9to5Toys Tested

390 '9to5Toys Tested' stories June 2020 - July 2020

Tested: Aukey Omnia USB-C GaN Charger delivers 100W to your MacBook, more

Trevor Daugherty Jul 14 2020 - 2:52 pm PT

Editor’s note: Tested with 9to5Toys is a new series focused on everyday accessories and essentials to take your setup to the next level. Have a product you’d like to see us review? Sound off in the comment section below!

When Apple made the move to include a 96W wall charger with its 16-inch MacBook Pro, it suddenly became more obvious than ever that our EDC needed to expand. While the bundled wall charger delivers the power, it’s certainly quite beefy in size. Aukey is amongst a host of other manufacturers that have begun to roll out 100W power adapters with smaller footprints. The new Omnia USB-C Charger with GaN technology arrives as a notably smaller alternative that also costs much less at around $50. Our latest Tested with 9to5Toys tackles the question of whether or not this third-party alternative should become the star of your mobile power setup.

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Tested: Twelve South Compass Pro arrives as a premium home for high-end iPads

Trevor Daugherty Jul 10 2020 - 2:27 pm PT

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The Twelve South Compass Pro arrives as a premium stand for iPad, iPhone, and various other smartphones or tablets. It’s made of aluminum with a matching space gray design that goes well with Apple’s inventory of products. There are certainly plenty of lower-cost alternatives out there than the $60 Compass Pro, but few match the level of quality, without a doubt. The latest Tested with 9to5Toys explores where the Compass Pro shines and if the premium price tag is worth it. Head below for more.

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Tested: Aukey Graphite Qi Charger pushes 15W speeds with LED lighting

Trevor Daugherty Jul 8 2020 - 3:38 pm PT

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With nearly every smartphone on the market today supporting wireless charging in one way or another, it makes more sense than ever to have a Qi-powered solution on your nightstand. There are plenty of options on the market, of course, at varying price points from uber affordable to high-end. Aukey’s Graphite Qi Charger arrives in the middle at $40 with a metal design, fast 15W charging speeds, and an illuminating LED light. There’s a lot to like here as a mid-range option that won’t break the bank. Hit the jump for some quick hands-on in the latest Tested with 9to5Toys.

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Tested: elago’s latest AirPods Pro cases re-create iconic designs

Trevor Daugherty Jul 3 2020 - 3:07 pm PT

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elago has been cranking out fun Apple accessories for a while now. In recent years, the brand has turned its attention to unique add-ons for your iPhone, iPad, and AirPods. Almost all of them are made from a soft and flexible plastic, which allow for each product to easily slide in and out when needed. Not to mention, the material won’t scratch up your beloved tech either. On the latest episode of Tested with 9to5Toys, we’re taking a close up look at elago’s newest AirPods Pro case. In recent months, elago has introduced a range of new products for Apple’s high-end AirPods, and now we’re going to see what all the fuss is about.

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Tested: Wansview 1080p USB Webcam improves over MacBook, great for desktops at just $30

Seth Weintraub Jul 2 2020 - 2:35 pm PT

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Editor’s note: Tested with 9to5Toys is a new series focused on everyday accessories and essentials to take your setup to the next level, starting with the new Anker PowerExpand Elite Dock. Have a product you’d like to see us review? Sound off in the comment section below!

If I have one major gripe about Apple’s MacBook lineup, it is that their webcams are way too “potato” for $1,000 machines. I get it, there isn’t much depth in their razor-thin displays to fit a good camera module, but with a lot more Zoom/Skype/Hangout/Meet/etc calls during the past months, I wanted to see if a low-cost $30 Wansview 1080p upgrade would improve the situation.

In short, it did…

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Tested: Anker PowerExpand Thunderbolt 3 dock arrives with ample connectivity

Trevor Daugherty Jun 30 2020 - 2:16 pm PT

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Anker has been around for years, offering everyday essential accessories for iPhones, Android devices, Macs, and PCs. So when Anker introduced its first Thunderbolt 3 dock, you better believe that it got our attention. There is no shortage of USB-C docks on the market today, adding a few extra I/O ports to your setup. However, making the jump to Thunderbolt 3 contracts the number of offerings notably. Given Anker’s track record and the competitive price of its new docks, it was a no-brainer for a review here at Tested with 9to5Toys. Below you’ll find a breakdown of specs and the various pros and cons of going with Anker’s first Thunderbolt 3 dock, the PowerExpand Elite.

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