It seems that in 2024, OLED displays are as ubiquitous as AI. Once exclusive to high-end TVs, OLEDs are now available in various forms and sizes. At PowerUp, we’ve reviewed several, with many more to come. Today, we’re examining the world’s first Glossy WOLED gaming monitor: the Asus ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDMG. Most gaming monitors have been either QD-OLED or WOLED, typically with Matte or Semi-gloss finishes to minimize distracting reflections. In contrast, LG’s OLED TVs use a glossy panel for more vibrant colors and richer blacks. Asus has brought this vibrant picture quality to gamers with th ..read more

I have to admit, I was initially disappointed after reviewing the Alienware M16 R2. The redesign felt underwhelming, lacking the innovative spark I’ve come to expect from Dell/Alienware. Hoping for redemption, I requested the new X16 R2, but a typo in our emails led to the arrival of the Dell XPS 16 instead. But from the moment I unboxed it, I was hooked. Dell’s design team have outdone themselves, and after nearly a month of use, I can confidently say this laptop is a game-changer. The Dell XPS 16 strikes a perfect balance between sleek industrial design and powerful performance. With a start ..read more

When it’s a slow month for video games, I feel the best option is to put down the controller, resist the urge to go outside or talk to loved ones, and just pick up the TV remote instead. To that end, I’ve scoured through the Australian Netflix offerings to find the best non-interactive entertainment worth consuming as I ice my thumbs and lick my wounds after weeks of Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree abuse. Must-watch Series of the Month: Cobra Kai S6 – Jul 18 : It’s gratifying to see this series continue to be a knockout example of how to reboot something right. [Season 5 spoilers here] Pickin ..read more

In 2024, I was surprised to see JBL Quantum, a brand known for gaming audio, release a product not explicitly targeted at gamers. Enter the JBL Quantum Stream Wireless USB-C, a wireless lavalier microphone designed for content creators using Android or the latest iPhone devices to record their videos. Yes, content creators, not gamers, though there’s nothing stopping you from using the Quantum Stream Wireless USB-C for a wireless mic setup on Twitch. At $150, this new mic competes in a crowded market of wireless lav mics, many of which are much cheaper. As a tech content creator who shoots eve ..read more

Fans waiting to get their Mrs. Freeze fix have been left out in the cold today, thanks to the new content drop for Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League being put on ice until late July. Delays are a natural part of the industry, however, there’s an element of whiplash here as Rocksteady Studios opted to delay the launch of its Second Season a mere two days before it was meant to arrive. Needless to say, the news was met with a middling-to-chilly reception when it was announced officially: Update: Task Force X, we’ll be adjusting the release timing for the next season, #SuicideSquadGame Sea ..read more

Many is the time when I’ve scrolled past Astro’s Playroom in my PS5 Library and thought, “I’ve clocked that, but I’d take any excuse to replay it again.” Such was the unexpected quality of PlayStation’s pack-in freebie, a game that finally in recent months has the spotlight back on it, thanks to the announcement of a fully-fledged (and priced) Astro Bot title. The good news for today is that you and I don’t have to wait until September 6th to get our Astro fix… A few days ago, some eagle-eyed fans noted that a patch dropped, which also included some new PlayStation 5 artefacts to unlock and ga ..read more

I’ve always been a fan of Steelseries gaming headsets. They are some of the best-looking, most comfortable, and best-sounding headsets around. The new Steelseries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless upholds these standards and introduces new features to enhance the gaming experience. Retailing at $299, the Arctis Nova 5 is available in PC, Xbox, and PlayStation variants, with the PC and PlayStation versions being cross-compatible. It supports both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless, though not simultaneously. While the design of the Arctis Nova 5 is familiar from other Arctis Nova headsets, it distinguishes its ..read more

The OBSBOT Tiny 2 4K Webcam is one of the most impressive webcams I’ve ever used. Boasting 4K resolution at 30fps HDR, it’s equipped with a motorized 2-axis gimbal driven by AI, which allows it to intelligently frame and track you. It even responds to hand gestures and voice commands. However, its $519 AUD ($329 USD) price tag is steep. Enter the all new OBSBOT Tiny 2 Lite, priced at a more palatable $279 AUD ($179 USD), nearly half the cost of its sibling. So, how did OBSBOT cut costs so dramatically? Frankly, I’m puzzled because on the surface, the two cameras seem identical. Dig a little th ..read more

The world of gaming laptops is pretty crowded, and every manufacturer needs a unique angle to stand out. For the new Gigabyte Aorus 16X, that headliner is AI. Yes, I rolled my eyes too, but AI is legitimately becoming a mainstay in laptops, largely due to Microsoft’s insistence on its Copilot AI and the introduction of Neural Processing Units (NPUs) in CPUs. The $3000 Gigabyte Aorus 16X is the first gaming laptop I’ve encountered that has added a dedicated Copilot button for quick access to Windows 11’s ChatGPT-powered assistant. Besides that, it features Gigabyte’s AI Nexus suite of tools des ..read more

When I reviewed the 32” 4K MSI MPG321URX a few weeks ago, I called it the best bang-for-buck QD-OLED gaming monitor you could buy today. However, that monitor comes with a hefty $2100 price tag, which is almost $600 more than Alienware’s AW3225QRF curved QD-OLED. MSI has now introduced the MPG271QRX — a 27” version of the same monitor but with a 1440p resolution and an astounding 360Hz refresh rate. Frustratingly, the MPG271QRX retails for about $1700, making it more expensive than Alienware’s competing 360Hz, 27” AW2725DF OLED by a whopping $600. It’s also pricier than the bigger 32″ 4K AW322 ..read more