Speaking of gaming rigs, and especially gaming laptops, the main thing you must understand is that they don’t come cheap. The price of high-end components skyrocketed, especially graphic cards, hence this laptop will put a big dent in your bank account, as it retails for more than $1500.

However, it must be noted that the Predator Helios boasts impressive hardware under the hood, things like a 10th gen Intel 6-Core i7-10750H CPU, a GeForce RTX 3060 6GB GPU, 16GB of RAM/512 GB SSD, and even a gaming-centric FHD IPS 144Hz display.

What does it mean? Well, to put it simply, the Acer Predator Helios 300 is not only an excellent gaming rig, but it can also be used for productive (as in money making) purposes, like video editing and graphic design, which makes it the best of both worlds.

So, you can spend a ton of money on this toy under the pretense that, at some point, you’ll start making money with it. This is a cool argument to use if it is your parents sponsoring your shopping endeavors.

Before proceeding with the review, always remember to take proper care of your gaming laptop if you want to prolong its life, and to do so, we would recommend you to read this article carefully.

What it is

Acer managed to insert firmly into the “best bang for the buck” market niche due to its reasonably priced products. The Predator Helios is a true-blue gaming laptop, which offers an interesting mélange of muscle, storage potential and screen speed for all your gaming needs.

It’s also true that buying a high end gaming laptop is more expensive this year than it was in 2020, and that’s due to cryptocurrency miners who are buying GPUs like there’s no tomorrow, hence the relatively steep price of this Acer machine, which costs $200 more compared to last year’s model.

The main difference between the Predator Helios 300 of last year and the current one is the Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 30 Series “Ampere” graphics. Truth be told, this GPU is much better as it dramatically improves gaming performance, and that’s why this laptop won a lot of awards this year.

Serious Gaming Laptop

The Acer Predator Helios 300 looks and feels like a gaming beast, due to its all-black chassis, aggressive rear-cooling vents and, most importantly, its red/turquoise (is that a color?) backlit Predator logo staring at you on the lid.

However, the design of the Predator is rather mainstream than radical, at least compared to Alienware stuff, which means it could be safely taken at work without raising eyebrows. Basically, the Acer is designed for a more mature vibe in order to appeal to a mass audience, and that’s a big plus in our book.

The Predator Helios 300 is average in size for a 15.6 gaming laptop, as it measures 0.9’’ by 14.3’’ by 10’’ (HWD), and weighs 4.85 pounds, which is respectable yet acceptable for its screen real estate. Always remember kids: heavy is good, heavy is reliable; and by the way, the Alienware R4 weighs more, 5.3 pounds respectively.

In terms of build quality, the Helios 300 boasts a partial aluminum design, but we would’ve loved a full-aluminum style, just like similarly priced rivals. Aluminum is great for dissipating heat, and also lasts forever compared to plastic, but that’s how life is.

To be more precise, the Helios 300 uses aluminum for the palm rest, the lid and keyboard deck, which means it’s not impressive in terms of build quality, but it’s decent. The chassis has good torsional rigidity, with minimal flex (the same goes for the lid), and speaking of the lid, you can open it with one hand.

Display

Display quality is a deal-breaker in a gaming/productivity laptop, but the Helios 300 really shines in terms of image quality. Everything looks great on the high-refresh-rate 144 Hz FPS screen, and the laptop can easily reach triple digit frame rates in Esport games.

The FPS panel has wide viewing angles, ample brightness, an anti-glare coating and it’s rated at covering 100 percent of the RGB color space, for vibrant visuals and silky smooth pictures.

Keyboard

Since the word of the day is colorful diversity, the same goes for the true RGB keyboard, with 4-zone RGB. You can use Acer’s PredatorSense application to control the RGB thing for each zone, and there’s even a dedicated physical button on the number pad that starts the app.

It’s true that you don’t have per-key backlighting customization, which is available on more costly gaming rigs, but the endless colors on four zones should be more than enough for the average gamer. The app also allows you to save profiles.

The keyboard is gaming-focused, with a long enough throw, and a thicker border on the arrow key clusters as well as on the WASD, which makes them appear brighter. However, the typing experience is not the best out there, or, to put it differently, it’s not great, not terrible.

Touchpad

Acer chose a smooth surface buttonless touchpad for the Helios 300, which makes it very easy to use and very precise due to its stiff physical key action that obliterates accidental presses. If you want to use an external mouse, like real gamers do, you can disable the touchpad easily by pressing Fn + F7.

Connectivity

The 10th gen Comet Lake CPU does not support Thunderbolt 4, yet the laptop offers a more than adequate port selection, including 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports@5 Gbps on the left side, a Killer E2600 2.5Gbps Ethernet jack, and an audio combo jack.

You also get a Killer AX1650i wireless card, which supports Killer DoubleShot Pro, Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5. Basically, the laptop can prioritize game traffic over Ethernet, while the Wi-Fi can be used for anything else.

The right edge harbors USB Type-A and Type-C ports of the 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) variety, and you can charge devices on these babies even when the laptop is shut down. Acer also provided HDMI 2.0b and mini DisplayPort 1.4 video outputs, which is nice.

Performance

Gaming performance is on par with what’s expected from what’s under the hood, but the Helios 300 features built-in GPU overclocking via a Turbo button, even if the laptop gets noticeably louder in Turbo mode.

Speaking of which, the Turbo augmentation will provide an 8 to 10 percent jump in performance, and that’s not bad. The battery will last 7 and a half hours, which makes the laptop more than practical for traveling.

Miscellaneous stuff

There are no biometric features in the Helios 300, the likes of face recognition or fingerprint reader. The 720p webcam is of average quality and lacks a privacy shutter, but you can always use a piece of duct tape if you want to prevent Mark Zuckerberg from spying you while watching Anime.

Joke aside, this is not a business laptop, hence it’s kind of normal for Acer to not obsess over security features, in order to keep the price down. As in, we don’t hold the lack of security features against them.

On the bright side, the laptop has good-sounding speakers, and the two heavy-duty fans we told you about do a great job with keeping the laptop cool during extended gaming sessions. The best thing about the cooling design is that it keeps the noise down, as Acer did a bang-up job with minimizing motor and fan whine noises.

You can also control fan behavior from the PredatorSense app, which is kind of cool. Another thing worth mentioning is that end users can easily upgrade the Helios 300, as the laptop provides quick access to its 2x M.2 SSD slots (one occupied from the factory) and the 2.5-inch drive bay.

The RAM is also easy to upgrade, as the system accepts up to 2x 32 GB modules (it comes loaded with 2×8 GB from the factory). This trick is impossible in soldered RAM laptop models.

Bottom line

The 2021 version of the venerable Acer Predator Helios 300 offers solid performance and a smooth 144 Hz display, good port selection and a cool overclocking button, which makes it stand out against its similarly priced rivals. If you can get over the partial metal design and the lack of security features, you’ll end up with a great deal.

Three Mice for the Price of One

Razer Naga Trinity is one more high-performing gaming mouse from Razer that combines great efficiency, speed, and versatility into one of the best gaming MMO mice out there. This is a large, comfortable mouse, with great ergonomics, and most importantly, a swappable side panel that allows you to have a mouse with 9, 14, or 19 fully programmable buttons, giving you an incredible level of adaptation and a perfect tool for MMO or FPS games.

Specifications:

Form factor: Right-handed
Connectivity: Wired
Sensor: Razer 5G
Maximum Polling Rate: 1000Hz
Buttons: 9, 14, or 19 programmable buttons (depending on the configuration)
Switches type: Mechanical
On-board memory: Yes
DPI: 16,000
Maximum Acceleration: 50G
Weight: 120 grams
Dimensions: Length 119 mm, Height 68 mm, Width 43 mm
RGB lighting: RGB Chroma

Features

Razer Naga Trinity is a one-of-a-kind device that should satisfy a large portion of gamers, by delivering three different mice for the price of one. To make things even better, this mouse also brings a whole bunch of features, such as Razer Synapse 3 compatibility and great customization at the same time, quiet operations, as well an impressive Razer 5G 16000 DPI optical sensor that brings much-needed efficiency and precision. Also, there is the low latency, great build quality, and excellent paw grip, however, only for those with larger hands.

Razer Naga Trinity is fitted with solid PTFE feet, a scroll wheel with 24 steps, and it offers DPI adjustment from 100 to 16000. On top of that, it comes with a HyperShift function; it supports up to 42 programmable inputs and has everything that one of the best gaming mice should.

Usage

Razer Naga Trinity is very comfortable to use and feels good in hand; however, its larger size may present a serious obstacle for users with smaller hands. The mouse itself is very fast, due to low latency, and is a real pleasure to use it, especially for MMO titles, due to the 42 programmable inputs and 19 physical buttons.

The buttons themselves are stable and offer a good feeling, due to their mechanical nature, while mouse wheel that’s a bit wobbling may present the only issue.

Razer Naga Trinity offers very good customization options that can be easily managed with the help of the Synapse 3 software, while the swappable side panel helps in finding the perfect configuration, and is very easy to change.

On the other hand, if you are seeking an office or travel mouse, or a device for light gaming, this mouse will give you a good performance, but many other models will offer more for the money, are less bulky, and have much lower weight, which is one of the most important aspects for travels, as well as for an office mouse.

Design

When talking about the design, at the first glance, Razer Naga Trinity doesn’t offer anything spectacular. There are three Chroma-powered RGB lighting zones (on the logo, side buttons, and the wheel), as well as good ergonomics. The overall build is pretty good and the mouse has a sturdy structure, even though the it is entirely made of plastic, while its right-handed orientation harms its otherwise pretty good versatility a bit.

However, these are all just side things, the major feature on the Razer Naga Trinity is its swappable side panel with 2, 7, or 12 buttons that truly makes the difference and presents the key feature of this mouse. These side panels are locked with the help of a strong magnet that keeps them well-positioned and you just need a bit of pulling to change them.

Other than the changeable side panel, Razer Naga Trinity also has a traditional left and right button, middle-click button, DPI button, and the tilting wheel. In other words, everything needed for a gaming-oriented mouse is there.

Good

Simply, Razer Naga Trinity is an excellent device with great customizability, excellent build, and most importantly, great performance. There is an efficient and precise 16000 DPI sensor, low latency, and a pretty good overall build.

Good customization software combined with RGB Chroma lighting and multiple button configurations, including the 42 programmable inputs, makes the Razer Naga Trinity a highly adaptable device and the level of customization and options that is almost incomparable with any other gaming mouse. In other words, this device is what most gamers would want to see laying down on their precious gaming desk.

Bad

Of course, that doesn’t mean that the Razer Naga Trinity is without flaws, because it isn’t. However, these downsides don’t represent anything major and involve a lack of wireless connectivity, and it’s a bit larger size, which makes this mouse inappropriate for users with smaller hands.

Also, its 2.1-meter cable is a bit stiff, while the mouse itself feels a bit heavy, although it weighs only 120 grams, which isn’t much. In other words, its weaknesses are more than acceptable and more than reasonable for one of the best mice out there.

Final Thoughts

All in all, Razer Naga Trinity is a great mouse that maybe costs more than the other wired gaming mice, yet it offers three different products in one, which justifies its price that is still much lower than you would pay for three separate devices.

When compared to the competition, Razer Naga Trinity positions itself above the mice such as the Razer Naga X, and is somewhere in the class with the Logitech G502 HERO, although it offers more buttons, and better customizability than it, which is a serious advantage, especially if you are into MMO gaming.

In other words, Razer Naga Trinity is a serious gaming mouse, with only minor flaws that don’t make a true difference. Therefore, if you are after an excellent gaming mouse, especially for MMO games, the choice is pretty simple. Also, if you are not devoted to only one genre and like to use your mouse for a wide range of purposes, from gaming to office work, this mouse is the one that will fulfill your ever

A Software Suit that Will Squeeze a bit More Juice from your Aging Rig

Razer Cortex is a free game performance booster that offers a simple interface and a decent set of options that should help your aged machine get a few more frames in games, by optimizing PC performance and stopping unnecessary background processes. This is a software tool that helps PCs with a limited amount of RAM use their resources to the max, without compromising system stability. However, it isn’t made for everyone and is mostly designed for a budget to mid-range computers that keep lacking capacity due to their hardware limitations.

Razer Cortex is very successful at optimizing your disk cache, disabling unnecessary Windows services, as well as changing network settings. Also, it offers file defragmentation and boosts your PC performance, especially during games, which is its main goal, after all.

Keep in mind that this software package brings an opportunity for better game performance; however, it doesn’t bring miracles.

Therefore, don’t expect your ten-year-old machine to suddenly become a gaming monster. Something like that simply won’t happen, because of the limitations of the optimizing software in general, as well as the Razer Cortex’ design that mainly targets decent PCs, yet with the limited amount of RAM, or slower CPU speeds.

Features

When talking about its main features, it should be stated that the Razer Cortex brings an easy-to-use interface, with plenty of customization options, and that it comes without annoying ads and pop-ups, so common for free software.

Also, this software comes with an excellent game aggregation and includes more than 15 game storefronts, allowing for simple price comparisons and ease finding of best prices, giveaways, etc. What is even better is that this storefront includes Steam, Humble Store, Epic, and GOG.com.

However, there is one serious limitation to this, and that is that this feature only works in a limited number of countries that include the USA, UK, China, France, Brazil, Germany, and Canada. Therefore, if you are among the unlucky ones that live outside of these countries, you will have to forget about this option.

Have in mind that Razer Cortex works with Windows 7, 8, and 10. Therefore, the majority of our readers won’t have any problems using it. Also, each of its features is free to use and there are no paid premium options, which will certainly save you some money.

Usage

Where the Razer Cortex shows its best sides is its usage. Most importantly, this software is easy to use and can even be handled by youngsters.

On the other hand, what isn’t that great is its support. Yes, you have the FAQ section about it on the Razer site, as well as a forum dedicated to it. There is also the Master Guide that gives you instructions on how to use it; however, that guide is from more than half a decade ago (2014), which is outdated, to say the least.

In other words, everything you need is there, yet it requires a bit of refurbishment.

Using Razer Cortex also comes with advantages of its own – the ability to collect the Razer Silver that allows you to exchange them for Razer hardware and games. Nonetheless, have in mind that you have to be a pretty dedicated player to get enough silver to buy anything. For instance, you will need 10 minutes of play for like three years to collect enough silver, to buy the cheapest Razer mouse available, which is a lot.

Speaking in numbers, except that the Razer Cortex can save you up to 2GB of RAM by disabling Windows services, which will certainly give a few frames on high memory consumption games on limited RAM configurations.

Also, have in mind that System Clean does a great job in cleaning temporary files; however, it isn’t as great at deleting your old files, and some other system utilities will do a much better job.

Interface

Another positive side of the Razer Cortex is its interface that comes with the bright Razer neon green theme and is separated into four segments: Game Booster, System Booster, Deals, and Rewards.

The interface itself is attractive-looking and intuitive to use and involves plenty of options that should help with your optimization and provide a better gaming experience.

Good

Razer Cortex is generally a very good software tool that brings free PC gaming optimization, allowing for a smart use of your computer’s limited resources, letting you get the most for your money. It is easy to use and it comes with a ton of customization options.

In addition, there are no paid ads, or annoying pop-ups, while every feature is available to everyone. On top of that, it is compatible with the past three iterations of Windows (7, 8, and 10), which means it can be used by a large base of users and it does offer an improvement in performance, which makes it a pretty good deal.

Bad

Its bad sides are luckily only small things, such as its narrow target market, which involves only the mid-range and budget-friendly configurations, while the office and workstation optimization is more of a side duty for it.

Also, although the Razer Cortex does help in gaming, there is the question of what processes and services it stops in Game Boosting mode. In other words, a bit more transparency in that department wouldn’t harm anyone.

On top of that, its system cleaning may be insufficient for some. Yes, its performance is great in cleaning temporary files; however, cleaning old files would require an upgrade, to keep the Razer Cortex head to head with the best game boosting software out there.

Final Thoughts

All in all, Razer Cortex is not the almighty software that will make all of your PC weaknesses go away; however, it will bring more than enough to improve your rig’s performance, and it is free of charge.

Yes, there are probably better optimizing software solutions, such as IObit Advanced SystemCare that has better security, registry tools, and better file management; nonetheless, it is not optimized for gaming, and its main market is office and workstation machines.

Also, there is the AVG TuneUp that is modern, and on a par with Razer Cortex, with the important difference that it brings an explanation to each task, giving you the feeling of security and confidence. However, it does a similar job as the Razer Cortex, not giving you any real advantage.

In other words, if you want the most from the optimizing software, Razer Cortex is certainly one of the better free solutions out there that will save one or two gigabytes of RAM that can be crucial for a more than visible gaming performance improvement. Therefore, if that is something you are looking for, you may be sure that the Razer Cortex is the thing for you.

This is definitely not an affordable router, but it comes loaded with all the technological bells and whistles one can dream of in the current year, features like Dual Band Gigabit Wireless which basically obliterates Wi-Fi dead spots, strong Wi-Fi 6 performance for long-range and so on and so forth.

And while we’re at it, check out this article on the best Wi-Fi router for long-range, especially if you’re on a tight budget and you don’t require all the fancy gaming features. Also, before you go on a shopping spree, make sure you know the difference between 2.4 ghz and 5 ghz Wi-Fi.

Let’s begin with tech specs.

Specs:

• Processor: 1.5 GHz tri-core processor
• Memory: 256 MB Flash, 512 MB RAM
• Ports: RJ45 for 10/100/1000 BaseT for WAN x 1, RJ45 for 10/100/1000 BaseT for LAN x 4 USB 3.2 Gen 1 x 1
• Encryption: WPA3-Personal, WPA2-Personal, WPA-Personal, WPA-Enterprise , WPA2-Enterprise , WPS support
• Wi-Fi Technology: OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access), Beamforming: standard-based and universal, 1024-QAM high data rate, 20/40/80/160 MHz bandwidth
• Dimensions: 275.5 x 184.4 x 165 mm (WxDxH) with antenna, 275.5 x 184.4 x 65 mm (WxDxH) without antenna
• Weight: 740 g

What it is

The ASUS AX5400 ticks off a lot of boxes for gaming aficionados, making for an ideal router for both gaming and streaming, due to its impressive Wi-Fi 6 performance.

However, this machine does not cost a fortune compared to other brands, and the Asus proprietary app is great for newcomers, and also provides solid security features and parental controls. Moreover, Asus offers a strong web browser interface for advanced users and gamers.

Keep in mind that this is not a ROG product, which means there are better and more expensive Asus gaming routers out there. Even if the RT-AX82U doesn’t’ really play in the same league as ROG routers, you’ll still receive a lot of gaming router for the money asked.

Basically, this router is crafted for casual gaming and video streaming, being significantly faster compared to conventional 802.11ac routers, while providing a comprehensive set of features for smart homes that require fast and reliable Wi-Fi.

Design and features

Even if the router doesn’t wear the ROG logo, it definitely looks like a gaming router, due to its sharply angular design, low profile and the aggressive 4 large antennae that look like they want to stab your enemies, both foreign and domestic. The front panel features a pair of alien eyes, or, to be more precise, 2 small LED panels that can glow in a variety of colors, and you can use the Asus app to choose between plethoras of auras that strobe through different color sequences.

Design-wise, this router looks spectacular, especially if you’re young at heart, but gaming gimmickry aside, the Asus RT-AX82U really means business, featuring dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (aka 802.11ax) with a top speed of 5400Mbps (5.4Gbps).

Before you complain, we know, there are faster gaming routers out there, for example the Asus RoG Capture, which offers 11 Gbps transfer speeds, but we’re not talking about the same price range, i.e. the latter is way more expensive. Now, since the ASUS AX5400 doesn’t come with a modem, it takes care of things via a dedicated Gigabit Ethernet port for connecting to your existing modem or router, so there are zero issues with using your broadband connection.

The router also has 4 extra Gigabit Ethernet ports, which means you can connect your smart TV and your gaming console hassle-free for a lag-free gaming experience. One of the ports is designated as the “gaming port”, which means it has priority over the other devices connected; finally, there’s a “solitary” USB 3.1 port that comes handy for sharing a USB storage device like an external hard disk on your home network, plus a power switch that’s useful for router reboots.

Set-up and performance

The router walks the golden path in regard to striking the perfect balance between ease of use for tech noobs and advanced features for “gosu” gamers. Basically, even if you’re a greenhorn buying his first gaming router, you’ll have zero issues with setting this bad boy up. The retail package even includes a printed manual, but who reads instruction manuals these days, amirite?

You have basically 2 options to set up your router, but the quick and easy way is to go for the app, more precisely the Asus router app for Android and iOS smartphones. The advanced web browser interface is for tech geeks only, but it also offers a more comprehensive way to tinker with your Wi-Fi and network settings.

The Asus Router app starts by offering you the option to set up distinct networks on the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands, or, if one so inclined, to merge the 2 bands together into a single network. This is a nice touch from Asus, and the only complaint we have is that the router’s default network is not password protected for whatever reason.

The Asus Router app has all the features required for a normal user, including setting up a guest network and solid parental controls. There’s even a security feature available, called AiProtection, that protects your home network from hacking attempts via malicious websites or malware, while being absolutely free of charge.

The app also features a Mobile Gaming mode, for prioritizing mobile devices in order to provide maximum performance, as well as specific tasks, like video streaming. The web browser interface is even better in this regard, as it allows you to select other devices for gaming priority, and even use that USB port to set up a hard drive for Time Machine back-ups on a Mac.

Performance-wise, the router really shines considering the price asked, as in we have zero complaints at this price point in terms of data transfer speed, both on the 5 Ghz and the 2.4 Ghz band. Also, the app and the web interface are providing versatile controls and features that are suitable for both non gamers and gamers alike, making the router an excellent option for anyone looking for fast and affordable Wi-Fi.

Firmware Upgrades

It’s a known fact that older firmware may be plagued by security issues, and companies regularly update their devices to stay in touch with the latest security threats. In this regard, Asus did a great job with their router, as the RT-AX82U offers a step in the setup process to upgrade the firmware to the latest version, which is a nice touch.

This cool feature makes sure that all the latest security updates are applied, along with bug fixes.

Final word

The RT-AX82U makes for a solid upper mid-range gaming-focused router, and offers amazing value for money performance-wise, as well as integrated security and ease of use. Buy it if you’re a casual gamer/video streamer, and especially if you’ve got kids, as the router provides solid control features for protecting your kids from unsuited material and things of that nature.

Don’t buy it if you’re on a tight budget and especially if you’re not a gamer, as this router is overkill for “normie” use.

Fortunately, Xbox One supports the smooth insertion of portable hard drives through USB of various sizes and formats, making this a simple problem to fix. To get them up and running, you’ll have to jump through a few hoops, but the procedure is straightforward and easy.

While we already have an extensive list of the best external drives that you can purchase, we will tell you how Xbox owners can choose the correct external drive and make sure that it works properly.

How To Use an External Hard Drive With Xbox

External storage on the Xbox One is relatively straightforward. All you have to do is connect a USB external hard drive to one of the console’s ports.

It would be best if you kept this always connected; otherwise, you risk losing data and having to repair the drive every time it is removed.

To make life simpler for you, we have included some specific steps below:

• Connect your external hard drive to a USB port on your Xbox One and format it.
• Give your external drive a name.
• Select Install new things here to have future titles automatically installed on this drive.

Internal storage drives in Xbox consoles range from 500 gigabytes (GB) to two terabytes (TB). A large proportion of this space is dedicated to games and applications, with some space set aside for the console operating system and other system software.

To manage both internal and external storage, follow these steps:

• Hit the Xbox button on your controller.
• Select Profile and System, and press Settings options. After that, select System > Storage from the drop-down menu.
• A graphic for each drive is displayed on the Storage devices panel, along with the percentage of storage used and available free storage.
• Choose a drive to View contents. It will take you to your games and files, where you can check how your storage is being used.

How to Transfer Items from Internal to External Storage

Items can be moved from internal to external storage by following simple steps. You can transfer games to an external drive if they take up a lot of space on your system.

• Press the Xbox button and select My games & applications > See all > Games.
• Select Manage game and add-ons after picking a game and pressing the Menu button.
• Click on Move or Copy from the game box in the upper right corner of the screen.
• Make your changes in the Transfer section.
• Select a From drive if a game is installed in multiple locations.
• The To drive where you want your game to move to.
• Check the boxes for the items you wish to transfer and then press Copy selected or Move selected. Copy selected will keep the game files on the current drive and copy the game files to the To drive.
• When you click on Move selected, the game files will be copied to the To drive, and the game will be uninstalled from the From drive.

What Kind of External Hard Drive Works With Xbox?

All Xbox One games, including those purchased on disk, must be put on the console’s hard drive before being used. There are several symptoms of a failing hard drive, including strange noises, overheating, disk errors, and slow performance of the system.

You can’t repair or upgrade the Xbox One’s built-in hard drive without voiding your warranty, so unless you are willing to take that risk, you are forced to stick with the default drive.

On Xbox One, external drives must be at least 256GB and support USB 3.0. The old and slow USB 2.0 drives are not supported anymore, ensuring that data transfers between your console and the external drives are lightning-fast.

So, choosing the optimal storage device from the several possibilities is critical to having the best Xbox One experience. Your purchasing approach will become much easier if you know what to search for precisely in the market.

Simply keep your requirements and priorities in mind, and you will be on your way to making a decent buy.

The simplest method to narrow down your options is to figure out how much storage space you require. Your goal should be to have as much storage as possible for the least amount of money (without sacrificing performance).

We have gone over some of the most important things to look for when buying a hard drive for your Xbox One. Still, other variables like portability, design, reliability, and connectivity also play a role in determining which hard drive is suitable for you.

Acer is one of the main players in the “best bang for the buck” category, and they excel in offering amazing value for money gaming laptops, specially designed for nerds who spend most of their lives shooting stuff.

Since the Nitro 5 retails for way less than one thousand bucks, it would make for an excellent addition to your gaming paraphernalia due to its solid hardware platform and gaming-centric design, which will definitely win the hearts and minds of keyboard warriors under a certain age.

Seriously speaking, this gaming laptop means business both inside and out, as it’s powered by a 10th generation Intel Core I5 10300H, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti GPU.

As usual, when it comes to high-powered laptops, the Nitro 5 can be used successfully not only for gaming. Considering the hardware inside, this machine will also do a great job with video editing tasks, as well as making for a solid tool for graphic designers looking for a “value for money” oriented rig, so there you have it: the Nitro 5 will do great in both gaming, video editing, graphic design, what have you.

There’s one caveat though: as long as you don’t expect miracles from this Asus ROG lookalike, you’ll not be disappointed, i.e. this is an I5 powered laptop after all, also known as aurea mediocritas.

Finally, if you want to squeeze the last ounce of performance from your gaming rig and enhance its lifespan, don’t forget to buy a high-performance cooling pad.

Specs

• CPU: 10th Generation Intel Core i5-10300H Processor (Up to 4.5GHz)
• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti Graphics with 4 GB of dedicated GDDR6 VRAM
• Display: 15″ Full HD Widescreen IPS LED-backlit 144Hz Refresh Display
• RAM/Storage: 8GB DDR4 2933MHz Memory | 256GB NVMe SSD (2 x PCIe M.2 Slots – 1 Slot Open for Easy Upgrades) & 1 – Available Hard Drive Bay
• Connectivity: LAN: Killer Ethernet E2600 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN | Wireless: Intel Wireless Wi-Fi 6 AX201 802.11ax

While we’re at it, check out this article about the main features and specifications to look after before buying a new laptop.

What it is

To define it succinctly, the Acer Nitro 5 is a competent rig aimed at budget gamers, making for Acer’s latest stab at the budget laptop gaming scene. The current price of the Nitro 5 revolves around $700, give or take, in this particular spec option.

Even if it is a relatively cheap gaming laptop, it can be used for playing the more demanding games, which means the Nitro 5 delivers more for less (money), making for a solid gaming rig with decently powerful specifications, an average full HD display, a comfy keyboard, and, most importantly, it features Acer CoolBoost Technology with Twin Fans and Quad Exhaust Ports Design which keeps it cool under heavy loads.

Design

To make a long story short, the Nitro 5 design is not great, not terrible, to quote from the classics. To be more precise, there’s a lot to be desired with the Nitro 5 in terms of look and feel, but it’s not all bad. For example, some folks will appreciate the laptop’s subdued gamer look, courtesy of its blood-red trimmings on the top rear bar, trackpad and keyboard backlight.

The display hinges are well built and solid, and there are more than enough ports to accommodate your gaming gear. The red keyboard is very comfortable, and that’s a big plus in our book, while the user-controllable cooling system is a boon.

But, the overall design/build quality of the Nitro 5 is nothing to write home about really. The design borrows heavily from Asus ROG machines, and there are many cutbacks, in order to keep the price down. For example, the screen lid is all plastic (cheap plastic actually), the area around the keyboard track and the top cover will draw fingerprints like crazy, and the display has enormous bezels around it.

The worst of all is the trackpad, which is ridiculous. Finally, the laptop measures 0.94 by 14.3 by 10 inches, and weighs 5.5 pounds, which is average for a 15.6 incher.

Keyboard

The keyboard scores a major win for the Nitro 5, being comfortable and reliable, responsive and fast, with zero lag, or missed/accidental presses. Needless to say, this keyboard will please both hardcore gamers and avid typists, thus making for a nice surprise in the laptop’s price bracket.

Trackpad

As we already told you, this laptop is all about hits and misses, and the trackpad is a definite miss, by a mile actually. We don’t understand why they bothered at all with putting a substandard trackpad on this laptop, as it’s literally useless, very stiff and with a lot of travel, not to mention poorly designed.

Be advised: you will not be able to use this laptop without a proper mouse.

Display & general performance

We gave good news in this department: the display is a full HD IPS variant with 144 Hz refresh rate, which makes it excellent for gaming, especially FPS stuff. The screen features a non-reflective matte finish, which is a nice touch from Acer, and the hinges allow it to move 150 degrees, with everything feeling solid and sans wobble.

The IPS panel is fairly sharp, with decent viewing angles. The 144 Hz refresh rate also makes moving around Windows super-smooth, and the display has a listed 3 ms refresh rate, which is kind of good. Finally, the display is Freesync compatible, which means it supports variable refresh rate.

Here’s a quick word for professionals looking for a laptop gaming with video editing on the side: just 59 percent of sRGB color space is covered, which means this is not droid you are looking for in terms of critical colorwork. However, even if the display is far from impressive in terms of color reproduction and color uniformity, it’s more than adequate for general use.

Performance-wise, the laptop does well, but not stellar (this is not an I7), and the SSD provides fast loading speeds. To give you a hint, you can play Assassins Creed Valhalla on mid-to-high settings with 40 to 60 fps, provided you upgrade the RAM amount to 16 GB.

Battery life

Truth be told, battery life is bad, but that’s to be expected from a gaming laptop with a high-performance GPU and dual cooling. These things put a lot of pressure on battery, and even if you can use software to adjust fan speeds for both CPU and GPU, you won’t get more than 2 and a half-hour of uptime on battery power.

Yet, this is to be expected from a cheap gaming laptop, so overall, this is a feature, not a bug .

Bottom line

All things considered, the Acer Nitro 5 offers impressive value for money: the hardware inside if pretty good for both gaming and productivity tasks (making money that is), the keyboard is very good, the screen is more than acceptable, and you can get true 60fps gaming if you dial back the image settings a little bit.

If you’re a “financially challenged gamer”, the Acer Nitro 5 can be your panacea.

There has been a lot of discussion going on for a while now about the legality of private severs and game emulators. We have already discussed the issue of the legality of private servers on this blog. Now, we turn our focus on the legality of Game Emulators.

Many retro gamers have wondered if video game emulators are legal. The general response to it is yes; you should be able to download them without difficulty. But don’t get too excited. While emulators are legal, they are primarily ineffective on their own.

Most players may recall their first encounters with emulators. These programs do a miraculous job of converting the hardware of the world’s greatest video game consoles into software that can run on your computer.

When you combine them with game files (commonly known as ROMs), you have access to almost all of the gaming back-catalogs, from the NES to the Xbox.

What Are Game Emulators?

Let’s start with the basics so that everybody is on the same page. What are game emulators?

Game emulators work magic in a way to transform your laptop, PC, phone, or tablet into a gaming console. Okay, we say magic, but what we are talking about is virtual plugins that mimic the inner workings. Consider them a way of deceiving your system into believing it is a PS1 or a SNES for a brief moment.

So, if you were hoping to get your hands on some free retro games while adhering to the law’s intent, you will run into some legal issues.

Let’s delve a little deeper into the topic of legality and game emulators and see how ROMs fit into the picture as well. Not all is as straightforward as you would think.

Why Are Game Emulators Legal?

Emulators are legal because they are built to use particular files known as ROMs, without which emulators are useless.
Game Emulators are used as computer programs that mimic the behavior of other computers, such as video game consoles. A Sega Genesis emulator for PC, for example, is a program that emulates the system’s functionality.

This could theoretically allow you to play digital copies of various N64 games and Nintendo Switch games, but only if you download the ROMs first. If you do like the idea of gaming on a Nintendo Switch and are considering purchasing one, you can read our guide on Problems with the Nintendo Switch You Should Know Before Buying.

Emulators are legal because they contain no proprietary code. Even if everyone is aware of how emulators are used, they are legal because, in most cases, they do not infringe on copyrights and are essentially inert on their own.

Is It Legal To Use ROMs?

No, in the vast majority of cases, ROMs are illegal. What is the reason for this? Since ROMs are the game files that emulators use to enable people to play games, they are illegal in almost every case.

The proprietary code in ROM files belongs to the company that created the video game or later acquired the property.
In the eyes of courts and legal departments at several large video game firms, downloading a ROM is the same as creating an unauthorized copy of the game. That’s what there is to it.

You are allowed to have the pot, but not the substance you smoke in it.

Nonetheless, several people have inquired whether ROMs and Emulators can be used in particular circumstances.

Are Game Emulators Safe?

Some emulators are entirely secure, while others aren’t. If the downloaded ROM is an executable (.exe) file rather than .bin, .smd, or.md files, DO NOT launch the game and conduct a malware scan with best malware protection software just to be safe.

It’s better to read reviews and which emulators are trusted by the emulation community (both in terms of security and performance) before downloading one for use.

The vast majority of the well-known emulators are safe to download. Just make sure that you download them from the official website to avoid any viruses and malware.

Is It Legal To Keep ROMs for Games That Are No Longer In Production?

Many gamers claim that downloading a ROM is legal if a game isn’t currently available on the market. After all, if a game isn’t available digitally, there can’t be any market harm.

On the other hand, this is what Disney does. Disney’s policy is to keep iconic films in the vault for long periods of time. Rather than leaving films on the market endlessly, they re-release them on a regular basis, which raises demand and sales when the time comes.

Companies who make video games could argue that they’re doing the same thing with titles that haven’t been launched yet, and that ROMs are lowering their prospective selling price. This makes downloading ROMs for games that aren’t available a legal gray area, and you should tread carefully when trying to download such games.

Final Thoughts on Game Emulators and ROMs

In the coming years, retro gamers could face a crisis of consciousness and legality. When older games fall into the hands of collectors, scalpers, and trash cans, they will become increasingly rare.

For the time being, note that emulators are legal, ROMs are illegal. Sadly, this does mean that you are breaking the law when you emulate some of your favorite games.

Save your game progress to the PS Now cloud and continue playing on your Windows PC, PS5, or PS4 wherever you login in, as it is available in more than 20 countries now. Let’s discuss what you need to know about PlayStation Now on PC.

PlayStation Now on PC

PC vs. Console gaming is a widely discussed topic in the gaming world, but won’t it be better if you could play games from both devices?

PlayStation Now is a game subscription service with over 800 games to choose from for the players. PS Now allows you to quickly stream PS4, PS3, and PS2 games on your PS5, PS4, and PC. Additionally, you can download hundreds of PS4 games to your PS5 or PS4 console, all for $9.99 per month.

You can enjoy PlayStation Now on your PC by following a few simple steps. And you can get all of the games you can to play on the PS, with the bonus of playing them with your DualShock Controller.

How to Play PlayStation Now on PC

To start streaming games, download the PC app, log in to your PS account, and make sure that you have an active PS Now membership (you can also access the 7-day free trial).

You must also make sure that your PC meets the minimum requirements. However, we do not think that would be a problem for almost anyone.

• Windows Version: 7, 8.1 or 10
• CPU: Core i3 2.0 GHz minimum
• RAM: 2GB
• Available Storage: 300 MB
• Sound Card; USB port
• A broadband connection with atleast 5Mbps download speed (ideally 12+ Mbps).

Which Controllers Are Suitable for PS Now?

To put it a simple way, you’ll need a PlayStation controller to play games on PS Now. Unfortunately, third-party controllers that have their own benefits are not supported by the app. So, the PC controller that resembles a PlayStation controller will not work with PlayStation Now games. This is quite a problem, especially considering some of the problems that PS controller owners have experienced historically.

All of the games on PlayStation Now can be played with the PS4 or PS5 DualShock wireless controllers. A wired micro-USB to USB-A or a Bluetooth connection can connect the pad to the PC. You can learn to save the battery life in your PS5 Controller by using our guide for those long play sessions.

DualShock 3 controllers can also be used on a PC. However, they will only work with PlayStation 3 games. If you want to play PS4 games, you’ll need the PlayStation 4 controller.

Finding the Right Game

PlayStation Now on PC lacks a search option, which is a glaring flaw. You only have one screen to search for the title you’re looking for. There are various categories of games at the top of the page, including any added to your list.

All of the games are alphabetically sorted, split by each letter, as you scroll down the page. To find all the titles that start with the letter A, scroll left and right. It means you’ll have to cycle through all of them to get the one you want, which can be a nuisance if you’re looking for something easy to do.

With over 800 games to choose from, knowing what you want to play before you start exploring is a good idea. If you cycle through the games without picking what you want to play first, you may still come upon some great treasures.

How to Cancel Your PlayStation Now PC Subscription

The procedures are essentially the same whether you’re turning off the auto-renew of PS now or PS plus on a PC, smartphone, or PS console. Follow the steps below to cancel your PS Now subscription.

• Visit the official PlayStation website and log in using your PlayStation account.
• After signing in to your account, look for the Subscription menu item and open it.
• You’ll have to choose which subscriptions you want to cancel. Choose PS Now, for example, if you want to cancel PS Now on your PC.
• Then choose Turn Off Auto-Renew to stop the subscription from renewing.
• As is customary, another little confirmation window will appear on your screen, prompting you to select the YES button, indicating that you are sure you want to cancel the subscription.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you have learned everything there is to know about installing and canceling PS Now on your PC. It’s a fantastic service that runs smoothly, even on an entry-level PC (as long as you have a decent internet connection).

Suppose you are not a huge fan of PlayStation and want to play games on a different platform. In that case, you should look into some of the top Cloud gaming vs. PC gaming options, which allow you to directly play or stream games from a range of other devices.

We have compiled a list of the most common issues that have befallen Switch owners, ranging from relatively minor cosmetic problems that can largely be overlooked to severe problems that have made the system useless.

We have also provided possible solutions where appropriate. Still, something that requires disassembling a component of your console may exacerbate the problem or void your warranty. If you are having trouble, just follow the steps below, and you’ll be back to playing your favorite Nintendo Switch games in no time.

1. The Screen Has Dead Pixels

The Nintendo Switch has a lot of great features, but it isn’t without flaws. One of the most annoying problems gamers encounter is that the Switch’s screen has dead pixels.

Dead pixels annoy you on any computer, but mainly on portable screens, where they become the center of your attention, mocking your desire for a screen free of flaws.

In the case of the Nintendo Switch, it not only serves to detract from your comfort, but it is also one of the few things that you cannot resolve on your own. It may be the most aggravating issue yet, as Nintendo is currently refusing to acknowledge that it is a valid complaint (but many users believe otherwise).

Nintendo defines dead pixels as “a feature of LCDs” that should “not be considered a flaw,” according to its support page.

That means Nintendo will not be replacing them with warranty claims, and you could be stuck with your faulty screen for the rest of your life.

There are two possible solutions:

Return the Switch to the store from where you bought it. Even though high-end stores are not legally obliged to take back the product if you have already opened the seal, it is worth a shot. You could get lucky and find a sympathetic fellow gamer behind the counter, as we did.

The Consumer Contracts Regulations would offer you an even better chance if you purchased the Switch online. It states that all online purchases can be returned for a period of up to 14 days.

Due to legal complications, you will be protected as long as the seller did not explicitly state that “dead pixels may occur in this product” (or anything similar).

2. The Battery Life is too Short

When playing the most graphically demanding games, you will definitely find the battery life is low due to the horsepower Nintendo has managed to cram into the tiny Switch console. The console would need to be recharged after just a few hours of handheld play in a game like Doom.

Since the AC adapter that came with your device is most likely connected to the dock, you will need to either go behind your setup, remove it, allow the Switch to charge in the port, or buy a second AC adapter.

An external battery pack, such as one for a phone or tablet, is a solution. Be aware, however, that many phone batteries do not have enough power to charge the Switch when it is in use. You can use our comprehensive guide to improve the life of the Nintendo Switch’s battery.

There is another possibility. Third-party accessory companies have developed Switch charging cases that allow you to play the device for more than twice as long as a regular battery would.

3. Switch Won’t Turn On

Some users have stated that their console refuses to turn on. Aside from the apparent flat battery, which we are sure you have already considered, the next step is to perform a hard reset.

Here’s what Nintendo’s support team says about this problem:

“There is a chance that the console has frozen with a black screen. Look at the console in a darkened room and see if any light is coming from the screen. If so, the console has frozen. Hold the POWER Button for 15 seconds or more to turn the console off.

Then, press the POWER Button again to turn the console on again.”

4. The Joy-Cons Stops Working

Disconnection of the left Joy-Con controller, the most well-known of the Nintendo Switch’s problems so far appears to be a fairly widespread issue.

The Joy-Con will randomly detach from the console, which can be particularly frustrating if it results in you failing a successful run in one of the Nintendo Switch’s games.

Nintendo’s decision to place the left controller’s Bluetooth antenna within the circuit board, rather than using a standalone portion that could be positioned optimally, appears to be the source of the issue according to numerous reports and user teardowns.

Nintendo has not made it public, but it appears that the company has developed a workable DIY hack for early adopters. CNET’s analyst spotted a thin piece of conductive foam over the controller’s internal antenna after sending a defective Joy-Con to Nintendo for repair.

It might seem too simple, but the simple addition is said to have resolved the controller’s synchronization problem. There is no official fix for this problem as of yet, but keep an eye out for a foamy solution.

5. The Screen Freezes or Flashes Randomly

In addition to controller issues and issues with the Nintendo Switch and its dock’s physical structure, several users have recorded screen freezes and flashing lights (that can cause horrific seizures in some). They cause the device to blare a high-pitched squeal and can be a frightening experience for someone of a younger age.

The only short-term fix so far has been to perform a “hard reset” of the Switch. It involves holding down the power button for 15 seconds until it entirely shuts down, then turning it back on.

Though this temporarily resolves the issue, affected Switch owners say that the problem reappears shortly after and that a factory reset will not fix the problem.

Conclusion

Nintendo has yet to resolve most of these problems, leaving users to wait patiently for a software update or a product recall that would solve these problems.

We recommend keeping an eye on the Nintendo support page, which posts regular updates on all known issues. Once a solution to some of the aforementioned problems is known, it will be made available on the support page.

Perhaps you have recently discovered the joys of retro gaming and own a modern television. Or you have recently upgraded your 1990s television which was on its way to being a family heirloom, to a current, OLED flat-screen TV, and are going through a tinge of nostalgia.

In any case, you might be wondering how to link your favorite consoles from “back in the day” to it.

Everything nowadays is connected via HDMI ports. This digital, high-definition plug is plug-and-play in every sense of the word, supporting both video and audio.

Any gamer can enjoy a retro console. For many people, connecting their old N64 or PlayStation to play some old-school games is the ultimate nostalgia remedy. Unfortunately, advances in technology will make connecting old consoles a lot more complicated.

Some people are discouraged by these hurdles, but there are several simple solutions available. To play your old retro games, you don’t need an out-of-date television or any knowledge of electronics.

You will quickly get back to playing your old consoles by following a few straightforward measures, which we will discuss in this post.

What Are My Options for Playing My Retro Console?

If you have not been able to locate the correct ports on the back of your TV, there are a few options for you to play your games. You may even have an easy solution right in your own house!

Check the Ports on Your Television

You can start with an elementary check of the ports on your Television. Double-check the Television’s ports. It is possible that you will be able to bind your old console to your new TV without any problems.

This is most likely the case for systems that use RCA (composite), part, or coaxial cables to link to your TV.

Use an Old Monitor or a Projector

You may still have something in your house that you can use to play your retro consoles. By any change, if you have an old monitor or projector lying around in your attic, it is possible that you can use one of those to plug in your console.

Check the back fo your device to see if it is possible to connect your console to it.

Invest in an Adapter

Having an adapter is another standard method for getting your console to function. There is a port on the adapter compatible with your TV, and another one that is compatible with your console.

These adaptors are frequently less expensive and easier to come by than brand new cables. If you have many retro consoles, getting a multi-purpose adapter is a good idea. For example, you can link your SNES or N64 to a modern TV using AV to HDMI converters.

Some Troubleshooting Tips

If you run into any problems, follow these quick steps to get your console back in operation.

Switch to The Appropriate Source

Don’t forget to check that your TV is tuned to the source that it is receiving signals from. It is possible that your TV will not understand signals coming from the designated port on its own and may need to be told to accept signals from a specific port.

On most models, this is done by pressing the source button on the TV remote. According to the port used, the channel should be labelled. After switching channels, it can take a few seconds for the link to be established.

Check Your Console

Check to see if your console is still operational. The majority of devices have a light that indicates when they are turned on.

The console could be faulty if this indicator light does not illuminate when you plug it in and turn it on. There are a few options for rebooting your new/old console, but you will need to seek professional assistance.

Examine the Connection

Double-check that all cords are safely plugged in if you are on the correct channel. Check the TV or console for any loose cables. Unplugging and replugging them will also improve the connection.

Clean the console or ports with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab or pressurized air if they are dusty.

When using RCA cables, double-check that the audio and video outputs are connected correctly; the ports and jacks will be color-coded.

Change the Screen Resolution

Another major improvement that modern TVs received was a significant shift in resolution.

Retro consoles format their screens to match the regular TV of the time. To get the best results, you may need to adjust the resolution settings on your television. If the image is not clear or is stretched beyond the TV screen, try changing the aspect ratio. Most modern TVs are 16:9, while retro consoles are mostly 4:3.

Retro Games Can Be Played on Modern TVs

Yes, that is right. Retro consoles can be played on modern televisions, including the Best 75-80 Inch TVs. You will need to take some extra measures to get your systems on the screen, which isn’t a big deal if you’re looking for pure nostalgic pleasure.

There are a variety of ways to get your fix without having to hunt down an old television. Retro gaming’s popularity has made it easier than ever to play your favorite childhood games from the comfort of your own living room.

Some argue that video games cause violence, and yet you may simply want to meet new people to get something out of each gaming session. Private servers can help you build a sense of community, and Serveur privé can help you do just that. Take World of Warcraft, for example: while playing on your own is fun, playing on a World of Warcraft private server with its own processes and rules can be even more enjoyable. Are they, however, legal or not?

Essentially, the game encourages server creators to add their names to a list. Users can vote and comment on them, resulting in a monthly ranking that ensures everyone has a chance.

It is, of course, completely open. People have the opportunity to play the game when you envision it as a designer. In those close-knit groups, you could get a lot more enjoyment out of the game as a player.

The use of a private server is a grey area with possible ramifications. It is possible that the legalities will be questioned. Is it alright if you play in them? Let us take a closer look.

What Are Private Servers and How Do They Work?

Any server that is privately held qualifies as a private server. That is everything there is to it. On the other hand, private servers are used in World of Warcraft to simulate the gaming experience of online gamers.

Why does anyone want to play on a private server, and is it legal to do so? Yeah, they are in theory, but there are loopholes.

Most private servers have their own set of gameplay rules (usually through modifications to the game files, commonly known as mods) that differ from those found on official servers. For example, experience rates could be 100x faster, or new characters could begin at the highest level possible. Custom pieces, rare mobs, and one-of-a-kind in-game events are examples of other differences.

Private servers are helpful because they enable you to play games that you would not otherwise be able to play. If a game’s official server is not available in your region, for instance, private servers can provide you with access to low-ping servers. Similarly, suppose a game is discontinued, and all licensed versions are removed. In that case, fans will continue to play other versions on private servers.

These reasons may not be sufficient to explain their existence or the act of playing on a private server. Still, they do provide an explanation for why they are so common.

Private servers are becoming increasingly popular year after year. Despite the ethical ambiguity surrounding private servers, they are unavoidable. Three more appear for everyone that shuts down. Let us move on to its legality.

Is It Legal To Set Up a Private Server or Not?

This topic is significant for both private server owners and players, as there have been many court cases so far. If you do not want to end up in court, there are specific guidelines you must obey when building your private server. You must also be cautious as a player since official game servers can be involved in your activities.

It is not a situation to be taken lightly. Blizzard, for example, have closed down various WoW private servers in the past. However, due to legal restrictions, they have only been able to do this in the United States and a few select countries. Private servers in other countries continue to run.

Official game servers consider the benefit from your private server to be a loss simply because the money spent on private servers could have been spent on official game servers instead. This is, of course, not true for all games.

Of course, there are a variety of variables to consider, which can differ depending on the official game. Official game servers vs. private game servers have been a debate for a while now, just like Cloud Gaming vs. Gaming PC, and that is not going to settle any soon; that is a certainty.

Is Using a Private Server Illegal?

There is no simple response, but these points shed some light on whether private servers are legal or not.

• It is illegal for a private server to benefit in monetary terms.
• It is illegal if the server is running on hacked or leaked software.
• It is illegal for the server to distribute client files.

Legality is also not assured if the server does not perform any of these three rules. Companies may have less legal standing to sue. Still, depending on the situation, they may gather enough proof to file a case. These risks primarily affect server hosts.

As long as your game allows you to host private servers, then you are in the clear from a legal point of view as long as you adhere to the aforementioned rules.

Be Sure To Adhere to the Following Guidelines:

• If you receive an alert from the developer, instantly and respectfully shut down your private server.
• Microtransactions should not be used to benefit your players. You might still make money, for example, by displaying Google advertising on your website. You can, of course, ask for donations too. However, that is a legal gray area.
• Please do not use the official game server logo or make any attempt to be affiliated with them.
• Avoid using pirated or illegal software.

Is It Okay for Us To Play on Private Servers?

Official game servers can not do anything to prevent you from playing on private servers other than shut down the most common ones (if they don’t allow private servers in the first place). If you stream, for example, they will directly affect you. They can shut down your stream if you stream gameplay from a private servers.

It indicates that you are a well-known streamer who has persuaded other players to play on private servers instead. They might not even inform you explicitly that your stream is being shut down. All they have to do is clarify the situation to Twitch, and your streaming account will be suspended. Twitch generally does this without thinking because they do not want to become engaged in a lawsuit.

What if You Have Been Assigned to a Private Server as an Administrator or Moderator?

Unless the server is co-hosted with your assistance, the official servers have no beef with you in this situation. Suppose your partner builds the server, and you build the server’s website. In that case, you are also considered a party in hosting a private server.

Therefore, those who participate in hosting the server must exercise caution in abiding by the authorized rules of the game. This means that you should not be concerned about getting into trouble just because you are a player.

Be sure that your association with a private server, whether as a player or a server creator, is legal through copyright, EULA, and other legal agreements.

What happens if you do not abide by the EULA? No one has been sued for using a private server as of yet, so the worst thing that can happen is that the server is taken down or your account is banned.

The DualSense Controller is jam-packed with features that you will not find on any other gaming controller. The controller’s advanced features, such as adaptive triggers, impressive haptic sensors, and mesmerizing hardware, are downright revolutionary for console gamers.

However, as a wireless controller with all these great features, battery life will be an issue for most PS5 owners sooner or later, particularly given the DualSense controller’s hefty price tag.

Furthermore, compared to the PS4 DualShock Controller, the PS5 Controller has a 1560mAh battery, 560mAh more than the PS4 controller, making it a win-win situation.

However, many gamers have complained about the PS5 controller’s rapid battery drain despite its large battery capacity.

The DualSense controller on the PS5 has a longer battery life than the DualShock 4 on the PS4. And yet, it is still possible for your controller to die in the middle of a game, so just remember to back up your PS5 save data in case this happens during the middle of the game using our guide.

How Long Is the Battery Life of the PS5 Controller?

Sony gave fans an indication of how long the PS5 DualSense controller battery will last before launching it late last year. The PS5 DualSense controller was formally unveiled in November 2020, and Sony revealed that it will significantly improve from the DualShock 4’s design and have many new features.

Hideaki Nishino, the senior vice president of platform planning and management at Sony, wrote on the PlayStation Blog, “thoughtful consideration into ways to maintain a strong battery life for DualSense’s rechargeable battery.”

Though Nishino’s statements do not explicitly state how long the controller’s battery will last. The word “maintain” seems to imply that it will be equivalent to the DualShock 4 controller’s battery life.

In tests, the DualShock 4 controller lasted between four and eight hours on a single charge. Still, several players say that their battery life is closer to four to five hours.

Fans could have wished for longer battery life on the PS5 controller. Still, Sony may make things simpler by providing a longer charging cable or selling a controller charging dock.

Let us introduce you to eight simple ways to extend the PS5 controller’s battery life.

8 Battery Saving Tips & Tricks for PS5 Controller

With all of the preliminary information about the PS5 DualSense – having dozens of cool features and, more significantly, being expensive – you’ll want to extend the DualSense’s lifespan as long as possible. Follow these tips and tricks to get that.

1. Set Your PS5 Controller To Turn Off Automatically When It’s Not in Use

If you leave your PS5 on for some excuse and thus leave your controller on for hours, your battery life will quickly deplete. To avoid this, set a timer on your DualSense so that it switches off when you are not using it.

Go to Settings > System > Power Saving on your PS5’s main menu. Select ‘Time Before Controllers Turn Off’, and you can choose from After 10 Minutes, 30 Minutes, 60 Minutes, or Off.

There is no need to leave your controller on for extended periods when you are not using it. When you enable this option, you’ll save battery life when you’re not watching TV.

2. Switch the Dualsense Controller off Manually

When you know you won’t be using your PS5 controller for a while, it is a good idea to turn it off right away rather than waiting for the auto-off timer to run out. It is helpful when you use your PS5 to watch Netflix or sit through a long cutscene in a video.

To switch off your PS5 controller, press the PS Button to pull up the short menu on the controller. Click the Accessories button on the right, which appears as a controller icon with your existing battery life. Choose your Wireless Controller from the resulting menu, then Turn Off.

It will switch off your controller before the PS Button is pressed to turn it back on. You can also switch off your PS5 controller by pressing the PS Button for 10 seconds if you do not want to fiddle with the menu.

3. PS5 DualSense Speaker (Lower Volume)

As you play games, the PS5 Controller has its built-in speaker and microphone, which adds slight sound effects, but the main sound comes from the TV or Stereo set’s external speaker. Here’s how to disable it if you are willing to sacrifice a few sound effects to save the PS5 controller’s battery.

• Open the Settings on PS5 Console.
• Select Accessories.
• Choose Controllers.
• Select Volume Control.
• From here, reduce the speaker volume of the controller.

4. Reduce the Brightness of Controller Indicators and the Intensity of Vibrations

Although the PS5 controller does not have a light bar like the PS4 controller, the brightness of the indicators can be reduced to conserve power. Similarly, reducing the vibration will also have an effect on the battery.

While it will not have a huge impact on the PS5 controller’s battery life, but it is recommended if you want to get the most out of the battery.

• On PS5, go to the Settings menu.
• Pick your Accessories.
• Choose your Controllers.
• The controller’s brightness can be adjusted, as well as the Vibration Intensity.

5. Reduce the Intensity of the PS5 Dualsense Trigger Effect

In response to your gameplay, the DualSense Trigger Effect Intensity function allows you to experience varying stress levels and resistance from the L2 and R2 buttons. It only works for games that have it.

To access the controllers, go to Settings > Accessories > Controllers. Set the Trigger Effect Intensity to Medium or Weak, or Off if you don’t need the Trigger Effect to function. It will save you the maximum amount of battery life if you turn it off.

6. Purchase a Charging Cable with a Longer Length

If all of the above tips don’t keep your controller running as long as you would like, you may want to consider investing in a longer USB-C cable.

You can plug in your PS5 controller to charge it and continue playing when the battery runs out. With a long cord, you won’t have to move your chair closer to the TV as you would with a short one.

7. Consider Using a Wired Controller With the PS5 DualSense

Although the PS5 DualSense is a Bluetooth controller, you do not have to use it when playing the game. The controller can be used the old-fashioned way – wired! It will not only save DualSense battery life, but it will also reduce game input lag.

Connect both the PS5 console and the DualSense controller with the USB cable, then go to Settings > Accessories > Controllers. Set the Communication Method to Use USB.

8. Ensure That Your Dualsense Is Completely Charged

You now know how to extend the life of your DualSense battery during long gaming sessions. These are your best choices for extending battery life unless you purchase a second controller and change it out regularly.

Bonus Tip: Remember that you can play PlayStation 4 games on your PS5 with PS4 controllers. Another way to save DualSense battery life.

Conclusion

These tips and tricks are handy for the long-term health and performance of your PS5 controller’s battery. Gamers who are on a budget and cannot buy a new controller every once in a while are highly recommended to follow these tips.

The steps are easy to apply and have a massive impact in prolonging the life of your PS5 DualSense Controller.