With only 32 GB of flash memory, we can say that storage – or its capacity – was not Nintendo’s priority when designing the Switch. However, the system arrived with a MicroSD input, allowing cards up to 2TB. But in an era of increasing loading times, we wonder: does the choice of MicroSD affect loading times? And how does your performance compare to internal storage and even cartridges? The results may surprise you.
If you want to invest in eShop purchases, sooner or later you will need a MicroSD. There are only 25.9GB available to users, space that will quickly be filled; a game like Zelda: Breath of the Wild occupies 13GB without updates, and Nintendo offers Switch developers cartridges with a maximum of 32GB. Unless you buy only physical games, you will need more storage space.
According to the Japanese website, Switch supports UHS-1 cards, which in theory gives us speeds up to 104MB / s. To test this, we bought a 16GB Sandisk Ultra, a UHS-1 card that offers transfers up to 80MB / s. It is probably not the card you would buy (we only bought to transfer files before the SDXC update arrives), but it is a cheap SDHC card – format that does not exceed 32GB. However, give us an example of the Switch’s support for UHS-1 speeds.
On the other hand, we chose a € 50 SanDisk Extreme Plus, a 64GB SDXC card, designed to read and write 4K video and rated as one of the fastest MicroSDs on the market. You need to update your Switch to be compatible with these cards but once it is updated, the console can even accept cards with 2TB, but at the moment 256GB was the largest we could find. This Extreme Plus is in a faster UHS-3 flash category, with 90MB / s read and 60MB / s write. These top speeds are not supported by the Switch but a better performance than a UHS1 SanDisk Ultra is to be expected – at least in theory.
Games that use a lot of data are still scarce, so The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is the main target of tests for load times, and the results are fascinating. Look at a Switch cartridge and you will see many pins, suggesting an interface capable of very fast transfers. With our Extreme Plus MicroSD, we believe it would be the winner. However, the results are dramatically conclusive – it’s the Switch’s 32GB internal memory that is the system’s fastest storage interface.
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The first test was near the Temple of Time, an area full of goods to carry. We measure loading times by capturing the loading process in the game, cutting each loading to the exact frame – where in this case the internal storage of the console takes just 30 seconds before you start playing. It’s a long wait, but 14% faster than the cartridge, minus 5 seconds. It even hits the 34 seconds achieved by the two MicroSDs, including the 64GB model. Another curious point is that both MicroSDs are mere seconds from each other.
This happens in more cases. We loaded another complex area, like the Kakariko Village, and Switch’s internal storage came in first again. The 16GB MicroSD is always second, the 64GB MicroSD is third, and then Zelda in the cartridge always last. Whether in the giant tower in Greath Plateau or in a small shrine with a much shorter load time, Switch’s internal memory always wins in load times.
The same is true for areas with smaller data in terms of geometry and textures; Owa Daim Shrine is like many others, it takes about 10 seconds to load regardless of where the game is installed. However, the internal storage expires for a second. Loading a recorded game is one thing, but what about instant journeys between towers and shrines? It is a crucial part of the game’s design considering its scale, large enough to be divided by regions. Opening the map and traveling instantly again takes 27 seconds from internal storage to take us to the tower on the Great Plateau. 5 seconds less than in the cartridge, it takes 32 seconds, and the MicroSDs, which are in the middle of the other two. Basically, on the instant trip you have the same speed difference as when loading a save.
It’s a solid victory for Switch’s internal storage. These results appear several times but were not expected, considering that this NAND partition is fixed and is not expandable. You only have 32GB but at least Nintendo has ensured that the connection with the chipset reaches decent speeds. Less impressive is the fact that the cartridges are always behind. At worst we have a difference of 5 seconds in Zelda, we wonder how in the future games with the Skyrim scale can be affected.
Zelda / Switch Charging Times
Card
Internal memory
Sandisk 16GB Ultra UHS-1
Sandisk 64GB Extreme Plus UHS-3
Temple of Time (Initial load)
35.7
30.7
34.1
34.4
Kakariko Village (Initial load)
27.0
24.1
26.3
26.6
Owa Daim Shrine (Initial load)
9.5
8.7
9.3
9.3
Great Plateau Tower (Travel)
32.6
27.7
30.9
31.2
Dueling Peaks Tower (Travel)
20.5
18.8
19.8
20.1
Shrine of Resurrection (Travel)
24.2
21.8
23.0
23.8
We also have to talk about the speeds of SD cards. None of these Sandisk SDs go beyond console storage, which suggests a speed block. No matter what the bandwidth on the SD, whether 80MB / s on the 16GB model or 90MB / s on the 64GB model, Switch does not take advantage of any. As long as it is a UHS-1 at least, you get the same loading times, or slightly better, than a faster card.
In general, if you want to buy a MicroSD, we advise you to invest in a UHS-1 with the largest capacity you can. You can buy a 128GB for just € 42 and a 200GB for double that price. It is not the fastest method but you will have better speeds than in a cartridge, and with plenty of space for future downloads. But you need to be careful when buying a card.
First, if you have already downloaded games to the console’s memory, it is currently impossible to transfer those games to a MicroSD – a major flaw by Nintendo. As soon as you insert an SD, you have to download all data again to the new destination. It is strange that there is no copy function on the Switch, and for game data, everything you can do and delete. Alternatively, there is the option to archive, which also erases the data, but keeps an icon on the main screen with a link to download it again. It’s a bizarre system that doesn’t make sense, and we hope that Nintendo will add more ways to move games between different locations.
It is also worth saying that as soon as you install a MicroSD on the Switch, all games will be automatically downloaded to that location. Unlike the pictures, you cannot decide where the games are installed – another point that irritates after these results. Only when the SD card is full does the Switch begin to use the internal space. Imagine that you only want one game on the internal NAND memory – to enjoy faster loading times. In this case, you will have to remove the MicroSD first, install the game on NAND, and insert the SD again. It is strange and the warning remains.
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Nintendo Switch – MicroSD Recommendations:
Best value per space: Sandisk Ultra 200GB MicroSDXC UHS-1
Increased storage space: Samsung 256GB Evo MicroSDXC UHS-1
Best value for 128GB of space: Sandisk Ultra 128GB MicroSDXC UHS-1
Best overall value (€ per GB): Sandisk Ultra 64GB MicroSDXC UHS-1
Fortunately, anyone who already uses a MicroSD but wants to purchase a model with more space does not need to download everything again. You can transfer data between the two MicroSDs using a PC. Game file names are displayed using long sets of numbers and letters, but you can get an idea of what the game is by highlighting the folder, selecting properties and checking file sizes.
This way, you can simply drag the contents from one MicroSD to the other, all games will work on the new card – as long as you use it on the same Switch console. It is also very useful as it offers a way to save all your Switch data; SD cards can sometimes fail.
In terms of better performance, it is a shame that the fastest interface is internal storage – which cannot be improved. In addition, the potential for cutting load times is limited. Investing in a super expensive MicroSD will not improve loading times, but at least you won’t have any more penalties compared to cartridges.
If you want to increase the space on your Switch, the decision is easy. Taking into account the quantity of lower quality products and imitations, it is recommended to buy from a reputable and well-known brand. However, the biggest conclusion of these tests is that investing your money in capacity instead of faster speeds is the best option.
Thanks to the divided bean compartment, the Dutch coffee machine brews two different types of coffee. We tested the Philips All-in-1 Brew HD7900.
Table of contents
Two bean chambers
Easy to use
Balanced filter coffee without weaknesses
Hassle-free care
Philips All-in-1 Brew: prices and models
Philips All-in-1 Brew HD7900 in the test: conclusion
Among the Fully automatic coffee machines Philips has distinguished itself through its LatteGo models developed into a crowd favorite with a practical milk cup system and an excellent price-performance ratio. The Dutch also try the same trick with the Filter coffee machines. The technology jack-of-all-trades came up with something for the top model. We tested the Philips All-in-1 Brew HD7900.
Two bean chambers
The highlight of the Philips All-in-1 Brew is the bean container on the top. In contrast to most filter coffee machines and its sister model HD7888/01, the removable storage compartment of the tested HD7900 is divided into two parts. You can switch back and forth between one chamber and the other using a rotary control. This is practical, for example, if you use decaffeinated beans in addition to filter coffee with caffeine or use different types with different flavors. That’s not all: you can also use both bean chambers, each of which can hold just under 225 grams (g), at the same time. This means you either have a large storage compartment with a capacity of up to 450 g. Or you can experiment with your own filter coffee blends from two different types of beans. We’re giving you a little upgrade for this.
A conical grinder beneath the bean container grinds the coffee beans into powder. The mill achieves a very high volume of up to 88 decibels (dB) – not ideal for living situations with thin walls. The grinding level can be infinitely adjusted and delivers fairly homogeneous ground material. This ensures that you find the ideal grind level for your coffee beans and your taste.
One floor below is the swivel filter, which swings out to the left. The removable filter carrier has a drip stop function. The valve prevents hot coffee from spilling onto the countertop when you remove the pot. The scope of delivery also includes a simple permanent filter made of plastic with a nylon net. For reasons of durability, a permanent filter made of stainless steel or with a stainless steel mesh would have been nicer. If you prefer to use paper filters or want to buy a permanent stainless steel filter, size 4 filters fit in the filter holder.
On the right side of the coffee machine you will find the water tank, which holds around 1.25 liters. That’s enough for about ten cups of 125 milliliters (ml). The tank is removable for easier cleaning and has markings to show you the water level. Great: The water tank is not automatically completely emptied during preparation. So if you just want to brew a quick cup in between, you don’t have to fill the tank individually for each brewing process.
With the Philips All-in-1 Brew you also get a glass jug that holds 1.25 liters. Since the pot does not insulate, a warming plate ensures that the coffee remains at temperature after preparation. And for a long time: the function can be activated for up to five hours. The majority of coffee machines with heating plates keep the coffee warm for between 30 and 60 minutes.
Easy to use
Below the water tank you will find the control panel with eight sensor buttons. Above this there is an approximately 2 inch (5 centimeter) LED display including the time display. The screen is easy to read and provides an overview of all important information. You can use the buttons to set, among other things, the coffee strength (three levels) and the number of cups (one to ten), program the timer function, start preparation and switch the machine on or off. The operation is simple and largely self-explanatory. That’s a good thing, as the scope of delivery only includes a very brief manual. The detailed operating instructions You can only find a practice online that Philips (and its subsidiary Saeco) has also introduced its fully automatic coffee machines. After all, no questions remain unanswered when studying the online manual.
For the preparation, including the grinding process, you should first clarify the standards: Is the bean container full? Is there enough water in the tank? Have you used a filter? And is the jug under the spout? If you can answer all questions with a yes, first set the desired amount of coffee and the coffee strength. Then press the start/stop button and it starts. For the maximum quantity of 1.25 liters (= ten cups), the All-in-1 Brew takes around 8:40 minutes. The grinding process takes around 40 seconds and the very quiet brewing process (only 33 dB) takes just under eight minutes. When it comes to power consumption, the device is on average economical at 14 watt hours per cup. In standby, the machine only consumes 0.5 watts.
Balanced filter coffee without weaknesses
The Philips All-in-1 Brew HD7900/50 also has to pass our taste test. We used medium-finely ground specialty coffee with notes of milk chocolate for filter methods. We use 6 g of coffee powder per 100 ml, so with the maximum quantity of 1.25 liters it is 75 g. The result after preparation is a balanced filter coffee that leaves a good impression in terms of flavor notes, strength, acidity and bitterness as well as body. The bottom line is that the coffee from the Philips machine ranks behind the variants from the Severin Filka, Technivorm Moccamaster KBG Select and Beem Fresh Aroma Perfect III in the top coffee quality group.
Hassle-free care
For regular care, the Philips All-in-1 Brew HD7900/50 offers an automatic descaling program that is completed in just a few minutes. If the machine wants to be descaled, the device will notify you. It is best to stick to the operating instructions linked above. The filter holder, the permanent filter and the coffee pot can also be put in the dishwasher, but you have to do the water tank yourself. Since the tank can be removed and offers enough space for dish or bottle brushes, this is easy. Due to the somewhat bulky design (43.4×27.7×24.5 cm), cleaning the surface takes a little longer than with more compact filter coffee machines.
Cleaning the grinder is relatively easy. First, you should scoop out the coffee beans in the storage compartment and grind any leftovers. Then set the rear rotary control of the bean container to the open position (symbol with open lock) and pull the container upwards. You can remove the coffee ground residues in the grinder with the cleaning brush provided or use a vacuum cleaner. Once that’s done, you can put the bean container back in place and turn the dial to one of the chamber positions. Last but not least, turn on the machine, press the care button twice and press the start/stop button. The grinding shaft below the mill opens automatically and can be cleaned of powder residue with a brush and/or vacuum cleaner. Then press the start/stop button again and the chute will close. Overall, cleaning the mill and grinding shaft takes between five and ten minutes.
Philips All-in-1 Brew: prices and models
The Philips All-in-1 Brew is available in three different versions. In addition to the tested model HD7900/50, there is also the technically identical version HD7900/01 and the HD7888/01 with a simple bean container. The price for the HD7900 models is around 220 euros; you can get the HD7888 for 150 to 200 euros.
Test results
Test results
Philips All-in-1 Brew HD7900
Manufacturer information
Models: HD7900/50, HD7900/01 (two-part bean hopper), HD7888/01 (single bean hopper) Price: 220 euros Power / filter size: 1000 watts / 4 Water tank / coffee container capacity: 1.25 l / 1.25 l
Furnishing (35%)
Prepare 1 to 10 cups at a time Glass jug (non-insulating) included
Integrated grinder (stepless), removable bean container (2 x 225 g) Swivel filter, filter holder removable Permanent filter, coffee spoon and cleaning brush included
Coffee quantity (1 to 10 cups) and coffee strength (3 levels) selectable Drip stop, heating plate, water level indicator and timer available Anti-slip feet and automatic switch-off available
Grade: 1.7
Service & The taste
(35%)
Easy to use via sensor buttons and 2-inch LED display Detailed operating instructions only online Just one touch to start the brewing process (1.25 l in 8 minutes) Good filter coffee taste
Grade: 1.7
cleaning (15%)
Descaling program available Cleaning the surface is a bit difficult Easy to clean water tank Filter holder not dishwasher safe Pot is not dishwasher safe
Grade: 2.1
Technical tests (15%)
Average power consumption when making coffee, very low in standby Very quiet brewing process, very loud grinder A bit bulky
Grade: 3.2
Upgrading
Two-part bean container
-0.1
Test results
good (grade: 1.9)
Philips All-in-1 Brew HD7900 in the test: conclusion
If you like to experiment with different types of beans or want to drink decaffeinated coffee every now and then, the Philips All-in-1 Brew HD7900 is the right filter coffee machine. Even apart from the two-part bean container, the equipment is extensive. Added to this is the easy handling and the good coffee quality. The only real drawbacks are the very loud grinder and the rather bulky design. The price is also a bit high. Apart from that, the coffee machine impresses in all respects.
How fast does Nvidia’s new upper-class model RTX 4080 Super work? How much power does it need and how loud does it work? The test gives answers!
Table of contents
RTX 4080 Super in the test: 10,240 computing units
TDP increased by 20 watts
Moderate speed advantage
Power consumption almost identical
RTX 4080 Super in the test: conclusion
With the RTX 4080 Super, Nvidia is now the third Super chip from the RTX 4000 series the Graphics cardsavailable to manufacturers. And in the tests it came dangerously close to the top graphics processor RTX 4090, as the test of the RTX 4080 Super shows.
RTX 4080 Super in the test: 10,240 computing units
At the top end, the one after that also receives RTX 4090 second strongest graphics chip RTX 4080 from the Ada Lovelace series, a fresh cell treatment. The 4080 Super can now distribute calculations to 10,240 Cuda units instead of the previous 9,728. Chip type (AD103) and size (379 mm2) are identical, but Nvidia has given the 4080 Super model an additional 16 tensor cores and four extra ray tracing cores for calculating ray tracing effects such as reflections and fine shadows.
TDP increased by 20 watts
In addition, the number of texture units responsible for calculating the surfaces of characters, objects and environments in games increases from 304 to 320. The consumption limit (TDP) increases Nvidia from 320 to 340 watts. Important: The manufacturer will stop producing the model without Super in the name; in the future, only RTX 4080 Super variants will be available in stores.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4000 series: technical data
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4000 series: technical data
GeForce RTX 4090
GeForce RTX 4080 Super
GeForce RTX 4080
GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super
GeForce RTX 4070 Ti
GeForce RTX 4070 Super
GeForce RTX 4070
GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB
GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 8GB
GeForce RTX 4060
production
5 nanometers at TSMC
5 nanometers at TSMC
5 nanometers at TSMC
5 nanometers at TSMC
5 nanometers at TSMC
5 nanometers at TSMC
5 nanometers at TSMC
5 nanometers at TSMC
5 nanometers at TSMC
5 nanometers at TSMC
GPU type
AD102
AD103
AD103
AD103
AD104
AD104
AD104
AD106
AD106
AD107
Chip size
608mm²
379mm²
379mm²
379mm²
294mm²
294mm²
294mm²
190mm²
190mm²
146mm²
Transistors
76.3 billion
45.9 billion
45.9 billion
45.9 billion
35.8 billion
35.8 billion
35.8 billion
22.9 billion
22.9 billion
18.9 billion
Shader models
128
80
76
66
60
56
46
34
34
24
Cuda cores
16,384
10,240
9,728
8,448
7,680
7,168
5,888
4,352
4,352
3,072
Base clock
2,230MHz
2,205MHz
2,205MHz
2,340MHz
2,310MHz
1,980MHz
1,920MHz
2,310MHz
2,310MHz
1,830MHz
Boost clock
2,520MHz
2,505MHz
2,505MHz
2,610MHz
2,610MHz
2,475MHz
2,475MHz
2,535MHz
2,535MHz
2,460MHz
Tensor cores
512 (4th gen.)
320 (4th gen.)
304 (4th gen.)
264 (4th gen.)
240 (4th gen.)
224 (4th gen.)
184 (4th gen.)
128 (4th gen.)
128 (4th gen.)
96 (4th gen.)
Ray tracing cores
128 (3rd gen.)
80 (3rd gen.)
76 (3rd gen.)
66 (3rd gen.)
60 (3rd gen.)
56 (3rd gen.)
46 (3rd gen.)
32 (3rd gen.)
32 (3rd gen.)
24 (3rd gen.)
Texture units
512
320
304
264
240
224
184
128
128
128
Graphics memory
24GB GDDR6X
16GB GDDR6X
16GB GDDR6X
16GB GDDR6X
12GB GDDR6X
12GB GDDR6X
12GB GDDR6X
16GB GDDR6
8GB GDDR6
8GB GDDR6
Storage interface
384 bits
256 bits
256 bits
256 bits
192 bits
192 bits
192 bits
128 bits
128 bits
128 bits
TDP
450 watts
340 watts
320 watts
320 watts
285 watts
225 watts
200 watts
165 watts
160 watts
115 watts
Moderate speed advantage
Given the serious technical innovations, the RTX 4080 Super should offer a major speed advantage compared to the normal RTX 4080. But it doesn’t, as this test shows. Because Nvidia appears to have balanced everything so finely that the RTX 4080 Super doesn’t follow too closely on the heels of the top model RTX 4090. The result: The increase in performance in direct comparison to the normal RTX 4080 is moderate – on average, the super model was five percent faster in the speed tests (see speed comparison below).
Power consumption almost identical
Good: Despite the increased performance, the new RTX 4080 Super required just as much energy as the standard model. At its peak, it drew 308 watts from the socket, but for Internet and office applications and when playing 4K videos it was only 17 watts. Also good: While the fans were clearly audible, especially under full load (5.4 sones), the tested Zotac GeForce RTX 4080 Super Trinity Black worked silently when watching films and working with office applications.
RTX 4080 Super in the test: conclusion
At the time of testing, the new Super version of the RTX 4080 was around 150 euros more expensive than the standard model without Super in the name: 1,350 euros for the tested Zotac GeForce RTX 4080 Super Trinity Black instead of around 1,200 euros. That’s a lot of wood for a speed advantage of just five percent. Given the key technical data, the 4080 Super could definitely work a bit faster. But that’s probably not possible, because the RTX 4080 Super has to maintain the necessary respect distance from the much more expensive RTX 4090. Nevertheless: The RTX 4080 Super completed the speed tests in a hurry and only used marginally more energy. But if you already have an RTX 4080 graphics card in your computer, you don’t need the new super model. However, if you are thinking about buying a 4080 graphics card, you should go for the Super version. Because Nvidia will refine the driver over the next few years and thus extract even more performance. This is unlikely with the discontinued model RTX 4080 without a super abbreviation.
The Meisterstück (Gen.2) is the new top radio model from Sonoro and offers a lot more besides DAB. This test reveals everything that is in the elegant device.
Table of contents
Needs its space
Three ways of operation
Custom sound
A lot in it, a lot in it
Sonoro Meisterstück (Gen.2) in the test: Conclusion
Radios can be really classy. The manufacturer Sonoro in particular has been proving this for several years. At the top of the portfolio is the masterpiece, which is now revised in its second generation. Of course, it transmits DAB+ and FM, plays audio content from streaming services and is even equipped with an HDMI socket.
Needs its space
The Meisterstück (Gen.2) is not suitable for the kitchenette or bedside table. With its 17x57x26 centimeters (HxWxD), it would like to have the sideboard in the living room as a stage. However, this is chic radio A real eye-catcher with its matt white, gray or black painted wooden housing. The metal front with the milled speaker slots is pleasing and looks very stylish. The optical center is a 4 inch (10.16 centimeters) color display. It displays, among other things, station logos and CD covers. It displays the graphics crisply and the large font is easy to read even from 2 meters away.
Three ways of operation
The Sonoro’s buttons are arranged in a U-shape around the display. Every important function and playback source is represented on the front and thanks to the clear layout, operation of the device is easy. The labeling could just be a little bolder. In addition, the menu navigation is a little confusing at the beginning. After a few minutes, music fans quickly find their way around. The rotary control for volume and navigation is easy to grip and implements inputs precisely.
The radio, which costs 1,399 euros (price at the time of testing), is of course supplied with a remote control. Like the masterpiece itself, it appears to be of very high quality and sits well in the hand. The pressure point of the control square in the middle is quite short and therefore takes some getting used to. However, all buttons are very easy to reach. The key labeling could be a bit stronger, like on the radio. Another operating option is the free “Sonoro Audio” app (iOS and Android) for your smartphone. It has a nice, clear design and users can use it to control the radio extensively.
Custom sound
However, in order to get the optimal sound out of the Sonoro, you still need it Room correction app. Using the application, music fans start automatic sound adjustment. The device plays a test tone and the user moves through the room with the cell phone in their hand. This procedure sounds familiar to Sonos users. This is also because the measurement can only be carried out with an iPhone (from the 6th generation). If you don’t have an Apple mobile device at hand, you can borrow one from a friend or neighbor, for example. Measuring is only necessary once, unless the masterpiece is moving to another room. The automatic sound adjustment to the room offers the optimal sound. However, the Sonoro radio also sounds great out of the box: It has a very powerful and deep bass foundation. Depending on the track, the low frequencies can sound a bit too confident. In contrast, the elegant device reproduces highs very cleanly and clearly. Voices have no audible discoloration and are always clear. The precise mids round off the balanced sound. But they could like to come to the fore a little more. As a sound extra, the Meisterstück (Gen.2) also offers surround sound. This additional function is less suitable for music, but if you use the radio as a TV speaker, it ensures better spatial sound reproduction.
A lot in it, a lot in it
The Sonoro can’t just do radio. There are a variety of ports on the back, including an HDMI eARC socket. The masterpiece can be connected to the TV via the coaxial and optical digital inputs – great. But music fans also get their money’s worth. The all-rounder has two USB playback and charging sockets for storage media (USB-A and USB Type-C), two analog inputs (3.5 millimeter jack and RCA), one analog output (Cinch) and one on the front accessible headphone jack (3.5 mm jack). However, it offers many other playback options. Internet radio and the CD slot almost seem boring. The radio also connects to a smartphone via AirPlay 2 or Chromecast, for example, or plays your favorite tracks via one of the available ones Music streaming services away. Next to Spotify (via Spotify Connect) audio content can be accessed via Amazon Music Unlimited, Deezer, Play Tidal, Napster and Qobuz. Although Apple Music lacks a widespread service, this problem can be easily avoided due to the many connection options. Thanks to DLNA and UPnP, streaming via network storage is also possible. Practical: The built-in Bluetooth transmitter not only receives signals from the cell phone, but also sends them out. This means that users can also use their Bluetooth headphones connect to the Sonoro. The manufacturer uses aptx and aptx HD Bluetooth as codecs, which should ensure the best sound in conjunction with compatible headphones.
Sonoro Meisterstück (Gen.2) in the test: Conclusion
A good radio doesn’t have to be expensive. However, if you want to own the currently best device on the market, you will have to spend a whopping 1,399 euros. The Sonoro Meisterstück (Gen.2) is packed with technology and fulfills every music wish thanks to the many playback options. Despite its many functions, operation is easy and a highlight, in the truest sense of the word, is the excellent color display. But the digital radio didn’t just impress in the test with its features or controls. It delivers a great sound that is characterized by a powerful and balanced character that is previously unmatched among its peers. So the masterpiece lives up to its name and if you dig deep into your wallet, you’ll get more than just a radio with the Sonor. Test grade: very good, 1.1
A trailer for Mecha Break, an upcoming multiplayer mecha action game, was revealed today at The Game Awards. Additionally, the trailer reveals a closed alpha test coming in the near future. No further information on this test has been provided, so be sure to keep an eye out for updates!
Those already looking forward to some online robot destruction can currently pre-register on the game’s website. There is currently no release date, but the game will come to PlayStation 5, Xbox, and PC via Steam.
Mecha Break Trailer
The trailer appears to feature some very action-packed and fast-paced gameplay. Players will soar through the skies aboard their robots as they battle various threats and other players.
The appearance of the robots will be customizable, but details on this are scarce at the time of writing. Players will be able to join squads of 3 or 6 and engage in strategic combat. Additionally, a 48-player Battle Royale mode will be available for those who want a truly chaotic experience.
The Game Awards 2023 is now streaming
The Game Awards 2023 marks the 10th annual awards show held in Los Angeles. Hosted by Geoff Keighley, the TGA seeks to provide a celebration of games and the developers behind them. Dozens of awards are up for grabs, from Best Music and Score to the coveted Game of the Year award. 2023 has proven to be one of the most memorable gaming years in recent memory. We have seen versions like Spider-Man 2, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Realm, Super Mario Bros. WonderAnd Final Fantasy XVI. This year’s winners will have fought a tough battle.
The other major draw of The Game Awards is the multitude of new announcements and trailers. Every year, dozens of publishers and developers from around the world preview their latest titles. Last year we witnessed the revelation of Death Stranding 2, Armored Core VI: Fires of the Rubicon, and updates on many other titles. You can expect many exciting announcements this year, like the one you are reading now!
The show is now streaming live on YouTube and Twitch! If you don’t plan to watch live, be sure to stay tuned for more immediate coverage here on Final Weapon.
Excellent, high-quality starter set with devil-like strong bass, and only a few weaknesses in the rest of the sound.
“Okay, you can test our fancy amplifier with your weird vinyl soundtracks, but since we prefer to sell it with our favorite entry-level speakers, the Teufel Ultima 40 MK2, you should test them too. It’s not a real one now Set, you can buy everything individually, but it’s just a couple of really cool boxes. ” Fine. Whatever. A couple of standing speakers for just under 500 euros – price per pair, not per piece! -, white now not exactly what that is about, I had such beginner pillars 20 years ago, will probably be okay. Do a quick test, don’t be too mean, because 500 euros for a pair of pedestals is really not the world now. Simply write in a friendly way with “you can do it, you don’t have to” in the corner.
No matter if you’re black or white. But with or without mesh, that’s a question.
Damn it, I should be learning from Teufel slowly. These things rock. For real and so. Far more than you have the right to do at the price. So, let’s go. And what it’s about is a pair of passive stereo boxes. Not an active set. There is an active Ultima 40 set, but since completely different components come into play, this test refers exclusively and expressly to the Teufel Ultima 40 MK2.
Fear of heights: You have to plan for more than a meter in height, but with a depth of over 30 centimeters, the Ultimas are otherwise not handy.
And as always with Teufel: Don’t underestimate what you do to your postman. They are not sent with a forwarding agent. And if you think: “Not 500 euros, how much press cardboard can there be nailed around the drivers?”, Then forget about it again. A very supple 42 kilos, 21 per box, want to be transported to the old apartment without an elevator. Sure, still MDF. You don’t get real wood for the money. But some – mostly Ikea buyers – dream of such noble things as MDF and the Ultimas also look extremely stable. As for the design: Please look at the pictures. They are standing speakers. Very conservative, no gamblers, fit into every room, every facility and every facility. Teufel likes to let it rip in the design, the Ultima 40 fall out of the concept as neglected. Although, in white,
But conservative can also be a virtue, for example when it comes to processing. The weight suggests it, but a good first impression also holds up to a closer look. These boxes have a much higher quality finish through and through than one should expect for the price. In addition to high stability, the respectable weight offers a lot of structural stability when it gets louder. You don’t have to worry about the speakers starting to rattle or swing.
The timing is coincidental – the boxes have been here for a good two months – but Teufel currently has a number of Black Friday offers, including the Teufel Ultima 40 MK2 for just under 380 euros.
Ready for bi, both wiring and amping. The hi-fi gods argue about whether this is necessary.
The technology clearly indicates where the sound is going: You will find a three-way system in the box with two classic 165mm fabric-fiberglass woofers – a current and tried-and-tested combination of materials – and a 165mm Kevlar fiberglass -Middle tone – an up-to-date and tried-and-tested combination of materials that you don’t always get in this price range. A 25mm fabric dome is responsible for the high tones and a phase plug is supposed to eliminate phase shifts, which it probably does well. The continuous load capacity is 120 watts with 200 watts impulse load capacity, the efficiency of 87 dB is impressive. It’s a 4-8 ohm box, so it should be compatible with pretty much any amplifier. The maximum sound pressure is 108dB, which is too much for long-term listening, but enough to to make a brief impression in the neighborhood. With 45 to 20k Hz, the frequency range is within the normal range for this price class. Space should be available, not only is the weight of almost 21 kilos per box impressive, they are 106 cm high, 33 deep and 22 wide. In most of the rooms they don’t exactly disappear in the background.
As far as the connections are concerned, you have four gold-plated and gold-plated s***w terminals of the simpler type per box. S***w up the terminal, thread the cable – up to 4mm – into the small hole in the s***w, s***w back the terminal. Nothing exotic, works. What is possible is bi-wiring and passive bi-amping. The latter means that you can connect two amplifiers to the Ultima 40 to feed it with even more power. To what extent this makes sense with a 120 watt box for little money is up to you. In the hi-fi community there are people who swear by it, others say it’s utter nonsense, most of them don’t seem to care.
Bi-wiring, on the other hand, means that you connect additional speakers and different pairs of speakers take care of different frequency ranges. This is a science in itself, and if you get it right, buy the right speakers and consult an expert to get everything set up correctly, you can get some interesting sound improvements. But since this is something that people who buy 400 euro boxes will probably do less often, it is one of the most effective ways to ruin the sound without this effort. I myself briefly tested it here in conjunction with a Nubert set as a second pair, without any great success, came to no satisfactory result and put it off to another day. The Ultima 40 MK2 have this feature, it is there when you want it.
Almost nice: the midrange fails.
The setup is quite simple, you can have a look at it here, for example, in my vinyl corner, which is largely ignored by the outside world, minus the Nubert boxes, for which the devils will of course take over. The amplifier is the Teufel Kombo 62, which you almost ashamedly sorted under “accessories” and yes, even if it is not a big Yamaha or Pioneer or something from the real hi-fi area is, it is absolutely convincing in its price range and with 200 watts it also has enough power to avoid the question of bi-amping here. It is also offered by Teufel as a set with the Ultima 40 MK2, although I would even say that the Kombo 62 is a bit oversized for these speakers and as an entry-level stereo solution, for example, the small Marantz or Yamahas are more suitable, if you do not attach great importance to the digital features of the Teufel receiver. Either way, let’s go to the sound.
Do the boxes have to be the largest in a facility? Ultimas fulfill this characteristic with ease.
After a couple of hours with the two white giants in the room, a nagging voice has to be switched off: the hi-fi snob. I have been listening to music consciously for more than 20 years and even if I never drifted into the esoteric realms of the hi-fi nerds with their self-made golden ears, when I heard the differences in data transmission the CAT-5 cable came from Denon, but I’ve developed a certain standard. And no, the Ultima 40 MK2 do not meet this requirement. Or at least not completely. But: If I had got such boxes for the money to start my hi-fi journey, OMG !, I would have been happy. They are absolutely insane entry-level boxes for teens and twens and everyone who has heard over a Bluetooth roaring cube and meets some nice, real loudspeakers. In this case the Ultima 40 MK2 are an awakening experience. Admittedly, that would probably be a bit inferior normal boxes too, but the Ultimas live up to their name in their price range – and you always have to add that with Hi-Fi, of course. You are pretty much ultimate.
First of all, the general sound of the Ultima 40 MK2. Teufel is known for its bass thump and one of the reasons for that is boxes like this. It’s really impressive, and far more precise than it should be for the price, what low pressure waves are coming out of these speakers. It is not only the sheer strength that is available that ensures nightly visits by law enforcement officers if you have sensitive neighbors or if you really want to go for it. What won me over at every level was the clarity of the bass. You don’t have this dull bass pulp that makes the bowels vibrate indefinitely. When this current typical Hans Zimmer Inception hum goes through the room, you will feel it exactly as it was intended, across the spectrum of low frequencies, right down to the bottom.
Behind the scenes: both midrange and …
The mids and highs are also clean and precise, even if they are less impressive in this area than the lows. Still, and again, still impressive for the money, and definitely not a blemish. It becomes more difficult in the more complicated areas of dynamics and spatial volume for everything that does not happen below 100 Hz. If you sit nicely in the stereo triangle, then you can still do it. In a more normal, more social seating arrangement with one or two friends, it quickly becomes clear that the Ultimas don’t really manage to transport the mids and heights through the room in an exciting way. They sound very neutrally balanced, almost a bit sterile and the more, the more the angle to the boxes deviates from the ideal. In the end, this is the case with all stereo speakers, but here it happens very quickly. But more important is that the Ultimas soundstage is surprisingly small. Almost no matter what you hear, you never have the impression that you are sitting in front of a big stage. It is always clear that the sound comes from precisely these two boxes, which your ears can precisely assign, and the space-filling volume is missing despite the solid resolution of the sound.
When it comes to dynamics, too, something has to fall by the wayside. Dynamics is certainly the most frequently misused term in hi-fi, after all, it actually describes the precisely measurable difference between the loudest and quietest possible sound at the maximum permissible load. But what I and many others often think is how quickly the box reacts to the tiniest changes in sound. This is measurable, but it will be very scientific and that’s why I’ll just leave it – also because I haven’t penetrated the scientific side so one hundred percent – that the Ultima 40 MK2 are not that fixed. They can reproduce a tone very precisely and clearly, but if, for example, a certain timbre is in a voice, it may be that they miss details, simply, because the tones don’t respond quickly enough to those tiny swings in the curve. The result can easily be summed up in words: on the Ultima 40 MK2, almost everything sounds a little bit more boring than it would be if you spend twice as much or more on your speakers. Not surprisingly, I admit, but I say that as a clear relativization of the situation. The Ultima 40 MK2 do fantastic things for their money, but they can’t work miracles either.
… Subwoofers are bulky and valuable, the cable layer at the back looks neatly processed, even if the material is rather unspectacular.
Now a little bit through the media and genres to see where the Ultimas feel at home. Let’s start with games and film, although stereo in this discipline should of course not be everyone’s cup of tea. But these boxes can also be the nucleus for a 5.1 set that is gradually bought, so let’s see how it comes with such a start in stereo. Assassin’s Creed: Origins and Star Wars: Battlefront 2 are currently among the most sonically impressive games of the season, plus my beloved Prey with its idiosyncratic sound design and, unsurprisingly, everything that makes the walls shake fantastic over. You can feel the deep hum of the space station, every explosion of a tie-fighter or an X-wing, as if sound really existed in space and it’s just fun. After that had to be a round of Doom ’16 and mowing through demons is just bass rock and roll at its best. The tonal weaknesses of the mids and highs do not come to the fore here either, since they are still good enough and you usually sit ideally enough and are too involved in the gameplay to be concerned with details now To. This is more noticeable, for example, when you enjoy sailing with the hawk over Egypt in Origins and the sound of the wind around you does not fill the space as it should. But otherwise, for entry-level speakers, what kind of gaming sound would I have given back then? because they are still good enough and you usually sit ideally enough and are too involved in the gameplay to concern yourself with details now.
This is more noticeable, for example, when you enjoy sailing with the hawk over Egypt in Origins and the sound of the wind around you does not fill the space as it should. But otherwise, for entry-level speakers, what kind of gaming sound would I have given back then? because they are still good enough and you usually sit ideally enough and are too involved in the gameplay to concern yourself with details now. This is more noticeable, for example, when you enjoy sailing with the hawk over Egypt in Origins and the sound of the wind around you does not fill the space as it should. But otherwise, for entry-level speakers, what kind of gaming sound would I have given back then?
Somewhat unknown, but powerful stereo all-rounder: Teufel sells the Kombo 62 in many sets, including the Ultima 40 MK2.
With movies there are few surprises: Let it crash with Transformers and it crashes and rumbles and the constant bass of senseless explosions drown out with power and class that the rest of the room doesn’t fill the room as it should be. I have to admit, I really like the first film as action trash and I can always give myself the finale of the Scorpio scene if I want to let it rumble epic. The Ultima 40 MK2 are perfect for this. But if we go back a few steps and decades, it is noticeable, for example, with the excellently remastered Blade Runner, that the floating sound of the first settings on these speakers cannot reproduce the range of the sound as a more dynamic set would. It still sounds very good but also the voices, for example, are a little too direct, too neutral and, in their subtleties, a little less emotional. Are the Ultima 40 MK2 still fun? Of course, a lot, but it can only outplay its entry-level status up to a point.
Simple wiring and amping: You have no active control behind the two connections.
In rock and metal, tested with Metallicas and Foo Fighters last outpourings, neutrality and lack of dynamism are more important. You have a very clean, clear sound, which, however, lacks what is actually exciting in the subtleties of the sound. These genres have good bass, but they don’t just rely on them and that shows up here. If you want to take that to the extreme, you can take the 1975 Springsteen Hammersmith recording from Thunder Road, which is all about precision in dynamics and it shows why Ultima 40 is the Alpha and not the Omega of the hi-fi. But again, if you had some kind of throw-away-roaring cube before, every song, no matter what genre, is a valid eargamus that you can expect.
Teufel Ultima 40 MK2 on Amazon.de
Possible competitors: Yamaha NS 555, nuBox 483, Quadral Argentum 550.
What else is there: The price is particularly difficult, there is not that much in the mix of quality and for around 450 to 550 euros. If they are on sale, you can get two Yamaha NS 555s for around 500 euros. Very nice look, comparable performance and structure, less powerful in the depths. For 550 you get to Nubert’s nuBox 483, a very balanced and slightly smaller two-way bass reflex box, which also doesn’t quite have the bass joy of the Ultimas, but justifies its surcharge with more sound liveliness. The last set that I compared to Gemütes was the Quadral Argentum 550, especially in white. a dream in 80s technicolor. In terms of price they are pretty much the same as the Ultima 40 MK2, their bass precision leaves something to be desired in terms of sound,
PR picture of the day: You know that you should change the flat share if you don’t lock your boxes with the rest of the stuff in a steel cage because they’re just too big. are.
Devil does what devil can. For a price between the offer and discount mood in what feels like a permanent condition of 380 to 450 euros, you get a perfect entry-level box, which has all the qualities that later in life will deal with larger expenses for have new boxes refined. But as the planned switch away from small active systems to real loudspeakers, the Ultima 40 MK2 are an ideal compromise between a low, tempting price and far more sound quality than one should expect. They answer the eternal question about the big bass with confidence and, above all, with far more precision than any cheap set could ever strive for. Not only does it rumble, it rumbles just right. And even if the rest of the sound aspects are still of high quality: The magic and liveliness of the subtleties of music, that is from a certain point the limit that the ultimas have to draw for themselves and which in this price range, in combination with so much performance and power, is practically impossible to reach. As what they should be, a strong entry into the hi-fi world and the foundation for a first large home theater set, the Teufel Ultima 40 MK2 are simply ideal.
Regardless of who it may be, it is clear that scaling algorithms are the protagonists of this generation of graphics cards. The fight between NVIDIA, AMD and Intel goes through their bets, and the red team has put all the meat on the grill with your FSR 3. Recommended for the last two generations of GPUs, it can also be used with older cards, and some tests with the GTX 1060 and 1070 They say a lot positive about what’s new about the red team.
And not everything is DLSS in this life. Although NVIDIA is brandishing version 3.5 of its algorithm strongly, AMD’s FSR 3 wants to become the hope of those who do not have an RTX 4000. Seeking to create better frame rates through your Frame Generation techniquea YouTuber has tested the generations not supported by this scaling, and the truth is that it comes out well.
This is how FSR 3 performs on GTX 1060 and 1070
We had already seen AMD’s official numbers to show off the power of its generation of , but in the end what matters are the numbers of the users. Taking this as a challenge, Daniel Owen decided to put FSR 3 to the test on older graphics cards, and you can play Immortals of Aveum with several old cards.
arriving up to 60 FPS with the 1060 and even up to the 80s with the GTX 1070, the numbers give hopeful and surprising results, but there is an asterisk behind them. When generating , there are processes behind it that make the latency not ideal, giving a small delay to our movements. Even so, it is a brutal performance jump that can give a second life to these GPUs.
It looks like it was yesterday when 4K TVs started arriving here. Now, almost without knowing it, 8K TVs have started to appear and surely the same question will always arise: where is it 8K resolution content to get the most out of the TV? As happened in the early 4K bars, 8K content isn’t plentiful right now, but that doesn’t mean they can’t find videos to test the screen with.
Next, we will go over some 8K content repositories. These are just a few examples, because at the moment there is no streaming platform for movies and series that streams content in this resolution. There are others, like ‘Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. II’, but processed in 4K, so for practical purposes it’s 4K and we would see it resized. With that said, let’s see where to find 8K content.
The struggle between LG and Samsung to define what true 8K is: the contrast modulation controversy
On YouTube and Vimeo
YouTube allows you to upload videos to 8K at 60 frames per second since 2015, while Vimeo has supported it since 2017. 8K content can be found on both platforms, although we must keep in mind that it is played via streaming and this represents a slight loss of quality . Don’t expect to find any “classic” chapters or videos at this resolution either, as most 8K content is landscape montages.
The easy way to find contained in 8K On YouTube, search for « 8k footage » (if you click the link it will take you straight) or go to a curated playlist like this. On Vimeo, just search for the tag « 8K » and, as a recommendation, filter the ones with the most « likes ».
Japanese television
At the end of 2018, the Japanese network NHK launched the BS8K channel, a channel dedicated to the distribution of content in 8K. The channel premiered with a remaster of ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ because it was shot in 70mm. It has a wide range of content that they issue periodically. To find out about the grill, you can access its website. It is in Japanese, but nothing that is not resolved with a right click> Translate.
On the NASA website
NASA recorded at the end of 2018 the first 8K video in space. It was taken with a RED Helium 8K and shows what life is like on the International Space Station. You can see it on YouTube, although the best way to enjoy it properly is to download the raw from the NASA website. The clip is three minutes long and weighs three gigabytes. You can access it from this link.
Wait for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X
If there are two releases that we look forward to this year, it’s the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X. Both Sony and Microsoft have confirmed that their new consoles will be able to output an 8K signal, although this does not mean that each of the games they will be able to run in this resolution natively. Anyway, it’s a longer term bet, because to test the consoles it will take a little longer.
These are all games for Playstation 5 that have been confirmed so far
Record your own content in 8K
The 8K content shortage It’s obvious, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be created. If you have enough money, you can buy a video camera capable of recording in this resolution, like the new professional Canon cameras or (much more expensive) RED. On the other hand, there are other smartphones, like the Samsung Galaxy S20, which allow recording at this resolution. If you have this equipment, a good idea for testing the TV is to record your own content.
The successor to the NICR 8 series comes with a new brewing group that is supposed to make everything even better. The test of the Nivona NIVO 8000 shows whether this is successful.
Table of contents
The new brewing group is convincing
Integrated milk system
Simple control via rotary or app
Outstanding espresso
Not suitable for the dishwasher
Nivona NIVO 8000: prices and models
Nivona NIVO 8101 in the test: conclusion
Next to the Hybrid coffee machine Cube 4 Nivona presented another innovation, the NIVO 8000 series, at IFA 2023 (September 1st to 5th in Berlin). The successor to the upper classFully automatic coffee machines The NICR 800 series didn’t cause as much of a stir as the “coffee cube”. But a technical innovation made fans of bean infusion sit up and take notice when they tried it out. We have tested the Nivona NIVO 8101 extensively and revealed what it is all about.
The new brewing group is convincing
The big special feature of the Nivona NIVO 8101 is the newly designed brewing group. Compared to the previous brewing units in the previous models, the so-called “RomanticaPlus” is more compact and has a closed design. In this way, fewer coffee residues end up inside the machine and the maintenance effort is significantly reduced. For weekly cleaning, the brewing group is removed from behind the service flap on the right, rinsed under running water, dried briefly and can then be reinserted straight away. Nivona recommends in the very detailed operation manual cold water, but warm water shouldn’t cause any problems.
Even apart from maintenance, the brewing group does an excellent job and, in conjunction with the other device elements, ensures excellent coffee results. The entire concept appears sophisticated because it has a positive impact on all areas of the fully automatic coffee machine. For this reason, the Nivona NIVO 8000 gets a small upgrade for the new brewing group.
Integrated milk system
On the top right you will find the bean container of the Nivona NIVO 8101. Up to 250 grams of whole coffee beans can fit here. A conical grinder made of stainless steel works one floor below. And it’s particularly quiet: In our test, the machine emitted a maximum of 52 decibels during espresso preparation – the top value to date among the fully automatic coffee machines tested. The grinding level can be adjusted to five levels using the slider behind the service flap on the right side.
The water tank is on the left side and can be removed upwards. Around 1.8 liter capacity is sufficient for daily use in most households. Optionally, a Claris filter cartridge can be inserted into the designated position in the tank. This allows you to improve the general water quality and means you have to descale the device less often. The water is pumped through the pipes by a 15 bar pump.
For the preparation of milk coffee drinks, the Nivona NIVO 8000 has an integrated milk system, the “OneTouch DUOplus”. There is a removable cappuccinatore in the central spout (height adjustable from 8.5 to 14.5 cm; double cover possible). The rubber hose provided is inserted into the spout on the right, the other end goes into the milk container. Great: Two milk drinks can be prepared at the same time. Not every fully automatic coffee machine can master this art.
Simple control via rotary or app
The Nivona NIVO 8101 is operated via a smooth-running knob, which the manufacturer calls a “rotary”, and a color display. A well-known concept that has worked well with Nuremberg’s previous machines. This also applies to the 8000 series: the menu navigation is self-explanatory and precise after a short period of getting used to it. By turning the knob you can navigate between the individual coffee programs; a short press starts preparation.
If you hold the button down, you will go to the recipe menu, where you can adjust the drink parameters. These include the coffee strength (five levels), temperature (three levels), the amount of coffee (20 to 240 milliliters), the amount of milk (foam) and the amount of water. The “Aroma Balance System” is also back on board and now offers five profiles (“Quick”, “Dynamic”, “Constant”, “Harmonic” and “Intense”). This changes the brewing parameters, especially the throughput time of the water during preparation. In practice, however, we always recommend using the “Constant” setting.
In addition to the rotary knob, the NIVO 8000 can be controlled via the Nivona app (iOS and Android). The connection works via Bluetooth, online registration or WLAN (except for downloading the application) is not necessary. As with the other app-enabled Nivona machines, operation is extremely easy. The app is intuitive and logical, offers useful functions and instructions and makes customizing the drinks child’s play. There are nine in total own recipes create, name, save and control via the favorites menu (in the app and on the fully automatic machine itself). There is also a small upgrade for the practical app control.
Outstanding espresso
With the Nivona NIVO 8101 you have the choice between six factory-installed coffee programs. The three drinks without milk include coffee, Americano and espresso. In the taste test, the latter classic showed outstanding balance. The mixture of acidity and bitterness is unparalleled, the espresso is very full-bodied, has a good strength and is also convincing in terms of temperature and smell. In addition, the different flavors come into their own wonderfully. The Nivona machine gets a huge amount out of the coffee beans and ranks among the top machines Siemens, Miele, law and DeLonghi and comes dangerously close to portafilter machines. Similarly, the espresso crema also scores points in all areas.
Many users rely on fully automatic machines, especially because of the milk coffee drinks. You can choose between cappuccino, latte macchiato and caffè latte. The milk foam reaches the cup nice and hot and creamy and also tastes great. Anyone who likes to drink cappuccinos etc. will definitely get their money’s worth here. Aside from coffee drinks, the Nivona NIVO 8000 has programs for milk foam and hot water.
Not suitable for the dishwasher
When it comes to care and maintenance, the Nivona NIVO 8101 also performs well. The fully automatic coffee machine notifies you in good time when cleaning or descaling is required and indicates when the water tank needs to be filled or the drip tray and the pulp container need to be emptied. Automatic programs with cleaning tablets or descaling agents are available for thorough cleaning of the machine and descaling. There are also simple rinsing programs for the coffee circuit and the milk pipes. Cleaning the brewing group is also easy – as described above. Last but not least, the maintenance status can be viewed at any time via the settings menu.
Simply wipe the housing with a damp cloth, it works effortlessly overall. According to the instructions, the individual parts – i.e. the drip tray including the drip grid, pulp container, cappuccinatore, milk hose and water tank – must not be put in the dishwasher, otherwise warranty claims could be void. However, cleaning by hand with a dish or bottle brush, sponge and dishwashing liquid is easy. You can find tips and tricks for using and maintaining your fully automatic coffee machine in our guide.
Nivona NIVO 8000: prices and models
The Nivona fully automatic coffee machines from the NIVO 8000 series are available in two color versions that are technically identical. In addition to the tested model in black (model number: 8101), there is a variant in titanium gray (model number: 8103). Depending on the version, the price is around 1,169 to 1,249 euros – appropriate for the scope of services.
Test results
Test results
Nivona NIVO 8101
Color variants: Black (8101), titanium gray (8103) Price: 1,169 euros Power / pressure: 1500 watts / 15 bar Water tank / coffee bean container capacity: 1.8 l / 250 g
Furnishing (30%)
Central spout height adjustable up to 14.5 cm 2 cup spouts Water filter and powder compartment available
6 (espresso, coffee, Americano, cappuccino, latte macchiato, caffè latte) Adjustment of coffee quantity, milk quantity, temperature and grinding degree possible Up to 9 favorites
Grade: 1.8
Service & The taste
(40%)
Instruction manual very detailed Easy to operate via rotary knob and display Espresso taste and crema quality very good
Even more practical milk system with hose and frother in the central spout
Grade: 1.6
cleaning (15%)
Programs for descaling and cleaning available, water hardness adjustment possible Easy to clean surface, water tank, drip tray and pulp container, no dishwasher-safe parts Brewing group can only be cleaned by hand (removal from the side)
Grade: 2.0
Technical tests (15%)
Average power consumption when making espresso, low in standby Very quiet grinder Somewhat uncompact design
Grade: 2.2
Upgrades
Intuitive app controls Excellent brewing group -0.2
Test results
good (grade: 1.6)
Nivona NIVO 8101 in the test: conclusion
The fully automatic coffee machines from Nivona’s NIVO 8000 series have practically no weaknesses and are convincing across the board. The coffee quality is outstanding, the equipment and technology are good and the handling, both in everyday use and in terms of care, works without any problems. Thanks in particular to the new brewing group, the NIVO 8000 is becoming the new top device in the Nuremberger range and can easily compete with the competition.
The arrival of Apple’s M1 chip to your computers is a perfect time to compare with other computers in its price range and even higher. As a package containing CPUs, GPUs, Apple Neural Engine and more, this is a piece of hardware worth further dissecting .
Let’s see what makes the M1 a revolutionary chip in benchmarks and in real use, with facts and figures that put Apple’s milestone in context, and that may soon be from Qualcomm, HiSilicon, Samsung or Nvidia itself .
The first surprise: the concept of consumption at rest changes with the M1 thanks to its Icestorm cores
After many years with Intel, in which the consumptions could be consulted with Intel Power Gadget and ‘Activity Monitor’, what is most surprising in the M1 is that once all the common applications in daily use are open, the use of the cores is very low and, above all, that the four high-performance CPU cores, called Firestorm, are hardly used once everything was working.
That totally changes the concept of rest , since it can be considered that almost any task such as browsing the web, office automation, playing videos, etc., uses energy close to that which is consumed without doing anything. This is the real key to the amazing autonomy that we have seen in the reviews of the new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro: the chip consumes much less than a watt doing many of the day-to-day tasks , with tremendous consistency. Against this, the tests in Intel say that the energy oscillation of the processor is much higher, and rises more with tasks in the background.
The M1 has an eight-core CPU: four high-performance Firestorms, and four high-efficiency Icestorms, all of which can work at the same time.
When writing this on a 2018 MacBook Pro with an i5-8259U processor, and with only the text editor open, its consumption between half a watt of use and 7 watts. The M1, with the same use, does not rise from half a watt of consumption . Behind this magic are the four highly efficient CPU cores, which for me are the big surprise of the chip .
Apple had bragged that the M1’s four high-efficiency cores on their own were on par with the 10th-generation dual-core i3 of the early 2020 MacBook Air. That was one of the mentions of the critically-criticized Keynote presentation of the M1 that surprised, because when carrying the word efficiency in its name and not performance, the logical thing is to think that they are much less powerful.
For years, the ARM-Android world has been using the Cortex A55 architecture, used for high-efficiency cores complementary to those of the Cortex A75, A76, A77 or A78 architecture. So when arriving in M1, it was understood that those high-efficiency Icestorm cores from M1 were really small cores .
And they have a smaller size on the chip, but they are not small and useless at all . The concept is different from the A55 used in SoCs on Android, as Apple’s architecture is much more modern and powerful. According to Anandtech, in the Apple A14 of the iPhone 12, which also uses Icestorm cores, these cores are on par with Cortex A76 cores at 2.2 GHz, with 3 times more energy efficiency. We are not talking about something minor, as the A76 is used as a high-performance core in recent chips as powerful as the Snapdragon 855, the Kirin 990 or the Exynos 990.
Icestorm – decent power, amazing efficiency
Those for small, high-efficiency cores are one of the great keys to the M1.
Apple said that the four high-efficiency cores consume a tenth of the power of the four high-performance cores , which are considered the jewel in the crown because they are the ones that allow computers to outperform their predecessors with Intel. So far, beyond Anandtech’s analysis, focused on the A14, which shares architecture with the M1 but differs, we have not been able to know if this was true.
This issue interested me both to know how it is that high-efficiency cores have so much prominence in the day-to-day, performing almost all the normal tasks of the system, and to know what they were really capable of , to know what Apple can do with them in the future and if he only used them exclusively.
To do this, I decided to disable the high-performance Firestorm kernels, something that the system does not offer, but which I managed with help, with good luck and using the command line. It’s not difficult at all, but it does require disabling System Integrity Protection. To measure the consumption of the M1 and the rest of the processors that have been tested we have used the command ” sudo powermetrics ” and Intel Power Gadget.
First of all, let’s see how these four cores compare to the fully functioning M1, according to Geekbench 5. This will give us a first idea of which mobile and desktop processors they are comparable to. This is the result of running the famous benchmark using only the Icestorm cores :
Geekbench 5 test using only the four high-efficiency Icestorm cores.
As we can see, the performance in single core is low , on the level of what Apple provided in the cores of the A9 in the iPhone 6s five years ago. Of course, that weakness is relativized thinking that it is the single core power of a Snapdragon 845, the star SoC in Android in 2018. As for multi core, it is also located in that band, in that of the Snapdragon 845, which had , yes, with eight cores in 4 + 4 arrangement.
IPhone, using all cores, the four Icestorm of the M1 are similar to the iPhone X A11 of power . To find equivalent Macs, we can go, for example, to 2013 or 2014, when my old MacBook Pro scored 515 points in single core. Of course, in multi core, the four Icestorm cores are comparable to what Apple promised : a MacBook Air i3 from 2020, also similar to the Pro with i5 two cores from 2017 of the seventh generation.
For even more perspective on the high-efficiency quad-core data, let’s review how they stack up against the Surface Pro X 2020, the best the world has ARM and Qualcomm in Windows 10 laptops. With quad-core high-performance running at 3.15 GHz and four high-efficiency, the SQ2 chip in the Surface Pro X 2020 is only 56% faster than the four high-efficiency cores in the M1 running at 2.06 GHz (3,100 points in Geekbench 5 versus 1977 of the Icestorm).
But the key to these cores, as we will see, is not their already decent power, but their efficiency. Let’s see, before moving on to that, the result in Geekbench 5 of the entire M1, as it comes from the factory:
Geekbench 5 test using all the cores from the M1 on the MacBook Air, as shipped from the factory. In single core one of the most powerful cores is always used, in this case a Firestorm.
The high performance Firestorm core is 3.32 times more powerful than the Icestorm . But the most surprising thing is that, as we will see, at one-third the power, these cores require only one-tenth the power of high-performance cores. In Geekbench 5, the peak consumption of the M1 is 18 watts, while using only the small cores, it is 1.4 watts.
Icestorm and Firestorm under the microscope with Cinebench R23
The M1 gets hotter on the MacBook Air than on the Pro due to the lack of a fan. Photo: Pedro Aznar.
Geekbench is a good benchmark, but it does not saturate the processor cores too much, and it does not allow only tasks for one core to be executed. Without having the means to test with industry benchmarks, such as SPEC2006 or 2017, the best benchmark to compare CPU performance is Cinebench R23, native to Intel and Apple Silicon and representative of real use , since it uses the same engine to render from Cinema 4D, which belongs to the same company that develops it, Maxon.
This test is where everything that Apple promised in performance is confirmed , and everything that we have intuited in efficiency. Let’s first look at the Cinebench R23 single core scoring results using the high-performance Firestorm core, the high-performance Icestorm core and one of the 16 “MacBook Pro cores released in 2020, featuring an i7-9750H six-core.
As the table expresses, the M1’s high-efficiency cores achieve a third of the high-efficiency cores. However, they do it with a tenth of the consumption, responding to the task for which they were born with an efficiency three times higher than that of their older brothers. With a score of just under half, Icestorm’s high-efficiency cores are 31 times more efficient than Intel’s i7 . An important part of this difference is explained by the fact that the Intel processor is still manufactured in a 14 nanometer process, compared to the 5 nanometer of the M1.
The high-performance Firestorm cores in the M1 are ten times more efficient than the i7-9750H, thanks to seven times less power consumption. And all this, operating with a similar frequency, around 3-3.2 GHz. It seems like a milestone against almost the best that Apple had in 2020 in laptops . I feel like calling it a revolution is over the top, but it’s just what it is.
In all tests, we will test the M1 with its eight cores in full and, in parallel, with limiting the chip to the four high-efficiency Icestorm cores (4C in the tables)
In the multi core test of Cinebench R23, we have used the same equipment. In the MacBook Air M1 we have done the test both as it comes from the factory, with its eight cores, as with the four of high efficiency exclusively . This is how it turned out:
As we can see, the situation repeats itself. The Icestorm cores in the M1 achieve three times the efficiency of the M1 overall, with about ten times less power. Compared to the i7, which it surpasses in the case of the MacBook Pro M1, which is better cooled than the Air M1, the M1 manages to exceed Intel’s efficiency by almost six times , with consumption also almost six times lower.
The M1 in real use: what benchmarks don’t always count
After having analyzed the performance of the M1 in dedicated tests, now it’s time to do it in real use, and the most relevant thing is that there are cases in which the benchmarks are no longer representative due to lack of optimization of the applications that we have tested or because we did not have in tell what elements like the Neural Engine could help.
ZIP compression: harnessing the power of the Firestorm
A very basic test in macOS is to compress a “certain” size file like the Ubuntu 20.04 ISO . It is something that we can do a lot depending on how we send files or what we need to compress. As there is the option to “compress” in the macOS Finder and in iOS (in the Files application) it seemed interesting to me to see how the different teams perform, and to see if the M1 has as much in common with the A14 as we think .
It’s a test where it’s the power of a single core that matters, on both iOS and macOS:
As we can see from the results, the M1’s single core power makes it outperform the 2020 16 “MacBook Pro and the 2020 four-port MacBook Pro 13” which continues to sell today with i5 for 2,129 euros. It’s the latest generation of Intel on a Mac, so it was interesting too.
Here we see that the M1 in the MacBook Air achieves the same as the i7 in the 16 “Pro in 77% of the time it takes the Intel chip , and in 68% of the time it takes the 10th generation i5 of 28 watts On an architectural level, it’s very interesting to see how the M1 pretty much matches the A14 in the iPhone 12, whose Firestorm core is somewhat slower in clock frequency.
The iPad Pro 2020 is more powerful than the iPhone 12 using all its cores, but having an architecture of two years ago, compressing with one core only manages to tie with the i5 of the MacBook Pro. It is a figure that makes sense, since both are more or less on par in bechnmarks.
Creating PDF from RAW Images
A very interesting optimized tool to do real performance tests is Automator, and therefore we will use it several times in our tests. In this case, we will generate a PDF from 28 Nikon RAW images, resulting in a final 2.48GB file . For this, the system reuses the resources of only one kernel. And therefore, we see once again the superiority of the M1 over the i7.
In the rest of the results there is a correlation with what was observed in the Cinebench R23 test, our reference to know the maximum performance.
Convert an H.264 video to Apple ProRes 422
Automator has also helped us to encode a 4K file recorded by an iPhone in H.264 to Apple ProRes. This encoding uses all the available cores quite intensively in both Intel and Apple Silicon , and the M1 is again at the top in the equipment used in the test.
Export 30 Keynote Pages to Apple ProRes 4444 Video
A very cool test that uses all available kernels is Keynote slide export to video . In my case, to take the equipment to the maximum, I opted to export 30 slides to a video of 2,880 x 2,160 pixels resolution with Apple ProRes 4444 codec. The logical thing would have been to export in H.264 or HEVC, but there the use of the cores it is very low thanks to the hardware coding, so we would not be comparing the same with respect to the equipment with Intel.
When I did the test for the first time, I realized that the generated file was so large that it took a long time to finish the export, not depending on CPU but on SSD. So since the behavior was the same in all the computers (stop CPU and saturate the SSD), I opted to stop the data timer just when the CPU usage was reduced to become irrelevant .
Here the M1 reigns supreme over the i7 in the 2020 MacBook Pro 16 “, which takes almost twice as long to export . The 2020 MacBook Pro 13″ is more than twice as slow. Let’s remember that both teams are now 2.39 and 1.8 times more expensive than the base MacBook Air M1 with which we are doing the tests.
Converting a Magazine Page from PDF to HEIC: The “Magic” of Hardware Encoding
One test I used to do to compare computer CPUs to Intel was to convert the first page of a magazine in PDF to HEIC, the compression-enhanced format that Apple uses to take pictures on iPhones, and for which its chips have dedicated encoding by hardware. Here it is seen that with some help from one of the cores (in consumption), the M1 with eight and four cores is too far from the rest.
And what is relevant again is not that it manages to be much faster than the i7, but that to achieve the same goal it consumes 20 times less energy , generates much less heat and does not set the fans to maximum (in the case of the MacBook Pro and the mini, which they do have).
Panorama creation in Adobe Lightroom: a warning about poor optimization
Adobe has recently released the optimized version of Adobe Lightroom (the non-Classic version). Performance is good overall, but after doing the test I had in mind, I was very disappointed. I have chosen the function ” Combine photos” -> “Combine panorama” , feeding it 29 RAW files. It is a demanding test and very dependent on the use of the cores.
The problem is that, despite being optimized for Apple silicon, the application is slower with native code than with the Rosetta translation . In fact, with Rosetta, the four high-efficiency cores manage to be faster than the full eight cores with native code. They are the first steps of Adobe in Apple silicon, but this performance is surprising not being a beta. In this case, as we will see now in Handbrake, the Intel teams do much better than the M1, although what I wanted was to show the importance of optimizing the applications well.
In our tests in both Lighroom and Handbrake, the performance was better with Rosetta than running native Apple silicon code
Converting an H.264 video to H.265 with Handbrake
Handbrake is a fantastic video converter with a multitude of options and, in its beta version, it has been updated to support the M1. It has hardware encoding options, but in our case we want to compare pears with pears, so we have done a software encoding. Specifically, we have downloaded the file “jellyfish-45-mbps-hd-h264.mkv” from this website.
Thus, we convert this 1080p video file with H.264 codec to H.265 codec and with MKV container. It’s a preset in Handbrake, so anyone can try it out. This test is very CPU intensive, and uses all cores .
As the test duration is somewhat longer, the M1 in the MacBook Air suffers without a fan compared to the MacBook Pro M1 with a fan . What is really interesting about this test is that it has helped us to confirm that some applications are not optimized despite running on native code, as Handbrake 1.4 beta already does. A yes, test Rosetta (Intel code) has been faster than the test with the Silicon Apple universal binary , as shown in the chart.
7-Zip compression with Keka: taking advantage of all the cores
Given the fiasco with Lightroom and to a lesser extent with Handbrake, I was looking for an application already updated and compiled for Apple silicon that would take full advantage of the M1, and I remembered that in performance comparisons it is common to use 7-Zip compression as a test of real use . In macOS there is no official client, but Keka performs 7z compression and it is very well optimized, as we will see by the difference between the normal result and Rosetta’s.
Even with Rosetta, which now does have a considerable difference with the native application, the M1 manages to outperform the i7-9750H using all its cores , with a considerable margin, and that in this test the MacBook Air comes to reduce to reduce the speed clock to cool down. In addition, it must be remembered once again that the i7 exceeds 60 watts of consumption while the M1 when cooling is about 11.
In the lower part of the graph, the four Icestorm cores demonstrate once again that the values obtained in Cinebench R23 using all the cores are related to reality, tying with the 13 “MacBook Pro from 2017. Of course, the latter uses a value close to 20 times more energy to perform this same task.
A very powerful integrated GPU that surprises as much as the Icestorm and Firestorm
The case with the M1 GPU repeats itself . We’ve known for a long time that Apple also leads here on iPhones and iPads, and while a dedicated graphics chip is missed, on a day-to-day basis, and outside of specific needs, the performance is exceptional.
For integrated graphics and not having memory allocated exclusively, the M1’s GPU is the best integrated on the market, a far cry from the rest. But as with the CPU cores, the thing does not stop there, because it manages to be much better than the integrated proposals of Intel and AMD , with also much lower consumption.
Compared to the dedicated 16 “MacBook Pros we’ve been able to test, the Radeon 5300M and 5500M, the M1’s GPU is surprisingly close in frames per second in the GFXBench gaming benchmark (Aztec Ruins High Offscreen 1440p). It’s a benchmark already adapted to Apple Silicon and that uses the Metal library on all models.
Although not listed in the table, the latest dedicated notebook solutions from Intel and AMD are a far cry from the M1 , with 44 and 30 fps respectively on the latest generation processors released on the market. It is an advantage that is not surprising, since the iPad Pro of 2018 achieved 50 fps and the iPhone 12 Pro 36 fps.
As in other tests, the M1 has remained practically cool when doing the GPU test, while the two 16 “MacBook Pros with Radeon 5300M and 5500M have even put the fans at 5,000 rpm.
As revealed by Mark Gurman, it is expected that there will be computers with Apple Silicon with 16 and 32 GPU cores, the first being the one that would be expected in a MacBook Pro 16 “base with Apple Silicon. Seeing all the thermal space that Apple has to grow From 10.2 watts on the M1 on the MacBook Air to 61 watts on the 16 “MacBook Pro with the Radeon 5500M, you can expect the M1’s graphics performance to double . This has only started.
The Neural Engine in all its glory with Pixelmator Pro: what you don’t see in a classic benchmark
One of the most interesting sections of the M1 is that not everything is CPU or GPU power. As my colleague Javier Pastor said in his anatomy of the M1, in the context of heterogeneous computing, “Apple’s chips have a good number of specialized chips with cores dedicated to very specific tasks.”
Among all of them, the Apple Neural Engine or 16-core Neural Engine stands out , “capable of performing 11 billion operations per second.” With it, the system is able to perform specific tasks using machine learning much faster than using the GPU or CPU, with much lower power consumption.
At the moment, it is not easy to find dedicated applications that already make use of the Apple Neural Engine , but the future is very promising. Adobe has already launched some applications compatible with Apple silicon in beta, and thus shows the advantage that the M1 has with its Neural Engine over the 16 “MacBook Pro. As we can see, it does scene detection in four times less time.
However, thanks to Pixelmator Pro we have been able to do our own tests with the “ML Super Resolution” function, which uses machine learning to triple the resolution of an image “without losing quality”. In a first test with very small images, the M1 is twice as fast as the MBP 16 “2020 entry i7. However, we wanted to do the test with a large image (8000 × 5806 pixels), to see how it works. The different teams performed. These are the results:
The M1 wins again with solvency thanks to the fact that it is only using the Neural Engine for a task in which the MacBook Pro 16 “uses GPU and CPU, reaching 33 watts. It is 26 seconds slower, using 12 times more power consumption In smaller images, such as a cropped screenshot, the M1 was up to twice as fast as the i7, and this is just the beginning, waiting to see what the developers are able to squeeze out of it.
Maximum consumptions of the M1 on the MacBook Air
Before Apple announced the landing of Apple Silicon, there was much talk about the extent to which the company would be able to outperform Intel or AMD with chips “like those of an iPhone.” The reality is that the M1 is more than that, and thanks to an improved cooling capacity compared to mobiles and iPads, Apple allows the consumption of the chip with saturated large cores (something we have done with Prime95) to skyrocket up to just over 18 watts with the high-performance cores running at 3.2 GHz .
Image of the high-performance quad-core cluster of the M1 (P = Performance) performing almost 100% of its capacity. 18,384 mW = 18.38 watts of consumption.
Of course, that consumption and clock speed drops quickly (in 30 seconds, approximately) in the MacBook Air due to the lack of fan, and stabilizes at about nine watts in sustained performance. This drop in performance is not noticeable in the day-to-day, where as we have already said, high-performance cores are rarely used. Still, it should be noted that on the Mac mini and MacBook Pro, both equipped with fans, this performance loss is non-existent .
For Icestorm cores, with high-performance Firestorms disabled, the maximum efficiency cluster consumption is 1.7 watts with all cores running at their maximum 2.06 GHz . Again, it is impressive that with such low peak power consumption, these cores run the rig so well without help from their older brothers.
Image of the high-efficiency quad-core cluster of the M1 (E = Efficiency) yielding almost 100% of its capacity. 1,777 mW = 1.77 watts of consumption.
Regarding the GPU, the maximum consumption observed doing the GFXBench benchmark is 8.5 watts in the MacBook Air with seven cores in the integrated GPU. In the case of the Mac mini M1, connected to the current, it amounts to 10 watts with the eight-core GPU.
Regarding the maximum consumption of the last component of the M1 that the system reports, the Apple Neural Engine or neural engine, the maximum consumption that we have managed to obtain with Pixelmator Pro is 2.2 watts , a figure also spectacular considering everything that is squeezed. The Neural Engine is also activated every time we use the camera, in those cases showing a consumption of 0.12 watts.
Lastly, I set out to fully saturate all parts of the chip at once, with some success. In a very limited time, I got a consumption of 17.36 watts of CPU, 8 watts of GPU and 1.03 watts of RAM. Altogether, the “pack” put out a figure of 27.2 watts . Perhaps, if I had managed to use the Neural Engine at the same time, it would have touched 30 watts.
Notes on energy and possibilities
The autonomy of the MacBook Air M1 is really surprising.
With all that we have talked about the energy consumption of the M1 and its high-efficiency cores, you wonder what possibilities this gives for other future equipment . The first thing to say is that I also do not see that launching a device that only had high-efficiency cores changes Apple’s game much.
It could launch a much cheaper chip, and even equip it only with a CPU with eight high-efficiency cores , which, if it grows in performance like all four, could be almost compared to the best that Intel has with the eleventh generation. Of course, single-core performance is very important to Apple to keep it as “low” as the Icestorm offer. Probably, without an architecture change, improving it would be feasible by raising the frequencies of the high-efficiency cores somewhat, which is still low.
At the level of possibilities, something with that consumption and heating could perfectly power a Mac that was the size of an Amazon Fire Stick 4K , and that, although it did not have many ports, would fully fit with the company’s strategy since the adoption of USB- C / Thunderbolt 3.
Apple has in its hands the possibility of getting, for the first time, a device like the Intel Compute Stick, but with enough power for most tasks.
Moving on to more realistic scenarios, using only high-efficiency cores does not make sense when you see how the system manages to govern the two groups of Icestorm and Firestorm. The use made of the high-efficiency ones is so good that by testing video playback for one hour on Twitch with fixed brightness I have obtained similar results with four cores and with eight . The same goes for video calling in Zoom. This is due to what I said that high-performance cores only intervene when they are needed, such as to open an application at maximum speed. In the mentioned scenarios they are not used too much.
While watching a direct from Twitch a 2020 13 “MacBook Pro consumes about 4 watts, a MacBook Air M1 consumes less than medium, and with much less power fluctuation. Therein lies the real savings.
However, high-efficiency cores are going to play a major role in making future computers with Apple silicon, such as the successor to the 16 “MacBook Pro, have enviable autonomy. With the same use as a MacBook Air, and growing somewhat the consumption due to having a larger screen (which seems to be more efficient soon thanks to the use of miniLEDs), it does not matter if Apple gives them four or twelve more high-performance cores: the Icestorm will continue to be tremendously capable and fulfill the same role .
Thus, for light use, it will not be strange to see in a 16 “MacBook Pro more 30 hours of autonomy in video playback , for example, compared to the 18 that Apple talks about in the Air. It is not unreasonable considering that they maintain chassis and current battery capacity, set at 99.8 watt-hours (down from 49.9 watt-hours for the MacBook Air M1).
Although the M1 is more efficient than contemporary Intel, when it is pushed to the maximum it will drain the battery at a good speed: there is no revolution
Of all the news, having the Icestorm seems to me the most game-changing . Because something must be clear: if a MacBook Pro 13 “with M1 is required for a long time with all its cores at 100%, that is, consuming about 17-18 watts, the battery will drain quickly. In that scenario, The autonomy results will not be so different from those of a low consumption Intel i5, although it will achieve a lot of performance, but it is in light tasks where the real gain is that allows us to leave the house without scares.
A bright future ahead after dispelling many doubts
A much larger battery than that of 13 “computers and greater dissipation capacity can give the 16” MacBook Pro a range and performance never before seen in notebooks.
After having carried out many tests on the M1 and some of its predecessors and direct competitors in the range that Apple has for sale, what has started the M1 seems like a revolution to me. One that, because it does not change the industry too much in its early days, because it does not modify the use on a day-to-day basis, perhaps goes a bit unnoticed . But it will not happen for those who see that the autonomy of their laptop is tripled, that the fans no longer sound, that many specific tasks are executed with a speed never before seen on the desktop, etc.
In any case, after verifying that the promises of the M1 are real, we can only wait for their older generation brothers . In that sense, Mark Gurman is usually a reliable source, and on what will come after the M1 has offered information with some interesting details.
In early December, he told Bloomberg that Apple is developing Mac processors with up to 32 CPU cores. For the next generation of MacBook Pro and iMac, he spoke of Apple working on chips with up to 16 high-performance CPU cores and 4 high-efficiency cores (16 + 4), although he also pointed out that they might first opt to launch 8+. 4 or 12 + 4, depending on the production.
Taking into account that in the M1 I have been able to deactivate the cores one by one from the fifth (the first high-performance) to observe how it behaved at a growth level, and that its performance and consumption grows in a practically linear way (about 1400 points with each nucleus added), I have taken the license to make this estimate from the eighth nucleus, always maintaining the base provided by the four high-efficiency Icestorms. Obviously, it is not a prediction , but it can give to understand where the M1X or M2 can move, whatever their name.
The image itself won’t tell us much, but if the estimate were correct, with 8 + 4 cores, the M1X would outperform the Ryzen 5600X by about 2,000 points, which consumes about 61 watts with all cores in use. The M1X would do it with 29.3 watts, less than half. If Apple launches a model with 12 + 4 cores, the estimate says it would reach 18,774 points with 43.3 watts, beating the Ryzen 5800X by about 2,000 points and being on the same level as the Ryzen 3900X. Finally, with 16 + 4 cores, the estimation model returns 24,414 points with 57 watts, catching up with giants like the Ryzen 3950X and 5900X (94 watts with all cores active). In favor of AMD, we must be fair and mention that Apple achieves its current consumption with lithography of 5 nanometers , versus the 7 nanometers of the Ryzen 5000.
Right now, considering how much progress the Ryzen 5000s and the Zen architecture itself have made, it seems like sheer madness. But it also seemed to many that the M1 could outperform Intel’s low-power chips in CPU and GPU (and let’s not talk about outperforming chips like the i7-9750H with which we have compared so much), and it succeeded, by far. margin. As my colleague Javipas said, the M1 was the great no surprise of 2020 for those who had been paying attention to the progression of Apple’s chips on iPad and iPhone.
This chart was quite a statement of intent from Apple, and considering that the M1 is in the lower part of the blue zone, it is realistic to think that the estimates fit in the middle and upper part.
In that sense, the leaked Cinebench R23 tests of the development kit for the transition (DTK), which is still a Mac mini with the same CPU of the iPad Pro of 2018, have shown that two years ago, Apple was already at the height of what Intel offers in low-power laptops in the 11th generation when using all cores. And all this, with the limited dissipation that an iPad allows.
What the DTK & macOS 11 showed is that Apple probably could have shipped ARM Macs long before now — from beta one, macOS was so stable on ARM it felt like it had been doing this for years — but they would merely have been ‘as good’ as Intel Macs, not the blowaway experience M1 is
— Steve Troughton-Smith (@stroughtonsmith) January 16, 2021
As the well-known and influential developer Steve Troughton-Smith, who now has a Mac mini DTK, said, “what the DTK and macOS 11 have shown is that Apple could have released ARM Macs much earlier.” But, yes, “they would have been as good as the Intel Macs, not the incredible experience that is the M1.” And in squeezing the M1 to the fullest from the least powerful core to the most capable, I totally agree with that perception .
Publisher Perfect World Games and developer Black Wings Game Studio have launched the third “closed beta test”. Persona 5: The Phantom X announced. The test phase will last from January 16th to 31st in China and will be available via iOS, Android and PCs. Registration is possible here until January 12th.
This should be interesting for very few Western Persona fans so far, because “Persona 5: The Phantom X” has only been announced for China. “Persona 5: The Phantom X” is also not being developed for consoles, but for iOS, Android and PCs.
Certainly a disappointment for many console fans – but the mobile offshoot can at least impress visually. It is a free-to-play title, but as is usual for mobile games, there will be an in-game shop where items can be purchased for real money.
The title recently featured a new character that was particularly well received by fans. After all, at 44 years old, “Okyann” breaks the typical average age of her Phantom Thief comrades.
Heart Stealing Test Announcement Trailer
Images: Persona 5: The Phantom X, Perfect World Games, Black Wings Game Studio
The new Teufel Ultima 25 Aktiv offer unique features at an amazingly affordable price. SamaGame tested the stereo speakers – do they sound good?
Table of contents
Teufel Ultima 25 Active with HDMI, radio & Bluetooth
Versatile and expandable
Simply swipe over the box
Teufel Ultima 25 Active in the sound test
Four sound modes plus dynamores
Test conclusion Teufel Ultima 25 Active
With the new Teufel Ultima 25 Aktiv, the manufacturer from Berlin is bringing real universal talents onto the market. This equipment and playback options may even be unique; the stereo speakers play music from all conceivable sources, reproduce television sound and even receive it radio. And the whole thing is available for a decent price Sound bar. With so many talents at an affordable price, the only question that remains is whether the Teufel Ultima 25 Aktiv do their job well. The detailed test from SamaGame provides the answer.
Teufel Ultima 25 Active with HDMI, radio & Bluetooth
What at first glance seems like a completely normal couple Stereo speakers looks like, turns out to be much more at second glance. At 37 centimeters high and 22 centimeters wide, the Teufel Ultima 25 Aktiv are not particularly compact, but with a depth of 25 centimeters they fit on any standard shelf, or better yet, on sideboards. The black plastic surface looks practical; the Ultima 25 Aktiv is also available in white. A small display at the bottom of one of the two speakers as well as buttons to the right and left of it suggest that the speakers are not entirely ordinary. The back confirms this with numerous connections:
Aux In: In principle, anything that has an analog stereo output can be connected to the stereo input in the form of two RCA sockets, from a CD player to a mixer.
Optical In: The optical digital input is suitable, for example, for streaming players or for old TV sets without HDMI.
HDMI: Most people have digital AV connections TV the appropriate output (HDMI ARC). Advantage over the optical connection: Here the volume can be adjusted using the TV remote control.
USB: The USB-C port is intended for computers; the Teufel Ultima 25 Active can then be selected as an external audio device under Windows. The input digests a maximum of 16 bits and 48 kHz, the playback software usually adjusts to this automatically. The speakers didn’t work on the Mac at the time of testing.
DAB+/FM: A receiver for digital radio (DAB+) and VHF (FM) is built into the box. Reception works in many places with the included antenna wire; alternatively, an indoor or outdoor antenna can be connected.
Bluetooth: Smartphones and tablets can contribute their audio program via the radio interface. The aptX and AAC sound formats minimize radio-related sound losses.
Two connection terminals establish the connection to the second box, which has no other connections apart from a corresponding pair of terminals. Teufel supplies a 3 meter long cable; if necessary, a shorter or longer, commercially available loudspeaker cable can be used. Which box is on the right and which on the left can be selected in the settings menu.
Versatile and expandable
The settings menu of the Teufel Ultima 25 Aktiv also offers a number of useful options: The sound can be adjusted in bass and treble, and the radio station search is also carried out there. For optimal interaction with televisions The sound delay can be adjusted to match the image so that lip movements can actually be seen in sync with the speech. There are also expansion options in the menu: The speakers can be paired with Teufel subwoofers (from 300 euros) and also with the Teufel Effect 2 surround speakers (400 euros per pair). The most common surround methods are available with Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro Logic.
Simply swipe over the box
There are buttons on the included remote control for important settings such as display brightness and sound. It serves its purpose, but it is rarely necessary in everyday use – because music selection and volume adjustment are done on the player, be it the television, smartphone or PC. In addition, there is a painted line on the left Teufel box with touch sensors underneath. You can quickly change the music title or station with a tap of your finger and adjust the volume up or down with a swipe of your finger.
Teufel Ultima 25 Active in the sound test
Teufel has provided the Ultima 25 Aktiv with comparatively large woofer speakers; hardly any competitor in this price range has a diameter of 16 centimeters. Together with the impressive dimensions, this results in a remarkable richness of sound – the speakers sound really big and stately. This can seem a bit full, especially near the wall, but reducing the bass by two levels tames the oomph. The sound always remains warm and pleasant, which is an advantage in modern living rooms with wooden floors instead of carpets, as well as for mediocrely produced music. The Ultima 25 Aktiv, which is designed in a similar way, is not a miracle of resolution Heco Aurora 200 P for example, more details can be heard.
Four sound modes plus dynamores
The Ultima 25 Active still makes the sound advantage of direct digital playback of uncompressed music via USB-C easily audible. Because you rarely hear it so crisp and clean in this price range. In Film mode there is some extra boost in the low bass range as well as slightly shinier highs, although this sounds a bit cool. The “Speech” mode puts dialogues in the foreground without imposing a distorted sound on them. This is even clearer with the “Dynamore Virtual Center” setting, which can sound exhausting. Night mode tames bass, dynamics and annoyances with the neighbors. If you want it to sound as good as possible, music mode is clearly the best choice – regardless of the sound source.
Test conclusion Teufel Ultima 25 Active
The Teufel Ultima 25 Aktiv offers powerful and voluminous sound at a fair price and unique features on top of that. With the HDMI connection, the stereo speakers compete with soundbars, which, however, have no chance in terms of sound quality. The built-in radio is very welcome for everyday use, otherwise there are very good options for playing music with Bluetooth and USB. The operation via swipe and tap and the display with plain text are also unparalleled in this price range.
Aldi has a cult boombox on offer: The Medion MD44538 has a ghetto blaster design that looks like something from the 80s, but makes similarly expensive Bluetooth boxes look pretty old.
Table of contents
Medion P66538: Boombox with CD, DAB and Bluetooth
Operation requires practice
This is what the Medion boombox sounds like
Test conclusion Medion Life P66538 (MD44538)
For children of the 80s, radio recorders were a dream, especially in XXL format – nicknamed “ghettoblaster”. The Medion Life P66538 (MD44538) brings the dream back to life. And better yet: The boombox contains an FM radio and cassette recorder, but it also takes you straight back to the future with modern equipment. This practical test clarifies what the versatile Henkelmann can do.
Medion P66538: Boombox with CD, DAB and Bluetooth
With a width of 67 centimeters, the Medion P66538 (MD44538) makes a powerful impression, and the fold-out handle seems appropriately stable for its 6.1 kilograms weight. The angular silver design harks back to the 80s, even though many of the boombox’s functions didn’t exist back then:
Cassette recorder: This is part of the mandatory equipment, it offers a playback option for the millions of compact cassettes that still exist and for the few new releases. Its cassette compartment opens very softly and very slowly, and it is also not the fastest when fast forwarding and rewinding.
CD player: Where many classic ghetto blasters had a second cassette compartment, the Medion P66538 has a CD player. The silver discs need to be carefully pressed onto the spindle. Very good: The player buffers about a minute of the music playing so that it runs smoothly even in the event of vibrations.
FM radio: The station is selected according to the old custom using a small rotary wheel; the set frequency can be roughly estimated with a wide pointer on the scale on the top edge. In the practical test, noise was often mixed into the reception; if necessary, you could switch to mono.
Digital radio: The boombox also receives via DAB+ (Digital Audio Broadcast). In most regions there are significantly more channels to choose from via digital reception; in Hamburg, for example, there are over 40. Reception was trouble-free in the test. A small display at the top left shows the selected station name in plain text.
Bluetooth: The Medion P66538 (MD44538) also has a built-in Bluetooth receiver so that the sound can also be played from the smartphone – be it from Spotify, YouTube or any other app. The coupling was quick and easy in the practical test.
USB and microSD: The cool box also plays digital music in MP3 format from USB sticks and memory cards. The small display at the top left can help you select titles.
Microphones: Microphones can be connected to two jack sockets on the front for spontaneous singing or birthday greetings. Adjustable reverb spices up the voice if necessary. However, microphones are not included.
Operation requires practice
The program selection is done using two small slide switches. Anyone born in the 80s may need glasses for this. There are also tone controls for bass and treble as well as – somewhat hidden – an X-Bass button. This shows that the boombox is made up of very different assemblies without a common operating concept. But fortunately, if anything is unclear, a thick and understandable manual can help. Recordings are possible on cassettes and in MP3 format on USB and microSD cards, such as CDs and radios. If you want, you can even digitize recorded cassettes. The power is supplied via a power cable or with eight batteries or size D rechargeable batteries.
This is what the Medion boombox sounds like
The generous dimensions of the Medion Life P66538 (MD44538) benefit the sound quality: two large woofers are installed on the right and left, the rectangular panels above are not just decoration, there are actually two tweeters behind them. This gives the boombox a pretty crisp sound. The treble control can be set to three o’clock, otherwise the playback will seem a bit tired. The X-Bass button gives the low tones more pressure and has a better sound quality than the boombox. Against Bluetooth speakers The giant can easily hold its own in the price range between 150 and 200 euros, especially since the stereo imaging is decent due to its dimensions. When recording on cassette, deep bass suffers somewhat and the typical tape noise is mixed in. But you can easily transfer a new CD for the cassette radio in the old Opel.
Test conclusion Medion Life P66538 (MD44538)
Young people of the 80s would have given their last shirt for a boombox like this. The crisp sound is a pleasure to listen to; contemporary program sources are on board with radio and cassette. In addition, the Medion Life P66538 (MD44538) offers the latest equipment with Bluetooth, digital radio and CD. You have to get used to the operation, but the fun is definitely worth it. The retro boombox will be available in Aldi’s online shop from January 4, 2024. The price: 179 euros.
From January 4, 2024, the well-equipped Medion Akoya E15433 will be available at Aldi for just 499 euros. Does the 15-inch notebook with Core i5 CPU impress in the test?
Table of contents
Medion Akoya E15433 in the test: Simple 15-inch model
Full HD screen
Good keyboard/touchpad combo
A look under the hood
Little breath
Card reader, HDMI, USB-C
Medion Akoya E15433 in the test: conclusion
At the beginning of 2024, the discounter Aldi will be introducing the Medion Akoya E15433 (MD64180) notebook in all of its branches nationwide. The price tag on January 4th reads a moderate 499 euros. What do customers get in return? Is it worth buying? SamaGame tested the Aldi notebook Medion Akoya E15433 (MD64180).
Medion Akoya E15433 in the test: Simple 15-inch model
There are no long arms when it comes to daily transport from A to B: the Aldi notebook, which is around 2 centimeters thin, weighs less than 2 kilograms – what a thing 15.6 inch notebook is little. There are hardly any visual accents: the Akoya E15433 is a simple representative of its genre.
Good: Manufacturer Medion has framed the display with beautifully narrow edges, which looks chic and modern. The Essen-based company had to make the display edge a little thicker in the top center to accommodate the webcam. The 1 megapixel lens is just a simple example, but is completely sufficient for video calls via Teams, Skype or Zoom.
Full HD screen
The screen is also completely sufficient – at least for Internet and office applications. On its almost 40 centimeter screen diagonal, it shows websites, Word and Excel documents in Full HD with 1920×1080 pixels. But the display wasn’t completely convincing. It showed photos and videos with pale and distorted colors. The maximum brightness is a bit low at 310 candelas per square meter. On sunny days, users should therefore look for a shady spot when working outdoors.
Good keyboard/touchpad combo
The keyboard could offer a slightly more precise and harder touch. Nevertheless, texts were pleasant to type in the test. The distance between the keys is sufficiently large so that users do not accidentally press two keys at the same time. There is no lighting for working in darker environments. Good: There is a number pad for entering long Excel columns. The touchpad is also pleasing; it implements input quickly and precisely. The only drawback: mouse clicks are not possible at the top.
A look under the hood
However, users don’t have to worry about long waiting times: in the speed tests, the Medion proved to be a fast notebook! No wonder: the mid-range processor Core i5-1235U from Intel serves as the engine.Alder Lake“series. It’s not the latest model (market launch: early 2022), but it’s still a powerful CPU. And the ten-core processor can transfer data to a comparatively generous 16 gigabytes of RAM.
Windows 11, programs and data are on one M.2 SSD with an effective 477 gigabytes of memory deposited. Is that not enough? An additional SSD cannot be retrofitted, but users can at least exchange the existing one for one with more memory – 2 terabyte models are available from 100 euros. The RAM can also be upgraded if necessary – to a maximum of 64 gigabytes (150 euros).
Test results Medion Akoya E15433 (MD64180)
Test results Medion Akoya E15433 (MD64180)
Test results
Medion Akoya E15433 (MD64180)
processor
Intel Core i5-1235U
graphics chip
Intel UHD Graphics Xe
display
15.6 inches (1920×1080 pixels)
How fast is the notebook?
Speed with Office
high (53%)
Video editing speed
high (35.9%)
Speed in games (1920×1080 pixels)
very jerky (17 frames per second)
Speed in games (3840×2160 pixels)
not playable
SSD speed
slow (11.7%)
USB speed (on notebook SSD)
230 MB/sec.
USB speed (on external hard drive)
280 MB/sec.
How good is the image quality?
Color fidelity
very low (87.4%)
Deviations in grayscale
low (2.4%)
color temperature
natural (7391 Kelvin)
Maximum brightness
somewhat low (310 cd/m²)
Black level
very low (0.24 cd/m²)
Contrast ratio
very low (1351:1)
Visual test
somewhat minor (washed out colors, pale skin tones, slight backlight bleeding on screen edges)
Color space sRGB
too low (63.7%)
Color space DCI-P3
too low (47.4%)
Response time (average/max.)
short (18.8 ms) / short (27.8 ms)
Number of pixels per inch
somewhat low (141 dpi at 1920×1080 pixels)
Max. brightness deviations
low (10.64%)
Gloss level screen/frame
low / very low
Max refresh rate
60 hertz
How easy is it to use on the go?
Battery life / charging time
acceptable (04:58 hours) / short (2:06 hours)
Operating noise when working / max.
very quiet (0.7 sone) / very quiet (1.8 sone)
Temperature after 30 minutes of full load
slightly high (23.0 degrees)
Weight with battery / power supply with cable
low (1.88 kg) / very low (0.22 kg)
Is everything you need included?
RAM (built-in/expandable)
a lot (2×8 GB / 2×32 GB, complete replacement required)
Data storage (built-in / expandable)
a little bit (477 GB, SSD-NVMe, Western Digital /no)
connections
1x headset, 1xHDMI / 2x USB Type A 3.2 Gen. 1, 1x USB-C 2.0, 1x USB Type-A 2.0
WiFi / Bluetooth / Cellular
Wifi 5 / version 5.1 / no
Webcam / microphone / memory card reader
yes / yes / yes (microSD)
Included programs
Windows 11 Home
How easy is it to use?
Quality and operation of the keyboard
slightly roughened surface, pleasant writing feeling, pressure point a bit spongy
Keyboard lighting
no
Standard assignment / navigation button standard size
no no
Biometric access barriers
unavailable
Touchpad size/quality and operation
very large / clicking at the top edge not possible, minimal latency, pleasant surface, good pressure point
Quality and operation of the touchscreen
unavailable
Little breath
It’s a shame: the CPU and display suck heavily on the battery, the 55 watt-hour energy storage was enough for almost five hours of work in the test – with the display at full brightness. If you turn down the brightness a little, you can extend the battery life by an hour – but that wouldn’t be a particularly good value either. There are now notebooks like this Thomson M15 EVO, which last for almost eleven hours without a power outlet on a single battery charge – but they are usually more than twice as expensive. Also good: The Medion performed its job calmly in the test; its fan did not torment the testers with noisy rotating noises, even under full load.
Card reader, HDMI, USB-C
A card reader for microSD memory cardn is on board and external Monitors can be connected via HDMI. The Aldi notebook also offers a USB-C socket. However, the latter still works according to the lame USB 2.0 standard and not the USB 3.2 Gen 2 version, which is for fast external SSDs would be necessary.
Medion Akoya E15433 in the test: conclusion
Of course, customers shouldn’t expect a super-duper notebook with all the bells and whistles for 500 euros. The price for the Akoya E15433 is okay for the performance it offers: it works quickly and quietly, the display offers decent image quality, and the features are complete with the exception of the missing keyboard backlight.
Huge TV at a low price: The 98-inch TCL UHD870 is sensationally affordable. SamaGame tested whether the quality was right.
For film enthusiasts and sports fans it can TV in principle not big enough. Films and sports broadcasts only develop their captivating effect on a giant screen, like in the cinema or in the stadium. But what does big mean? The maximum TV screen size is currently 98 inches, which corresponds to a screen diagonal of 248 centimeters. The new TCL 95UHD870 is the cheapest television of this size; for less than 2,500 euros, it promises great viewing pleasure. Depending on the retailer, the television is also available in the store under the name TCL 98P745, it is the same model.
That’s how big the TCL 98UHD870 is
With a device width of around 2.20 meters and a height of almost 1.30 meters, you can take this literally with great pleasure with the TCL 98UHD870. The 58 kilogram colossus stands securely on two strikingly solid metal feet mounted on the outside. Provided there is a sufficiently strong wall, the 98-inch model can also be hung up. Of course, the wall mount also has to be correspondingly large; the TCL requires the VESA dimension 500×600. At 4.2 centimeters, the television is surprisingly flat, and the workmanship with a waffle-like structured back panel and a frame flush with the screen appears to be of high quality.
More colors and 100 to 144 Hertz
To ensure that the huge screen actually provides enjoyment, the TCL 98UHD870 uses an upper-class LCD despite the low price: Instead of 50 to 60 images per second, it shows twice as many at 100 to 120 Hertz. This makes details look sharper in fast movements, and large screens in particular benefit from this. Computers can even play up to 144 Hertz. In addition, the manufacturer promises a larger color gamut (“Wide Color Gamut”), so that films or games produced accordingly HDR (High Dynamic Range) the better image quality is actually visible. Technical tricks to increase contrast (such as local dimming or Mini LED) did not provide the budget.
Giant picture looks really good
Cheap price or not, such a huge television picture is definitely impressive. And it looks really good with the TCL 98UHD870: Thanks to the VA LCD technology, it achieves quite deep blacks, meaning the TCL achieves a contrast of over 4000:1. With just over 400 candelas per square meter, the image is bright enough even in daylight. And above all, the colors are right with natural skin tones and strong HDR display (Cinema picture mode). The TCL attenuates the HDR brightness peaks significantly, but it manages to adapt to the capabilities of the screen without over-exposing bright image areas and with decent clarity in dark corners. The processes support Dolby Vision and HDR10+ here. The automatic adjustment to the ambient brightness is designed to be very practical. Apart from the lower HDR luminosity, it moves TCL TV on par with that Samsung GQ98Q80C. Films and TV shows with poor SD resolution are no fun on such a large screen; you would have to stand ten meters away. The TCL, on the other hand, upscales HD material well to its UHD resolution, without pixel mud or annoying over-sharpening. The decent impression of sharpness is retained even in fast movements; annoying streaks are just as little an issue as image stuttering.
TCL 98P745: Technical data in comparison
TCL 98P745: Technical data in comparison
TCL
Samsung
Sony
98UHD870/P745
GQ96Q80C
KD-55X85L
resolution
3840×2160
3840×2160
3840×2160
Brightness (HDR max.)
425 cd/m2
1146 cd/m2
781 cd/m2
contrast
4320:1
50000:1
34364:1
Color deviation dE
1.7
2.6
2.6
color temperature
6626K
6945K
6791K
Color space DCI-P3
94.4%
92.0%
94.6%
Latency (60Hz)
14 ms
13 ms
18 ms
Entrances
4x HDMI (2 to 120Hz), AV
4x HDMI (4 to 120Hz)
4x HDMI (2 to 120Hz), AV
TCL 98UHD870 gives projectors no chance
In practice, a viewing distance of four to five meters is perfect for the TCL 98UHD870. For high-quality UHD playback with films or games, it can also be two to three meters – with an enormously immersive effect. Because then the viewer’s field of vision is largely filled by the screen, which would otherwise only be the case projector and canvas is possible. In a direct comparison, video projectors of a similar price range have no chance: brightness and contrast are much lower, so that the images look duller even in perfectly darkened rooms. And with every glimmer of light from the window, for example, the impression of the image deteriorates. This makes televisions much more suitable for everyday use than projectors.
Built-in subwoofer for rich sound
You shouldn’t expect too much from the sound in this class, but the TCL 98UHD870 does its job there too. This is visible in the saucer-sized woofer in the back wall, which supports the two speakers on the bottom with bass. In this way, the TV giant achieves a comparatively full, if not particularly detailed, sound. For better sound there is about one Sound bar can be easily connected. If a sound bar under the television looks too puny for you, go for it Stereo speakers with HDMI and places them to the right and left of the screen.
Also a big one when it comes to connections
The ports of the TCL 98UHD870 are arranged on the back in such a way that they are easily accessible from the side. The clear labeling makes wiring easier, especially since nothing is missing:
HDMI: The TCL has four HDMI inputstwo of which correspond comprehensively to the version HDMI 2.1 and can process UHD resolution at up to 120 Hertz including variable frame rates – good for game consoles. One even accepts up to 144 Hertz when a correspondingly powerful computer is connected. The delay in the video signals (latency) is uncritically short in game mode at 14 milliseconds. Of the two remaining HDMI ports, one serves as a sound output for soundbars and AV receivers (eARC, enhanced audio return channel) if required and also provides 3D surround sound Dolby Atmos out of.
TV reception: As usual, you can watch television with the P745 via cable, satellite and antenna. There is HDTV in all reception types, and a few UHD channels via satellite. For cable reception, it depends on the regional network operator, but UHD is also possible in principle.
CI+: A CI module can be plugged in to unlock encrypted TV programs. This is available, for example, for private HD programs from the local cable network operator or from Freenet for antenna reception.
USB: The TCL has two USB ports for photo and video playback, one of which is easily accessible on the edge of the case. The most common multimedia formats including DTS sound can be played.
Optical output: The fiber optic digital output supplies old home cinema systems, for example wireless headphones with the television sound.
Headphone output: Classic headphones with a cable can be connected to the TCL, and the TV speakers then switch off automatically.
Bluetooth: Also a Bluetooth headphones can be coupled. This is used instead of the TV speakers.
Network connection and WLAN: The connection to the home network is made as usual via cable or radio.
Stream easily thanks to Google TV
The TCL 98UHD870 uses the current version 12 of the Android TV operating system with Google TV. This means that the apps of all popular streaming providers are available, including: Media libraries The TV channels can be used in the same way as commercial platforms Amazon Prime Video and Netflix to Apple TV and Disney+ to Paramount+. The Google TV home screen clearly shows the most used apps in a row and tabs for other apps as well as film and series recommendations – this has been the case with others Android TVs Proven by Philips and Sony, for example. Alternatively, content can be searched for in smartphone apps and then played back on the giant screen using the Chromecast function. AirPlay 2 is also available. You quickly get used to the operation, which is helped by the handy remote control with its sensibly arranged buttons. In addition, there is voice control with the Google Assistant possible, the remote control is equipped with a microphone and a talk button. TCL adds small quick menus that can be used to select sources more quickly.
Test conclusion TCL 98UHD870
The TCL 98UHD870 or 98P745 is not only huge, but also really good: the features leave practically nothing to be desired, and the Android television is very versatile in terms of connections and streaming options. There are no problems with operation and the workmanship leaves a solid impression. And the image quality is impressive: brightness and contrast are fine, the image scaling works without annoying side effects, and the UHD870 reproduces colors beautifully and naturally. Anyone who has seen this will hardly think about a projector as an alternative.
TCL provided the test device in Warsaw and supported participation in the product presentation trip with subsequent independent testing. Our standards of transparency and journalistic independence can be found at www.axelspringer.de/unabhaengigkeit.
Huge TV at a low price: The 98-inch TCL P745 is sensationally affordable. SamaGame tested whether the quality was right.
For film enthusiasts and sports fans it can TV in principle not big enough. Films and sports broadcasts only develop their captivating effect on a giant screen, like in the cinema or in the stadium. But what does big mean? The maximum TV screen size is currently 98 inches, which corresponds to a screen diagonal of 248 centimeters. The new TCL 98P745 is the cheapest television of this size. For less than 2,500 euros, it promises great viewing pleasure.
That’s how big the TCL 98P745 is
With a device width of around 2.20 meters and a height of almost 1.30 meters, you can take this literally with great pleasure with the TCL 98P745. The 58 kilogram colossus stands securely on two strikingly solid metal feet mounted on the outside. Provided there is a sufficiently strong wall, the 98-inch model can also be hung up. Of course, the wall mount also has to be correspondingly large; the TCL requires the VESA dimension 500×600. At 4.2 centimeters, the television is surprisingly flat, and the workmanship with a waffle-like structured back panel and a frame flush with the screen appears to be of high quality.
More colors and 100 to 144 Hertz
To ensure that the huge screen actually provides enjoyment, the TCL 98P745 uses an upper-class LCD despite the low price: instead of 50 to 60 images per second, it shows twice as many at 100 to 120 Hertz. This makes details look sharper in fast movements, and large screens in particular benefit from this. Computers can even play up to 144 Hertz. In addition, the manufacturer promises a larger color gamut (“Wide Color Gamut”), so that films or games produced accordingly HDR (High Dynamic Range) the better image quality is actually visible. Technical tricks to increase contrast (such as local dimming or Mini LED) did not provide the budget.
Giant picture looks really good
Cheap price or not, such a huge television picture is definitely impressive. And it looks really good on the TCL 98P745: Thanks to VA LCD technology, it produces quite deep blacks, meaning the TCL achieves a contrast of over 4000:1. With just over 400 candelas per square meter, the image is bright enough even in daylight. And above all, the colors are right with natural skin tones and strong HDR display (Cinema picture mode). The TCL attenuates the HDR brightness peaks significantly, but it manages to adapt to the capabilities of the screen without over-exposing bright image areas and with decent clarity in dark corners. The processes support Dolby Vision and HDR10+ here. The automatic adjustment to the ambient brightness is designed to be very practical. Apart from the lower HDR luminosity, it moves TCL TV on par with that Samsung GQ98Q80C. Films and TV shows with poor SD resolution are no fun on such a large screen; you would have to stand ten meters away. The TCL, on the other hand, upscales HD material well to its UHD resolution, without pixel mud or annoying over-sharpening. The decent impression of sharpness is retained even in fast movements; annoying streaks are just as little an issue as image stuttering.
TCL 98P745: Technical data in comparison
TCL 98P745: Technical data in comparison
TCL
Samsung
Sony
98P745
GQ96Q80C
KD-55X85L
resolution
3840×2160
3840×2160
3840×2160
Brightness (HDR max.)
425 cd/m2
1146 cd/m2
781 cd/m2
contrast
4320:1
50000:1
34364:1
Color deviation dE
1.7
2.6
2.6
color temperature
6626K
6945K
6791K
Color space DCI-P3
94.4%
92.0%
94.6%
Latency (60Hz)
14 ms
13 ms
18 ms
Entrances
4x HDMI (2 to 120Hz), AV
4x HDMI (4 to 120Hz)
4x HDMI (2 to 120Hz), AV
TCL 98P745 gives projectors no chance
In practice, a viewing distance of four to five meters is perfect for the TCL 98P745. For high-quality UHD playback with films or games, it can also be two to three meters – with an enormously immersive effect. Because then the viewer’s field of vision is largely filled by the screen, which would otherwise only be the case projector and canvas is possible. In a direct comparison, video projectors of a similar price range have no chance: brightness and contrast are much lower, so that the images look duller even in perfectly darkened rooms. And with every glimmer of light from the window, for example, the impression of the image deteriorates. This makes televisions much more suitable for everyday use than projectors.
Built-in subwoofer for rich sound
You shouldn’t expect too much from the sound in this class, but the TCL 98P745 does its job there too. This is visible in the saucer-sized woofer in the back wall, which supports the two speakers on the bottom with bass. In this way, the TV giant achieves a comparatively full, if not particularly detailed, sound. For better sound there is about one Sound bar can be easily connected. If a sound bar under the television looks too puny for you, go for it Stereo speakers with HDMI and places them to the right and left of the screen.
Also a big one when it comes to connections
The TCL 98P745’s ports are arranged on the back in such a way that they are easily accessible from the side. The clear labeling makes wiring easier, especially since nothing is missing:
HDMI: The TCL has four HDMI inputstwo of which correspond comprehensively to the version HDMI 2.1 and can process UHD resolution at up to 120 Hertz including variable frame rates – good for game consoles. One even accepts up to 144 Hertz when a correspondingly powerful computer is connected. The delay in the video signals (latency) is uncritically short in game mode at 14 milliseconds. Of the two remaining HDMI ports, one serves as a sound output for soundbars and AV receivers (eARC, enhanced audio return channel) if required and also provides 3D surround sound Dolby Atmos out of.
TV reception: As usual, you can watch television with the P745 via cable, satellite and antenna. There is HDTV in all reception types, and a few UHD channels via satellite. For cable reception, it depends on the regional network operator, but UHD is also possible in principle.
CI+: A CI module can be plugged in to unlock encrypted TV programs. This is available, for example, for private HD programs from the local cable network operator or from Freenet for antenna reception.
USB: The TCL has two USB ports for photo and video playback, one of which is easily accessible on the edge of the case. The most common multimedia formats including DTS sound can be played.
Optical output: The fiber optic digital output supplies old home cinema systems, for example wireless headphones with the television sound.
Headphone output: Classic headphones with a cable can be connected to the TCL, and the TV speakers then switch off automatically.
Bluetooth: Also a Bluetooth headphones can be coupled. This is used instead of the TV speakers.
Network connection and WLAN: The connection to the home network is made as usual via cable or radio.
Stream easily thanks to Android TV
The TCL 98P745 uses the current version 12 of the Android TV operating system. This means that the apps of all popular streaming providers are available, including: Media libraries The TV channels can be used in the same way as commercial platforms Amazon Prime Video and Netflix to Apple TV and Disney+ to Paramount+. The Google TV home screen clearly shows the most used apps in a row and tabs for other apps as well as film and series recommendations – this has been the case with others Android TVs Proven by Philips and Sony, for example. Alternatively, content can be searched for in smartphone apps and then played back on the giant screen using the Chromecast function. AirPlay 2 is also available. You quickly get used to the operation, which is helped by the handy remote control with its sensibly arranged buttons. In addition, there is voice control with the Google Assistant possible, the remote control is equipped with a microphone and a talk button. TCL adds small quick menus that can be used to select sources more quickly.
Test conclusion TCL 98P745
The TCL 98P745 is not only huge, but also really good: the features leave practically nothing to be desired, and the Android television is very versatile in terms of connections and streaming options. There are no problems with operation and the workmanship leaves a solid impression. And the image quality is impressive: brightness and contrast are fine, the image scaling works without any annoying side effects, and the P745 reproduces colors beautifully and naturally. Anyone who has seen this will hardly think about a projector as an alternative.
TCL provided the test device in Warsaw and supported participation in the product presentation trip with subsequent independent testing. Our standards of transparency and journalistic independence can be found at www.axelspringer.de/unabhaengigkeit.
Bass that makes your ears wobble, sound effects via performance pads, LED front panel with adjustable light show: With the Medion Life X61350, a huge party box will be available at Aldi from December 7th, which we have now tested.
Table of contents
Medion Life X61350 in the test: A colossus
No battery on board
Four speakers, true wireless stereo
Built-in light organ, performance pads
This is what the Aldi party box sounds like
Fan makes noise
Smartphone/tablet holder
Karaoke for singing talents – or those who want to become one
Aldi party box Medion Life X61350 in the test: conclusion
No matter whether it’s Christmas, New Year’s Eve or a birthday party: decent ones Party speakers bring every celebration to life. Things should really sizzle with the fat Medion Life X61350 (MD 44332) Bluetooth sound system, which the discounter Aldi will be offering nationwide from December 7, 2023. Features, volume and sound quality are great. The price? Violent. Compared to the competition, it’s a real bargain.
Medion Life X61350 in the test: A colossus
The Medion MD 44332 Bluetooth sound system is almost 1.10 meters high, around 40 centimeters wide, 40 centimeters deep and weighs around 25 kilograms. If you constantly move the party box from A to B, lumbago is inevitable. To prevent this from happening, it has two wheels with which the colossus can be moved at least to ground level without risking a herniated disc. It’s a shame: there’s no handle on the top for safe rolling, like on a suitcase – the recesses on the sides only help to a limited extent. The latter are more useful if you have to maneuver the giant roaring cube one floor higher. And that’s a real feat of strength – almost impossible to accomplish alone.
No battery on board
By the way: The Medion Life X61350 Bluetooth sound system does not have a battery on board. Instead, the box must draw energy from the socket. This limits the range of action somewhat – unless a cable drum is transporting energy from the last accessible socket to the barbecue area in the garden.
Four speakers, true wireless stereo
At the front, two tweeters and mid-range speakers with 85 watts of power each provide the audience with sound. Further down, directed towards the floor, there is a huge subwoofer for bass reproduction with 350 watts of power – according to the manufacturer. There is also a tweeter with an output of 20 watts fairly high up on the front. According to Medion, if you want to transform your garden into a festival area, you can connect two Life X61350s via true wireless stereo – the speakers can be a maximum of 10 meters apart.
Built-in light organ, performance pads
On the front, the X61350 has countless RGB LEDs that provide the necessary lighting effects at the party. They can be adjusted using the 16 performance pads. And these pads have another function: With the help of these performance pads, music playback can be enhanced or highlighted not only with visual effects, but also with acoustic effects – including drum effects, various sirens, animal sounds or audience laughter. However, wildly banging around on these performance pads can lead to the party abruptly ending – if the DJ moves out of sync. And that needs to be learned, because in the test it wasn’t that easy to add effects to the playing music in the right rhythm.
This is what the Aldi party box sounds like
But how does the XXL box sound? Depending on the recording, voices appear a little scratchy; if you stand too close to the speaker, you will only hear the bass as dull. You get the best sound from 3 meters away. If you turn the speaker up to full volume in the living room, you risk the complete failure of your eardrums – don’t even try it. The box is much better off outside at full steam – and only if you have legal protection insurance. In the test it reached the 110 decibel mark from a distance of 3 meters. It spread the sound throughout the entire neighborhood. The bass reproduction can be enhanced even further by pressing the “EX Bass” button. With songs that are already bass-heavy, this doesn’t always make sense and often ends in a dull drone instead of a clear and precise hammering. The Aldi Party box generally reproduced the midrange cleanly and pleasantly, but the highs could have had more presence. Of course, the box is not a jewel for music lovers, but as a comparatively cheap and robust sound system with a lot of power, it is completely fine.
Fan makes noise
There is a small fan under the top of the mixer, which is supposed to protect the sound technology behind it from burning out. It cannot be heard when playing music. However, if the box is switched on and doesn’t play anything, the fan still runs its rounds. This is incomprehensible. This is hardly noticeable outside on the terrace, but it is noticeable in a quiet living room or office.
Smartphone/tablet holder
Good for that: There is a wide slot on the top in which smartphones or tablets can be placed. And they can even be charged during playback. A USB charging socket is located below the input deck. Music can also be played via the second USB socket USB sticks or external hard drives and SSDs feed in, wirelessly via Bluetooth, for example from Smartphones, Tablets or Laptops, of course it works too. Music playback can be controlled using large buttons on the box.
Karaoke for singing talents
Medion also includes a microphone. Hobby DJs can give speeches and singing talents can present their skills to the audience. If the vocal power is not enough, the switchable echo effect spices up the performance. There are two small controls below the deck for the microphone volume, because up to two microphones (or a microphone and an electric guitar) can be docked to the Medion Life X61350 and controlled separately. Music can also be fed in via a 3.5 millimeter line-in input – for example from an MP3 player. For Record player There is an RCA stereo input available.
Aldi party box Medion Life X61350 in the test: conclusion
Big, loud, well equipped: The Medion Life X61350 party box impressed in the test – even if it has a few weaknesses. Aldi estimates a whopping 359 euros for the Medion Life X61350. That sounds like a lot. It is. However, compared to comparably equipped competitors, this is a real bargain: this is what JBL writes at PartyBox 710 almost twice as much on the price tag, devil prices his Rockster with over 1,000 euros. So the 359 euros for the Medion Life X6135 are completely acceptable. With its immensely high volume, the huge Aldi party box also fills a hall or the large garden – including the neighborhood. The sound quality is okay, the equipment with performance pads, LED light organ and the many playback options is impressive.
Normal bike without drive or motorized e-bike? Anyone who drives the Lemmo One has both! SamaGame tried out the unique concept.
Table of contents
Chic and light urban bike from Berlin
Motor or muscle power: pull out the button and drive freely
On the road: lively driving pleasure
Lemmo One: Great technology, smartly packaged
Operation: One button or your cell phone for everything
What about the service? Insecure like Van Moof?
Lemmo One: test conclusion, models, prices, accessories
Anyone who cycles a lot wants to use their bike differently depending on the occasion and route: On weekdays, they want to go to the office with an electric drive without having to struggle at every traffic light and end up completely sweaty at their desk. On the weekend, on the other hand, you can go on a bike trip with the family, where you can ride in a relaxed manner and don’t want to keep pulling away from the kids. You don’t need two bikes for this. The Lemmo should offer both – and at a reasonable price. Good idea or overshot? The combination of organic and e-bike in the test!
Chic and light urban bike from Berlin
The Lemmo One comes well packaged to the house from the Berlin startup Light Electric Mobility via a shipping company. It can be ordered and configured in a Berlin store, in one of the pop-up stores in many major German cities or on the Lemmo website. You can choose from two colors (sand beige and gray), three frame sizes (XL, L or ST with lowered crossbar) as well as a 10-speed Shimano derailleur or a maintenance-free carbon belt. Assembly is quick and explained better via video (scan QR code) than in the printed quick guide. After 15 minutes of plugging and screwing, the testers were happy with a stylish city bike. It is cleanly processed, nothing wobbles or rattles. At the front there is a fairly wide and sporty handlebar that “swallows” all the cables and leads them through a casually curved diamond frame. Unsightly weld seams cannot be seen. The bike is made of aluminum, the front fork is made of light carbon, the luggage rack for hanging bicycle bags is minimalist, and the mudguards are made of plastic.
Motor or muscle power: pull out the button and drive freely
This means the Lemmo One weighs just 15 kilograms. The Lemmo becomes an e-bike with a 3 kilo battery. It clips into the front of the frame and is removable. It is only needed for driving if you want the 250 watt motor with 40 Nm of torque to help. The unique trick of the Lemmo One is as simple as it is ingenious: there is a small wheel in the rear wheel hub. Whoever turns this physically decouples the engine from the drive train. The e-bike becomes a bio-bike in which the motor offers no resistance and does not slow down the muscle power used. If necessary, this is ensured by the hydraulic disc brakes, a Shimano replica that does not drag and applies well-dosed and courageous action depending on the pressure point.
On the road: lively driving pleasure
The Lemmo One delivered a good and dynamic driving experience in the test, especially with motor support. The lively drive pushed the Lemmo to a speed of 25 km/h, depending on the support level selected. Even beyond this permitted maximum speed, the car moved lightly over the asphalt – without electric boost. At no point did the rider feel like he was pedaling to death, even though the Lemmo was used in the test with a belt drive and as a single speed bike. Nevertheless: If you want more flexibility depending on your speed, the maintenance-free 10-speed derailleur is the better choice.
The tires don’t necessarily seem puncture-proof, but they do have good tread. The bike then glides smoothly over paths and safely into curves. Only on cobblestones did it get a little bumpy due to the lack of a suspension fork or other suspension. The lively driving behavior only suffered when starting off, because the motor on the rear wheel switches on with a delay after you pedal and only then noticeably pushes forward. Here the Lemmo lacks a torque sensor that activates the motor immediately.
Lemmo One: Great technology, smartly packaged
All the smart technology is in the “Smart Pac”, which can be inserted into the front of the frame. Its robust fabric cover is stylish and withstood the Hamburg rain well, but could look dingy in the long run. In addition to GPS for location determination as well as Bluetooth and 4G radio for connection, the package also houses the 540 watt-hour battery, which ensures plenty of endurance. The manufacturer states a range of up to 100 kilometers. In practice, a 90 kilo driver could travel 70 to 80 km on a flat route, with good surfaces and temperatures of well over 15 degrees. The comparison to the competition: On a Cowboy 4 or one Van Moof S5 a maximum of 60 kilometers is possible under the same conditions. At the beginning of the test it was noticeable that the battery lost up to 5 percent a day during breaks in driving. Not good energy management, but the manufacturer has now significantly improved it with a software update. The Smart Pac can be removed. This is practical for driving without a motor or for charging at home or in the office. The package and the power supply are plugged into the socket for around 4 hours. Thanks to the USB-A and USB-C socket (up to 45 watts), it can also be used as an oversized power bank that provides energy to a notebook, cell phone or drone while on the move.
Operation: One button or your cell phone for everything
There are small buttons on the handlebars to control the functions. When pressed to the right, the bell sounds (a horn that takes getting used to) or the light switches on. That lights up well. The front light can also be used as a portable flashlight, the permanently installed rear light is small but bright. On the left, the driver switches through the three support levels using a button or activates a boost mode, which whips the Lemmo forward properly. A small display in the top tube of the frame shows what is set. It has an extra battery and shows its information even without the Smart Pac inserted.
The bike connects to the cell phone and Lemmo app via Bluetooth. In addition to the Smart Pac, you can also lock the bike itself – thereby protecting it against theft. If the bike is locked, the engine and rear wheel will block. In addition, a shrill alarm sounds as soon as someone tampers with the Lemmo One. To prevent this from happening to the driver, his smartphone in his pocket serves as an electronic, contactless key. Here the driver can unlock the bike by long pressing the two buttons on the steering wheel and start driving immediately. This usually worked reliably in the test. Only rarely was the rider ready to go before the Lemmo: the somewhat sluggish Bluetooth connection had not yet unlocked the bike and the alarm went off unintentionally.
What about the service? Insecure like Van Moof?
The Lemmo One tested was in use for several weeks and covered almost 400 kilometers. No problems occurred during this time. If something does happen, initial contact will be made via chat. Major repairs are carried out by service partners in Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Berlin or Munich. If in doubt, the bike must be returned to the manufacturer in the capital. It offers a guarantee of up to 5 years. On-site service is also planned: The driver parks his Lemmo One in the service area, the Lemmo mechanic locates it, repairs the bike on the spot or takes it to the service station. A fate completely without support, like that of many Van Moof driver after bankruptcy the company is currently experiencing, Lemmo should not be threatened with this.
Lemmo One: test conclusion, models, prices, accessories
The Lemmo One is an ingenious urban e-bike and a successful combination of the smart Van Moof and the sparkling one cowboy. It is suitable for short, quick journeys in the city, but also for longer commutes. The bike is well made, lasts a long time and rides comfortably and quickly at the same time. The simple trick to quickly turn it into a light organic bike was really successful: uncouple the motor, remove the battery, and you can easily hit the slopes without a drive. The price is also impressive: the e-bike version of the Lemmo One is available for under 2,000 euros – and is therefore significantly cheaper than the popular competition.
It starts at 1,090 euros for the version with derailleur gears. The belt drive costs an additional 200 euros. If required, there is also a bicycle bag (69 euros), chain guard (9 euros), folding lock (49 euros) or trailer hitch (30 euros). For the Smart Pac, which turns the Lemmo One into an e-bike, an additional 900 euros are due – for the purchase, because renting the Smart Pac is also possible. This currently only works in Berlin – for 35 euros per month.
The premium coffee machine aims to set standards in terms of comfort and setting options. We tested the Severin Filka.
Table of contents
Good filter coffee is a matter of attitude
Stepless grinder
Simple operation
Excellent taste
Hassle-free care
Severin Filka: Prices and models
Severin Filka KV 4850 in the test: conclusion
With Filter coffee machines You are often left with a few options: pour water into the tank, insert the filter and fill it with coffee powder, press the button and the device starts brewing. You can only influence the amount of coffee and the taste manually and by choosing the coffee powder. Severin Filka would like to offer you far more options at the touch of a button. That’s why the German manufacturer advertises its premium coffee machine with the snappy slogan “fully automatic for filter coffee”. We tested the Filka KV 4850 and revealed whether Severin keeps his word.
Good filter coffee is a matter of attitude
In fact, the Severin Filka KV 4850 is similar in terms of operation Fully automatic coffee machines. There are sensor buttons on an LED control panel that you can use to make all sorts of settings. This also includes choosing the vessel into which the coffee should flow. There are five programs to choose from: small cup, large cup, to-go container, Thermos flask (for two to eight cups) and glass jug (for two to ten cups) – extremely practical for everyday use. In addition, the desired amount of coffee for cups (100 to 150 milliliters), mugs (175 to 225 ml) and to-go containers (250 to 350 ml) as well as the coffee strength can be adjusted in three levels. You can also adjust the Filka to the water hardness level.
Another useful feature is the optional cup shelf, which you can use if necessary. To do this, remove the cup shelf at the top in front of the water tank and hang it under the spout. The shelf has two different sides, which offer enough space depending on the size of the cup or mug. Great: Depending on the vessel selected and the preset amount, the machine only draws the required amount of water from the tank.
Stepless grinder
The Severin Filka KV 4850 is one of them Coffee machines with grinders and therefore also has a round bean container. The container sits on the top, offers space for around 230 grams of coffee beans and can be removed from the machine for cleaning purposes. The lid has a rubber seal. Tip: Before adding fresh beans, you should wipe the container with a slightly damp cloth.
Below is the conical grinder made of stainless steel, which can be infinitely adjusted. You can change the grinding level by turning the bean container to the left (finer) or right (coarser). Small markings on the casing of the coffee machine provide a little help. To find the right grind level, select the middle position. If the coffee tastes too bitter, choose a coarser grind. If the brew is too sour, set a finer setting.
After the grinding process, the ground coffee ends up in the swivel filter, which swings out to the right. Here you will also find the filter holder, which can be easily removed with one handle. The scope of delivery includes a loose cover and a gold tone permanent filter (size 4), which also has a carrying handle. This saves you from buying paper filters and reduces the waste produced.
The water tank, which can be removed from the top, can be found on the back of the coffee machine. The capacity is just under 2 liters (l). With a standard cup size of 125 milliliters (ml), one filling is enough for around 16 cups – quite a lot. Great: You can install a water filter in the Filka. Only a few filter coffee machines offer this, which is why the Severin machine also gets a slight upgrade. However, the tank does not have any markings for reading the water level.
The KA 4850 model tested comes with a non-insulating glass jug that offers space for approximately 1.25 liters of coffee (equivalent to ten cups). To ensure that the bean infusion stays nice and hot for a long time after preparation, the premium coffee machine from Severin has a warming plate under the spout.
If you occasionally remove the pot from the warming plate to pour yourself a coffee, you can do so without worry. The drip stop function of the filter holder prevents coffee from dripping onto the hot surface. A small metal spring relaxes and the spout is locked. In our test, this mostly worked well. Every now and then a drop still slipped through.
Simple operation
Preparing filter coffee works without any problems with the Severin Filka KA 4850. First make sure that there are enough coffee beans in the bean container, the water tank is filled appropriately and a paper or permanent filter is inserted in the filter holder. Then select the container size and the coffee strength using the quickly responding sensor buttons. Last but not least, place the cup, mug or jug under the spout and start the preparation using the start/stop button at the bottom center. Now the grinding process begins, which takes about 75 seconds for ten cups. However, the mill is not quiet at up to 76 decibels. The machine is even advertised with a PR image of a sleeping woman next to the device. At least the Filka doesn’t make any annoying screeching noises.
After grinding, the brewing process starts including automatic pre-brewing. After 9:15 minutes (for a pot with ten cups), the machine emits a loud beep and signals via the blue flashing LED ring above the grinder that the coffee is ready and the warming plate is activated. If you need a little help with the controls, you will find what you need in the detailed operating instructions. However, you will have to figure out some of the operating steps because they are almost only explained using pictures and not in writing.
If you occasionally use pre-ground coffee, for example for decaffeinated coffee enjoyment, you can also pour the coffee powder directly into the filter. Then press the ground coffee button (second button at the bottom from the right) and start preparation. Unfortunately, a coffee spoon is not included in the scope of delivery of the Severin Filka.
Excellent taste
Many functions or not: In the end, what counts most is the taste of the filter coffee. To test the Severin Filka KA 4850, we again used freshly ground specialty coffee for filter methods with notes of milk chocolate from a private roasting company at a ratio of 6 g per 100 ml. We put a 1.25 liter (ten cups) pot on and tried it.
The result after preparation is, in a word, excellent. The Filka produces extremely delicious filter coffee that beautifully emphasizes the milk chocolate flavors and has a full-bodied body. The coffee is neither sour nor bitter and smells extremely pleasant. In terms of taste, the filter coffee from the Severin machine is just as good as the one from the Moccamaster KBG Select from Technivorm.
Hassle-free care
If you use the Severin Filka KA 4850 mill, you must also clean it regularly. But it’s easy: First, remove the bean container by turning it as far to the right as possible towards the symbol with the open lock and removing it upwards. You can then remove the remaining coffee beans from the grinder cap. The use of a vacuum cleaner is recommended for this. Then turn the grinder cap to the right and pull it out. You can now remove coffee beans and grounds from the conical grinder with a vacuum cleaner and clean it with a cleaning brush (not included). The grinding cone of the mill can be loosened with a Phillips screwdriver and then removed for more thorough cleaning. Cleaning does not take more than five to ten minutes in total.
In addition to cleaning the grinder, the rest of the maintenance of the coffee machine is also easy. You can safely put the filter holder, gold tone filter and glass jug in the dishwasher. You only have to clean the water tank by hand, ideally with a bottle brush and a little dishwashing liquid. The Severin Filka also offers automatic programs for descaling and quick rinsing of the pipes. Not every device in this product segment can claim that.
Severin Filka: Prices and models
The Severin Filka is available in two technically identical model variants: KA 4850 with a glass jug (1.25 l) and KA 4851 with a thermos jug (1 l). Like the coffee from the filter machine, the price is also quite high: at the time of testing, the version with a glass jug cost just under 250 euros, and the sister model with a thermos jug even cost around 300 euros. There are already entry-level fully automatic coffee machines for this purpose.
Test results
Test results
Severin Filka KA 4850
Manufacturer information
Variants: with glass jug (KA 4850), with thermos jug (KA 4851) Price: 250 euros Power / filter size: 1520 watts / 4 Water tank / coffee container capacity: 2 l / 1.25 l
Furnishing (35%)
Prepare 1 to 10 cups at once, to-go function available Glass jug (non-insulating) included
Integrated grinder (stepless), removable bean container (230 g) Swivel filter, filter holder removable Permanent filter included
Coffee quantity (1 to 10 cups and milliliters) and coffee strength (2 levels) selectable, automatic pre-brewing Drip stop, heating plate and timer available Anti-slip feet, automatic switch-off (15 to 60 minutes) and illuminated switches available, no child lock
Grade: 1.8
Service & The taste
(35%)
Easy to use via sensor buttons Detailed but somewhat confusing illustrated operating instructions Just one press of a button to start the brewing process (1.25 l in 9:15 minutes) Outstanding filter coffee taste
Grade: 1.3
cleaning (15%)
Programs for cleaning and descaling available, water hardness adjustable Easy to clean surface Water tank a bit difficult to clean Filter holder and jug dishwasher safe
Grade: 1.6
Technical tests (15%)
Average power consumption when making coffee, low in standby without the heating plate activated Quiet brewing process, very loud grinder A bit uncompact
Grade: 3.3
Upgrading
Water filter can be installed
-0.1
Test results
good (grade: 1.7)
Severin Filka KV 4850 in the test: conclusion
Fans of filter coffee who are also looking for the convenience of fully automatic machines will find what they are looking for and be happy with the Severin Filka. The coffee machine is easy to use and clean, offers many useful functions and is extremely versatile thanks to the adjustable vessel size. The integrated grinder also does a good job. And the coffee from the Filka tastes outstanding. For the high price between 250 and 300 euros, the accessories are a bit puny. But the bottom line is that the purchase is definitely worth it.
Chic, small, nimble and everything on board: There was little to complain about when testing the compact Medion Akoya P63025 desktop PC.
In 2011, the world’s largest computer manufacturer Lenovo took over a majority stake in the Essen-based company Medion. However, Medion continues to work almost independently and regularly brings new notebooks and desktop PCs onto the market. This also applies to the recently introduced Akoya P63025 – a compact computer that doesn’t have to hide under the desk. The test of the Medion Akoya P63025 shows what the small desktop PC can do – and what it can’t.
Akoya P63025 in the test: With hot-swap frame
The Medion Akoya P63025 is housed in a simple housing with a slightly structured surface. At the top of the front of the case there are two USB sockets and ports for one Headset. Underneath, the Medion has a hot-swap frame in which there is a 2.5 inch SSD or have a hard drive retrofitted.
Core i5-12400, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD
Anyone who opens the left side wall can take a look at the (tidy) interior:
Processor: The heart of the Medion Akoya P63025 is the mid-range processor Core i5-12400 from Intel Alder Lake Series.
Random access memory: The Core i5 stores calculated data in a large RAM of 16 gigabytes.
SSD: Windows 11, users save programs and data on one M.2 SSD with an effective 932 gigabytes of memory.
Fast work pace
The Medion Akoya P63025 performed impressively in the speed measurements: it was visibly underchallenged with office programs such as Word, Excel or PowerPoint, and with tasks on the Internet anyway. Computers need a lot of steam for complex photo and video editing, but the Medion also did that at a decent pace. In particular, programs that can distribute calculations across many processor cores benefit from the Intel CPU with its six computing units – including software such as Photoshop or Premiere.
Test table Medion Akoya P63025
Test table Medion Akoya P63025
Test results
processor
Intel Core i5-12400
graphics chip
Intel UHD Graphics 730
random access memory
16GB (2x8GB)
SSD
932GB Western Digital
hard disk
unavailable
Speed with Office
high (58.6%)
Pace with photo and
Video editing
high (28.3%)
Game speed with 1920×1080 pixels
very jerky (10 frames per second)
Game speed with 3840×2160 pixels
not playable
SSD speed
slow (34.3%)
USB speed
(Read Write)
764 / 503 MB/sec.
Noises in office applications
very quiet (0.2 sone)
Noise level under full load
quiet (1.2 sone)
Power consumption in office applications
32 watts
Power consumption under full load
109 watts
Mixed electricity consumption per year (electricity costs)
101 KW/h (33 €)
power adapter
Medion Power Block 250 (250 watts)
connections
1x microphone, 1x headphones, 2x audio input, 1x audio output, 1x HDMI, 1x DP (can be used at the same time), 1x network (1 Gbit), 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, 4x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 2x USB 2.0
Radio connections
WLAN-ax (Wifi 6; 2.4 and 5 GHz), Bluetooth 5.1
Upgrade options:
Expansion cards /
Random access memory /
mass storage /
DVD-BD drives
Pressure point spongy / somewhat light, well suited for office tasks
Quiet and economical
Also good: The average energy requirement was at a very low level: on average, the Medion didn’t even consume 32 watts! The noise level wasn’t high either, the Medion remained nice and quiet – even under full load during strenuous image and video editing (maximum 1.2 sone).
Decent upgrade options
The Medion does not have a memory card reader, its upgrade options are not outstanding, but quite decent (picture above):
CPU and RAM: The Core i5 processor (1) RAM available to the side (16 gigabytes (2)) can be expanded to 32 gigabytes.
SSD: The existing SSD storage (932 gigabytes (3)) users can add a second M.2 SSD and a hard drive if necessary 2.5 inch SSD expand.
Graphic card: A separate graphics card could be installed in the Medion (4)but only models with a maximum of one Nvidia GTX 1650-Chip (from 170 euros). For more powerful models, the power of the power supply (250 watts) is sufficient (5)) not.
WLAN-ax on board, card reader missing
The Aldi PC connects to the network either via cable or wirelessly via fast WLAN-ax. It has Bluetooth on board for wireless synchronization with tablets and smartwatches. It’s a shame: the Medion Akoya P63025 doesn’t have a memory card reader.
Medion Akoya P63025 in the test: conclusion
The Medion Akoya P63025 can be retrofitted with 2.5-inch SSDs or hard drives using the hot-swap frame on the front – if the rather large SSD storage of just under 1 terabyte is not enough. And the Medion in the MD34330 equipment variant tested here also did well in the test: it worked really quickly, wasn’t annoying with loud fan noises and didn’t put an unnecessary strain on the electricity bill. Great: It’s not a roll-container-sized example, but rather barely larger than a shoebox.
We still have to be patient before the 2022 F1 season starts. You can now follow the F1 test in Bahrain live via Viaplay and competitor F1 TV Pro.
The new Formula 1 season will officially start next week, with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 20. The teams have already arrived in the country, because they will want to prepare optimally for the new season. From Thursday 10 to Saturday 12 March, the teams will therefore be able to drive around the circuit to set up the cars as well as possible before the Bahrain Grand Prix starts.
Fortunately, unlike the F1 test in Barcelona, the preparation in Bahrain will be broadcast live. So if you don’t want to miss anything from Formula 1, you can now turn on Viaplay to follow all developments live. The streaming service is available every day and the broadcast lasts from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Dutch time.
Score cool Formula 1 merch at bol.com now!
That is the time that the teams are allowed to drive around the circuit. The morning session is from 08:00 to 12:00 Dutch time, after which there is a break of three hours. The afternoon session is then from 13:00 to 17:00. In the meantime, the commentary will be provided by Nelson Valkenburg and Melroy Heemskerk, the duo that will also cover all Grands Prix. In addition to the pair, other commentators will also be joining to share their findings.
F1 test can also be followed via other streaming service
If you don’t have Viaplay, but you do want to follow developments in Bahrain live, you can also call on F1 TV Pro. This streaming service is a lot cheaper, but you have to take into account that there are no Dutch comments on the service, unlike last year. Viaplay has decided not to partner with F1 TV Pro and provide commentary for the competing Formula 1 streaming service.
The Peaq PTV 32GH-5023C is a portable television for all situations. The SamaGame test reveals why he knows good and bad times in the garden
Table of contents
Peaq Portable TV: The 32-inch TV is not that small
Handy TV with complete equipment
Android with apps and Google Assistant
Operation with ups and downs
The image quality is surprising
Thanks to the battery, it runs without a socket
Test conclusion Peaq PTV 32GH-5023C
Where is the final? Wherever you want! The Peaq Portable TV can be used more flexibly than almost any other TV and doesn’t even need a socket. An antenna or WiFi are enough for the not-so-small TV viewing pleasure, which can also take place on the terrace and in the garden. The portable television from Peaq can do some things better than similarly priced counterparts or even than notebooks and tablets. However, the test also shows the limits of this concept.
Peaq Portable TV: The 32-inch TV is not that small
Tablets and notebooks have long since established themselves as mobile televisions. They show practically all the TV programs you want via internet stream, all you need is WiFi nearby. However, more than one or two people will not enjoy it because the screens of these mobile devices are too small. This is where the Peaq Portable TV 32GH-5023C comes in. Its screen with a diagonal of 32 inches or 80 centimeters has an area four times as large. However, the television cannot keep up with the image sharpness of modern monitors and tablets; it has a resolution of 1366×768 pixels. That’s enough for HD suitability (HD ready), but the image looks a little grainier than usual from less than 2 meters away.
Handy TV with complete equipment
Everything you need to watch TV is built into the Peaq Portable TV, plus all the relevant connections are available on the back:
TV reception: For classic reception of television programs including HDTV, the Peaq has a cable, antenna and satellite connection. To decrypt private channels, a corresponding module can be inserted into the CI+ slot of the television.
HDMI: The Peaq has two HDMI inputs, to which a computer or a DVD player can be connected, for example. They can also be used for a games console. However, experienced gamers will notice the comparatively long video delay; the latency is 37 milliseconds. One of the HDMI ports can also output current sound, for example for a soundbar.
AV: For example, old game consoles or camcorders can be connected to the AV input.
Digital output: The optical connection can be used, for example, for older home cinema systems or wireless headphones.
USB: Photos and videos can be played via a USB port in the most important file formats, except for WMA and DTS sound. TV recordings on USB hard drives are not possible.
Headphone output: There is a corresponding jack socket on the Peaq for conventional headphones with cables, and you can also use them Bluetooth headphones pair – but only operate one at a time.
Android with apps and Google Assistant
Compared to other televisions, the Peaq PTV 32GH-5023C is compact and affordable, but no less smart. It accesses the Internet via network cable and WLAN and publishes contributions Media libraries on his screen, as well as YouTube videos and paid films and series Streaming provider. The television works with the Android TV operating system in the current television version 11. This ensures almost complete app availability, and even the Sky offshoot Wow, which is otherwise often missing, is available here. If desired, the Google Assistant can help you find the desired genres, films or series. There is a microphone in the remote control and it listens when you press the colorful Google button.
Operation with ups and downs
Conventional control of the Peaq Portable TV via remote control is at least as easy. It fits well in the hand and has large, clearly labeled and sensibly arranged buttons. So that it doesn’t get lost on the portable television, the Peaq has a suitable holder on the back. The menus add more guesswork: some of them are translated incomprehensibly and don’t show any explanations. Anyone who wants to rearrange the channels after they have been used for the first time will despair. Luckily, it’s very easy to create a favorites list. The help app is also far too brief and superficial to be really helpful. It’s good that the printed operating instructions are comparatively detailed.
The image quality is surprising
At a cheap one 32 inch TV With “small” HD resolution, expectations of image quality are not particularly high. But the Peaq Portable TV outperformed them in the test with natural and almost unadulterated colors, largely smooth movements and decent contrast. The image brightness of 200 candela per square meter is typical for this price and size range and is usually sufficient in the kitchen, bedroom or student apartment. However, if you want to use the portable television outdoors, you have to pay attention to the time and position of the sun. When the sun is shining, you can’t see anything on the screen, and there’s nothing you can do about it with any menu setting. Even in the shadows, the television image can be more easily guessed at than recognized. In the twilight it looks completely different, and the crisp picture is quite pleasing. No wonder that the manufacturer advertises “cinema feeling under the starry sky”.
Peaq Portable TV in the test: Technical data in comparison
Peaq
Panasonic
Amazon
resolution
Brightness (HDR max.)
contrast
Color deviation dE
color temperature
Color space DCI-P3
Latency (60Hz)
Entrances
The color matching is a bit cool from the factory, the setting Film/Drama We liked it better in the test and was also brighter. Little Peaq also really worked hard when it came to sound. Its two loudspeakers are clearly visible at the front and deserve to be called a loudspeaker with surprising assertiveness. It doesn’t sound nice at full blast, but it’s worth its weight in gold outdoors with a good-humoured audience. At normal volume, the PTV sounds a bit nasal and tinny, but still a class better than the one of the same size and price Amazon Fire TV 2 and especially as notebooks and tablets.
Thanks to the battery, it runs without a socket
A battery is built into the Peaq PTV 32GH-5023C for use away from sockets. Depending on the image settings, it lasts a good three hours on one charge, and four hours is possible if the screen setting is very dark. The operating instructions prohibit changing the battery or opening the housing. In principle, this is possible: The battery is a standard model with a plug and sits in a compartment closed with four screws. In continuous operation, power is supplied via a small external power supply. Use in a car or motorhome requires either a 230-volt socket or battery operation. However, the television cannot be operated on a 12-volt vehicle connection, but this option is offered 24 inch TV more often.
Test conclusion Peaq PTV 32GH-5023C
The Peaq Portable TV 32GH-5023C stands out from other televisions with its flexibility: With its built-in battery it can be used mobile, and thanks to the carrying recess in the housing, it is very easy to move quickly. Nevertheless, it is a fully-fledged 32-inch television that does not have to shy away from comparison with conventional competitors. The picture quality is good, the equipment is complete including Android and all desirable streaming options, and the sound is surprisingly powerful. Overall, mobile television works much better than with tablets or notebooks. Nice: Peaq offers the portable TV with a light blue speaker bar as shown in the pictures (32GH-5023C-BL), alternatively it is black (32GH-5023C-B) or white (32GH-5023C-W).
During the Nacon showcase earlier this week, Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown was saved as the big hit for the end. After all, the game hadn’t been shown for a long time, but unfortunately no gameplay footage was shared with the new trailer and that was quite disappointing. Fortunately, we now have in-game screenshots, which show various environments of the game.
The screenshots are from an alpha version of the game and at least give an impression of what to expect. These are seven screenshots that you can view below, which include urban areas where you will undoubtedly race a lot. We also see various times on the screenshots, such as during the day, twilight and at night.
With the slim 600 series, WMF is expanding its fully automatic coffee machine portfolio. SamaGame tested the top model Perfection 680.
Table of contents
Is it all cold coffee?
A lot in a smaller format
Good touchscreen
Espresso happiness at second glance
Cleans itself
WMF Perfection 600 series: prices and models
WMF Perfection 680 in the test: conclusion
In addition to the large format models Perfection 740L and 880L WMF now offers this Fully automatic coffee machines the 600 series. They come with a more compact design and a new cleaning system for the milk system. The WMF Perfection 680 also prepares cool refreshments. We tested the top model in detail and revealed whether the new fully automatic machine is worth it.
Is it all cold coffee?
As the first WMF fully automatic coffee machine, the Perfection 680 also offers three programs for cold coffee drinks. Unlike, for example, DeLonghi Eletta Explore Cold Brew, in which the eponymous cold brew drinks are prepared with water at room temperature, the WMF machine always comes out with hot coffee. However, that’s not as bad as that Krups Intuition Experience+ EA877D has already proven. The models from WMF and Krups are virtually identical or at least similar in construction, as both brands belong to the SEB Group and therefore use the same or similar technology.
The two programs “Chilled Coffee” and “Iced Latte” are basically nothing special. You fill ice cubes into a glass, start the preparation and coffee or coffee and milk are served hot and then cooled down by the ice cubes in the glass. The most interesting of the cold coffee drinks is “Nitro Coffee”. To do this, put a handful or more ice cubes into a large glass (around 400 ml), but also put the milk lance with the hose connected in and start the preparation. Everything then works as usual: the WMF machine dispenses hot coffee, which is cooled down by the ice cubes in the glass.
After a short break, the brew is drawn again via the milk hose through the cappuccinatore in the central spout. This gives the drink a fine head of foam that is reminiscent of beer foam. The WMF version – analogous to the Krups version – has little in common with the original recipe for a Nitro Coffee. Previously prepared cold brew coffee is drawn through a dispensing system with nitrogen. But the taste verdict for Nitro Coffee à la WMF is: very tasty and a nice change.
A lot in a smaller format
With dimensions (height x width x depth) of 37.1x25x41 centimeters (cm), the WMF Perfection 680 is significantly slimmer than its fully automatic siblings 740L and 880L (each 39.5×28.5×48 cm). Despite the compact design, the newcomer’s features don’t have to hide from the larger models. It starts with the bean container on the top, which holds almost 250 grams of coffee beans. To ensure that the beans stay fresh for longer, the compartment has a flap with a rubber seal. The bean container also contains the rotary control for the stainless steel conical grinder, which can be adjusted to five grinding levels. By the way, there is no shaft for ground coffee.
The tank on the back holds up to 3 liters of water. The cool water is pumped through the machine at a pressure of up to 15 bar. If necessary, the included Claris water filter can be installed in the tank. This will prevent the device from becoming excessively calcified. You also have to descale the machine less often. You can set the water hardness level using the settings menu on the display.
Like the other WMF machines, you can also use the Perfection 680 to prepare milk coffee drinks. The well-known milk system is available for this, consisting of a rubber hose, stainless steel lance and glass carafe (here: 600 instead of 1,000 milliliters). The hose is attached to the central spout on the right and the milk is frothed using a cappuccinatore. Thanks to the double thermoblock technology, coffee and milk are heated independently, meaning that all ingredients reach the cups at the optimal temperature.
Good touchscreen
The WMF Perfection 680 offers an approximately 3.6 inch (9.2 cm) color touch display for operation. This is framed on the left and right by four sensor buttons for switching on and off, the main menu, the hot water output and the settings as well as four different profiles. The control works smoothly with the proven operating concept: all inputs are implemented quickly, the display is large enough, bright and clearly visible.
In the settings menu you can make all sorts of adjustments for the start screen, display brightness, etc. When you select a drink, you can set the coffee strength and total fill quantity on the next screen. For black coffee drinks there are milliliter values here, for milk coffees only the T-shirt sizes M, L and XL. The three dots at the top right take you to the extended drink parameters. In addition to the brewing temperature and pre-brewing time, the amount of coffee and milk foam intensity can also be adjusted here. The amount of milk can only be changed using the total quantity setting – we already know this from the big WMF brothers. After making the adjustments, you can save up to eight individualized drinks in up to eight profiles. By the way, you can also connect the WMF machine to your home WiFi so that the device can always get the latest operating software. This can be particularly interesting if it means you get additional coffee programs over time.
Espresso happiness at second glance
With the WMF Perfection 680 you can choose between 17 different coffee programs that are installed on the device ex works. The cold drinks mentioned above are of course accompanied by some coffee variations without milk, including Ristretto, Lungo, Americano, Caffè crema and Espresso. The latter has to prove itself in the taste test and does so – but only on the second attempt. Because the first batches were a bit of a failure: too weak, too watery and rather average in taste. After a day’s break, the WMF Perfection 680 suddenly delivered really good espressos and hasn’t disappointed since. The sweet notes of the coffee beans come through well, the espresso is full-bodied, hot and strong without being overpowering. Why did it only work at second glance? We ask ourselves that too. In the end, we just want to say: espresso good, everything is good. The “Breakfast Coffee” program also receives extra praise: like Long Coffee from DeLonghi machines, it is prepared using a surge brewing process and is reminiscent of delicious filter coffee with a balanced, gentle aroma.
In addition to cold drinks and black coffee, you can also get different types of milk coffee from the WMF Perfection 680. Unlike the Perfection 880L and analogous to the 740L, the milk foam has an ideal temperature and comes out of the machine nice and creamy. The latte programs include cappuccino, latte macchiato, caffè latte, espresso macchiato, flat white and Italian cappuccino. The new WMF machine also offers hot water for three different types of tea, which is dispensed via a separate nozzle to the right of the central spout. You can find more delicious coffee recipes here.
Cleans itself
Like the other WMF fully automatic machines and the Krups counterparts, the Perfection 680 has a permanently installed metal brewing group. The advantage here: The brewing unit regularly rinses itself and is automatically and thoroughly cleaned using the integrated self-cleaning program and a cleaning tablet. Some coffee fans prefer a removable brewing group. For more comfortable coffee drinkers, the permanently installed version is a nice simplification in terms of care. In addition to self-cleaning, there are also programs for rinsing the coffee circuit, the tea circuit and for automatic descaling.
There is also a program to choose from for cleaning the milk system: To do this, insert the rubber hose into the cappuccinatore in the central spout and the other end without the stainless steel lance into the hot water nozzle to the right of it. Then place a container under the central spout and start the washing program. Hot water and steam are then passed through the hose and the cappuccinatore to remove any milk residue. After a few seconds the program has run through and the machine is ready for use again. The cappuccinatore can be removed by hand from the central spout and dismantled into four parts for thorough cleaning.
Thanks to its slim design without many corners and edges, the surface of the WMF Perfection 680 can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth. The front part of the case is made of the manufacturer’s own Cromargan stainless steel, the rest is made of plastic. You can put the drip tray, including the cover and stainless steel grid, in the dishwasher. You must wash the water tank and the pulp container by hand. To do this, use gentle dishwashing liquid and a dish and/or bottle brush. You can find further tips and tricks for caring for and using your fully automatic coffee machine here.
WMF Perfection 600 series: prices and models
In addition to the Perfection 680, another WMF fully automatic coffee machine belongs to the 600 series. You can’t get the Perfection 660 in Germany yet, but the device is already available in Austria. Here is a brief overview of the Perfection 600 series:
Test results
WMF Perfection 680
Manufacturer information
Furnishing (30%)
Service & The taste
(40%)
cleaning (15%)
Technical tests (15%)
Test results
WMF Perfection 680 in the test: conclusion
With the top model from the Perfection 600 series, WMF delivers a good fully automatic coffee machine with an elegant design. The cappuccino, espresso (with some warm-up time) etc. taste delicious, the cold coffee drinks are a tasty alternative for everyday life. Added to this is the extremely easy cleaning concept with a permanently installed metal brewing group and the new “Click & Clean” program for the milk system and the simple operation via touch display. On the other hand, there is the comparatively high power consumption when preparing espresso and the somewhat loud grinder. The price of just under 1,300 euros is also quite high if you consider that the similar Krups Intuition Experience+ is available for significantly cheaper and performed better in our test.
