the best cleaning path. An AI camera also helps the robot detect debris on the pool floor for more thorough cleaning. The dual-side brushes and 5,500GPH suction power make cleaning any pool surfaces a breeze, and the robot will easily scale concrete, tile, vinyl, or fiberglass walls. Beatbot’s Aquasense 2 Ultra won’t just clean the pool, but it will also filtrate the water, removing dirt, oil, and residue, thus helping you keep the water clean. Buy Beatbot Aquasense 2 Ultra at Amazon Beatbot Simple operation An appealing feature of this robot pool cleaner is just how long it lasts. Unlike other similar models, it has a 13,400mAh battery that can keep going up to 10 hours when cleaning the water surface, or five hours when cleaning the pool floor or walls. The Beatbot AquaSense 2 Ultra is easily controlled using a smartphone app. After completing its cleaning task, you’ll be able to see the pool map on your phone. You can also view cleaning history and real-time stat, check the planned cleaning path, and choose between multiple available cleaning modes. You can even use the app to take full manual control and navigate the robot around your pool when it’s on the water surface and Wi-Fi connected. An added bonus of the mobile app is its ability to report on water and environmental temperatures, making it easy to decide whether it’s too cold for a dip without getting wet. Once the cleaning job is complete, the robot automatically parks itself at the waterline so you can pick it up and set it to recharge. The wireless charging dock has a sleek design that you will be proud to have on show at your next pool party. New features The latest update from Beatbot adds three new features to the AquaSense 2 Ultra: AI Quick Mode: AquaSense 2 Ultra takes advantage of AI vision technology to enable focused and immediate cleaning of debris from the pool floor in just half the time of the standard Floor mode–perfect for when you need to clean up the pool in a hurry. Night Cleaning Mode: Available in Floor, Standard, Pro and AI Quick modes, a pair of lights and an AI camera enable enhanced visibility for improved night-time cleaning, meaning you can wake up to a sparkling clean pool. ECO Mode: Also available for AquaSense 2, Pro and 2 Pro, ECO Mode is perfect for continued maintenance while you’re away from home. Schedule programmed pool floor cleaning every 48 hours, and it’ll keep going up to 10 days (based on a 30m² pool), so you can dive right in to a cleaner pool when you return. Time-limited offers Beatbot’s range of AquaSense pool cleaners are on sale for Father’s Day, and between June 9 and 22 you can save up to $820 on these helpful robots. Usually priced at $3,550, the AquaSense 2 Ultra is now available for $2,840, while the AquaSense 2 Pro, with a retail price of $2,899, can be purchased for $2,079. The simpler AquaSense 2 is usually $1,599, but you can save $500 and get it for $1,099. Save up to $820 on Beatbot pool cleaners in the Father`s Day sale! View Deals at Amazon Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Good build quality for the price Integrated kickstand minimizes thickness Bright display with respectable image quality 144Hz refresh rate provides good motion clarity Cons HDMI port is not full-sized HDR input is technically supported, but it’s not great Doesn’t support Adaptive Sync Our Verdict The Arzopa Z1FC is billed as a “portable gaming monitor,” but it’s actually a solid choice for anyone who needs an affordable portable display. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Arzopa Z1FC Retailer Price $169.99 View Deal $189.99 View Deal Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket The Arzopa Z1FC is positioned as a budget portable gaming monitor, and it’s certainly decent in that role. But contrary to how it’s marketed, the monitor is arguably even better when tapped for general use and day-to-day productivity. Though not perfect, the Arzopa Z1FC is a versatile and competitively priced portable monitor with a bright, high-refresh display. Read on to learn more, then see our roundup of the best monitors for comparison. Arzopa Z1FC specs and features The Arzopa Z1FC is sold as a portable gaming monitor, but its specifications are a decent fit for a wide variety of tasks. It has an IPS LCD with 1080p resolution that includes multiple USB-C inputs, and supports HDR. One feature the monitor notably lacks is Adaptive Sync. Arguably, that means it’s best used as an office and productivity monitor, as Adaptive Sync is essential to smooth gameplay in many situations. Display size: 16.1-inch 16:9 aspect ratio Native resolution: 1920×1080 Panel type: IPS LCD Refresh rate: 144Hz Adaptive Sync: No HDR: Yes, HDR enabled Ports: 2x USB-C with DisplayPort and Power Delivery, 1x mini-HDMI 1.4 Audio: 2x 1-watt speakers Added features: Two-pocket carrying case Warranty: 1-year warranty Price: $199.99 MSRP, $169.99 on sale The Arzopa Z1FC’s price can range from mediocre (at $199.99 MSRP) to rather affordable (at its lowest sale price of $169.99). When on sale, the Z1FC’s pricing is competitive with the alternatives, though a few may be sold for less depending on the day. Shoppers should also know there are two versions of the Z1FC. I reviewed the version that has a carrying case (described below). It can also be purchased without the carrying case. The version without a carrying case seems like a better deal, as it can be purchased for as little as $96.99 and appears identical in images. I haven’t tested it, though, so the image quality results here only apply to the version with the case. Arzopa Z1FC design Given the price, you might expect design and build weaknesses from the Arzopa Z1FC, but that’s not true. The portable monitor has an aluminum rear panel attached to plastic bezels. Though it’s not remarkable, the overall aesthetic is attractive and similar to competitive portable monitors at higher price points. The monitor has a thin aluminum kickstand that does its job well, keeping the monitor stable on your desk. You can tip the monitor if you bump a corner, but it’s stable enough that it won’t fall over unless given a moderate push. Portrait orientation was similarly stable. The kickstand folds completely flush with the monitor’s back when not in use, which helps with portability. Matthew Smith / Foundry Speaking of which, the Z1FC’s portability is outstanding. The monitor weighs just 1.7 pounds and measures only three-tenths of an inch thick. It’s unlikely you’ll even notice the extra weight if you’re using a backpack meant for a 14- or 15-inch laptop and have the laptop stowed. As a bonus, Arzopa includes the best carrying case I’ve encountered with any portable monitor. It’s made from an attractive ribbed material and features two interior pockets, providing enough space for both the monitor and a laptop. The padding is too thin for long-distance travel, but fine if you need to carry the portable monitor to a meeting with a client or to your company’s office. Don’t get me wrong: it’s not going to challenge a high-quality bag from a recognized brand. But for a throw-in sold with a portable monitor, it’s great. Matthew Smith / Foundry Arzopa includes the best carrying case I’ve encountered with any portable monitor. Arzopa Z1FC connectivity A pair of USB-C ports with Power Delivery and DisplayPort serve as the primary video and power inputs for the Arzopa Z1FC. The monitor doesn’t ship with a USB-C power brick, so you’ll need to rely on power provided by the device that it’s connected to or bring your own. The Z1FC had no problem receiving adequate power and video from my Apple Mac Mini M4 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 13-inch, so the lack of brick shouldn’t be an issue unless you plan to use HDMI. HDMI can be a headache, though, as the Z1FC has a mini-HDMI port instead of a full-sized HDMI port. An HDMI to mini-HDMI cable is included, which is nice, but you might be in trouble if you lose or forget the cable while traveling. This type of HDMI input is much less common than a full-sized HDMI. All the Z1FC’s ports are found on the monitor’s left flank, which can be inconvenient if you plan to sit the monitor to the left of your display, as your cables will need to snake around the monitor. Arzopa Z1FC menus and features The Arzopa Z1FC’s menu system is basic but better than average for the category. It includes a dedicated button for opening the menu and selecting menu options. As basic as it sounds, it’s not found on some budget alternative monitors I’ve reviewed. When it’s omitted, users often need to long-press buttons to activate the on-screen menu. There’s more. The Z1FC includes settings for brightness, contrast, sharpness, color temperature, and RGB color adjustment. It also supports 4:3 video input. These, too, are basic features not always found on budget portable monitors. A pair of 1-watt speakers provide audio, but they’re as weak as their power output suggests. They’re okay for listening to a podcast in a pinch but otherwise serve no practical purpose. Arzopa Z1FC image quality The Arzopa Z1FC’s low price kept my expectations for its image quality in check. That turned out to be a good call, as the portable monitor’s SDR image quality is mediocre. However, the overall image quality is serviceable and remains competitive with more expensive portable monitors. Matthew Smith / Foundry Brightness is a highlight for the Arzopa Z1FC. While its brightness of 337 nits is technically mid-pack among the competitors referenced in the graph, I think that pushing past the 300 nits point is an important advantage. Monitors with less than 300 nits at maximum brightness can look dim in moderately lit to brightly lit rooms. That’s doubly important for a portable monitor, as you’re more likely to use it in areas where you don’t have control over the lighting. The monitor has an anti-glare finish, as well, which is effective at reducing glare from larger light sources, such as windows. Smaller light sources, such as lamps and overhead lights, can still be an issue.   Matthew Smith / Foundry Anti-glare finishes tend to reduce contrast, and the Arzopa is no exception. It produced a contrast ratio of 1170:1 at 50 percent of brightness (and similar figures at other brightness levels). That’s not awful but, as the graph shows, it’s a bit behind the pack. The lower contrast ratio isn’t obvious when using the Arzopa Z1FC in a bright room. In darker rooms, however, the dreaded “IPS glow” appears as a hazy gray sheen over dark scenes.  It’s caused by the backlight shining through the display even when it should appear black. All portable monitors without an OLED display panel suffer this problem, but with the Z1FC it’s more noticeable than most. The Innocn 15K1F is the only monitor on the graph with an OLED panel, which is why its contrast ratio runs away from the competition. Matthew Smith / Foundry The Arzopa Z1FC’s color performance is either mediocre or good, depending on your perspective. It doesn’t defeat most alternatives, and its coverage of the DCI-P3 and AdobeRGB are inadequate for serious content creation. On the other hand, it delivers color performance similar to more expensive competitors at a budget price. The Dell Pro 14 Plus, for example, is three times more expensive yet has no significant advantage in color gamut. Matthew Smith / Foundry It’s a similar story in color accuracy. The Arzopa Z1FC’s color accuracy is not that impressive, but it’s not bad, and it’s in line with the competition. Since it’s the least expensive option here, it’s easy to call that a win. In addition, this level of color accuracy is more than enough for casual gaming and office productivity, which is what the Z1FC is most likely to be used for. Sharpness isn’t bad, either. The monitor has a 16.1-inch panel with 1920×1080 resolution. That works out to be about 137 pixels per inch. For comparison, that’s better than a 27-inch 1440p monitor (about 110 ppi) and less than a 27-inch 4K monitor (about 160 ppi). Pixelation is sometimes visible around very small fonts and UI elements, but the display looks reasonably sharp when displaying videos, games, and Microsoft Word. Arzopa Z1FC HDR image quality The Arzopa Z1FC technically supports HDR but, like most portable monitors, it’s rather bad at it. Switching to HDR increased maximum brightness to about 360 nits, but the monitor’s contrast ratio didn’t improve. The color gamut is also an issue, as HDR content targets a wider color gamut than what this monitor can deliver. If great HDR is your priority, the Z1FC isn’t going to do the job. The same is true for all price-competitive portable monitors, however. Arzopa Z1FC motion performance Gamers will enjoy the Arzopa Z1FC’s improved refresh rate, though with a few caveats. Motion clarity is good, for the price. The monitor’s 144Hz refresh is noticeably crisper than a 60Hz portable monitor when viewing fast-moving objects or turning the camera in a 3D game. Blur is still obvious, though, and can make small objects or moving text difficult to read. Your opinion on the motion clarity will likely hinge on what you’ve tried before. Those coming from a 60Hz display will be impressed. If you’ve witnessed a 240Hz OLED (or better), however, you’ll be disappointed.The Z1FC unfortunately lacks Adaptive Sync, which is a serious mark against its gaming credentials. Its absence means you must accept distracting screen tearing (which is ugly) or cap game frame rates using in-game V-Sync settings (which may reduce motion clarity and smoothness, depending on the game’s frame rate). The Z1FC doesn’t support any form of Adaptive Sync used by current game consoles, either. Most price-competitive monitors also lack Adaptive Sync, but there are a few that provide it. Examples include the Aopen 16OG7QT and UPerfect 16. I’ve not tested those models, however, so I can’t say how their image quality compares to the Arzopa.   Despite the lack of Adaptive Sync, I think the Arzopa’s motion clarity is good for the price. Honestly, it’s a bit strange to me that many more expensive portable monitors, like the Viewsonic TD-1656 and Dell Pro 14 Plus, remain stuck on 60Hz. The Arzopa’s motion is clearly better than either of them. Should you buy the Arzopa Z1FC? The Arzopa Z1FC is a solid option if you want an inexpensive portable monitor that covers the basics and then some. It delivers a bright, attractive image and decent motion clarity alongside an attractive exterior design. The Z1FC is a particularly sensible buy when it’s on sale for $170 or less, as its image quality can rival alternatives priced north of $300. Read...