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...

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A new ad for Windows 11, and by extension new Windows 11-powered laptops, has been posted to the official Windows YouTube channel. It’s called “Right side of risk.” Uh-oh. The 30-second spot once again reminds you that Windows 10 will stop receiving security updates this October. Which is something Microsoft has been blasting to the significant portion of the user base that’s still using Windows 10 for a while now. But the specific language Microsoft is using here is… questionable. “Upgrade now,” it says, showing a flashy animation of a new laptop in the background, “to a Windows 11 Pro PC with Intel Inside, and stay on the right side of risk.” Between the specific callout for Windows 11 Pro and highlights for features like “simple, fast, and reliable deployment,” it’s clear that this video is aimed at corporations and IT managers. Which is a little odd, since they’re the ones who’ll get relatively easy (if expensive) access to security updates for Windows 10 beyond that October deadline. But with all the leeway in the world for a 10-year-old operating system and the need for progress…it’s clear that Windows 10 is still enormously popular. And it’s an OS that Microsoft once billed as “the last Windows,” implying a perpetual upgrade and support setup before it changed its mind. It doesn’t help that Microsoft seems to be doing all it can to make Windows 11 as annoying to use as possible. Microsoft, the decision to sunset Windows 10 is entirely yours. And that means that you’re creating a problem so that you can sell a solution, either in the form of a Windows 11 license or a new laptop. That’s never a good look. It might be worth considering, as Windows has never looked less essential than it does right now. Read...

Yesterday, in a Chromium blog post, Google announced that Chrome has achieved “the highest score ever” in the Speedometer 3 benchmarking assessment, making it one of the fastest browsers in the world. Thanks to a number of optimizations, the Chrome web browser has become 10 percent faster than it was back in August 2024, which results in “better browser experiences” and “deeper enjoyment of what the web has to offer.” Of course, even with this progress, there’s still plenty of room for further improvement in Chrome’s performance. Speedometer 3 is a benchmark that measures performance across various web browser use cases, including HTML parsing, JavaScript and JSON processing, DOM manipulations, CSS layout calculations, and pixel rendering. In theory, a higher score should correlate to a better user experience while navigating the web. Chrome has been heavily criticized over the years for feature creep, slowdowns, and taking up too many system resources, so these gains are welcome. However, it should be noted that there are other factors to consider when choosing a web browser, including features, security, privacy, etc. Even if a browser that scores well on Speedometer 3, it may not be the best browser for you. Further reading: The best browsers for security, privacy, and features Read...

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The Acer TravelMate P6 14 AI business laptop combines ultra-light durability, a stunning 14-inch OLED display, AI-powered features, and up to 14 hours of battery life. Read...

Following the deprecation of WordPad, Microsoft has been adding a lot of features to Notepad, which has led to criticism from users who prefer Notepad for its no-frills simplicity. If you’re such a user, you might be interested to know that Microsoft is bringing a new minimalist text editor to Windows 11—one that runs in the Command Prompt. It’s called Edit and it “pays homage to the classic MS-DOS Editor, but with a modern interface and input controls similar to [Visual Studio Code].” Windows Latest took a closer look at a preview version of Edit, and sure enough it’s a svelte and compact text editor only 230KB in size. Microsoft You open Edit by typing edit in the Command Prompt and then pressing the Enter key. When Edit is running, you can open text files for barebones text editing. You can jump to a specific line with the go to line command, switch between open documents, and more. But you can’t format the text, use AI summaries, or any other advanced features. It should be noted that it currently isn’t possible to save files in Edit, so you should copy the finished edited text to another app like Notepad, Visual Studio Code, or even Microsoft Word. Edit is still going through major development, and right now you can only get it by installing it manually from GitHub. However, Microsoft said in a statement to Windows Latest that the plan is to “ship Edit as the default text editor, but only for the command line.” We don’t know when that’ll happen, but probably not for a few more months at least. Read...

If the (hang on, let me count) 16 different Lego sets in my office alone are any indication, then PC gamers and Lego fans have a big overlap in the middle of their Venn diagram. Alienware knows this, and has released an official, adorable set that lets you recreate an Area 51 gaming desktop in miniature. According to the promotional page, the set is made of authentic Lego bricks. I assume the company is sourcing them wholesale, since the packaging doesn’t have any Lego logos on the box. It’s 5.3 inches (13.2 centimeters) long and contains 318 bricks. But it’s a pretty cool little kit, replicating the exterior features of the case and a nicely detailed rear panel, with a transparent window showing off the motherboard, CPU, GPU, and even some tiny round pieces that stand in for cooling fans. There are even some piping elements that show off liquid cooler lines going to the “radiator.” Dell If you want one, you’ll need to engage in a little band loyalty. The Dell subsidiary isn’t selling the kit on its own, instead exchanging it for 3500 Alienware Reward Points (ARP). You can earn ARP by installing the Alienware Arena app and competing in various challenges and community activities. It doesn’t look fun, frankly, and I’d rather just send Dell $30 for a teeny-tiny gaming desktop kit. Alternately, if you’ve got a shoebox full of spare Lego parts like I do, you could just throw together your own. There are plenty of examples to choose from out there. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Sharp 2K video Spotlights enable good color night vision Easy to set up Local storage via up to 512GB microSD Cons No support for Apple Home Onboard mic doesn’t mask wind noise very well Our Verdict The Tapo C410 Kit is a very good home security camera, especially for folks looking to avoid the necessity of paying for a subscription to get its most important features. It’s also a great pick for those looking to avoid wires and needing to dismount the camera to charge its battery. But the absence of Apple Home support will be a bummer for some. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today I’ve had a full set of security cameras set up around my house for many years, but none of them was oriented in such a way that I could see over the fence to check on the car or who was on the other side of the fence. Since my existing system can’t support any additional cameras, I figured I might as well get a smart solar-powered security camera. That’s when TP-Link’s affordable Tapo C410 Kit caught by eye. This bullet-style, battery-powered camera is completely wireless; it comes with a solar panel to keep its lithium-ion battery topped off; and the presence of a microSD card slot means it can accommodate up to a user-provided 512GB memory card–and that means you don’t really need to pay for a subscription to store video recordings in the cloud (TP-Link does offer optional subscriptions, of course, which I’ll discuss later). The solar panel is the star of the show here because it’s what gives us so much freedom. Design and features The cylindrical Tapo C410 itself has a clean and modern look that we’ve come to expect from security cameras. When triggered by motion after dark, a pair of LED spotlights enable color night vision, and there’s an onboard microphone for two-way audio. There’s a power button on the back of the camera, as well as a USB-C port for charging its battery (the included solar panel plugs in here as well) and the slot for the previously mentioned microSD card slot. In other words, it offers all the features we think you should look for in a budget-priced security camera. Gabriela Vatu The included mount accommodates both the camera and the solar panel, simplifying physical installation. You’ll also find several rubber elements in the box you can use to make camera’s ports watertight even after plugging the solar panel into the camera. The camera carries a weatherization rating of IP65, which–according to our IP code guide–indicates it is impervious to dust ingress and that it’s protected from water jets sprayed from any direction, although it probably wouldn’t stand up to a pressure washer at close distance. The camera delivers 2K resolution (defined as 2304 x 1296 pixels) at 15 frames per second, which means the image is sharp enough to capture great details, from license plates to faces. The solar panel is the star of the show here because it’s what gives us so much freedom, making it possible to set it up anywhere we need it as long as it’s exposed to sunlight. Gabriela Vatu The camera also delivers a slew of features that many smart cams come with, including two-way audio, general motion detection, and person detection. The camera uses motion detection to send you alerts when activity is noticed, and it can smartly distinguish between people, pets, and vehicles. You decide which notifications to get and which to ignore. The camera connects to your local router easily (2.4GHz networks only). Whether or not you avail yourself of the camera’s microSD card slot, an optional Tapo Care subscription enables you to store video recordings in the cloud (with a 30-day history), and it adds a rich notification feature that includes a snapshot of the motion that triggered the camera to send you an alert. Tapo Care plans start at $3.49 per month or $34.99 per year and are one of the least expensive security subscriptions out there. But remember: don’t buy just any microSD card for a security camera–make sure its specs are suitable for the job. Setup and performance The Tapo C410 Kit is extremely easy to set up. Everything you need is in the box, including screws to mount it on your wall. All you’ll need to do is to figure out where to set it up so it gets enough sunlight to keep its battery charged. Tapo says the camera needs at least 45 minutes of direct sunlight for all-day monitoring, so make sure you pick a good spot. A longer USB-C cable is also in the box in the event you need to mount the solar panel further away from the camera to get enough exposure to the sun. Gabriela Vatu The whole process was relatively painless and took 15 minutes at most, including all the time spent going up and down the ladder. Connecting the camera to the app is also extremely easy. To take things one step further, I integrated the Tapo app with Google Home. In less than two minutes I could say “Hey Google, show me the front yard” and have the footage displayed on my Nest Hub. If Alexa rules your smart home, you can do the same with an Echo Show. This review is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best home security cameras. The quality of the two-way audio is great, although I found the microphone to be a bit susceptible to wind noise I feel there’s quite a bit of extra noise when it’s windy, despite Tapo claiming there’s some noise cancellation. One thing I love about the camera is that you can define activity zones or black out your neighbor’s windows for privacy, for instance. Should you buy the Tapo C410 Kit? Frankly, there’s no reason not to get the Tapo C410 Kit. It’s super easy to set up—both physically and via the app—and it delivers great video quality, as well as plenty of smart features. It’s a great pick for anyone who doesn’t want to spend a fortune on security cameras, wants one they can set up and forget about, and wants the ease of mind of always getting notifications about what’s happening outside their home. Since this is a solar-powered camera, this may not be the best pick for folks who live in areas with limited sunlight or who have an Apple Home setup. Read...

Come October 14th, Microsoft is officially ending support for Windows 10. That means no more new features or improvements, no more security fixes, and the gradual loss of apps as they also stop supporting Windows 10. Microsoft wants you to upgrade to Windows 11—and if your PC doesn’t meet the requirements, then Microsoft wants you to trade it in or recycle it and get a brand-new Windows 11 machine. But maybe you don’t have the money for that. Or maybe you’re repelled by Windows 11. Or maybe you just don’t want to waste a perfectly good PC that still works fine. In that case, you might be interested in KDE’s latest campaign that encourages Windows 10 holdouts to try switching to Linux with the user-friendly Plasma Desktop (spotted by Windows Latest). The campaign is called KDE for Windows 10 Exiles, which highlights the fact that while many older PCs can’t be upgraded to Windows 11, there’s no need to create unnecessary e-waste. The smarter and more eco-friendly move is to switch to Linux—and KDE is, of course, flying the flag for its own Plasma solution. Plasma Desktop is a free, simple, and easy-to-use desktop environment that’s meant to be an accessible Windows alternative. It includes an app launcher, system tray, notifications, and software repositories, plus lots of customization options to make it as comfortable as you like. Plasma isn’t itself a Linux distribution. It’s a user interface for the OS that works with most popular KDE-compatible Linux distributions, including OpenSUSE, Fedora, Manjaro, and Kubuntu. If you don’t want to give up your machine and want to try switching to Linux, consider installing OpenSUSE with Plasma. The OpenSUSE Installation Quick Start Guide walks you through the process. Otherwise, learn more about how to save your Windows 10 PC after end of life. Read...