At this year’s IFA in Berlin, Acer presented a broad line-up of products that underlined its focus on artificial intelligence, gaming, thin-and-light designs, and larger-format tablets. The announcements covered compact AI workstations, high-end gaming systems, new Swift models including an Intel “Panther Lake” preview, plus Chromebooks, monitors, and networking hardware.

Among the professional systems was the Veriton GB100 AI Mini Workstation, built around NVIDIA’s GB10 Superchip. Designed for AI development and inference, the compact system integrates CPU and GPU resources in one package for edge and space-constrained deployments. Rated at up to 1 petaFLOP of FP4 performance, it combines a 20-core Arm CPU with NVIDIA’s accelerator and supports models of 113 billion parameters, scalable to 230 billion. It will ship with support for DGX OS and NVIDIA’s software stack, with up to 128GB of LPDDR5X system memory. Acer has yet to disclose pricing, though starting price expectations are in the >£4,000 range.

For organisations prototyping or fine-tuning large language models, it is positioned as an accessible workstation-class option. The Veriton GB100 AI Mini Workstation sits in an interesting middle ground. It is not powerful enough to replace a full-scale data-centre system like NVIDIA’s DGX servers, but it is far more capable than consumer GPUs or standard desktops. That makes it useful in very specific scenarios:-

• Edge AI deployment
  Factories, labs, or clinics where models need to run locally without cloud dependence.
• AI prototyping and fine-tuning
  Small teams testing models before scaling to data-centre hardware.
• Educational and research institutes
  Where compact, relatively affordable AI hardware can support student projects or applied research.

Its importance lies in accessibility: bringing high-end AI workloads to organisations that cannot justify or host rack-scale infrastructure.

On the gaming side, Acer introduced the Predator Helios 18P, a hybrid laptop aimed at both work and play. Powered by Intel’s 285HX processor and NVIDIA’s RTX 5090 GPU, it features an 18-inch Mini-LED display with 1,000-nit brightness, switchable between 4K/120Hz and 1080p/240Hz modes. Cooling is provided by Acer’s 6th-generation AeroBlade 3D fan system. Support for Wi-Fi 7 and ECC memory means it can also be positioned as a workstation-capable device. While UK pricing was not confirmed, it is likely to launch just below £3,900.

For those seeking RTX 5070 performance in a more affordable package, Acer announced the Nitro V16/S. It pairs an Intel 270H processor with a 16-inch WQXGA (2560×1600) panel offering 100% sRGB coverage and a 180Hz refresh rate. Configurations will include up to 32GB of DDR5-5600 memory and 2TB of SSD storage. Connectivity options span Thunderbolt 4, Killer DoubleShot Pro networking, and a full selection of USB ports. At under 2cm thick, it is notably slim for the specification. There are also new Nitro gaming desktop systems.

The latest Acer Predator Orion 7000 has been confirmed as the Official Tournament PC of the Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) 2025. The updated model pairs an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K processor with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 GPU delivering up to 3,352 AI TOPS. It supports up to 128GB DDR5-7200 RGB RAM, 6TB PCIe Gen 5 SSD and 4TB HDD storage. Cooling is handled by a CycloneX 360mm liquid system, with ARGB lighting in a tempered-glass chassis. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 7, Thunderbolt 4, and DTS:X Ultra audio. This is the actual system/spec that will be used in IEM tournaments and it will now be available to enthusiasts.

In thin-and-light computing, Acer expanded its Swift series with the Swift Air 16. Designed for mobility, it offers AMOLED display options, LPDDR5X memory, and Wi-Fi 6E in a chassis weighing under 1kg. Acer has adopted aluminium-magnesium alloys to improve durability and reduce fingerprints while maintaining rigidity, materials more often seen in aerospace applications.

Looking ahead, Acer previewed the Swift 16 AI, the first laptop confirmed to use Intel’s forthcoming Panther Lake processor, built on the 18A process. It will support up to 32GB of LPDDR5X memory and includes a 16-inch 3K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh. Acer has also introduced a new oversized haptic trackpad with active stylus support, effectively acting as a built-in sketch surface. Connectivity includes Bluetooth 6, Wi-Fi 7, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, USB-A, HDMI, and a microSD slot. Some configurations will weigh in under 1kg. Launch is expected in late 2025, with pricing yet to be disclosed.

At the more affordable end, Acer introduced new Chromebooks, including the Chromebook Plus Spin 514. Powered by the MediaTek Kompanio Ultra 910 processor, it weighs just over 1.3kg and delivers up to 17 hours of battery life. Buyers can choose between Full HD and 2880×1800 resolution displays. Measuring just over 1.5cm in height, the model is expected to launch at around £800.

In tablets, Acer returned to larger screen sizes under the Iconia brand. The slim Iconia X12 offers a 12.6-inch AMOLED display, MediaTek Helio G99 processor, and up to 16 hours of claimed battery life, with optional keyboard and stylus. The Iconia X14 features a larger OLED panel and a dedicated AI processor enabling gesture control, posture sensing, and automatic photo capture. The Iconia A16 and A14 also made their debut, with Full HD panels, tripod-style kickstands, and integrated AI features. Acer clearly thinks that the market for smaller tablets is about to be obliterated by large/folding smartphones.

Other hardware included new Amadana monitors, such as the portable 16-inch 16APM1QJ and ultra-slim 27-inch 27ART0 P1, both adopting minimalist designs with IPS displays. The Acer CE270U Z, a high-performance OLED monitor, was also shown, with a 280Hz refresh rate, 0.03ms response time, 1,000-nit HDR brightness, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. For networking, Acer introduced the Connect T36 Wi-Fi 7 Mesh Router, a compact dual-band system delivering up to 3,600 Mbps with automatic node switching for seamless coverage.

KitGuru Says: Taken together, Acer’s IFA announcements show the company extending AI into multiple product categories while strengthening its position in gaming, professional workstations, and ultra-portable systems. 

The post Acer details mini super computers, new gaming and business products for Q4 first appeared on KitGuru.

Chinese display manufacturer HKC Group is making its official European debut at IFA 2025, and it has come out swinging with a lineup of new high-end gaming monitors. Showcasing new flagship models from HKC, Koorui, and AntGamer, the company is demonstrating a variety of products using the most popular high-end display technologies.

Under its main HKC brand, the company is showcasing the G32M12Max, a 32-inch 4K Mini LED monitor with a 240 Hz refresh rate, 90W USB-C connectivity, and impressive HDR credentials. Featuring over 10,000 local dimming zones and a peak brightness of 2100 nits, it earned the VESA HDR1400 certification. Other features include 99% coverage of the DCI-P3 spectrum, as well as HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 ports.

From Koorui comes the S4941XO, a 49-inch super ultrawide QD-OLED curved monitor. This 5120×1440 (32:9), 240 Hz display is designed to replace a dual-monitor setup, offering the vibrant colours, deep blacks, and near-instantaneous response times that QD-OLED is known for. Adding 98% DCI-P3 coverage, 10-bit colour depth, and 90W USB-C charging, you have a good option for both immersive gaming and work.

Finally, under its esports-focused AntGamer brand, the company is showcasing two high-refresh-rate gaming-focused monitors. The first is the recently launched ANT257PF, the world's first mass-produced 750 Hz monitor. The second is the new ANT275ZQE, a 27-inch OLED monitor (LG panel) that features a dual-mode function, allowing players to choose between a QHD (1440p) resolution at 540 Hz or drop to HD (720p) to achieve an even higher refresh rate of 720 Hz. Moreover, it's VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500-certified.

KitGuru says: By introducing Mini LED, QD-OLED, and high-refresh-rate displays to the European market, the company is positioning itself to be a major competitor in the high-end monitor segment. Now, we'll have to wait and see how they'll be priced and how they perform.

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Graphics card manufacturer XFX has announced that a recent revision to its Radeon RX 9060 XT has led to significant improvements in thermal and power efficiency. The change that brought about these benefits was a simple swap of the GDDR6 memory supplier from SK Hynix to Samsung.

XFX (via Uniko's Hardware) has published test results showing that its new Radeon RX 9060 XT V3 models, featuring Samsung GDDR6 memory modules, run the memory at considerably lower temperatures than its Hynix-based counterparts. The new V3 card with Samsung memory recorded a memory temperature of just 77°C during a FurMark 4K test, a full 10°C cooler than the 87°C seen on the older model with SK Hynix memory. That's even more impressive considering the Samsung-equipped card had its fans spinning over 350 RPM slower. Additionally, the revised card consumed 24W less power under the same load, drawing just 183W compared to the previous version's 207W.

Image credit: XFX

This is quite surprising, considering that previous generations of GDDR6 have sometimes seen Samsung's chips running slightly warmer than those of the competition. For consumers, the benefits are clear: XFX's “V3” models of the RX 9060 XT are expected to consume less power and run cooler, quieter, and more stable.

As of now, it appears that the new XFX Radeon RX 9060 XT V3 graphics cards are only available in China. However, nothing stops XFX from shipping these new models to other parts of the globe.

KitGuru says: Seeing these results, would you still consider getting an SK Hynix-based Radeon RX 9060 graphics card?

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Intel's Application Optimisation (APO) technology has demonstrated the ability to deliver free performance gains in supported games by intelligently managing tasks across P-cores and E-cores. However, updates have been pretty slow, leaving the list of supported games relatively small. This week, Intel finally released an update, bringing APO support to 15 new games. 

While APO itself appears promising, the lack of a public roadmap and the slow pace of new game profile releases have been a source of frustration for some. The potential of APO is clear, but its real-world impact remains limited to a small but slowly growing list of supported games.

Fortunately for those with Intel APO-supported CPUs, the list of games is now increasing. Intel has launched a new update to APO, adding 15 new games. With the latest update, users can experience average FPS increases of up to 14% and 1% lows increasing by up to 21%. The complete list of new games receiving APO support can be found below:

• 7 Days to Die
• Assetto Corsa
• Cities: Skylines
• Delta Force: Black Hawk Down
• Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
• Dyson Sphere Program
• EA Sports FC 24
• God of War
• Kerbal Space Program 2
• Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
• Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition
• The Callisto Protocol
• Wolfenstein Youngblood
• World of Warships
• Shushan: The Beginning/First Chapter

To enable APO, users must install the Intel Dynamic Tuning Technology (DTT) from the official vendor website's motherboard support page. APO will be enabled automatically when DTT is installed. Moreover, users must install Intel APO UI from the Microsoft Store to control the APO settings. Every time Intel adds new games to the APO collection, you will receive automatic upgrades after installing the APO.

KitGuru says: Intel APO is a powerful tool, but its success depends on continued support, much like DLSS and FSR. We hope Intel continues to invest in it.

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Borderless Gaming has been helping gamers manage unruly game windows for some time. After more than a decade, the developer has finally released version 1.0, bringing a massive overhaul with it. Relaunching on Steam as a premium, paid application, the new version has been completely redesigned from the ground up, featuring compelling new features such as its own vendor-neutral frame generation and upscaling tech.

Version 1.0 of Borderless Gaming (via VideoCardz) features both frame generation and upscaling solutions that are compatible with a wide range of hardware. This puts Borderless Gaming in direct competition with the popular Lossless Scaling tool, offering users a way to enable frame generation in games that don't support it natively. This is particularly great news for owners of older, pre-RTX 40-series Nvidia GPUs who don't have access to DLSS 3, or for games that lack FSR 3 support.

Beyond the performance-boosting tech, the update also adds new “App Container” features. This allows users to apply custom shaders, such as CRT filters, and custom backgrounds to their game windows, making it a powerful tool for retro and indie game fans who want to customise their visual experience. Steam Workshop support has also been integrated for sharing game profiles.

This massive feature update does come with a change in the business model. The new version of Borderless Gaming is available on Steam for a one-time purchase of £5.89/$6.99/€6.89. However, for those who need the original, no-frills window management, the developer has confirmed that the legacy version (v9.6.0) will remain available for free on the project's official GitHub page.

KitGuru says: Have you ever tried Borderless Gaming? Are you willing to pay for the new version 1.0?

The post After 11 years, Borderless Gaming has finally reached V1.0 first appeared on KitGuru.

Final Fantasy Tactics is making a big return this year with the release of The Ivalice Chronicles, a remaster of the original 90s classic for PC, Switch 2, PS5 and Xbox. Final Fantasy Tactics has been revered by longtime fans of the franchise, but the upcoming remaster is just step one, with Square Enix remaining open to doing more Tactics games in the future. 

In a recent interview with Inverse, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles director, Kazutoyo Maehiro, said that the upcoming release may open the door for more Final Fantasy Tactics games in the future, assuming it performs well:

“If The Ivalice Chronicles can do well, that's good for the fans, they can enjoy it. But, at the same time, it shows the business viability of the strategy RPG genre, so that could potentially open the door”. Maehiro also notes that much of the team working on The Ivalice Chronicles, as well as members of the original Final Fantasy Tactics team would “really like to see that happen”.

At this stage, the mainline Final Fantasy games are all action games, removing turn-based combat from the equation. A return to Final Fantasy Tactics could give Square Enix a way to appease those older fans of the franchise.

Final Fantasy Tactics first released for the PlayStation in 1997, before re-releasing on the Game Boy Advanced in the early 2000s. The Ivalice Chronicles will mark the first time that the game has been broadly available on modern platforms.

KitGuru Says: Are you planning on picking up Final Fantasy Tactics when it drops later this month? If you've never played it but are a fan of games like Fire Emblem or Disgaea, then it should be well worth picking up. 

The post Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles could open door for sequel first appeared on KitGuru.

Despite being announced five years ago, we've had no official updates for Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Remake. Originally in development at Aspyr, the game ended up shifting to Saber Interactive, but progress has been painfully slow from the outside looking in. Now, thanks to a former concept artist on the project, we have at least a small look at what the game was going to look like. 

An artist who worked on the KOTOR Remake project uploaded one screenshot of their work on the game to their personal website. To avoid getting the artist into any trouble, MP1st does not name them, but they do share the following image, purportedly taken from the artist's personal website:

The image is instantly recognisable to anyone who played the original game. It shows the area where you first land on Kashyyyk, the Wookie home world. On the planet, Wookies live up high in the trees, with few venturing down to the surface, known as the shadow lands, where dangerous creatures lurk. The area shown in the image is where you first land, before heading to meet the Wookie Chieftan.

Unfortunately, we do not have any concept art for other planets found in the original game. There were four main planets in KOTOR 1, including Kashyyyk, Tatooine, Koriban – the Sith home planet, and Manaan, a world covered almost entirely in ocean. You also spend a brief amount of time on Dantooine, where the Jedi Council is located, and Taris, where most of the game's prologue takes place.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic first released in 2003, telling the story of Darth Revan, a former Jedi who turned on the republic to build their own army with the aid of the Star Forge, an ancient factory capable of producing endless fire power. The Remake was announced in 2020, ahead of the release of the PS5 console. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the game is going to release before the next-generation PlayStation 6 console hits the market.

KitGuru Says: Judging by this concept art, the original plan for KOTOR Remake was to stay very true to the original's art direction and scale, which as a fan of the original, is fine by me. Now that the game has moved developers, there is no telling what we will actually end up with, assuming it doesn't get cancelled. 

The post Concept art for Star Wars KOTOR Remake leaks first appeared on KitGuru.

The Sharkoon Skiller SGK50 S3 Wood PBT is a keyboard we first laid our eyes on back at Computex 2025 and we now have our hands on a unit for review. The combination of a wooden case, alongside wooden spacebar and escape keys, give the Skiller SGK50 S3 Wood a unique and modern look. Featuring Gateron G Pro 3.0 switches, a polycarbonate plate and plate mounted, clip-in stabilisers, can this wooden peripheral deliver a solid experience that will rival more traditional boards?

Timestamps:

00:00 Start
01:08 Pricing / Availability
02:15 In the box
02:36 Design / Build
03:35 LED/RGB/USB
04:17 Layout
04:54 Switches / stabilisers
06:36 Keycaps
07:56 Cable / Tech data
08:48 Real world use / Gaming
09:59 Software and customisation
10:48 Closing Thoughts

Specifications

• Type: Wired Keyboard
• Switch Technology: Hot-swap (Gateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow)
• Number of Keys: 84 ANSI / 85 ISO
• Keycap Material: PBT
• Keycap Legend: Dye Sub
• Illumination: RGB
• Adjustable Illumination: ✓
• Lighting Effects: ✓
• Max. Polling Rate: 1,000 Hz
• Form Factor: 75 % Layout
• Onboard Memory for Game Profiles: ✓
• Capacity of Onboard Memory: 256 kB
• Detachable Cable: ✓
• Weight incl. Cable: 1,149 g
• Weight without Cable: 1,084 g
• Dimensions (L x W x H): 325 x 135 x 45 mm
• Supported Operating Systems: Windows

You cannot currently buy the UK layout of the Skiller SGK 50 S3 Wood PBT, but we will update the page once we hear more from Sharkoon regarding UK stock and pricing. The FR model is listed for £139 on Amazon after UK import.

Pros:

• Stunning design.
• Good build quality.
• Satisfying typing experience.
• Will suit modern and minimalist setups quite well.
• Coiled cable included.

Cons:

• Slight wobble on USB-C port.
• Bright spots on RGB backlighting can be distracting.
• Although the included coiled cable is a pro, the quality of the cable isn’t great.
• UK availability is non-existent at the time of the review.

KitGuru says: The Skiller SGK50 S3 Wood PBT is a stunning keyboard to look at, which it backs up with decent performance and typing feel. 

The post Sharkoon SGK50 S3 Wood PBT Keyboard Review first appeared on KitGuru.

We seem to be in the era of video game adaptations, with dozens of various IPs having been announced to be receiving film and TV shows in the coming years. One project which seemed to run into some problems was Sony’s live-action Street Fighter film. Fortunately, distributor Paramount has now taken over the deal – confirming an official release date of October 2026.

Back in 2023, it was officially announced that a live-action adaptation of Street Fighter was in the works; though very little else was known at the time.

Following this, Sony confirmed that they were leading the project in collaboration with Legendary Pictures – penning the Street Fighter film with a March 2026 release date.

In an interesting twist, the project was later removed from Sony’s upcoming release calendar due to their global distribution deal with Legendary ending at the tail end of last year, leaving the project in limbo.

Finally however, the Street fighter film has been saved, with TheHollywoodReporter confirming that Legendary is now working out a deal with Paramount. As expected, this has led to a slight delay, with the Street Fighter film now set to arrive on the 16th of October 2026.

That said, the final product was already well underway prior to the split with Sony, and so hopefully this switch-up hasn’t caused too many issues. The plot for the Street fighter film reads as follows:

“Set in 1993, estranged Street Fighters Ryu (Andrew Koji) and Ken Masters (Noah Centineo) are thrown back into combat when the mysterious Chun-Li (Callina Liang) recruits them for the next World Warrior Tournament: a brutal clash of fists, fate, and fury. But behind this battle royale lies a deadly conspiracy that forces them to face off against each other and the demons of their past. And if they don't, it's GAME OVER!”

KitGuru says: Are you looking forward to the Street Fighter film? Did you enjoy the original 90s adaptation? Let us know down below.

The post Street Fighter film saved as Paramount picks up distribution rights first appeared on KitGuru.

Square Enix’s Final Fantasy 7 Remake project has been a rather lofty task, with the first entry in the trilogy launching back in 2020 – followed by its sequel Rebirth in 2024. While we will still have to wait some time for the 3rd and final title in the trilogy, Square Enix has offered a development update on both it and the equally-as-anticipated Kingdom Hearts 4.

During the publisher’s recent Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis 2nd Anniversary broadcast, creative director Tetsuya Nomura offered an update on Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3. According to Nomura (as translated by the publication Gematsu):

“things are moving along really smoothly, and the release timing has already been decided. We’re moving forward according to that schedule right now, so please rest assured and be patient.”

The long awaited Kingdom Hearts 4 appears to be in a similar spot currently, with Nomura adding: “And this has also come up in the comments here and there, but Kingdom Hearts IV is likewise steadily moving forward according to schedule, so please look forward to it.”

Tetsuya Nomura has headed development on the Kingdom Hearts series since its inception and so it is encouraging to see that both KH4 and the next Final Fantasy VII entry are seemingly in good hands.

Of course, we weren’t given any actual timeline for when to expect either title. That said, with regards to FFVII Remake Part 3, Square Enix previously confirmed that it will arrive before the launch of the PlayStation 6 – meaning it’s still a ways away. With all that in mind, it is welcome to see that development is going smoothly.

KitGuru says: What do you think of Nomura’s comments? Are you expecting we’ll get FFVII Part 3 or Kingdom Hearts 4 first? Let us know down below.

The post Kingdom Hearts 4 and Final Fantasy VII Remake Part 3 progressing “really smoothly” first appeared on KitGuru.

One of the biggest challenges in the home/small business networking market these days, is that a plethora of WiFi-7 routers have been released into a market where very few people can take advantage of the new technology. At IFA 2025 in Berlin, Fritz! unveiled its WLAN Stick 6700, a compact adapter designed to bring Wi-Fi 7 connectivity to any Windows-based notebook or PC. Supporting tri-band wireless across 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz, it offers connections of up to 2.88Gbit/s on the 5GHz and 6GHz bands, and up to 688Mbit/s on the 2.4GHz band, facilitating high-speed, stable wireless access via any compatible router. Fritz also had a low-cost set of range extenders on show – which can be handy when it comes to fixing signal dead spots in the home. 

The Fritz! WLAN Stick 6700 offers an affordable way to bring faster, more reliable wireless across multiple bands to your desktop and laptop computers. Alongside backward compatibility, it also ensures you can take full advantage of Wi-Fi 7 if you’ve invested in a new router, such as the recently reviewed Fritz!Box 5690 Pro.

So what does the WLAN Stick 6700 Offer? It enables devices without native Wi-Fi 7 support to access the latest standard. In terms of data rates, you can get up to 2.88 Gbit/s on 5GHz and 6GHz – and up to 688 Mbit/s on 2.4GHz. Set-up promises to be easy (according to Fritz!) and this device is compatible with any router and supports WPS for quick connection. We asked about heat and were assured that the 7 vents at the top – plus the orientation – will mean that everything runs cool, even at the highest throughput rates.

While the WLAN Stick 6700 is the product that most caught KitGuru's eye, Fritz! also included a portfolio of Wi-Fi 7 routers, smart home tools, repeaters and fibre-optic products.

• FRITZ!Box 6690 Pro
  The first cable router combining tri-band Wi-Fi 7, a DOCSIS modem, and smart home support (Zigbee, DECT). It offers aggregate speeds up to 12 Gbit/s and includes telephony and media features.
• FRITZ!Box 7630 & 4630
  Entry-level Wi-Fi 7 routers for DSL and fibre-optic users, with MLO support and enhanced connectivity for home office and streaming tasks.
• Repeater and Mesh Additions
  The new FRITZ!Repeater 1700 and 2700, Mesh Wi-Fi Sets, and a Weather-resistant FRITZ!Repeater 1610 Outdoor—all using Wi-Fi 7 or Wi-Fi 6 depending on model, to extend network coverage.
• Smart Home Upgrades
  IFA 2025 also saw the launch of the FRITZ!Smart Energy 201 plug and rollout of FRITZ!OS 8.20, offering enhanced energy management, device integration via Zigbee and Matter, and improved mesh functionality.

Although not the most romantic of products, the new repeaters could come in handy if you find yourself in a home with thick walls, or a very long run to a loft/garden shed/garage. Adding a low-cost Fritz!Repeater could help bring the more remote parts of your network alive – even if it's only at Wi-Fi 5/6 speeds – without the cost of implementing a full mesh network.

KitGuru says: When we sat through the first presentation on Wi-Fi 7 back in the summer of 2023, the price given was truly eye-watering. Three units from a Fritz! rival were priced at just over £2,000 – and that was for home users. While there is a market for elaborate multi-box set-ups, seeing a decent quality product like the FRITZ!Box 7690 on sale for just over £220, tells you that affordable Wi-Fi 7 is here. That said, without something like the Fritz! WLAN Stick 6700, you're unlikely to be able to take advantage of your new router's speed. We will update you with price and availability as soon as Fritz! starts shipping.

The post Fritz! launches array of new products at IFA – including WiFi 7 USB dongle first appeared on KitGuru.

Back in 2022, it was reported that a TV show adaptation based on the popular Life is Strange series was in development, with Amazon Studios working alongside dj2 Entertainment to bring the choice-based story to new mediums. Following years of little-to-no updates on the project, the Life is Strange TV show has now been officially greenlit.

As reported by the publication Variety, Amazon Studios have officially greenlit the development of the previously-announced Life is Strange TV show. Set to be written by Charlie Covell – known best perhaps for the Channel 4 adaptation The End of the F***ing World – the actor/writer has had plenty of experience both in writing adaptations as well as depicting the struggles of young and growing adults.

Beyond Covell, production company Story Kitchen are also attached to the project. For the uninitiated, this studio was founded in 2022 by the Sonic the Hedgehog film producer Dmitri M. Johnson with a focus on “adapting videogames and other ‘non-traditional’ IPs into FILM and TV.”

Though many of their projects have yet to come to fruition, Story Kitchen is currently attached to a boatload of upcoming video game adaptations, including but not limited to: Amazon’s Tomb Raider; It Takes Two; SIFU; Sleeping Dogs; Split Fiction and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

In the decade since the launch of the original Life is Strange, the popular series has followed a number of different characters and protagonists. That said, it seems the show will be adapting the first game’s plot, following Max:

“a photography student, who discovers she can rewind time while saving the life of her childhood best friend, Chloe. As she struggles to understand this new skill, the pair investigate the mysterious disappearance of a fellow student, uncovering a dark side to their town that will ultimately force them to make an impossible life or death choice that will impact them forever.”

KitGuru says: What do you think of all the various adaptations being announced? Which Life is Strange game would you want to see adapted? How do you think the show will handle the various choices available in the game? Let us know down below.

The post Live-Action Life is Strange adaptation officially announced by Amazon first appeared on KitGuru.

The discussion surrounding review codes and embargoes is an interesting one, with the lack of early reviews typically suggesting that the game might be coming in a bit hot. On the flip side, when publishers are confident in their title, reviewers are often given far more time to check the game out ahead of its official arrival. The upcoming Ghost of Yotei seems to be part of the latter – with critics confirming that reviews for the highly-anticipated sequel will go live far ahead of the game’s launch.

A shared by multiple video game pundits/reviewers, the embargo for Sucker Punch Productions’ Ghost of Yotei will be lifted on the 25th of September at 6am PT (2pm UK time).

This means that all those looking forward to the upcoming open-world title will be able to get the full low-down on how good Yotei is exactly with a week to spare before its initial release on the 2nd of October – giving you the opportunity to cancel your pre-order if necessary (or the opposite assuming the reviews are positive.)

As mentioned (though not always the case as evidenced by Hollow Knight Silksong’s release), having an early review embargo typically means that the publisher is feeling confident in the quality of their game.

In addition, with Ghost of Tsuhsima being a known quantity by now, negative reviews for the sequel are likely to hinder sales more so than positive reviews helping it – suggesting that Sony is likely expecting a major hit on their hands.

KitGuru says: What do you think of the embargo timing? Will Ghost of Yotei surpass its predecessor? Could the sequel manage to reach the elusive 90+ score on Metacritic / OpenCritic? Let us know your thoughts down below.

The post Ghost of Yotei reviews to go live far ahead of official launch first appeared on KitGuru.

After delaying its debut by a year, Sports Interactive has given us our first look at the long-awaited new match engine for Football Manager 26. Built on the Unity engine, the visual overhaul for the football management series is substantial, resulting in a slight increase in the game's hardware requirements.

The first trailer showcasing the new engine reveals a much-needed graphical leap. Player animations appear far smoother and more realistic, and the new engine shows considerable improvements in the lighting effects, such as the realistic shadows cast by the stadium roof during a match. The game's official Premier League license is also on full display, with highly detailed kits that bring a new level of authenticity.

Of course, the big question for many has been how this new engine will impact performance on the traditionally easy-to-run title. While the minimum specs are still relatively low, allowing the game to run on ancient hardware like a Core i3-530 and a GTX 960, the recommended specs are a different matter. For a good experience, Sports Interactive recommends at least a Core i5-9600 or Ryzen 5 2600, 12 GB of RAM, and a graphics card such as an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 or an AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT. The story is similar for laptops, with the recommended spec calling for an RTX 2060 Mobile or an RX 6600M. The detailed system requirements for Windows and Mac can be found below:

MINIMUM (1080p, low settings)

• Operating Systems (64-bit): Windows 10 (with updates 22H2), Windows 11 (with updates 23H2)
• Processor (requires SSE4.2 & SSSE3):
  • Desktop:
    • Intel Core i3-530
    • AMD FX-4100
  • Laptop:
    • Intel Core i3-330M
    • AMD A6-5200
• Memory: 4 GB RAM
• Graphics (512 MB VRAM):
  • Desktop:
    • Nvidia GeForce GTX 960
    • AMD Radeon R9 380
    • Intel HD 530
  • Laptop:
    • Nvidia GeForce GTX 960M
    • AMD Radeon R9 M375
    • Intel HD 530
• DirectX: Version 11
• Hard Drive Space: 20 GB available space

RECOMMENDED (1080p, high settings)

• Operating Systems (64-bit): Windows 11 (with updates 23H2)
• Processor:
  • Desktop:
    • Intel Core i5-9600
    • AMD Ryzen 5 2600
  • Laptop:
    • Intel Core i5-1035G7
    • AMD Ryzen 7 3750H
• Memory: 12 GB RAM
• Graphics (1 GB VRAM):
  • Desktop:
    • Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060
    • AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT
  • Laptop:
    • Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 Mobile
    • AMD Radeon RX 6600M
• DirectX: Version 11
• Hard Drive Space: 20 GB available space

Mac Requirements

MINIMUM (1080p, low settings)

• Operating Systems (64-bit only and updated): 11 Big Sur, 12 Monterey, 13 Ventura, 14 Sonoma, 15 Sequoia.
• Processor: Apple M1 or Intel Core M
• Memory: 4 GB RAM
• Graphics:
  • Desktop:
    • Apple M1
    • Nvidia GeForce GT 750M
    • Intel HD Graphics 5000
    • AMD FirePro D300
  • Laptop:
    • Apple M1
    • Nvidia GeForce GT 750M
    • Intel HD Graphics 5000
• Hard Drive Space: 20 GB available space

RECOMMENDED (1080p, high settings)

• Operating Systems (64-bit only and updated): 13 Ventura, 14 Sonoma, 15 Sequoia
• Processor:
  • Apple M1
• Memory: 12 GB RAM
• Graphics (1 GB VRAM):
  • Apple M1
• Hard Drive Space: 20 GB available space

While no firm release date has been set, Football Manager 26 is expected to return to its traditional early-to-mid November launch window, with a beta arriving about two weeks beforehand.

KitGuru says: Will you return to Football Manager when FM26 is released? Is your system ready for it?

The post Football Manager 26 makes big visual changes, but PC requirements remain accessible first appeared on KitGuru.

Konami's long-awaited remake, Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater, has had quite a successful launch, but technical issues have somewhat soured the celebration. The publisher has announced that the game sold over one million copies on its launch day across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox, despite players reporting significant performance issues.

Konami confirmed the sales milestone, which was achieved following the game's official release on August 28th. It's a clear sign that the series remains a massive draw for gamers, even without the involvement of its original creator, Hideo Kojima.

However, the launch has not been entirely smooth. Players on PC, PS5, and Xbox have been widely reporting performance problems since release, most notably significant frame rate dips and stuttering. The issues are prevalent enough that Konami has been forced to issue a statement, confirming that they are “currently investigating the causes and working on a patch to resolve these problems”, though no timeline for the fix has been provided.

This puts the launch in a bittersweet position. The incredible sales figures all but guarantee a bright future for the Metal Gear franchise at Konami, which will likely encourage the publisher to continue investing in it. For now, though, many of the million-plus players who have already bought the game are waiting patiently for a patch to bring the performance up to the standard they expect.

KitGuru says: Have you already tried the Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater remake? How was your experience?

The post Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater remake sold one million copies on launch day first appeared on KitGuru.

It's a sad time for handheld gaming fans, as the Nintendo 3DS era has now officially come to a complete close. This week, Nintendo officially ended its repair service for the New Nintendo 2DS XL, the last and final model in the beloved console family to be supported by the company.

The end of service, which took effect on September 4th, was not unexpected, but Nintendo has now made it official. In a statement, the company confirmed that the shutdown is due to the depletion of parts inventory required for repairs, meaning the company can no longer offer licensed repairs.

This is the final nail in the coffin for the 3DS line, a process that has been happening over several years. The digital eShop, which was home to numerous exclusive titles, was shut down in March 2023. This was followed by the termination of general online services for multiplayer gaming in April 2024. The end of the repair service for the final model now marks the official end of all first-party support for the platform.

The Nintendo 3DS family, with its unique glasses-free 3D screen and extensive library of classic games, will go down in history as one of the most successful handheld consoles ever made. While owners will now have to rely on third-party repair shops to keep their consoles running, the console's legacy will live on.

KitGuru says: Do you still own a Nintendo 2DS XL? Is it still running well?

The post Nintendo halts support for 2DS XL, effectively ending the 3DS era first appeared on KitGuru.

Lenovo has unveiled its latest high-end gaming displays at IFA 2025, introducing a new trio of Legion Pro monitors featuring “PureSight” QD-OLED panels. The new lineup includes two 4K high-refresh-rate models and a QHD option, all boasting the rapid response times and stunning image quality that QD-OLED technology is known for.

Leading the charge is the Lenovo Legion Pro 32UD-10, a 31.5-inch gaming monitor with a 4K (3840×2160) resolution and a 240 Hz refresh rate. A smaller 26.5-inch model, the Legion Pro 27UD-10, joins it, packing the same 4K resolution and 240 Hz refresh rate into a more compact frame, resulting in a very high pixel density. For those who prioritise raw speed, there's also the Legion Pro 27Q-10, a 26.5-inch QHD (2560×1440) model that runs at 280 Hz.

All three monitors are built for gamers, featuring a 0.03 ms response time, 99% coverage of the DCI-P3 colour spectrum, and support for both AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and VESA Adaptive Sync. They are also certified for HDR TrueBlack 400, ensuring deep blacks and high contrast. Moreover, the 4K models are both ClearMR 13000-certified, while the 27Q-10 is ClearMR 15000-certified.

Regarding connectivity, the product sheets list DisplayPort 1.4 as an option for all models. That means that using this option, users may not be able to drive the 4K@240Hz and 2K@280Hz signals without DSC (Display Stream Compression). Alternatively, the monitors have HDMI 2.1 ports, which can drive a 2K@280Hz signal without DSC, but not the 4K@240Hz ones. Each monitor also features a USB hub with various USB ports (27Q-10 only has USB-A), Lenovo Artery software compatibility, VESA mount support (100 x 100 mm), and console mode.

The new monitors feature a stylish, compact stand with tilt, swivel, pivot, and height adjustment capabilities. The Legion Pro 27UD-10 is set to launch in October for €859, followed by the flagship 32UD-10 at €899 and the QHD 27Q-10 at €599 in November.

KitGuru says: Which of these three upcoming Lenovo Legion Pro monitors do you prefer?

The post Lenovo unveils trio of Legion Pro OLED gaming monitors first appeared on KitGuru.

Machine Games impressed greatly with Wolfenstein: The New Order and its sequel. Unfortunately, the story of B.J. Blazkowicz has been on pause since the 2017 release of Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus, but the studio may finally be ready to wrap up its planned trilogy.

Over the past few years, much of Machine Games has been working on Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. That game turned out to be incredible, offering some of the best visuals in all of gaming, along with fun adventure gameplay with a little bit of combat thrown in. However, a return to Wolfenstein is still on the table.

As spotted by Insider Gaming, recently the NoClip YouTube channel posted a documentary focused on Wolfenstein. In the doc, game director, Jerk Gustaffson, explained that Wolfenstein: The New Order was supposed to be the start of a trilogy. Machine Games had always planned to tell the story of B.J. Blazkowicz over three games, and it sounds like that third game may finally get made. Here is the relevant quote from the video:

“I think this is important to say, because we have always seen this as a trilogy. So that journey, for B.J., even during those first weeks at id when we mapped out New Order, we still had the plan for, at least, that character; What will happen in the second one, what will happen in the third one. I think that’s important to say, because – at least, I hope – that we’re not done with Wolfenstein yet. We have a story to tell.”

The quote is not an announcement, or confirmation that Wolfenstein 3 is even in active development, but with work on Indiana Jones now wrapped up with the release of its new expansion, there could be time and resources up for grabs to start a third Wolfenstein project.

Based on this statement, it does seem that previous rumours about Wolfenstein 3 were incorrect. Prior to the announcement of Indiana Jones, a number of known games industry insiders made the claim that Wolfenstein 3 was in development, but this statement makes it pretty clear that while there were plans for a third game at one point, it never actually went into production.

KitGuru Says: Did you play Wolfenstein The New Order and The New Colossus? Would you like to see a third game all these years later?

The post Machine Games confirms Wolfenstein 3 was planned before pivot to Indiana Jones first appeared on KitGuru.

August was a big month for Helldivers 2, as Arrowhead welcomed a whole new platform to the ranks. Helldivers 2 is now out on Xbox consoles for the first time and so far, it appears to be a massive hit. 

Alinea Analytics shared their list of the most downloaded games in August 2025, finding that Helldivers 2 had been downloaded by almost a million players during its first six days on the Xbox platform. This is even bigger than the initial PS5 launch for the game, where over 600K players downloaded the game in the first week, as noted by Gamerant.

Of course, the Xbox launch had the benefit of arriving much later. This gave gamers on other platforms plenty of time to experience the game and spread positive word of mouth, whereas when Helldivers 2 first launched on PS5 and PC, it was pretty much an ‘unknown' game. Despite being a sequel, Helldivers 2 is an entirely different game to the original, evolving from an isometric twin-stick shooter to a full, third-person action game.

The Xbox launch of the game was also cross promoted by Microsoft with the addition of a HALO themed warbond, the Helldivers version of a battle pass, containing cosmetics earnable by playing the game. Helldivers is also one of the few titles to offer ‘forever' battle passes, allowing players to catch up and removing all elements of FOMO from the equation.

KitGuru Says: Did any of you pick up Helldivers 2 for the first time on Xbox last week? 

The post Helldivers 2 reached nearly 1 million players on Xbox in first week first appeared on KitGuru.

Borderlands 4 is less than a week away at this point. For those eager to get in as soon as their pre-order unlocks, Gearbox has now finalised its launch-day plans, revealing global launch times for the game on all platforms. Interestingly, PC players will get in hours earlier than those on console. 

Technically, the ‘launch time' for Borderlands 4 is 12:00AM on September 12th for all time zones. However, this only applies to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S users. Those on PC will get access hours earlier, starting at 5PM on September 11th in the UK for both Steam and the Epic Games Store.

Here is the full list of unlock times for Borderlands 4 on Steam and Epic Games Store:

• Wellington, New Zealand – Sept 12 at 4:00 AM NZST
• Sydney, Australia – Sept 12 at 2:00 AM AEST
• Tokyo, Japan – Sept 12 at 1:00 AM JST
• Singapore – Sept 12 at 12:00 AM SGT
• London, UK – Sept 11 at 5:00 PM BST
• New York, NY, USA – Sept 11 at 12:00 PM ET
• San Francisco, CA, USA – Sept 11 at 9:00 AM PT

The Nintendo Switch 2 version of the game arrives a few weeks later, on October 3rd. The game will unlock at 12AM in your local time zone on that date. The only exception is US Pacific Time, where the game unlocks at 9PM the evening before, lining up with the game's 12AM launch on the East Coast. This timing also applies to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.

Those who pre-order any edition of Borderlands 4 will also get the Gilded Glory Pack at launch, as well as four pieces of Legendary Gear and an extra Vault Hunter Head cosmetic.

KitGuru Says: Are you planning on picking up Borderlands 4 next week? 

The post Borderlands 4 global unlock times announced – PC players get early access first appeared on KitGuru.

This week, LC-Power lifted the lid on yet another impressive monitor in its arsenal, the LC-M27UFD. This is a 27″ flatscreen monitor with Dual Mode functionality, enabling higher resolution at a lower refresh rate, or a lower resolution at a super charged 320Hz refresh rate, so you can take advantage of the screen real-estate that 4K resolution affords during work hours, and then switch to 320Hz mode when it is time to jump into some games.

The LC-M27UFD is equipped with a fast IPS non-glare panel. What truly sets this monitor apart is its dual-mode resolution capability, offering 4K at 160Hz, or 1080p at 320Hz, so you get the best of both worlds, all in one package. This is LC-Power's first monitor to reach such an extraordinary refresh rate. It's not all about extra smoothness though, a higher frame rate also lowers overall latency, so you'll get a small competitive edge in games that require quick actions from the player.

LC-Power has paid close attention to colour performance with this monitor too. It covers 95% Adobe RGB and DCI-P3, 99% sRGB, 90% NTSC and 75% BT.2020, making it a very accurate monitor, whether you are looking to make your content editing life easier, or if you just want your games to ‘pop' a bit more. The monitor also sports DisplayHDR 400 for brighter highlights, and a contrast ratio of 1000:1. Other features include 1ms OD response time, Adaptive Sync, Low Blue Light Technology, and Flicker-Free operation, as well as additional modes like Game Plus, Picture-in-Picture and Picture-by-Picture. If you want to hook up a console alongside your PC, then you'll be pleased to know that the monitor also has HDMI 2.1, so you'll get the full 4K/120Hz that the Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2 all support.

The LC-M27UFD will be available soon, priced at £329 in the UK, or €339 in Europe. For peace of mind, the monitor is also backed by a three-year warranty.

KitGuru Says: We'll be reviewing this in the near future, so stay tuned for our in-depth analysis. Judging by the spec sheet and the price, it could be an incredible bargain. 

The post LC-Power’s new M27UFD monitor offers Dual Mode 4K and up to 320Hz for just £329 first appeared on KitGuru.

Gigabyte is getting in on the hardware game bundle action this month. For a limited time, anyone buying select Gigabyte graphics cards or gaming laptops will also receive a free copy of Borderlands 4, which has been garnering plenty of positive reception from early previews. 

If you buy a Gigabyte GeForce RTX 5090, 5080, 5070 TI or 5070, or a Gigabyte gaming laptop featuring one of those GPUs, you will also get a free copy of Borderlands 4. This also includes the AORUS line of graphics cards and laptops.

This bundle offer will be available until September 22nd and you will need to go through the redemption process before September 30th to receive your game code. You can find a list of eligible retailers for each region and full redemption instructions HERE.

Borderlands 4 officially launches on September 12th. However, PC players get early access starting on September 11th. You can see the full list of global launch times for the game HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are you planning on picking up a new GPU or laptop upgrade this month? Will you be taking advantage of the free Borderlands 4 code? 

The post Gigabyte is offering up free copies of Borderlands 4 with GPUs and laptops first appeared on KitGuru.

Last year, PowerColor entered the gaming peripheral market with its new brand, Alphyn. The launch kicked off with two great products, the PowerColor Alphyn AM10 wireless mouse and the Alphyn AH10 wireless gaming headset. We gave both positive reviews when they launched at their initial MSRPs of £99 and £79, but now, you can get them for up to 40% off compared to launch.

The Alphyn AM10 is designed to deliver everything you need from a gaming mouse. From the classic ergonomic palm-grip shape to the ultra-high 8000Hz polling rate, ensuring minimal latency between your mouse clicks and the PC. Using a PAW3395 sensor, you'll get top-tier accuracy with up to 26,000 DPI and 650 IPS tracking, blending speed and precision.

The Alphyn AH10 also delivers in spades as far as features are concerned. It comes with three hardware-tuned audio modes – Theater, Gaming, and Music. Through the accompanying Keystone software, you can also access DTS-tuned audio profiles, or create your own personalised EQ settings, making it an ideal pick up for those who use their PC for all forms of media and entertainment.

As previously mentioned, the Alphyn AM10 mouse launched at £99 and the AH10 headset normally goes for £79. However, currently both have had their prices slashed at Overclockers UK, bringing the price down to £59.99 for the mouse (also available in white) and £59.99 for the headset.

KitGuru Says: Are you in the market for a new mouse or headset? How much are you looking to spend on peripheral upgrades?

The post PowerColor brings big discounts to Alphyn gaming peripherals first appeared on KitGuru.

Cougar has unveiled the FV150 Mini RGB, a new compact case that joins the popular trend of panoramic showcase chassis. Designed for Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX builds, this new case features a pillarless, dual-chamber design and is available in three colours: black, white, and pink.

Measuring 285 x 436 x 365mm, the FV150 Mini RGB offers a seamless panoramic view, achieved with tempered glass panels on the front and left side that meet without a corner pillar. This is paired with a dual-chamber layout that hides the PSU and storage drives behind the motherboard tray. The case also offers full support for rear-connector motherboards, allowing for a build with fewer visible cables in the main chamber.

Despite its compact size, the case offers some serious cooling potential. It supports up to a 360mm radiator in the top and a 280mm radiator on the side simultaneously. To get you started, Cougar includes three ARGB fans out of the box: one standard 120mm fan for rear exhaust and two 120mm reverse-blade fans for side intake.

There's plenty of room for high-end hardware too, including graphics cards up to 400mm long, CPU air coolers up to 170mm tall, and standard ATX PSUs up to 200mm long. The front I/O is also up to date, featuring a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a 3.5mm headset jack.

KitGuru says: Would you like to build a new PC inside one of these? 

The post Cougar launches compact FV150 Mini RGB PC case first appeared on KitGuru.