Latest news with #compact
Forbes
6 days ago
- General
- Forbes
Costway Portable Air Conditioner Review: Strong Cooling For Small Rooms
Compact portable air conditioners can be hit or miss. Sure, they're easy to move around, but too often they end up feeling more like glorified fans, leaving you wondering: Are portable air conditioners worth it? During our recent testing for this Costway Portable Air Conditioner review, it surprised us: It's small enough to easily wheel from room to room, but also strong enough to noticeably cool the area, especially up close. Unlike other compact models we've tested, it didn't fade into just circulating warm air around the room, and the cooling breeze stays consistently strong within several feet of the unit. After testing a range of the best portable air conditioners, the Costway Portable Air Conditioner was the clear winner for small spaces. It's especially good if you want direct air conditioning—think a home office, dorm room or small bedroom—rather than trying to cool your entire apartment. It's not whisper-quiet, but the noise isn't distracting either, and setup was mostly painless (though we did have to get creative with the window inserts). And while this model doesn't have smart features, we didn't really miss them; the basic functions and included remote were easy to operate on their own. Below, in our Costway Portable Air Conditioner review, we share exactly how it performed, including how well it cooled, what we thought of the controls and whether this unit is worth the trade-offs that come with its smaller size. BTU: 10,000 | Coverage: Up to 350 square feet | Noise: 57 to 62 dB | Weight: 45 pounds | Extras: Dehumidifier mode, fan mode, remote control Best for: Skip if: This Costway model doesn't cool down a huge space, but during our testing it noticeably cooled the area right around it. At about 10 feet from the unit, our thermometer recorded a measurable temperature drop compared to the rest of the room. And at just three feet away, we felt a steady flow of cool air that would be ideal for sitting at a desk or relaxing on a couch nearby. Unlike some compact units we've tested, the Costway actually lowered the temperature within its immediate range—just keep in mind that its cooling ability fades as you move farther away. If your goal is to quickly cool a large living room or an open-plan space, you're better off with a bigger and more powerful model like the Midea Duo. But for targeted cooling, especially if you're sitting close to the unit, this smaller model works well. Like most portable air conditioners in this price range, the Costway isn't silent. During testing, we found it produced about as much noise as a standard window AC unit—a steady hum that was noticeable but not distracting. On the plus side, the noise was consistent—there were no sudden spikes, rattling or changes in tone that could be jarring. This Costway model has only two fan speeds, high and low, but we noticed a clear difference in noise levels between the two. Switching to the lower fan speed reduced the sound significantly, so it would be easier to have conversations or watch TV without turning the volume up. Still, even on low, don't expect this model to run quietly enough for extremely sensitive sleepers. If you're particularly bothered by white noise, you might prefer a quieter (though likely pricier) alternative. But overall, we found its noise level reasonable, given its compact size and cooling ability. Getting the Costway up and running was quick. The unit itself is compact, lightweight and took us only a few minutes to unpack, roll into position and attach the exhaust hose. The window installation kit, however, was another story. The provided inserts were clearly designed for vertical sliding windows (ones that move side-to-side), so we had some trouble adapting it to our horizontally sliding window. One insert wasn't wide enough, and two inserts together were too wide. We ended up needing to saw down an insert manually, since the plastic was too sturdy for scissors. As for the controls, the Costway comes with a basic remote that lets you easily adjust the temperature, fan speed and modes from across the room. There's no companion app or smart-home integration, but we didn't particularly miss those features. It's also worth noting that the unit's buttons are touch-sensitive rather than push-to-press; initially, we kept pressing harder and thought the unit wasn't responding, but it worked fine once we realized it required only a gentle tap. There's a Sleep mode as well, which dims the LED display but doesn't fully turn it off, so keep in mind that you can still see some glow at night. After testing the Costway Portable Air Conditioner, we think it's a great pick if you mostly need cooling for a small space or want air blowing directly on you. It doesn't make a major difference in an entire apartment or even a large room, but if you're sitting near it, like at a desk, in bed or on a couch, it definitely makes a difference. The noise is noticeable but steady, and we didn't find it too distracting. It doesn't have any smart features, but the remote was enough to cover everything we wanted the AC to do. Our main issue was the window installation kit, which needed some modification. But once we handled that setup, moving the Costway around was easy, and the cooling was consistent each time we turned it on. If you're short on space or just looking for a basic, budget-friendly air conditioner, this unit does exactly what it needs to do.
Geeky Gadgets
09-05-2025
- Geeky Gadgets
Say Goodbye to Expensive Consoles : Build a Budget SteamOS SFF Gaming PC
What if you could enjoy the power and flexibility of PC gaming without the sky-high price tag of modern consoles or premium gaming rigs? Imagine a sleek, compact system nestled in your living room, effortlessly running your favorite titles at 1080p or even 1440p—all for a fraction of the cost. The secret? Building your own small form factor (SFF) gaming PC powered by SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system optimized for gaming. This approach not only saves you money but also gives you the freedom to customize and upgrade your system as you see fit. It's a bold departure from the console status quo, offering a budget-friendly alternative that doesn't skimp on performance or usability. In this project, ETA Prime guides you through crafting a compact gaming powerhouse that's perfect for both casual and competitive gamers. You'll discover how to pair affordable yet capable components like the AMD Ryzen 5 5600X CPU and Radeon RX 6600 GPU to achieve smooth gameplay without overspending. We'll also explore the advantages of SteamOS, from its intuitive gaming interface to its full desktop functionality, making this build as versatile as it is cost-effective. Whether you're a seasoned PC enthusiast or a console gamer looking to make the leap, this guide will show you how to create a system that redefines what budget gaming can look like. Let's reimagine the gaming experience—one component at a time. Build a Budget Gaming PC Key Components for Your Build The foundation of this gaming PC lies in selecting components that balance performance and cost. Here's a breakdown of the essential hardware: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X CPU: This six-core processor provides excellent gaming performance and multitasking capabilities. If you're on a tighter budget, the Ryzen 5600 or 5700G are viable alternatives that still deliver solid results. This six-core processor provides excellent gaming performance and multitasking capabilities. If you're on a tighter budget, the Ryzen 5600 or 5700G are viable alternatives that still deliver solid results. ASUS Prime B550 MA MicroATX Motherboard: A reliable and compact motherboard that supports DDR4 RAM and PCIe 4.0, making sure compatibility with modern components and future upgrades. A reliable and compact motherboard that supports DDR4 RAM and PCIe 4.0, making sure compatibility with modern components and future upgrades. 16GB DDR4 RAM (3200 MHz): Sufficient memory for smooth gameplay and multitasking. This capacity is ideal for most modern games and general computing tasks. Sufficient memory for smooth gameplay and multitasking. This capacity is ideal for most modern games and general computing tasks. 1TB NVMe SSD: Provides fast storage for quick load times and system responsiveness. If you need to save money, a 512GB SSD is a good alternative, though you may need to manage storage space carefully. Provides fast storage for quick load times and system responsiveness. If you need to save money, a 512GB SSD is a good alternative, though you may need to manage storage space carefully. Radeon RX 6600 GPU: A capable graphics card for 1080p gaming, offering excellent performance for its price. Exploring used options can help reduce costs further. This combination of components ensures smooth gaming performance while keeping the overall cost low. The pairing of a Ryzen CPU with a Radeon GPU is particularly effective for maximizing value, making it a great choice for budget-conscious gamers. Additional Hardware for a Compact Setup To complete your SFF gaming PC, you'll need a few additional components tailored for a compact and efficient design: Compact PC Case: Select a case that supports MicroATX motherboards. Affordable options start at around $55, with even cheaper alternatives available if aesthetics are not a priority. Select a case that supports MicroATX motherboards. Affordable options start at around $55, with even cheaper alternatives available if aesthetics are not a priority. 500W SFX Power Supply: A small form factor PSU priced at approximately $37, providing sufficient power for this build while maintaining a compact footprint. A small form factor PSU priced at approximately $37, providing sufficient power for this build while maintaining a compact footprint. Wraith Spire Cooler: The stock cooler included with Ryzen CPUs is more than adequate for this build, eliminating the need for an aftermarket cooling solution. The compact design of this build makes it perfect for living room setups, offering a sleek and space-saving alternative to traditional gaming PCs. Its small size ensures it blends seamlessly into your entertainment center while delivering powerful gaming performance. Budget SteamOS SFF Gaming PC Project Guide Watch this video on YouTube. Here is a selection of other guides from our extensive library of content you may find of interest on SteamOS. Installing SteamOS SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system optimized for gaming, serves as the backbone of this build. It provides a user-friendly interface for gaming while also offering the flexibility of a full Linux desktop environment. Follow these steps to install SteamOS on your system: Download the Steam Deck recovery image from Valve's official website. Use Rufus, a bootable USB creation tool, to flash the recovery image onto a USB drive. Boot your PC from the USB drive and install SteamOS. Once installed, update it to the latest main branch to access enhanced features and improved performance. Enable developer mode to unlock advanced system settings and updates, allowing for greater customization and control. SteamOS not only simplifies gaming but also provides access to a full desktop environment, allowing you to use the system for productivity tasks, web browsing, and media consumption. Performance Benchmarks This budget-friendly build delivers impressive gaming performance, particularly at 1080p resolution. Below are some benchmarks from popular titles to give you an idea of what to expect: Cyberpunk 2077: 1080p high settings, ~81 FPS with FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) balanced mode enabled. 1080p high settings, ~81 FPS with FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) balanced mode enabled. Doom Eternal: 1440p ultra settings, ~130 FPS, showcasing the system's capability for higher resolutions. 1440p ultra settings, ~130 FPS, showcasing the system's capability for higher resolutions. Spider-Man 2: 1080p high settings, ~66 FPS with frame generation enabled for smoother gameplay. 1080p high settings, ~66 FPS with frame generation enabled for smoother gameplay. The Witcher 3: 1080p high settings, ~60 FPS after resolving initial performance issues. 1080p high settings, ~60 FPS after resolving initial performance issues. Borderlands 3: 1080p high settings, ~111 FPS; ultra settings, ~72 FPS for those seeking enhanced visuals. 1080p high settings, ~111 FPS; ultra settings, ~72 FPS for those seeking enhanced visuals. Oblivion Remastered: 1080p high-medium mix, ~74 FPS using Xe Super Sampling (XESS) for improved image quality. With technologies like FSR and XESS, you can further enhance performance and image quality in supported games, making this build a versatile choice for modern gaming. Cost and Customization Options The total cost of this build is approximately $440, making it an affordable alternative to traditional gaming consoles. However, you can reduce the cost to around $400 by opting for more budget-friendly components, such as a less expensive case or a lower-end GPU. This flexibility allows you to customize the build to fit your specific budget and performance needs, making sure you get the best value for your investment. Usability and Features This SFF gaming PC is designed with convenience and versatility in mind. Its compact size makes it an excellent choice for living room setups, where space is often limited. The system supports Xbox and PlayStation controllers, providing a console-like gaming experience that's perfect for casual and competitive gamers alike. Additionally, SteamOS offers full desktop functionality, allowing you to use the system for productivity tasks, media streaming, and more alongside gaming. By combining affordability, performance, and versatility, this build offers a practical solution for gamers looking to enjoy modern titles without the high cost of traditional gaming setups. Whether you're a casual player or a seasoned enthusiast, this SFF gaming PC delivers exceptional value and functionality for your gaming needs. Media Credit: ETA PRIME Filed Under: Gaming News, Hardware, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
