Computers

6 things to consider before buying a smart monitor

Look beyond the widescreen monitors you’re familiar with!

Published

May 6, 2022

MJ Jucutan

Having a smart monitor isn’t something I considered, given that I left a desk station almost a decade ago. I was liberated from the usual office setup, tugging along my laptop wherever I go.

However, the recent circumstances surrounding our working setup changed the way I think about investing in a do-it-all monitor. Now, we’re torn between committing to on-site work, fully work-from-home, or staying in a hybrid setup. I’m certain it’s not just me thinking heavily about investing in one.

To ensure we get the value of the monitors we’re purchasing, here are some things to consider before buying one.

Clear and vibrant display

Frankly, a device’s screen is the most important part. You spend a lot of time looking at the information provided on the display. This is why you need to consider the screen first and foremost before buying a smart monitor.

MacBook Air connected to Huawei MateView, working as a secondary display

An enthralling screen is extremely important, especially if you’re a creative professional. For instance, my Huawei MateView delivers 4K+ resolution, a 98% DCI-P3 color gamut offering 1 billion colors, 500 nits of brightness, and HDR capability. In other words, it has a high-resolution, color-accurate display that’s capable of displaying high dynamic range content.

It certainly helped me in my graphic design, photo retouching, and video editing endeavors.

Adjustable design

We’re not getting any younger — I think we’ve all heard everyone say that. That said, back and neck pain are something you’ll deal with especially when you spend hours looking down on your laptop. It’s inherently bad for your body and posture in the long run.

Experts recommend that you look straight, which is why having an adjustable monitor is important. Forget monitor stands or stacked books, an adjustable monitor will allow you to adjust its tilt and the height of the display to maintain eye level.

Taller screen for better productivity

If you’re more focused on being productive and getting things done, having a monitor with a taller aspect ratio is much better than the usual 16:9 widescreen monitors.

For example, the MateView has a 3:2 aspect ratio which makes it reasonably wide, but still tall enough to fit what you’re working on. In my case, it’s easier to post-process hundreds of photos we took of the devices we’re working on.

Seamless wireless connection

Huawei P50 Pocket

Most manufacturers are heavily investing in ecosystems nowadays. Apple, Samsung, Huawei, and even the likes of Xiaomi are starting to integrate their devices and connect seamlessly through smart features.

My Huawei MateView, for example, quickly connected to the Huawei P50 Pocket which I tapped on the monitor’s base imprinted with Huawei Share or OneHop icon.

It automatically connected to the monitor and allowed me to choose to display what was on my phone. There’s a Desktop Mode which resembled more of a computer OS than a smartphone interface.

You can also connect through Wireless Connection and you don’t have to worry. The monitor is designed in such a way that latency — or lag — isn’t noticeable.

Go wired and keep it tethered

Some people still prefer to use different options for connectivity: USB-C, HDMI, and Mini Display. Personally, I still use the USB-C cable whether for my MacBook Air or the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra since it charges the device at the same time.

Samsung DeX on the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra while connected to Huawei MateView via USB-C

The Huawei MateView can charge any laptop that requires 65W and under. Also, I like how it works smoothly with non-Huawei devices.

Moreover, there’s a headphone jack if you don’t want to use the front-firing speakers. The port also doubles as a mic input, perfect for important calls.

Aesthetically pleasing to your eyes

We spend time working on our desks for 8 hours or more. Sometimes, it goes beyond 18 hours when you work in a fast-paced environment like an advertising agency or production house.

If you’re going to look at your devices for a long time, make sure you like what you see. It’s easy to stay productive when you have a pleasant setup. It’s not always limited to decorating your desks with fancy accessories and color-matching everything.

Sometimes, you just need a smart monitor that’s pretty to look at, so you get excited to hop on your work and get things done. Of course, it shouldn’t be just beautiful. It needs to be functional too.

As for me, the Huawei MateView delivers exactly what I need. From aesthetics, connectivity, display, and ergonomics — I’m happy to use this for the next few months or maybe, even a year.

Computers

Apple Vision Pro gets M5 chip upgrade

And comfortable Dual Knit Band

Published

October 15, 2025

GadgetMatch

Apple has introduced the upgraded Apple Vision Pro, now powered by the M5 chipand equipped with the Dual Knit Band for improved comfort.

This latest version delivers faster performance, sharper display rendering, longer battery life, and new experiences through visionOS 26, which introduces widgets, updated Personas, and new Apple Intelligence features with expanded language support.

M5 chip brings faster AI and sharper visuals

The M5 chip, built on third-generation 3-nanometer technology, introduces a 10-core CPU and GPU that boost performance across the system. Apps launch faster, web browsing feels more responsive, and visuals appear sharper with 10% more pixels rendered on Vision Pro’s micro-OLED displays.

The new GPU supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading. It brings lifelike lighting and reflections to games like Control. Vision Pro now supports refresh rates up to 120Hz. It reduces motion blur and delivering smoother experiences for Mac Virtual Display users.

The high-performance battery extends use to 2.5 hours of general activity or 3 hours of video playback on a single charge. Meanwhile, the 16-core Neural Engine accelerates AI-powered tasks up to 2x faster than before. Developers can now use Apple’s Foundation Models framework to create smarter on-device AI experiences.

Dual Knit Band offers improved comfort

Apple introduces a redesigned Dual Knit Band, crafted from 3D-knitted fabric for a more cushioned and balanced fit. It uses flexible ribs embedded with tungsten inserts for counterweight and stability, while the dual-function Fit Dial enables fine-tuned adjustments.

The Dual Knit Band is available in three sizes (S, M, L), sold separately, and compatible with previous Vision Pro models. Users can find their best fit through the Apple Store app for iPhone.

visionOS 26 expands spatial experiences

With visionOS 26, Vision Pro adds immersive new ways to work and play. Widgets can now stay anchored in your space, Personas look more natural in FaceTime, and spatial photos use AI to add realistic depth.

Vision Pro also supports 180° and 360° video playback from Canon, Insta360, and GoPro. This lets creators and users relive footage the way it was captured. Later this year, the Vision Pro app for iPad will launch. It will give users another way to browse and manage spatial content.

Expanding apps, games, and immersive content

Vision Pro users can explore over 1 million apps, with 3,000+ made specifically for visionOS. Lifestyle and design apps like HomeByMe, Balenciaga, and Christie’s Select join entertainment titles like Epic Earth and Space Vision.

Apple Immersive continues to push storytelling boundaries with new titles from Audi F1 Project, BBC, HYBE, and Red Bull. There are also 3D movie hits like Jurassic World Rebirth and Wicked on the Apple TV app.

Gaming also levels up with support for PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers. It unlocks tactile gameplay with six degrees of freedom and haptic feedback.

Built for creators and professionals

Pro users can use Vision Pro for advanced workflows — from 3D design and photography to film production and live collaboration. The new Logitech Muse stylus offers pixel-level precision in apps like Crayon and Sketch Pro. Enterprises such as CAE, Porsche, and UC San Diego Health are already adopting Vision Pro to power simulation, visualization, and healthcare innovation.

Pricing and availability

The upgraded Apple Vision Pro with M5 chip and Dual Knit Band starts at SGD 4,999, available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options.

Pre-orders in Singapore begin October 17, with availability in Apple Stores starting October 22.

The Dual Knit Band can be purchased separately for SGD 149, the Vision Pro Travel Case for SGD 299, and ZEISS Optical Inserts for SGD 149 (Readers) or SGD 219 (Prescription). The Logitech Muse stylus is priced at SGD 179 and will be available alongside the new Vision Pro.

Customers can book demos online, featuring the new Vision Pro and its latest features, including Genmoji, Writing Tools, and new Apple Immersive experiences like Tour De Force and MotoGP.

Computers

Apple unleashes M5 chip, the next big leap in AI

Powers next-gen MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and Apple Vision Pro

Published

October 15, 2025

GadgetMatch

Apple has unveiled the new M5 chip, marking its biggest leap yet in AI performance for Apple silicon. Built on third-generation 3-nanometer technology, M5 brings over 4x the peak GPU compute performance for AI compared to M4, and introduces a next-generation 10-core GPU with a Neural Accelerator in every core.

The new chip also features Apple’s fastest performance cores, combining up to 10 CPU cores — four performance and six efficiency. This aims to deliver up to 15% faster multithreaded performance over M4.

Alongside a faster 16-core Neural Engine and 30% higher unified memory bandwidth at 153GB/s, M5 powers through AI, creative, and gaming workloads while maintaining Apple’s hallmark energy efficiency.

Optimized GPU built for AI and graphics

Every compute block of M5’s 10-core GPU is optimized for AI, achieving over 6x AI compute compared to M1 and 30% faster graphics than M4. Its third-generation ray-tracing engine delivers up to 45% higher graphics performance, with smoother gameplay, faster rendering, and more realistic visuals in titles like Cyberpunk 2077.

M5 also brings higher refresh rates and sharper visuals to Apple Vision Pro, now capable of rendering 10% more pixels at up to 120Hz. Developers using Apple’s Metal 4 and Core ML frameworks automatically benefit from the GPU’s Neural Accelerators and Tensor APIs, allowing AI-driven apps like Draw Things and LM Studio to run faster than ever.

Faster Neural Engine for Apple Intelligence

The 16-core Neural Engine in M5 enhances performance for on-device AI features, including those powered by Apple Intelligence. Tools like Image Playground and Writing Tools now process tasks more efficiently, while the higher unified memory enables larger models to run locally for improved responsiveness and privacy.

Built for power efficiency and sustainability

With up to 32GB of unified memory, M5 can handle demanding creative apps like Final Cut Pro and Adobe Photoshop simultaneously. Its power-efficient design contributes to Apple’s 2030 carbon neutrality goal, reducing energy use across the lifetime of every MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and Apple Vision Pro powered by M5.

Computers

UGREEN NASync DH2300: an entry-level NAS for everyone

Big storage made simple

Published

October 15, 2025

GadgetMatch

UGREEN has launched the NASync DH2300, a network-attached storage (NAS) device designed to make high-capacity local storage easy for everyone. Alongside the DH4300 Plus (4-bay SATA) for advanced users, it redefines NAS as a practical solution for everyday needs, not just for IT professionals.

Up to 60TB of local storage

The DH2300 comes with a 2-bay SATA configuration supporting up to 60TB total capacity—30TB per drive. It’s made to handle massive photo collections, 4K videos, work files, and personal backups. By keeping data in one place, users can drop the hassle of managing multiple external drives or paying for cloud subscriptions. The device supports most NAS HDDs, allowing flexible upgrades without high upfront costs.

Setup in under 10 minutes

Ease of use is the main focus. The UGOS Pro operating system guides users through setup with step-by-step visuals and clear instructions. UGREEN says first-time users can finish installation and configuration in under 10 minutes.

The UGREEN NAS app brings all core features together—file management, photo backup, and media streaming—so users can do everything from their phone. There’s also NFC Quick Connection, which pairs a smartphone with the NAS through a single tap, skipping manual network setup and router adjustments.

Data protection made simple

Security is built into the system. The DH2300 uses TLS/SSL, RSA, and AES encryption to safeguard data and supports two-factor authentication. It has certifications from TÜV and TRUSTe, confirming compliance with international privacy and security standards.

Because it stores data locally, users have full control of their files. It also includes a local-only account mode that limits access to the LAN and a File Vault for private data.

Practical hardware for daily use

The device includes a 4K 60Hz HDMI port, allowing users to stream videos or view photos directly on a TV. It supports multiple RAID modes—JBOD, Basic, 0, and 1—so users can choose between maximizing space or prioritizing redundancy for critical files.