XPG Mars 980 Blade XPG Mars 980 Blade

Computers

XPG Mars 980 Blade review: High-speed storage that finally makes sense

Fast, reliable, and no longer offensively expensive

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A few years ago, adding high-speed storage to your PS5 or gaming rig meant coughing up a small fortune — sometimes nearly half the price of the console itself. Back then, PCIe Gen4 NVMe drives were bleeding-edge tech, and prices reflected that. But now that the dust has settled, more affordable options are emerging without compromising performance. One of those options is the XPG Mars 980 Blade, and it’s a drive that gets the job done without the unnecessary frills.

We tested the 980 Blade primarily as a PS5 storage expansion, and the experience was so seamless, it was almost forgettable — in the best way. Games launched quickly, performance remained stable, and the system treated it as if it were native storage. That’s a high compliment for any aftermarket SSD.

But beyond raw performance, what makes the Mars 980 Blade stand out is how reasonably priced it is. The 1TB model goes for $135 USD, while the 2TB version has an SRP of $205 USD. That’s a far cry from the $400+ Gen4 SSD we purchased just a year into the PS5’s life cycle. In many ways, this is the drive we wished we had back then.

Designed to disappear (in a good way)

The Mars 980 Blade isn’t flashy, and that’s part of its appeal. There’s no RGB, no oversized heat pipes, and no branding overload. Instead, you get a low-profile aluminum heatsink that makes it compatible with the PS5’s expansion slot — no modification required. It slid in easily and was recognized by the system almost instantly. The included heatsink keeps things cool enough without getting in the way, which also makes it a strong contender for slim laptops or handhelds.

There’s something refreshing about a component that’s meant to be installed once and forgotten. The Mars 980 Blade leans into that philosophy — performance where it matters, no extra distractions.

Real-World PS5 Use

The real test was daily usage. I moved a few of my heavier titles — including Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Spider-Man 2 — from the PS5’s internal SSD onto the Mars 980 Blade. The result? No noticeable difference in performance. Boot times, in-game loading, and texture streaming all felt identical.

This is what makes the Mars 980 Blade a smart buy. You don’t have to sacrifice performance for price. And if you’ve been juggling which games to keep installed, this SSD becomes an easy way to expand your library without babysitting your storage every week.

It also helps that the Mars 980 Blade supports sequential read speeds of up to 7400 MB/s — more than enough to meet Sony’s requirements for PS5-compatible drives. And for those who care about durability, XPG uses TLC NAND, which typically offers better endurance and sustained speed than cheaper QLC-based alternatives.

What about Gaming Laptops and Handhelds?

While we focused our testing on the PS5, it’s not hard to project how this SSD will perform on modern gaming laptops and handhelds like the Legion Go 7 Gen9. With its PCIe Gen4 x4 interface and slim thermal profile, the Mars 980 Blade should integrate seamlessly into most M.2 slots — even in space-constrained builds.

Games installed on internal NVMe drives typically launch faster, stream assets more smoothly, and reduce system hiccups, especially in open-world or live-service titles. That’s exactly where the Mars 980 Blade fits in. Whether you’re booting into Windows or loading up a massive game like Starfield or Cyberpunk 2077, you’ll benefit from the fast sequential speeds and consistent write performance.

Plus, unlike relying on microSD cards or external drives, having a fast internal Gen4 SSD means you’re getting the full performance potential of your hardware. For power users who multitask with game capture, editing, or large file transfers, the Mars 980 Blade should hold its own.

Price vs Performance: A turning point

Let’s talk value — because that’s where this drive really shines. When the PS5 launched, the earliest compatible SSDs often sold for well over $300 to $400 USD, especially if you wanted 2TB with a heatsink. Now, we’re finally seeing drives like the Mars 980 Blade deliver that same tier of performance at nearly half the cost.

At $205 USD for 2TB, this drive undercuts many premium-branded options while offering the same Gen4 speed, excellent thermal control, and broad compatibility. You’re not paying for flashy marketing — just solid performance. For comparison, popular alternatives like the WD_BLACK SN850X or Samsung 980 Pro may come with slightly faster random read/write speeds or longer warranties, but for everyday gaming use, the difference is marginal at best.

The Mars 980 Blade hits a practical sweet spot for gamers who just want more room to play — whether they’re on a console, laptop, or handheld.

Is the XPG Mars 980 Blade your storage expansion Match?

The XPG Mars 980 Blade isn’t trying to reinvent storage. Instead, it focuses on what matters: delivering fast, stable performance at a price that makes sense in 2025. Whether you’re upgrading your PS5 or adding more muscle to a handheld gaming PC, this drive holds its own.

It may not come with flashy extras or aggressive marketing claims, but it doesn’t need to. It performs exactly how you want it to — and at a price that doesn’t feel like a punch to the gut.

The XPG Mars 980 Blade is one of the best-value Gen4 SSDs for console and PC gamers who just want to play more — and worry less.

Buy the XPG Mars 980 Blade here. 

Computers

Apple unveils new iMac with M6 chip

M6 brings faster AI performance

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iMac M6

Apple has unveiled its new iMac powered by the M6 chip, bringing faster performance, enhanced on-device AI capabilities, and improved connectivity to its all-in-one desktop computer.

Announced on October 27, the new iMac retains its slim design and 24-inch display while introducing hardware upgrades for everyday productivity, creative workflows, and AI-powered applications.

Apple claims the M6-powered iMac delivers up to 18 times faster performance than the most popular Intel-based iMac. It also offers up to five times faster on-device AI performance than the previous-generation M4 model.

The new iMac comes in seven colors: blue, green, pink, yellow, purple, orange, and silver.

M6 brings faster performance and AI capabilities

The new iMac features Apple’s M6 chip, with configurations offering either a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU or a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU.

The 12-core CPU delivers improved performance for everyday applications, multitasking, and demanding workloads. Meanwhile, the GPU now features Neural Accelerators in every core to accelerate AI processing and graphics-intensive tasks.

Apple claims the new iMac delivers up to twice the graphics performance of the M4 model. Users can expect improvements in photo editing, video production, and gaming, including titles that use ray tracing.

The M6 also features a Dual 16-core Neural Engine, which delivers up to twice the AI computing performance of the previous generation. Combined with memory bandwidth of up to 170GB/s, the chip can handle demanding on-device AI workloads, including running large language models.

Apple highlights several performance improvements over previous generations:

  • Up to 2.5 times faster performance in Microsoft Excel compared to the M1 iMac.
  • Up to 3.3 times faster graphics performance in applications such as Affinity compared to the M1 iMac.
  • Up to 12 times faster on-device AI prompt processing in LM Studio compared to the M1 iMac.
  • Up to twice the gaming performance with ray tracing compared to the M4 iMac.

These improvements make the iMac a more capable desktop for professionals, students, and creators who need additional computing power without moving to a separate desktop tower.

A desktop built for AI

Apple is positioning the new iMac as a platform for its expanding AI ecosystem.

Running macOS 27, the desktop supports Apple Intelligence features and Siri AI, Apple’s next-generation assistant. Users can ask questions, search for information across their messages and emails, and perform actions across supported applications.

Siri AI is also integrated into Spotlight, allowing users to search for information and ask follow-up questions. Visual Intelligence lets users interact with content on their screen, whether it’s a chart in a spreadsheet or an image in a browser.

Other AI-powered features extend to everyday applications. Safari can automatically organize tabs into topics and notify users about website changes, including product restocks and price drops. Users can also create Shortcuts automations by describing what they want to accomplish.

For creative professionals, Apple Intelligence adds tools for photo editing and other productivity tasks. The iMac also supports third-party AI applications optimized for Apple silicon, including LM Studio and Topaz Studio.

Apple says these capabilities allow users to run supported AI workloads locally, helping preserve privacy by processing certain tasks directly on the device.

Siri AI is available in beta in macOS 27.2, with language and regional availability restrictions applying to some Apple Intelligence features.

24-inch 4.5K Retina display

The new iMac retains its 24-inch 4.5K Retina display, which offers a resolution of 4,480 x 2,520 pixels and 500 nits of brightness.

The display supports the P3 wide color gamut and more than one billion colors, making it suitable for photo editing, video production, and everyday entertainment.

Apple also offers an optional nano-texture display finish on supported configurations to reduce reflections and glare in challenging lighting conditions.

For video calls, the iMac features a 12-megapixel Center Stage camera with Desk View. Its three-microphone array and six-speaker sound system deliver an integrated audiovisual setup without requiring additional peripherals.

The speakers feature force-cancelling woofers and tweeters, with support for Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos.

Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and faster storage

Connectivity receives an upgrade with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.

The higher-end configuration can also be equipped with 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet, offering up to 2.5 times faster wired connectivity than the previous generation.

Apple claims the new iMac delivers up to twice the SSD read and write performance of its predecessor, helping applications launch faster and large files load more quickly.

Port availability depends on the configuration. The higher-end model includes four Thunderbolt 4 ports, allowing users to connect external storage, docks, and other accessories.

The iMac also supports up to two external 6K displays, providing additional screen space for demanding workflows.

Apple continues to bundle color-matched accessories with the desktop. Depending on the configuration, these include a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and either a Magic Mouse or Magic Trackpad. The accessories feature USB-C charging ports.

macOS 27 and sustainability

The new iMac runs macOS 27, which brings refinements to the Liquid Glass interface, system performance, and search.

Users can adjust the transparency of Liquid Glass through a new setting, choosing an appearance that ranges from clearer to more tinted. Apple has also refined app icons and other interface elements.

The iMac continues Apple’s sustainability efforts. Its stand uses 100 percent recycled aluminum, while its magnets use 100 percent recycled rare earth elements. Apple-designed printed circuit boards also use 100 percent recycled gold plating and tin solder.

Apple says the new iMac is manufactured using renewable electricity across its supply chain. The company continues working toward its goal of becoming carbon neutral across its entire footprint by 2030.

iMac with M6 pricing and availability

In the United States, the new iMac with M6 starts at US$1,499 for the configuration with a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU. Education pricing starts at US$1,449.

The higher-end configuration, featuring a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU, starts at US$1,699, with education pricing starting at US$1,599.

Pre-orders in the United States and 34 other countries and regions begin on October 28, 2026. Availability starts November 6.

In the Philippines, the new iMac with M6 starts at PHP 109,990 for the 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU configuration. Eligible students and educators can purchase it for PHP 105,990.

The higher-end configuration with a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU starts at PHP 124,990, with education pricing at PHP 117,990.

Apple says the new iMac will be available soon through the Philippine Apple Store online and Apple Authorized Resellers. Local availability dates have yet to be announced.

In Singapore, the new iMac starts at SGD 2,099 for the 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU configuration, with education pricing at SGD 2,029.

The 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU configuration starts at SGD 2,399, with education pricing at SGD 2,259. Pre-orders in Singapore begin on October 29, with availability starting November 6.

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Computers

Lenovo tech behind DreamWorks Animation hit ‘Forgotten Island’

Partnership powers modern demands of animation production

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DreamWorks Animation’s Forgotten Island has definitely become a big screen hit, debuting with a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score and being well received particularly by a large Filipino fanbase.

And behind the movie is DreamWorks Animation’s partnership with tech giant, Lenovo. The collaboration is helping power the former’s production slate, including the studio’s animated feature inspired by Filipino culture, mythology, and experiences.

In 2025, DreamWorks expanded its relationship with Lenovo by naming the company its preferred compute services, workstation, and solutions provider.

Such partnership brings together Lenovo workstations, high-performance infrastructure, data center technology, and services to support the demanding needs of modern animation production.

It is a collaboration that builds on years of work between the two companies. DreamWorks has used Lenovo workstations as part of workflows across the studio.

Lenovo infrastructure has also supported the large-scale computing requirements involved in creating animated worlds and characters.

Still in cinemas, Forgotten Island follows lifelong best friends Jo and Raissa, voiced by Grammy and Academy Award winner H.E.R. and Filipino actress Liza Soberano.

As the two prepare to take different paths after high school, they unexpectedly find themselves transported to Nakali, a fantastical island populated by magical and mythological creatures rooted in stories from their Filipino families.

The film is written and directed by Academy Award nominee Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado and produced by Academy Award nominee Mark Swift, the filmmaking team behind Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.

Its voice cast also includes Dave Franco, Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy, Ronny Chieng, and Lea Salonga.

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Computers

ROG brings out the ultra-stylish G1000 gaming desktop

Plus, here’s a couple of sleek transport options from ROG.

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Despite how much higher prices are going today, there are still so many options if you want a PC for yourself. However, only a handful of brands will offer you quite as much style doing so as ASUS. Today, ROG has revealed the new G1000 gaming desktop.

For the first time ever in a prebuilt PC, the ROG G1000 comes with a built-in AniMe Holo, a holographic fan with customizable visuals using Armoury Crate and Aura Sync. Additionally, the holographic fan is inside its own chamber, preventing it from interfering with the main system. Instead, the desktop uses the ROG Thermal Atrium, which uses three fans to channel fresh air through a 420mm AIO liquid cooler.

Now, the ROG G1000 isn’t just a pretty face. Inside, the 104L desktop comes with a Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor. It also comes equipped with the ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5080, up to 128GB DDR5 memory, and 1TB SSD for storage. New purchases will also come with a gaming keyboard and mouse, a year of Microsoft 365 Basic, Office Home 2024, and an ASUS No. 1 Quality and Service warranty.

The ROG G1000 will be available from ROG Exclusive Stores and will start at PhP 399,995.

Celebrating ROG at 20

Besides the new desktop, ROG is also launching a couple of storage and transport options for your prized gaming possessions. The ROG SLASH Backpack Edition 20 is a sleek backpack that can fit an 18-inch laptop with enough room for peripherals and accessories. It also comes with a custom FIDLOCK Magnetic quick-release, black-and-translucent-gold buckle. It will be available next quarter for PhP 10,995.

Meanwhile, the ROG SLASH Hard-Case Luggage Edition 20 is designed specifically for transporting your hard-earned gaming devices. The light-but-durable aluminum frame comes with a specialized compartment for laptops, handhelds, and accessories. It also has removalbe foam dividers to better customize the case for your needs. Finally, it has 360-degree silent skate wheels for smoother rolling. The luggage will be available starting next quarter for PhP 15,995.

SEE ALSO: ROG STRIX G16 Review: Building for the moment

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