With the esports boom in the last decade, the demand for good gaming monitors has skyrocketed. Gone are the days of 60hz TN panels, and in their place are versatile high refresh rates IPS panels that have shaken up the budget gaming monitor segment. The ViewSonic VX2479-HD-PRO is a great example of prioritizing what's important to gamers while keeping costs low.

Coming in at just Rs. 9,999, the VX2479-HD-PRO provides incredible value to consumers, featuring an IPS panel, 165 Hz capabilities, and a good selection of ports. Additionally, its 1ms response time option ensures gamers aren't seeing ghosting in esports titles with fast movements. At such a low price, the question arises, what compromises have been made? 

The answer to that question is that the right tradeoffs have been made. Expensive technologies like G-Sync have been foregone to make way for more crucial features like the super-responsive IPS panel and high refresh rate. Here's a detailed look at the ViewSonic VX2479-HD-PRO and why it's a great value proposition for budget gamers.

Also read: Microsoft To Launch AI-Based "Auto Super Resolution" Feature In Upcoming Windows 11 Update
 

ViewSonic VX2479-HD-PRO: The best starting point for budding esports professionals and gamers

Specifications

• Resolution: 1920 x 1080
• Refresh rate: 165 Hz, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) supported 
• Panel type: IPS, HDR10, LED
• Response time: 1 ms
• Color space: 8 bit (6 bit + FRC)

Specs-wise, the ViewSonic VX2479-HD-PRO ticks almost every box. To the budding esports enthusiast, three things stand above all else: Response time, refresh rate, and anti-ghosting. Thankfully, ViewSonic has listened. Less critical features like FreeSync (that add latency anyway) have been omitted, making for an extremely focused monitor that does exactly what one would expect from a budget option.

In many ways, the ViewSonic VX2479-HD-PRO outdoes its price tag. When it came to testing motion blur, the VX2479-HD-PRO posted comparable results to monitors nearly double its price bracket, featuring great picture clarity even at high movement speeds. 

However, the VX2479-HD-PRO isn't perfect. One of the biggest sacrifices made is having support for just 6-bit + FRC color spaces. While the image quality is by no means poor, the contrast offered by the monitor leaves a bit to be desired. Additionally, flipping on the 1 ms Motion Picture Response Time (MPRT) mode will drop the brightness significantly, and turn off HDR.

Design and Build Quality

• The bundled stand features no adjustability options, only offering 20 degrees of swivel 
• All-plastic monitor frame and metal stand included
• 100x100 VESA mount compatibility
• Connectivity: one 3.5 mm audio out port, two HDMI 1.4 slots, one DisplayPort 1.2 slot
• Thin bezels
• No inbuilt speakers

Coming to the design, the VX2479-HD-PRO features a clean, understated plastic frame with thin bezels and a decent stand. Unlike its more expensive counterparts, the stand for this monitor features no ergonomic features. This means that other than 20 degrees of swivel, users cannot adjust its height, tilt, or rotation. While not a huge issue, fans that require height adjustments may have to shell out a couple thousand rupees more for a stand.

Another place where ViewSonic has omitted superfluous features is the speaker. This monitor does not come with any speakers but does feature a 3.5 mm audio jack that users can directly plug into. No USB hub is present, meaning users can't directly plug a microphone into the monitor. However, considering the price point, these aren't deal-breakers.

Display Performance

• Peak brightness: 250 nits
• Contrast ratio: 1,000:1
• Viewing angles: 178º horizontal, 178º vertical
• Matte anti-glare coating
• HDR 10 support present

When it comes to display performance, the VX2479-HD-PRO requires a bit of optimization to look the best that it can. Out of the box, the default options have a few critical options set to off. First up is the overclock option present in the OSD. Without setting this to 'on,' fans won't be able to get to the advertised 165 Hz refresh rate.

HDR mode does provide a decent uplift to image clarity, provided users calibrate the HDR profile on Windows to their liking. However, turning on 1 ms Motion Picture Response Time (MPRT) mode for better response time will turn HDR off. For most users, the 104% sRGB on this panel should be sufficient for games and light media consumption. Unfortunately, the peak brightness of the monitor is fairly low, leading to visibility issues if situated in a brightly lit room.

Gaming Performance

• Response time: 1 ms
• Motion blur reduction features: 1 ms Motion Picture Response Time Setting Available (Drops peak brightness and disables HDR)
• Overdrive: 3 Overdrive options available to reduce ghosting and blurring

This is where the monitor shines. Booting into CS:GO, Valorant, or any super high frame rate boasting titles, the VX2479-HD-PRO comes alive. Ghosting and overshoot are nearly impossible to detect and are further reduced when the 1 ms MPRT mode is turned on. This comes at the cost of brightness, but not so much to be a deal breaker.

Overdrive is present under the 'Response Time' section on the OSD under the Manual Image Adjust tab. These options are split into Standard, Advanced, and Ultra Fast. Usually choosing ultra-fast in most monitors comes with the tradeoff of inverse ghosting when dealing with frame rates lower than the monitor's refresh rate. However, even after repeated testing of games and media at extremely low frame rates like 24 fps, ghosting and overshoot wasn't an issue at all.

Functionality

• OSD: 5-button menu navigation system
• No USB hub or other additional ports
• OSD crosshair supported

Helping users navigate the calibration menu are five On-Screen Display (OSD) buttons present at the bottom-right corner of the monitor. While not bad in any sense, having multiple buttons is a lot less intuitive than having one. LG pioneered the 'joystick' present under monitors that use directional inputs to navigate the OSD. Opting for this in future entrants would be a lot more intuitive.

While not the most fair in terms of competitive integrity, the monitor also has the option to add a crosshair to the center of the screen for players looking to center themselves with snipers. 

User Experience

• Easy and hassle-free setup process
• Menu navigation could be better using the joystick input method like in LG monitors
• Great response time and high refresh rate for esports titles at the cost of brightness and color accuracy

For less technically inclined users, the OSD provides a bunch of presets and color profiles that they can use as per their liking. From our testing, the sweet spot for calibration was to keep the View Mode as standard, up the brightness to max, and keep the contrast at 70. USB ports are not present on the monitor to plug peripherals into, meaning users with shorter cables may run into a few issues. Other than that, driver setup and usage were flawless, truly fitting the plug-and-play moniker.

Conclusion and Verdict

• Overall the ViewSonic VX2479-HD-PRO is incredible value for the price
• The omission of cost-additive but not-so-critical features like FreeSync is welcome, making for a great starter monitor
• Color accuracy could have been better, the addition of true 8-bit color + FRC would solve this
• Peak brightness needs to be improved in successors

All in all, the ViewSonic VX2479-HD-PRO is an extremely targeted monitor that gets straight to the point. Fast, fluid, and clear gaming at very high refresh rates. This monitor is ideal for either first-time gaming PC builders or younger gamers starting their journey with esports titles but don't want to break the bank.

While the lack of an ergonomic stand is a bit of a hindrance, the extra 3-4 thousand rupees for a stand could go to more crucial components like a better mouse, keyboard, or microphone. The super competitive price point of Rs. 9,999 makes it a great value proposition even for those just looking to get a second monitor that can game.

Google is sweeping headlines after its Made by Google 2024 event, where the tech giant brought an array of new devices, including the latest additions to its Pixel lineup. Among the highlights were the new Pixel Watch 3 and the Pixel Buds Pro 2, both of which come equipped with innovative features.

The Google Pixel Watch 3 was officially launched, offering significant upgrades while maintaining the classic circular design that fans have come to appreciate. This time, Google has utilized recycled aluminum in the construction. The smartwatch comes in two sizes—41 mm and 45 mm—allowing users the flexibility to pick the model that suits their preference.

One of the highlight features of the smartwatch is its larger and brighter display. It packs a peak brightness of 2000 nits, making it twice as bright as the Pixel Watch 2, and it supports a refresh rate of up to 60Hz, making sure users get smooth interactions.

Also Read: Google Unveils Pixel 9, 9 Pro And 9 Pro XL Smartphones With AI Feature...

Google Pixel Watch 3 And Buds Pro 2 Specifications And Price

Google also brought some new fitness tracking capabilities, including a comprehensive run tracking feature that enables users to design custom running routines, monitor heart rate, and track metrics like cadence and stride length when paired with the Fitbit app. The Pixel Watch 3’s integration with AI also offers users with personalized insights and recommendations to help them achieve their fitness goals.

Moreover, the new Fitbit Morning Brief feature provides users with a detailed summary of their sleep, readiness score, and overall health metrics, offering a clear picture of their well-being each morning. Battery has also been improved, providing around 24 hours of use with the always-on display activated, or up to 36 hours in battery Saver mode. The Pixel Watch 3 will be up for pre-order starting August 14, 2024, with a starting price of Rs 39,900.

Besides, Google also launched the Pixel Buds Pro 2, the latest version of its wireless earbuds. It will be selling at a price of Rs 22,900. Powered by the new tensor A1 chip, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 delivers enhanced audio processing and AI-driven features. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 features an upgraded Active noise Cancellation system, Silent Seal 2.0, which can cancel twice as much noise as its precursor.

Also Read: AMD’s Top Chipset Makes Its Debut In First Handheld Device

Google Unveils Pixel 9, 9 Pro And 9 Pro XL Smartphones

Google has taken the wraps off of its next-generation smartphones - Pixel 9 series during its Made by Google event. The latest lineup includes Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL alongside the second-generation foldable – Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The new Pixel 9 series comes packed with the latest Tensor chipset and features advanced AI features powered by the company’s Gemini large language model.

The Pixel 9 starts at Rs 79,999, while the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL are priced at Rs 1,09,999 and Rs 1,24,999, respectively. All three smartphones will be up for pre-order starting tomorrow, with the devices set to hit shelves on August 22. 

Google has taken the wraps off of its next-generation smartphone - Pixel 9 series during its Made by Google event. The latest lineup includes Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL alongside the second-generation foldable – Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The new Pixel 9 series comes packed with the latest Tensor chipset and features advanced AI features powered by the company’s Gemini large language model.

The Pixel 9 starts at Rs 79,999, while the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL are priced at Rs 1,09,999 and Rs 1,24,999, respectively. All three smartphones will be up for pre-order starting tomorrow, with the devices set to hit shelves on August 22. Google’s new Pixel smartphones will be available for purchase online via Flipkart and offline through Croma and Reliance Retail outlets across 15 cities in the country.

Also Read: Apple Planning To Launch Cheaper Vision Pro And Smart Glasses

What AI Features Do Google Pixel 9, 9 Pro And 9 Pro XL Pack?

The Pixel 9 series comes with several new and improved AI features powered by Google Gemini. This includes Gemini Live which enables conversational interactions with AI, available for Gemini Advanced subscribers. Pixel Studio is a blend of on-device and cloud-based models for creative image generation. The Pixel Screenshots app helps organize and recall important information.

Besides, the company has added a new Clear Calling feature that aims to better audio quality. The Call Notes features provide on-device summaries and transcripts of calls. The Pixel Weather app offers custom AI reports and AI-enhanced camera features, including Magic Editor and Video Boost, to ensure high-quality photos and videos.

Also Read: Researchers Find Out Critical Issues With Qualcomm’s Adreno GPU

Pixel 9, 9 Pro And 9 Pro XL Specifications

The Google Pixel 9 comes with a 6.3-inch Actua display, which is claimed to offer 35% brighter than its precursor. It packs a camera setup that houses a 50 MP main sensor, a 12 MP ultrawide sensor, and a 42 MP front camera with autofocus. The smartphone is powered by Google Tensor G4 chip with up to 12GB RAM. Moreover, the smartphone includes seven years of OS, Pixel Drops, and security updates.

As for the Pixel 9 Pro, it packs a 6.3-inch Super Actua display is powered by the Tensor G4 chipset, and comes with up to 16GB RAM. In the camera department, it features a 50 MP main sensor, a 48 MP telephoto sensor with 5x optical zoom, a 12 MP ultrawide sensor, and a 42 MP selfie camera.

Lastly, the Pixel 9 Pro XL comes with all the features of its siblings. The smartphone features a 6.8-inch Super Actua display rather than a 6.3-inch on the Pixel 9 Pro. Both Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL also come equipped with a vapour chamber for better thermal management.

The new GPD Pocket 4 is the latest entrant in the handheld market but with less emphasis on gaming. Unlike Steam Deck, GPD’s new mini-PC comes with some of the latest hardware and could blow away its competitors.

The form factor of this device is interesting, but the AMD Zen 5 chip under the hood is equally interesting. GPD’s Pocket 4 will be the first handheld to use one of AMD’s best chipsets, the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 and the Radeon 890M GPU. This should give it a leg up in performance over systems like the ROG Ally X, especially when it comes to gaming.

Apart from the performance gains, the device comes packed with an 8.8-inch display with 2560 x 1600 resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate that can reach up to 500 nits of brightness. Some of the other specs include LPDDR5X RAM running at 7,500MT/s and up to 4TB of SSD storage.

Also Read: ChatGPT Free Tier Users Can Now Make Images With DALL-E 3

GPD Pocket 4 Under The Hood

GPD servers up plenty of ports, including one Type-C USB 4 port, one Type-C USB 3.2 port, and two Type-A USB ports (one 3.2 and one 2.0), as well as one HDMI 2.1, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a microSD card reader. Besides, users get a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port for wired connections.

On its product page, GPD doesn’t place much emphasis on gaming, and the company is more focused on the versatility that this mini-PC serves up. The keyboard is bound to be useful for creatives as well as gamers, but there’s also a lot of flexibility, users can use the device in laptop and tablet modes, and the screen can rotate up to 180 degrees. That said, it’s more of a 2-in-1 laptop than a gaming handheld.

As noted by Tom’s Hardware, there’s one caveat to consider, and it’s that the GPD Pocket 4 will not make the most of its powerful Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor. The chip inside the device is limited to 28 watts; in general, the CPU can go up to 54 watts. There’s no word on when the device will hit the market or how much it will cost.

Also Read: Indian Govt Issues Serious Warning For Google Chrome Users

Asus ROG Ally X Handheld Console Launched In India

Asus recently released the new ROG Ally X handheld gaming console for Indian consumers. The latest gaming console was unveiled at Computex 2024 earlier this year and is powered by the AMD Z1 Extreme CPU.

The gaming console succeeds the Asus ROG Ally and comes with some noticeable upgrades, the most noteworthy of which is a bigger battery, which was one of the biggest concerns of users of its predecessor. The Ally X comes with a sleek black design that is ergonomic for maximum comfort. The Asus ROG Ally X will be selling at a price of Rs 89,990 in the Indian market and will be available in a single color option: black. 

California-based tech giant Apple is reportedly expanding its offerings in the augmented reality and mixed reality markets with plans for new devices. As per recent leaks, the company seems to readying itself to launch a more budget-friendly version of its high-end Vision Pro headset as early as next year.

Moreover, Apple is working on a pair of smart glasses that may become available several years down the line. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, in his Power On newsletter, revealed that Apple is dedicated to advancing its headset technology despite the challenges faced with the original Vision Pro.

The company is said to be developing a scaled-back variant of the Vision Pro, which is said to hit the market by 2025. this lower-priced model will likely feature fewer capabilities compared to its more expensive counterpart.

Also Read: Apple Could Charge Users $20 To Use Premium AI Features

Apple Also Working On Augmented Reality Glasses

Previous reports hinted that the lower-priced Vision Pro could be priced between $1,500 and $2,000, a significant drop from the current model’s price point. To achieve this lower price, the company might employ various cost-saving measures. Speculations indicate that this could involve eliminating certain sensors and cameras or using less expensive materials in the construction of the headset.

Besides, the company is also said to be working on augmented reality (AR) glasses. These smart glasses, which could be a competitor to products like Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, are still in the experimental stages. Gurman previously mentioned that development faced delays because of technical setbacks. However, Apple appears to be pressing forward with the project, with potential availability not expected until 2027.

These developments underscore the company’s commitment to broadening its portfolio in the emerging AR and VR markets, aiming to offer products that cater to a wider range of audience. While details are scarce, the tech community eagerly anticipates further announcements from the company regarding these innovative devices.

Also Read: Microsoft Could Be Developing Its Apple Vision Pro Rival

Apple Could Launch Its Smallest Mac Mini With M4 Chips

Apple seems to be gearing up to give its biggest overhaul to the Mac mini lineup. The tech giant is said to prepping a new version of the Mac mini, which will be its smallest desktop computer ever.

As per a report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, this update will mark the first significant design change since Steve Jobs’ era in 2010 and will see the Mac mini shrink to a size comparable to an Apple TV set-top box.

The new Mac mini will be a part of a broader refresh of the company’s Mac lineup, all integrating the Ai-focused M4 processors. These chips, also set to back the upcoming iMac desktops, MacBook Pros, and potentially MacBook Airs, and Mac Pro models, showcase a major shift as the company standardizes its chip generation across all its Mac products for the first time.

Just a few weeks following a major global outage that triggered a global IT meltdown, CrowdStrike isn’t running away from taking ownership. The company’s president Michael Sentonas even took the stage at the Pwnie Awards to accept the award for “Most Epic Fail.”

The awards took place at Def Con, right after the Black Hat conference where CrowdStrike had one of the biggest booths, giving out free merchandise and action figures. A spokesperson told TechCrunch that the company’s message to attendees was one of “gratitude and appreciation for the Black Hat community.”

Also Read: Gaming Firm Krafton Acquires Japan’s Tango Gameworks

Sentonas’ Acceptance Speech Going Viral

Footage of Sentonas’ acceptance speech has been shared online; similar to the attendees who seemed excited to give CrowdStrike another chance, the award audience was enthusiastic and appreciative of Sentonas for showing up to acknowledge the company’s mistakes.

The organizers explained that this award was a last-minute switch because the company deserved to win. Sentonas admitted this is “definitely not the award to be proud of receiving.”

“I think the team was surprised when I said straightaway that I would get it,” Sentonas continued. “Because we got this horribly wrong, we’ve said this a number of different times, and it’s super important to own it when you do things well, it’s super important to own it when you do things horribly wrong.”

Sentonas said he would be taking the trophy back to the company’s headquarters and displaying it in a prominent place, as a reminder that “our goal is to protect people, and we got this wrong, and I want to make sure everybody understands these things can’t happen.” 

Also Read: IPhone 17 Air To Cater To Users Who Don’t Want Pro Models

Microsoft Could Bring Surprising Changes To Curb Outages

The recent IT outage wasn’t just bad for CrowdStrike, but also a wake-up call for Microsoft. To avoid such instances in the future, Microsoft could take some serious steps, as it is evaluating blocking third-party security software from accessing the Windows Kernel, according to a blog post by John Cable, VP of program management for Windows servicing and delivery.

If this change were to be put in place, the restriction would imitate Apple’s 2020 move, which limited third-party software from accessing its core OS. The change was brought to macOS Big Sur, making sure that every system partition that contains the core OS is cryptographically verified, down to every last file.

The goal is to curb third-party entities that could melt down the whole system.
But this change isn’t easy to pull off. The company tried doing the exact same thing in 2006 with Windows Vista, curbing third parties from having Kernel access. However, the plan failed due to resistance from EU regulators and complaints from cybersecurity vendors.