Gaming

Dell Inspiron 15 (7566) review

Published

December 15, 2016

Marvin Velasco

How casual is too casual? That’s what I tried figuring out while using Dell’s latest Inspiron 15 gaming laptop.

During a media presentation, Dell repeatedly emphasized how this large notebook isn’t for hardcore gamers. Strange, because that isn’t the impression you get when you first hold the bulky Inspiron 15.

This is a lot bulkier than it looks in photos.

Fortunately, I got to review one for a couple of weeks, and was able to answer a load of questions along the way.

What exactly is this?

The Dell Inspiron 15 we have here is a 15-inch gaming notebook for casual gamers. To be specific, this has a model number of 7566, and is the most affordable of Dell’s mobile gaming line at PhP 49,990 or about $1,000.

What’s it meant for?

Our unit has an Intel Core i5-6300HQ processor, 4GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960m. If these specs make sense to you, you already know what you’re in for. If not, rest assured this is good enough to play all the lightweight games you have, as well as handle light video editing.

The Full HD display was adequately bright and crisp enough for gaming.

But, how about more taxing games like The Witcher 3?

Trust me, I’ve thrown that and more at this laptop, but every single graphical setting must be turned down significantly to get acceptable gameplay. Playing at the screen’s native Full HD resolution is tough enough for the components; expecting mid- to high-level graphics is another issue altogether.

As an example, I managed to play The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt on a resolution of 1920 x 1080 with an average frame rate of 40 frames per second, and that came after fine-tuning most gameplay settings to Medium. Turning on stuff like hair and shadow details is out of the question. On the other hand, less heavy games like Life is Strange and The Witness weren’t as difficult to run, even on higher graphics settings.

Will it last long enough to finish a movie?

Surely, but don’t expect endurance as long as, say, a featherweight convertible or tablet. Those compact computers have much more energy-efficient Core M processors, and don’t rely on a separate graphics card to power the visuals (and sap the battery).

In my experience, I could get as many as seven hours of use on a single charge when I simply surfed the web and wrote this review. It also helps that the storage for the base model is 1TB, providing you with enough space to save large games and movies.

While the keyboard has nice, smooth travel, the trackpad is quite small and lacks precision at times.

So, you can use this for something other than games?

Yes, it has more than enough horsepower for any non-gaming tasks, but there’s a downside: Weighing in at 2.6kg — which is quite heavy for a low-powered gaming laptop — you won’t enjoy keeping this on your lap for long periods. It’s also 38.4cm in length, 27.4cm in width, and has a thickness of 25mm, so good luck finding a bag that can accommodate this.

Do I at least get a headphone jack?

Yes, definitely, along with several other connectivity options: HDMI 2.0, Ethernet, SD card reader, three full-sized USB 3.0 ports, and a DVD drive. Dell also made its bottom easy to open up, so adding memory or storage takes a few simple steps.

Despite having a matte finish, the exterior attracts a lot of unsightly smudges and fingerprints.

Is there anything else I should know?

As expected of a non-IPS display, the viewing angles of the TN panel are pretty bad. You’ll enjoy looking at the screen straight on, but anyone in the vicinity will have to adjust to get a better view. And although Dell was generous enough to add a subwoofer underneath to complement the front-firing stereo speakers, it had difficulty handling explosions from intense movie scenes. This made it hard to set the perfect volume; it either sounded broken or far too quiet.

Is this your GadgetMatch?

It’s difficult to categorize this gaming notebook. It’s easily more powerful than those slim $500 to $900 laptops you find in shops, but you can barely call it a computer good enough for actual gaming.

I’d normally go straight to recommending the higher-end model — which has a faster Core i7 chipset, Ultra HD resolution, and a much more efficient 256GB SSD for the operating system — but it again settles for a GTX 960m graphics card. That’s still not enough to future-proof yourself for newer games, and it costs a lot more at PhP 69,990 or around $1,400.

The question remains: How attached are you to your games while traveling?

This brings me back to an article I wrote highlighting the weaknesses of gaming notebooks. All those points apply here, but the opening line matters the most.

If you must have a Windows 10 gaming device during your travels and every cent counts, the Inspiron 15 is for you — just don’t expect much out of it when game requirements become hungrier a year later.

[irp posts=”4568″ name=”Dell refreshes XPS 13 with new color and faster processor”]

Gaming

Grand Theft Auto VI is coming in the fall of 2025

The launch window is narrowing down

Published

May 17, 2024

Luigi Leonardo

Grand Theft Auto VI is the most anticipated game of the past year. After a decade of the fifth title, the franchise is finally ready to release its next iteration. Late last year, Rockstar Games released the first trailer for the upcoming sequel. Now, the company has a new update for fans: a more definitive launch window.

Since 2013, Grand Theft Auto V kept the franchise’s fire going with GTA Online and an army of roleplaying servers. However, last year, an enormous leak spoiled a lot of development plans for the next sequel. Taking it back to Vice City, the sixth entry will feature two playable protagonists. A first trailer months later would eventually confirm this.

Today, in a quarterly earnings report, Take-Two Interactive shared an important update for the launch window of Grand Theft Auto VI. The game will come out in the “Fall of Calendar 2025.”

It’s not exactly a launch date. However, it’s a sizable narrowing of the game’s previously vague window. Prior to today, the game was scheduled to come out sometime in 2025.

Having a fall release date would mirror the fifth game’s launch. Back in 2013, Grand Theft Auto V came out in mid-September. The same launch window will also ensure that gamers will have something on their wishlist for next year’s holiday stocking stuffers.

Accessories

GameSir X4 Alerion Unboxing and Hands-On

Pretty fly mobile gaming accessory

Published

May 16, 2024

GadgetMatch

Just when you thought GameSir couldn’t possibly come out with any more new form factors, that’s when they surprise you. The GameSir X4 Alerion isn’t quite like anything we’ve seen from the company before. It’s a two-piece mobile controller that connects to your phone via bluetooth that’s also officially licensed by Xbox.

First of all, that name is so badass. So we had to learn where it came from. A quick Google search says Alerion means “Heraldry. an eagle displayed, usually represented without a beak or legs.” Fitting because the Alerion controllers clip to your smartphone like wings. Pretty neat.

Unboxing

@gadgetmatch

Unboxing the GameSir X4 Alerion 🎮 #GameSir #X3Alerion #GameSirX4Alerion @GameSir

♬ original sound – GadgetMatch – GadgetMatch

Like most GameSir products, the packaging is pretty generous. Outside of the magnetically-attached two-piece controllers, you’ll also find the carrying case with alternate thumbsticks and D-Pad. You also get some stickers as well as a GamePass subscription code.

With GameSir, you’ll never feel like you’re not getting your money’s worth.

Features and Specs

Like most of GameSir’s recent offerings, the X4 Alerion comes with Hall Effect sticks. That means no risk whatsoever of stick drift. Other than the D-Pad, the AXBY face buttons are also interchangeable.

You have more customization options through the GameSir app so if you’re the type who likes tweaking their devices, you’ll have plenty to do with the Alerion. You can adjust trigger mode, RGB brightness, lighting effects, volume and key value freely.

Check out the specs:

Working Platform: Android
Connectivity: Low-latency Bluetooth
ABXY Buttons: Microswitch
Hall Effect Sticks: Yes
Hall Effect Triggers: Yes
Trigger mode: Analog triggers or hair triggers
Back Buttons: Yes, 2 mappable Back Buttons
Customization Software: Yes, GameSir APP
Button Layout: Xbox / Switch
Compatible Model Width: 68-95mm / 2.68-3.74 in
Compatible Maximum Model Thickness: 12.5mm / 0.49 in
Pass-Through Charging: Yes
Battery: Yes, one 400mAh battery in each controller
Product Size: 120*104.6*42.7 mm / 4.72*4.12*1.68 in
Net Weight: 188.5 g / 0.42 lbs
Package Size: 160*118*84 mm / 6.30*4.65*3.31 in
Gross Weight: 426.3 g / 0.94 lbs

Actual use and performance

It’s a pretty straightforward device. Snap the controllers onto your Android smartphone, pair via bluetooth, and you’re ready to play.

It was perfect when we used it with the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. The controller snapped on to the sides without trouble. We then proceeded to play Pokémon Unite and Call of Duty: Mobile.

It worked seamlessly with no noticeable delay on Pokémon Unite. It’s a different story for CODM though. While it did work right away, there was a bit of delay in the input which affected our gameplay.

We also tried it with Asphalt 9 — it’s a game that’s known to work well with mobile controllers. With the X4 Alerion, it was no different. They worked together perfectly.

It’s good to check first if the game you intend to play has controller support. If that’s the case, the X4 Alerion will work right off the bat. Without controller support, you’ll have to resort to button mapping. It’s not our favorite activity in the world, but if you’re hellbent on playing with physical controls, it’s something you just have to do.

GameSir was kind enough to make their own tutorial video about this. Watch below:

Not for every smartphone

While the X4 Alerion is a great mobile gaming partner for regular slabs, foldable users who want to play with the screen unfolded might have to turn to other offerings from GameSir. The clip at the top of each controller just isn’t tall enough to accommodate larger screens. You can, of course, still use it folded so there’s that option.

Another pain point would be for those smartphones with huge, protruding camera modules. We tried clipping the X4 Alerion on the HONOR Magic6 Pro and well, it was an exercise in futility. It just doesn’t fit securely and would disconnect the bluetooth connection every time it gets yanked out unintentionally.

That said, it’s perfect for everything else. For best results, use the GameSir X4 Alerion with Android smartphones meant for gaming. Those tend to not have bulky camera modules and are more built for mobile gaming.

Price and availability

The GameSir X4 Alerion is now available and retails for £99.99/$99.99/ PhP 5,900.

Buy here and use GSX4A10OFF on the Coupon for a discount.

Gaming

Assassin’s Creed Shadows release date, trailer revealed

Carve your legacy starting November 15

Published

May 16, 2024

GadgetMatch

Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the latest installment in the Assassin’s Creed franchise, will release worldwide on November 15, 2024. Ubisoft made the announcement and dropped the title’s first trailer as well.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be available on Ubisoft+, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Amazon Luna, Macs with Apple silicon (via the Mac App store), and PC via Ubisoft and Epic Games.

Players may preorder the standard edition here for new-gen platforms, Mac, and PC. In addition, three more editions have been announced:

Gold Edition

Base game
Season Pass (bonus quest, unlockable content, two expansions)
three days early access

Ultimate Edition

Base game
Season Pass
Sekiryu Character Pack (Naoe and Yasuke outfit, weapon, trinket, mount)
Sekiryu Hideout Pack
5 Skill Points
Red and black photo mode filter

Collector’s Edition

Base game
Season Pass
Ultimate Pack
Steelbook
World map
Naoe and Yasuke figurine
Life-sized Naoe Katana Tsuba
Wall Creed Scroll
84-page collector’s artbook
Two sumi-e lithographs
three days early access

Carve your legacy

Ubisoft’s latest stealth action-adventure is set in 16th century Japan and features two playable characters. Players get to experience the intertwined stories of Naoe and Yasuke. An adept shinobi assassin from Iga, Naoe teams up with Yasuke, a powerful samurai of historical legend. They take down targets, encounter historical figures, and usher a new era for Japan.

Players can master two complementary playstyles. Each character features their own progression paths, skills, weapon options, and stats. There are plenty of ways to approach objectives. They may use Naoe’s refined infiltration mechanics with light, noise, shadows, and changing surroundings to avoid enemies. For larger groups of enemies, Yasuke is the more desirable option.

The title will feature renewed exploration mechanics, where players will build their own spies’ network to unveil new areas and hunt down targets. Allies with highly specialized skills and abilities can also be recruited during missions. Furthermore, the creation of customizable hideouts will enable players to enhance their network and train their crew.

While immersing in Naoe and Yasuke’s stories, gamers also get to explore a vast open world that reflects feudal Japan. It features a variety of landscapes, castle towns, bustling ports, peaceful shrines, and more. The graphics were built from the ground up, with the help of Ubisoft’s latest Anvil engine.

You may watch the announcement trailer below. Ubisoft will reveal the gameplay trailer in June, so it won’t be a long wait until then.