General Gaming Article |
- Newegg Daily Deals: Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2016, WD Blue 500GB HDD, and More!
- Comcast CEO on Data Caps: Use More, Pay More (But Don't Call It a Cap)
- Zotac Taps Skylake to Power New Zbox MI551 Mini PC
- Major Windows 10 Update Will Focus on Cortana
- Apple Putting Its Live TV Plans on Hold
- HTC Vive VR Headset Delayed until April 2016
- What Goes on Behind the Loading Screen
- NextDesk Air Review (Updated)
| Newegg Daily Deals: Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2016, WD Blue 500GB HDD, and More! Posted: 10 Dec 2015 10:38 AM PST Top Deal: When we get hit with a virus, it's annoying and can knock us out of commission for a bit, but a little rest (and perhaps antibiotics) and everything is eventually good again. But our PCs? It's a different story. A virus on a PC can stir up all kinds of trouble, from stealing your identity to slowing down your system to a crawl. Safe computing habits can go a long ways in preventing that sort of thing, but for an added layer of protection, check out today's top deal for Kaspersky Anti-Virus 2016 - 1 PC (Key Card) for $25 with $3 shipping (normally $40 - use coupon code: [EMCKNAW78]; additional $25 Mail-in rebate). Kaspersky's one of the better AV products in our experience, and after MIR, you're only out $3. Other Deals: WD Blue 500GB Desktop Hard Disk Drive - 7200 RPM SATA 6 Gb/s 16MB Cache 3.5 Inch - OEM for $43 with free shipping (normally $50 - use coupon code: [ESCKNAW43]) Turtle Beach Ear Force DXL1 Dolby Surround Sound Gaming Headset - Xbox 360 for $30 with $3 shipping (normally $50 - use coupon code: [EMCKNAW67]; additional $20 Mail-in rebate) Netgear 5 Port Gigabit Business-Class Desktop Switch for $30 with free shipping (normally $40 - use coupon code: [EMCKNAW32]; additional $10 Mail-in rebate) Seagate Expansion 1TB USB 3.0 2.5-inch Portable External Hard Drive for $50 with free shipping (normally $55 - use coupon code: [EMCKNAW22]) | ||||||||||||
| Comcast CEO on Data Caps: Use More, Pay More (But Don't Call It a Cap) Posted: 10 Dec 2015 10:28 AM PST Talking in circles Data caps don't exist, that's the first thing you need to know before striking up a conversation with Comcast boss Brian Roberts. Those data ceilings that Comcast imposes? Calling them data caps is using the wrong lingo. That's what Roberts said during Business Insider's Ignition conference earlier this week when he was asked about Comcast's data caps and why the ISP imposes them. "They're not a cap. Let's start with the lingo that is just not the case. We may have been at one time, companies were thinking that way. We don't want anybody to ever not want to stay connected on our network," Roberts said. Call it what you will, but Comcast is trialing usage-based billing in certain areas. In some places, customers have a 300GB data cap or ceiling or allotment or whatever you want to call it, and if a user needs more, they can purchase an additional 50GB for $10. Comcast is also testing an unlimited data option, which as it sounds doesn't impose a data ceiling. The charge for the privilege is an additional $30 to $35 per month, and then customers can go crazy streaming movies, downloading games, or whatever else. So, why have a data ceiling/cap/limit in the first place? "Just as with every other thing in your life -- if you drive a hundred thousand miles or a thousand miles, you buy more gasoline," Roberts said. "If you turn on the air conditioning at 60 versus 72, you consume more electricity. The same is true for data usage, so I think the same for a wireless device -- the more bits you use, the more you pay." Where his analogies fall short is in comparing bandwidth to resources like fuel and electricity. That really isn't the case with broadband Internet service. Let's also remember that a recently surfaced internal memo to Comcast employees indicated that data caps have nothing to do with managing network congestion. Instead, they exist for "fairness and providing a more flexible policy to our customers," whatever that means. Comcast has never really given a clear cut answer here. Earlier this year, a misinformed Comcast rep told a customer that data caps are mandated by law. They're not. Whatever the reason (and let's be real, they exist to drive up revenue), Comcast says only about 8 percent of its customers use more than 300GB per month. However, that percentage could go up as consumers increasingly cut the cord on cable TV and turn to streaming services, especially as services dole out high quality streams. | ||||||||||||
| Zotac Taps Skylake to Power New Zbox MI551 Mini PC Posted: 10 Dec 2015 09:47 AM PST Zbox and Skylake collide It was only a matter of time before Zotac would build a mini PC around Intel's 6th generation Skylake family, and that time has come with the introduction of the Zbox MI1551. The Zbox MI1551 sports an Intel Core i5-6400T processor, a quad-core part clocked at 2.2GHz (2.8GHz Turbo) with 6MB of cache. It doesn't support Hyper Threading, but has a max TDP of 35W. "The result is a CPU which delivers tremendous speed at a fraction of desktop power consumption," Zotac says. There are two DDR3L-1600 SO-DIMM slots supporting a total of 16GB in the Zbox MI551. It also features a 2.5-inch drive bay and M.2 SATA slot for storage chores. In my experience with mini PCs, including Zotac's, they're pretty responsive when you slap an SSD inside, especially compared to the pokey 5,400 RPM HDDs that some earlier models shipped with. For portable storage, there's a 3-in-1 memory card reader that doubles as a USB 3.1 port. You'll also find a pair of USB 3.0 ports on the back, a single USB 2.0 port on the top, and a USB 3.1 Type-C port on the front. Zotac mentions in its press release being able to transfer data at 10Gbps, which would indicate the USB 3.1 Type-C port is Gen 2, not Gen 1, the latter of which is essentially just USB 3.0. So, kudos there. Other features include built-in 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, and separate microphone and headphone jacks. Integrated Intel HD Graphics 530 take care of graphics duties, and with dual DisplayPorts and an HDMI port, Zotac says its Zbox MI551 can drive up to three displays. Note that Zotac's mini PCs don't come with an OS or optical drive. That's also true of the Plus models, which in this case comes pre-populated with 4GB of RAM and a 128GB M.2 SATA SSD. That means you'll need to be prepared with an external optical drive or install an OS through USB. No word yet on pricing or availability. | ||||||||||||
| Major Windows 10 Update Will Focus on Cortana Posted: 10 Dec 2015 09:15 AM PST Giving Cortana a longer leash Microsoft has big plans for Cortana, the digital assistant that first debuted with Windows Phone 8.1. Cortana is now a big part of Windows 10, both on the desktop and in mobile, and it's going to get even bigger and more prevalent as Microsoft rolls out its Redstone updates next year. Citing "sources familiar with Microsoft's plans," The Verge reports that Microsoft is playing around with a floating version of Cortana in Windows 10, allowing it appear in more places than just the taskbar. A floating Cortana would see the digital assistant attach itself to documents and applications to provide help and information as needed. It sounds a bit like a reincarnation of Clippy updated for Windows 10, though Microsoft insists it's not the same thing. Whereas Clippy would pop up in animated form and generally annoy users with interrupted offers for help, Microsoft says its implementation of a floating Cortana would be more of a powerful search tool. The Redmond outfit is also thinking about integrating Office 365 services directly into Cortana with a focus on features that might be useful for businesses. All of these plans coincide with Microsoft's expansion of Cortana onto Android and iOS devices. The idea is for Cortana to help with resuming and managing activities across multiple platforms and devices. | ||||||||||||
| Apple Putting Its Live TV Plans on Hold Posted: 10 Dec 2015 08:39 AM PST During the Business Insider Ignition conference on Tuesday, CBS Corp. Chief Executive Officer Les Moonves said that Apple has placed its live TV plans on hold. The news is part of a string of hits and misses for the company that originally set out to change the TV industry the same way it did the music business when it launched iTunes back in 2003. According to reports, Apple was looking to offer a bundle of around 14 TV channels that would be streamed over the Internet for at least $30 per month. This bundle would include core channels and trim off the fluff that typically comes with the standard TV subscription bundle. An unnamed source told Bloomberg that the problem Apple is facing is that media companies want more money for programming than what Apple is willing to give. Either Apple must charge more for its bundle of TV channels, or the networks will have to agree to accept less than the norm offered through cable companies. Naturally, neither is not an ideal option. But Moonves seems optimistic about Apple getting its live TV bundle off the ground. "It has four major networks and 10 cable networks, let's say, and the price point will be in the $30s, $30 to $35, $40 maybe. People will not be spending money on channels they don't want to watch," he said during the conference. For the time being, Apple is opening up its App Store to outside developers to create apps for Apple TV that sell services to customers. For example, Time Warner Inc. offers HBO Now for $15 per month. The problem with that scenario is that other platforms such as Amazon, Google, and Roku offer the same services, making it hard for Apple TV to offer unique video services. News of Apple's halt in its live TV pursuits arrives after Amazon announced on Tuesday that Prime members can now add Showtime, Starz, AMC, and a number of other streaming video subscriptions to their account. "The way people watch TV is changing, and customers need an easier way to subscribe to and enjoy multiple streaming subscriptions," said Michael Paull, Vice President of Digital Video at Amazon. "With the Streaming Partners Program, we're making it easy for video providers to reach highly engaged Prime members, many of whom are already frequent streamers, and we're making it easier for viewers to watch their favorite shows and channels." Sling TV already has a head start on Apple. Its motto is "Take back TV," and it offers several bundles of Live TV channels including AMC, A&E, TNT, TBS, Cartoon Network, and more that can be streamed over the Internet without a cable subscription. Pricing starts at $20 per month, and customers can tack on additional channels for an added price such as HBO, and packages aimed at movie buffs, kids, sports fans and more. VIA: Bloomberg | ||||||||||||
| HTC Vive VR Headset Delayed until April 2016 Posted: 10 Dec 2015 08:33 AM PST HTC first introduced its Valve Software-backed virtual reality headset Vive back in March 2015, promising that it would release a version by the end of the year. That has since changed, as the company said on Wednesday that the consumer edition won't hit retail stores until April 2016. The company did not provide a reason for the delay. "Since announcing the HTC Vive in March of this year we have focused on developing immersive content, refining both hardware design and user experience, and building relationships with new partners both inside and outside of the gaming industry," HTC said in an update. HTC said that it has been working closely with Valve Software to distribute the Developer Kits to content makers and developers. They are also working with companies to create Vive-specific content that's geared for educational and medical purposes, entertainment, retail, and of course, gaming. The company has a lot on its platter for the next several months. On December 18, HTC will host a developers conference in Beijing, and just a few weeks later at CES 2016, the second-generation Developer Kit will be released. Other events include the Sundance Film Festival, SXSW, GDC, and MWC. The company said it will also be expanding its demo tours in the process. "We will be starting the new year by making an additional 7,000 units available to developers, followed by commercial availability in April 2016," the company's update says. Back in March, HTC said that the upcoming Vive headset combines Valve Software's Steam VR tracking and input technologies with HTC's engineering and design talent. Vive promises a 1200x1080 pixel screen in front of each eye, 90 frames per second, and high quality audio pumped into your favorite set of headphones. According to the product website, the HTC Vive includes a gyrosensor, an accelerometer, and a laser position sensor for tracking the user's head rotation on both axes. There are also two Steam VR base stations that track the user's physical location in a space of 15 feet by 15 feet. This would allow wearers to get up and walk around in the virtual realm, and interact with virtual objects. HTC also plans to launch a pair of ergonomic game controllers that allow the user to wield virtual objects and interact with the virtual world. The website states that each controller is tracked in space, which allows developers to simulate "a wide range of activities and interactions." "We are incredibly excited about the future and look forward to sharing more information as we move forward towards launch," the company concludes in Wednesday's update. | ||||||||||||
| What Goes on Behind the Loading Screen Posted: 10 Dec 2015 12:00 AM PST The magic of "loading" a programThe loading screen—it's something we see quite often that we don't want to see for very long. When we see it, however, it's not just indicating that the application is just transferring data from storage to memory (the "loading" part); the application also has some work to do on the data it's transferring before it's ready for user interaction. This article will discuss what's going on during application loading and take look at system characteristics of interest during the "loading" screens of a few programs. The Lifecycle of an ApplicationThe lifecycle of an application can be summed up in the following flowchart. When you see a loading screen, what's usually going on is that it's hiding the steps being taken by the application: it's what you see when data is being transferred and when the program is being initialized. (There are exceptions, like branding videos that play when you load a game, regardless of whether the program is loading data or not, but that's a different topic.) Sometimes not everything is brought in at once during loading, so the application may transfer some things, process them, then transfer more things, repeating the cycle until complete. While applications may provide some minor interactivity (such as showing tips), the application won't be ready to use as intended until it hits the "ready" state. Transferring the DataTransferring data is when data moves from storage to RAM and is often the most visible to the user. If you launch the application from faster storage, then the process of moving data into RAM is faster. While raw bandwidth is important, what really hurts overall transfer speed is how many files need to be transferred. For every file transferred, the drive has to look up the location and then go and find it; this is called seek time. To give an example of how the number of file requests impacts performance, let's take two transfer scenarios:
Let's say we have Storage Device A that has 1GB/s bandwidth and an average file seek time of 5ms and Storage Device B with 100MB/s and an average file seek time of 0.05ms. Taking these two devices:
While there aren't any realistic scenarios where you'd move a million files, you can still improve things if you're stuck with a hard drive. For games, developers like to clump assets into large files. This allows the game to do only one file request for multiple assets. All the game has to do is command "Go to this file and get data from these locations in that file." Seeking still occurs, but it doesn't occur quite as often. Other applications may be highly modular and contain a lot of separate plugins. This results in a lot more file transfer requests and will add to the loading time. Initializing the EnvironmentOnce an application is in RAM, technically, it starts running. The problem is that it's not actually usable yet. For example, Linux goes through the following steps to start up (summary from IBM):
A lot of these steps are processing and have little to do with actually transferring data from storage to RAM. This implies that the processor is responsible for some of the "loading" that goes on in launching an application, so improving the processor's performance can help make these steps go faster. A Look Behind the SceneTo see what's going on during loading, we'll load up a few applications and monitor them using the Windows Performance Monitor tool. Because loading an application is affected by both the processor and storage medium, we'll be looking at the following traits:
We'll look at the following applications:
Linux Mint and Windows 7 were run from Oracle's VirtualBox, as there's no way of measuring this data otherwise. The hardware setup is as follows:
Loading GTA V GTA V has two spikes of loading data with moderate processing until the end, where it appears to finalize a lot of things at once before dropping off once the game is ready. In this case, the 2GHz CPU with an SSD takes about as long to load the level as the 4GHz CPU with a hard drive. Loading Portal 2 Portal 2 loads lots of data at the beginning and a lot of smaller files toward the end, as indicated by the spike of read ops and low bandwidth. It doesn't appear to do a whole lot of processing, which makes sense, as Portal 2 is an older game, and levels are scripted and static, unlike GTA V's dynamic world of Los Santos. The slower CPU with an SSD ends up being just slightly ahead of the faster CPU with HDD in this scenario. Loading Linux Mint Linux, or at least this distribution, loads up a lot of things at once. This is most likely the kernel, which is kept small, and basic system programs. The rest of the loading and processing is most likely setting up the environment, which includes loading up hardware drivers, starting up services (like networking), and launching the interface. Here the fast CPU with HDD beats the slow CPU with SSD, though this is a clean install and adding more drivers and programs to a system can turn the tables. Loading Windows 7 Windows 7 is similar to Linux, starting with a bulk transfer but then spending time processing and loading up more files over time. What's also interesting is the unexpectedly low read bandwidth. Since the hard drive is similarly affected with lower than expected read bandwidth, this may mean Windows asks for a lot of smaller files and a bulk of the read time is spent seeking. Unlike Linux, despite being a clean install, Windows greatly benefits from running on an SSD. The slower CPU clock takes about 21 seconds to finish booting, compared to just under 15 seconds on a fast CPU with SSD. Meanwhile, the use of a hard drive pushes the boot time to 43 seconds with a fast CPU and 47 seconds with a slow CPU. This particular test case illustrates why so many people find SSDs to be beneficial. It's also worth noting that Windows will frequently evict data from RAM and into the swap file, which means even after the initial loading you can still encounter delays with SSD vs. HDD storage. Overall, it's a combination of processing power and storage speedA balance of processing power and storage speed affect the loading times of applications. While the data above doesn't extrapolate exact times when the application is transferring data and when it's processing, we can take away a few things from the results we've seen:
Ultimately, once a program is loaded, it generally won't have to go through this procedure again. The exception, as stated above, is operating systems, which do a lot more interaction with storage than most applications. While we definitely recommend including an SSD in your build, having a faster processor is still important. Particularly with gaming, a slower processor will hurt more over time than a hard drive. Considering it's easier to upgrade storage than the processor, and you can reuse your old drive as secondary storage, don't be afraid to start with a cheap HDD and a faster CPU and then upgrade to an SSD when you're able. | ||||||||||||
| Posted: 10 Dec 2015 12:00 AM PST At a GlanceUp (+): Extremely well made; motors hidden in column; quiet compared to others; looks fantastic. Down (-): Pricey; get 100% of the Air's function at 20% of the cost with other desks (but won't look as good); buggy software. The ultimate deskUpdate (10/10/15): NextDesk sent its new columns for the Air, that should soon be shipping on all Air desks, and has completely eliminated the sound we heard with the initial columns. The desk now rises and lowers (in or out of sleep), smoothly without making any "initializing" sound. The movement is also noticeably quieter as well. Software issues that we experienced with Pulse have been resolved as well. With that being said, we've updated the score to indicate that the Air is the absolute best-in-class adjustable desk you can buy. We often talk about the best possible computing experience, but that's almost always regarding the system. How much GPU horsepower can be had, the highest clock speed we can squeeze out of our CPU, and having multi-monitor setups. But what's equally as important as our system specs is where and on what we actually do our actual computing. There's no sense in having the ultimate in performance if the chair you sit on is going to lead to an aching back and sore butt cheeks. The same holds true for a desk. We've used a number of "platforms." From cubicle desks to big office desks to low-cost IKEA desks that wobbled to dinner tables. In terms of finding that perfect working surface, the only thing we haven't tried is a picnic table.  Picking the perfect desk is not easy, and we highly recommend some serious research into finding one that's just right for you. Many factors go into finding a good desk, and all are important to examine: surface type, stability, material, and construction quality. Solid wood will last longer compared to laminate surfaces that may wear out over time or worse, peel at the seams. Is the desk stable, or does it shake when you're typing or moving your mouse, causing your display to shake? Does the desk feel cheap, or does it feel well designed? If you seriously care about your work surface, and feel like your ultimate rig deserves the ultimate platform, we think we've found the desk for you. Enter the NextDesk AirThe first thing you should know about NextDesk is that it does not make your average, run-of-the-mill desks. The company is known for making sit/stand desks that are more on the side of presentation pieces than simple working surfaces. If you're looking for a simple solution to sit your display and keyboard on, there's no reason to read further. If you're seeking both style and functionality, read on. The second thing you should know about NextDesk is that its products are not cheap. Much like most things in the world, you get what you pay for, and NextDesk desks are not an exception. Be prepared to spend anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your model and configuration. The Air isn't the desk for most people; it's for those that are looking for the best electronically height-adjustable desk that also looks like it belongs in an art gallery. Build qualityThe Air is substantial. NextDesk uses aluminum throughout the build: legs, feet, primary surface, cross-bar, vanity cover, and leveling pads. There's weight to every component. Now, some might say that just because something weighs a lot doesn't mean it's of high quality, which is true. However, in the case of the Air, every part exudes quality. The desk is actually delivered to you on a shipping pallet, not by FedEx or UPS, but by a freight trucking company. The flat-packed box sits no higher than six inches. Don't let it fool you though, this thing requires at least two people to lift. In fact, the shipping notice we received indicated 290 pounds. Once inside your work area, the assembly process for the Air is fairly straightforward. The desk is assembled upside down and requires two people to turn the completed desk right-side up.  The underside of the Air's desk surface is pre-mounted with several components: the drive controller and plates for accessories such as a keyboard tray. The mounting holes are pre-drilled onto solid plates of aluminum that are already mounted onto the desk. Our configuration came with a vanity cover for cable management, as well as a 12-outlet surge-protected power splitter made by Belkin. The direction of the power supply is swappable by removing one screw, sliding off the splitter, and reattaching in reverse.  The motorized legs attach to both sides of the desk via 4 heavy-duty hex screws. NextDesk supplies all the tools you need to assemble each component. The feet then attach to the bottom of each leg.  Once attached, each leg's power cable is attached to the main leads of the controller, which are already pre-mounted to the desk. In the above photo, you can see that NextDesk uses heavy-duty chains to smoothly move the desk surface. Unlike most, if not all moving desks, the entire motor assembly is hidden inside the leg, one for each leg.  Both legs connect to the power supply via 6-pin connectors not unlike those you find on modular power supplies. Once the feet are attached to the legs, you're essentially done. You can also order solid aluminum leveling pads that attach to the bottom of each foot, which allow you to fine-tune the surface balance in case of an uneven floor. We elected to order these. NextDesk also offers casters. Three casters or three leveling pads attach to each side. Putting together the Air really lets you see the attention to detail as well as component quality that NextDesk puts into its products. From the screws to their mounting holes, components come together with fit and form in a manner difficult to convey in words. While screws and their drilled holes coming together perfectly may seem like a small thing, it's a detail that shouldn't be overlooked. To get a full understanding of what we mean here, you'll have to build one to know. If you can't, think of a time you had a product in your hand that just made you think "wow" when it came to craftsmanship.  Once assembly is done, the desk is flipped over and the glass surface is placed on top. You can choose to lay the glass directly onto the aluminum surface or use the clear rubber stand-off pads.  Using the deskSolid and sturdy are two words that come to mind when you're finally done with assembly and first sit at the Air. It's well planted and there's little to no movement when you're typing or gaming. At its standing height, the Air is slightly more sensitive to movement than when lowered, but this is to be expected of any desk on two legs. There's just no getting around physics. We didn't find it distracting and it can be reduced greatly by making sure the desk is leveled on a solid floor. Being able to adjust the level of the desk at 6 different points helps greatly if you get the leveling pads, which we highly recommend. If you want the ultimate in stability, NextDesk offers the Air Pro which sits on 4 columns. But make no mistake though, the Air itself is very stable as is.  Of course, the key feature of the Air is its height adjustability. It rises or descends using the control panel on the right of the desk or via the Desk Control application on your computer if you elect to order with Pulse, which is a combination of software and hardware. The Pulse module connects to the main drive unit via an RJ15 connector, then to your PC via USB. This allows you to adjust the desk from Windows or OS X using NextDesk Desk Control. But Pulse doesn't just do adjustments. For calorie-burning conscious folks, Pulse can be set to remind you when to sit and stand, for how long, and let you know how many calories you're burning as you stand. Granted, standing still really doesn't burn many calories, but it's still cool to see. Pulse's stand-reminder feature was more useful—the notification would pop up on our screen to let us know when we were sitting on our butts for too long. At its lowest point, the Air's desktop sits 24 inches off the floor; it can be raised to 50 inches at its highest point. It rises at 1.7 inches per second and produces roughly 60 decibels during movement. The controller also has collision detection for both directions, Transitioning is smooth and uneventful. The desk moves relatively quietly, but does produce a whirring sound while in motion. It's not noticeable in short adjustments but it is in long ones. It's not completely silent, but it's not loud either. Be aware though that when waking up from sleep, the motors will produce a noticeable "engagement" sound. Adjustments after the initial movement from wake up don't produce the sound, but the first one always does after wake. NextDesk says its second generation columns will be even more quiet. Our primary gripe with adjusting the Air—and this applies to all other NextDesk desks—is that you have to hold down the memory position buttons for the full transition. We would have preferred a single press. Using the Desk Control app allows you to adjust height from your PC, but it's simply faster to use the controls on the desk itself. One issue with the app is the memory settings don't correspond to the settings on the desk. We notified NextDesk of this issue, and the company says a fix is on the way.  Our friends over at TheWireCutter picked the NextDesk Terra as their ultimate standing desk option, even above their "best" recommendation for "most people." They said: "The NextDesk Terra is the best-looking sit/stand desk you can get. It has a sleek aluminum frame, solid bamboo top, and beautiful, refined accessories. If you can fit it into your budget and want the best, this is it." If you're not a fan of the glass surface, you can opt for the NextDesk Terra, as it has a solid bamboo surface and is in most other ways identical to the Air. IT'S LIKE BUYING A CARIf you're in the market for a NextDesk, it's sort of like buying a car: there are lots of options. From different finishes and table-top colors, to a designer stability bar the company aptly names "Artisan Bar," which doubles as a foot rest. When you add up all the options, the final price for the desk you choose can be... surprising. Here's what NextDesk offers: NextSpace keyboard platform - $347 With all of the options checked above, you're looking at an additional $2,500 over the cost of the standard desk, not including custom color choices or custom designs. In fact, you can option out your desk with a battery pack that will let you adjust the desk no matter if it's near an outlet or not. Some of the options you can add on yourself without having to go through NextDesk. For example, an identical Belkin power strip can be had on Amazon for less than $25. Stand or sit with styleWe admit that we were initially convinced that standing and working or gaming wasn't a good way to go about our computing experience. After about two weeks of standing though, we can see the appeal. In fact, we started to prefer standing during most of our working hours. For gaming though, we'd still rather sit, although our friends at PC Gamer actually preferred standing.  One thing we highly recommend for anyone contemplating a standing desk: do yourself a favor and get a proper anti-fatigue standing mat. This isn't an option; a carpet just won't do. A proper standing mat will help your standing experience substantially and allow you to work for much longer hours. But this isn't really an article about whether or not you should sit or stand. That's entirely a personal preference. If you're going to sit/stand and want to do it with style, the Air from NextDesk is unmatched in terms of build quality and looks. The Air (as well as the Terra) are quite a few steps ahead in terms of quality over the competition. At NextDesk price points though, the Air is not for everyone. After assembling the Air and using it, we'll say that there's no other sit/stand desk we've ever used that was this well made. You can have a great standing desk, or a great sitting desk, or a beautiful desk, but if you want all of those in one desk, the Air from NextDesk would be our pick. |
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