UPerfect reached into a whole new category of display panel with the UColor T3. It blurs the formerly clear line between a desktop-class monitor and a portable monitor by creating a display that could genuinely be used for either.
It’s a 23.8-inch 4K matte panel, large enough for a desktop display. What makes this panel particularly interesting is that it's as thin as a tablet and powered by a single USB-C port, rather than requiring a USB-C cable to connect to the computer and a separate AC power cable.
Having tested many of the best portable monitors around, including several from UPerfect, I can tell you it’s not the easiest to bring to a quick coffee run. But you could very easily take this on the road, perhaps to a temporary workspace, co-working, or business travel where you need a more substantial screen than your laptop allows. Regardless of the reason, if you need a monitor for whatever reason, but a traditional monitor won’t work for you, you don’t have to decide. You can get a full-sized, 4K-resolution panel that you can take wherever you are.
UPERFECT UColor T3: Price and availability
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
The UColor T3 is currently on sale directly on UPerfect's site for $510 / £386 (and it's discounted at time of review to $410 / £311). I'm also seeing it sold via online retailers for around the same price.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
UPERFECT UColor T3: Unboxing and First Impressions
This unboxing didn't feel like a monitor. It felt more like a laptop. I pulled out the 24-inch display, wrapped in protective material, and then pulled out two USB-C cables, an HDMI cable, a power adapter, and a manual. I chose not to get the VESA mount, though that would have come in a separate box if I had. The carrying case feels like a laptop sleeve or a display board case, rather than a monitor case.
Then again, I have never had a portable monitor this size, so that's probably normal. In the style of a portable monitor, setup is pretty straightforward: all you have to do is pull out the display and plug in a single USB-C cable if you have a USB-C device, or plug in an HDMI cable if you're going with HDMI. Then a USB-C for power as well, since power doesn't transfer between the device and the monitor via HDMI.
Right off the bat, I was genuinely shocked by its size. Even next to my 14 and 16-inch laptops, this thing felt huge. I plugged in my iPad mini 7 just for kicks and giggles and was astonished at the size difference.
One thing that I like about this panel is the matte display. Personally, I am a sucker for a good matte screen. I have always had a PaperLike screen protector on my beloved iPads, even when my iPad Pro was my only device for a few years. And, if money were no object, I would have gotten a matte display on my 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro. Because of this love, I really appreciate the matte finish on this portable monitor. I also love that this monitor bends the rules of what makes a "portable" monitor.
Yes, it's more portable than my monitors, which are rigged up with my Monobloc, monitor arms, BenQ light bars, and webcams, but it still won't fit in even my larger Nomatic backpack. This display can be powered by a single USB-C cable running to your host device, but it will also need its own carrying case or an absurdly large bag to transport safely when in use. So, maybe even the term "portable" needs some translation. Or, is this unit too far gone?
UPerfect UColor T3: Design & Build Quality
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
When it comes to overall design and finish, UPERFECT ensured a product that looks high-end yet meets everyday needs. This isn't a display you feel bad bringing out of the office or your house, but it's also one that looks nice enough to use for a presentation with your boss or that client you are trying to impress.
The bezels are sleek, the display is sharp, though I do wish it were a bit brighter, and the stand pops out of the frame, feeling like a bonus feature every time. For setups you want elevated with a desk arm or mounted in an office.
Another unique option could be to use a VESA mounting bracket to mount a mini PC to the back of this monitor, and then run the USB-C directly into the computer, essentially making it so you could have a full-blown desktop with a single cable power system, and it could be pretty portable. Especially if the machine is something like the M-Series Mac mini, which offers unreal power, is reasonably cheap, and is portable in and of itself. You could even get a portable power station and run this on the go.
UPerfect UColor T3: In use
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
Specs
Display: 23.8 in IPS, 3840×2160 (4K) Refresh Rate: 60Hz Contract Ratio: 1000:1 Finish: Matte anti-glare Brightness: 350 cd/m2 Ports: USB-C (power + DP Alt Mode), HDMI, 3.5 mm audio out Mounting: 75×75 mm VESA holes Stand: Adjustable tilt stand built in Power: USB-C Weight: ≈ 1.92 kg / 4.23 lb (estimate)
Using this for the last few months, on and off, has been great. It hasn't been used every day, but my team and I have repeatedly grabbed it for testing machines, for working in different places. I grabbed this and brought it to a coffee shop, though that was odd, and I used it as an added display for workspaces I already have.
One of my favorite setups I used this monitor for was mounting it on a monitor arm, then putting this display below it at an angle closer to 60 degrees, almost like a laptop display. I love this look when I am working with a laptop, so having a portable display that gives me the same look and feel as my desktop is great.
This display would also be great for those in the IT world who need to physically plug into server rooms, run tests on machines with a repair cart, or similar needs. It's large but portable, making this an excellent display for unique or otherwise not-great scenarios.
UPERFECT UColor T3: Final verdict
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
The UPerfect UColor T3 lives in the grey area between portable monitor and standard desktop monitor, in the best way. It's not stationary and hard to move like a standard display, and it's not too small like most portable displays.
While it doesn't get super bright, which is sad, the colors are great, the matte display cuts down on glare, and the portability and usability with that size is fantastic. For those niche use cases, this is a spectacular option.
The UColor T3 delivers superb 4K sharpness and premium materials in a semi-portable format. It straddles portable and desktop categories perfectly for those who travel occasionally but still need a large, accurate display. It’s not ultra-bright or light, but for workspace flexibility and clarity, it’s an easy recommendation.
Should you buy a UPERFECT UColor T3?
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Value
More expensive than other panels, but also a lot more screen
4 / 5
Design
Slim, matte finish, with a built-in stand
4.5 / 5
Hardware
4k panel, HDMI, USB-C and a VESA Mount, but it's fairly dim
4 / 5
Performance
Sharp and easy to see, but only indoors and not with direct light
4 / 5
Overall
A semi-portable, "portable" monitor with massive real estate, a fairly dim display with a built in stand and easy usability.
4.5 / 5
Buy it if...
You want a large display, but don't have a dedicated workspace
This display is easy to tear down and set up thanks to the single cable setup and built-in stand, plus the travel case
You have a non-traditional workspace
If you need a monitor, but don't have a standard workspace, this may be perfect. Like mounted in a vehicle, on a cart, in a hallway, or something else odd, yet needing a screenView Deal
Don't buy it if...
You are always on the go, or work out of a backpack
This display won't fit in a backpack, making it really hard to bring with you
You work in bright workspaces or outside
For outside, this display may be a bit cumbersome, and for outside or bright offices, this may be a bit too dim
Dali may have been concentrating on the loftier parts of the audio market lately with its various loudspeaker and headphone product launches, but with the Kupid it wants you to know it hasn’t abandoned the entry level. The company has had plenty of success with its affordable speaker ranges before now, and it wants to bring those days back.
The Kupid is a small, neatly finished standmounting design that’s available in a couple of quite vibrant finishes (blue and yellow) along with the more usual black, white and walnut. Its compact nature means it should be easy to position, though its rear-facing bass reflex port means you can’t just plonk it anywhere. Rather unpromising impedance and sensitivity figures turn out to be no major real-world issue when it comes to pairing these speakers with appropriately affordable amplification, though.
And, in practice, the Kupid turns out to be a very successful proposition where performance, as well as appearance, are concerned. One of the best stereo speakers on the market? You bet...
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Dali Kupid review: Price & release date
Released October, 2025
Priced $599 / £299 / AU$599
The DALI Kupid standmount loudspeakers launched in October 2025, and in the United Kingdom they cost £299 per pair. In Australia they’re a predictable AU$599, while in the United States they cost a slightly less predictable $599.
The American market is a law unto itself at the moment, I suppose, and DALI is almost certainly being pragmatic enough to factor in any whim-based fluctuations in tariffs and the like.
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Dali Kupid review: Features
26mm soft dome tweeter
114mm wood-fiber/paper mid/bass driver
Rear-facing bass reflex port
These are affordable passive loudspeakers, so it won’t come as all that much of a surprise to learn they’re not exactly overburdened with features. Those features the Kupid do have, though, seem entirely fit for purpose.
At the front they have a 26mm soft dome tweeter sitting behind a mildly dished waveguide. Beneath this there’s a 114mm mid/bass driver made from the same mixture of paper and wood-fiber pulp the company has been refining for quite some time now. This duo is supported by a rear-firing bass reflex port that; a) contributes to an overall frequency response of 63Hz - 25kHz; and b) makes the Kupid slightly less appealing as a shelf-mounting proposition than they otherwise would be.
Crossover between the drivers is sensibly positioned at around 2.1kHz. Nominal impedance (4 ohms) and sensitivity (83dB) mean that the Kupid will be just a little trickier to drive than the majority of the size- and/or price-comparable rivals.
In theory, at least…
Features score: 5/5
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Dali Kupid review: Sound quality
Rapid, energetic sound
Impressive grasp of rhythm
Unlikely levels of dynamism and punch
You’re entitled to expect certain things from a loudspeaker, no matter how small and/or affordable it is. But there are some things that are not quite so easy to come by when you’re talking about compact, (relatively) inexpensive loudspeaker designs. What’s remarkable about the Dali Kupid is how they manage to deliver everything you expect and a fair bit of what you might only be hoping for.
A listen to a 24bit/96kHz FLAC file of ScubaZ The Vanishing American Family gives a strong flavor of both of these things. The tonal neutrality and even frequency response you are expecting is present and correct, but the dynamism, and low-frequency extension and solidity the Kupid are capable of falls squarely into the ‘unexpected’ category.
Detail levels are decently high, and if they’re sympathetically positioned the Dali are capable of creating a fairly large and quite carefully controlled soundstage. Control of low-frequency activity is good, so rhythmic expression is convincing, and despite the unpromising nature of most of the numbers here, there’s more than enough low-end energy available to ensure there’s weight and punch to the Kupid sound.
The midrange communicates quite freely. There’s plenty of space for the voice during King Hannah’s Big Swimmer to project ahead of the similarly close-mic’d guitar – these speakers can do ‘intimate’ just as readily as they can do ‘animated’. The top of the frequency range, while rounded off just slightly in the name of ‘good taste’, can nevertheless bite and crunch with the best any price-comparable rival can summon.
Momentum levels never dip (provided the recording doesn’t dictate it, of course), but the Dali never sound forced – they’re just pleasantly on the front foot. Yet despite the sort of attitude that begins at ‘exciting’, the Kupid retain the headroom to make big dynamic shifts in volume or intensity perfectly apparent.
Music is meant to be fun, isn’t it? Well, most of the time anyway – I guess we all like to pop on a bit of Elliott Smith or Joy Division every now and then. But if it’s ‘fun’ you’re predominantly after, along with the sort of authenticity that can only come from a well-sorted loudspeaker, the sound of the Dali Kupid is the perfect place for most of us to start.
Sound quality score: 5/5
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Dali Kupid review: Design
Extensive range of finishes
Very acceptable build quality
245 x 150 x 198mm (HxWxD)
There are a couple of immediately striking things about the Dali Kupid's design. The first is the size of the cabinets – at just 245 x 150 x 198mm (HxWxD) the speakers are almost small enough to perch on a windowsill, let alone a shelf or speaker stand.
The other, if you encounter one of the livelier finishes is, well, the finish. Sure, you can have your Kupid in black, white or the species of fake walnut that my review sample rather disappointingly showed up in, but why would you, when ‘chilly’ blue and ‘golden’ yellow are also available?
As the asking price strongly suggests, there’s nothing special about the materials used here, and at just 2.9kg per speaker they’re not what you might describe as ‘weighty’. But the standard of construction is perfectly sound, and the gently curved cabinet edges offer a slightly more upmarket appearance than the straight-edged alternative that’s more common at this sort of price.
The fact that the grilles attach magnetically, meaning there are no lug-holes in the front baffle of the speaker, only adds to the impression of thoughtful design.
Design score: 5/5
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Dali Kupid review: Setup and usability
Wall-brackets and rubber feet are provided
Single-wire speaker terminalsS
Some running-in required
Where do you want to position your Dali Kupid?
If they’re going on speaker stands, you have plenty of choice from plenty of specialist brands. If you want to put them on a shelf, Dali provides eight little rubber feet in the box to help with decoupling. If you fancy hanging them on the wall, there are rudimentary wall-brackets supplied, too.
As regards setup, there’s really not a lot to it. You have a stereo amplifier, presumably – if not, you’ll need one. Each Kupid has a single pair of speaker cable terminals on the rear of the cabinet – try to keep the lengths of cable you use to connect each one roughly the same length.
And, like all loudspeakers, a period of running-in is required before you hear them at their best. Dali reckons you should expect to put 100 hours on the Kupid before they sound how they’re supposed to sound…
Setup and usability score: 5/5
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Dali Kupid review: Value
The Dali Kupid are by no means your only choice when you’re looking for compact and affordable passive loudspeakers. But they’re more compact than most, which many will find appealing, and the combination of some vibrant finishes and relatively good-looking cabinet-work doesn’t do any harm where perceived value is concerned either.
Best of all, though, and the real deal-sealer, is the energetic and engaging sound these speakers make. Pair them with an affordable streaming amplifier (like the similarly titchy WiiM Amp, for instance), and you can create a compact, high-achieving audio system for a relatively small amount of money. And that means ‘value for money’ all day long in my book.
Value score: 5/5
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Should you buy the Dali Kupid?
Buy them if...
You’re after a taste of authentic hi-fi sound but don’t want to break the bank
For the performance that’s on offer, $599 / £299 / AU$599 seems like a bit of a bargain…
You want big sound, not big cabinets
The Kupid won’t fill an authentically large room with sound, but they nevertheless sound a lot bigger than they look.
You prefer your loudspeakers to be interestingly coloured
Ignore the pics of my review sample and check out the blue and yellow alternatives instead.
Don't buy them if...
Your amplifier is on the tentative side
They’re not as burdensome as the numbers suggest, but the Kupid still require a reasonably pokey amp if they’re going to work efficiently.
You’re expecting thumping bass presence
You know how this works, right? A speaker this size will never shift enough air to rattle your windows…
You think $599 / £299 / AU$599 should buy a luxurious standard of build and finish
It doesn’t.
Dali Kupid review: Also consider
Q Acoustics 3020c
The 3020c by Q Acoustics are down to Dali Kupid money these days, and they’re a great-sounding pair of speakers for the money. The cabinet is relatively deep, though, which means they’re very much a standmounting proposition rather than being suitable for a shelf or a windowsill. Read our fullQ Acoustics 3020c review here
Wharfedale Diamond 12.1
For even less money than the Kupid, Wharfedale will sell you a pair of its Diamond 12.1 loudspeakers. They’re not as decorative as the Dali, but in their own way they’re just as satisfying to listen to.
How I tested the Dali Kupid
Connected to a Naim Uniti Star and an A&R Cambridge Audio A60
Vinyl listening via Technics SL-1300G turntable
Playing a wide variety of music from a number of different sources
I connected the Dali Kupid to a Naim Uniti Star and also to a ‘vintage’ A&R Cambridge A60 for amplification purposes, and then used the Naim as a network streamer, a Rega Apollo for CD playback and a Technics SL-1300G (via a Leema Elements pre-amp) as a vinyl source.
This allowed me to listen to lots of different types of music from a variety of formats. And, let me tell you, doing so for well over a week, on and off, proved no kind of hardship whatsoever.
Earlier this year, I tried out the Hinomi H1 Pro and was genuinely impressed by how well the chair performs. Now, with the H2 Pro, the team at Hinomi has taken what was great about the H1 Pro and upgraded a few key features.
First, they increased the number of adjustment points from 16 to 19, adding three more. Second, they reworked their lumbar support. Third, they updated and upgraded their armrest system. Fourth, they used slightly different materials, opting for an aluminum alloy frame and breathable mesh that is skin-friendly and ultra comfortable for all-day use.
After the H1 Pro impressed, I was keen to see how this newer model compared to the best office chairs I've tested.
Hinomi H2 Pro: Price and availability
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
The Hinomi H2 Pro is available from Hinomi's US site and UK site. It has a retail price of $759 / £759. Purchasing direction, you can add on the optional footrest, free shipping, and a 10-year warranty. I'm also seeing it on sale from online retailers, including at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
Hinomi H2 Pro: Unboxing and First Impressions
The Hinomi H2 Pro came in a simple box with clearly labeled parts, and the necessary tools for assembly were included. You won't need any other tools unless you choose to use them. I still love using my Hoto Electric Screwdriver for furniture builds, but you can use whatever you prefer. Hinomi makes sure that you are ready to go out of the box.
The assembly process took approximately 25 minutes, without any issues or needing a restart. Once I got everything assembled, I was able to grab a seat and start adjusting the ergonomics to fit my body. The mesh feels pretty firm, but not in a bad way. It feels like it’s not going to loosen over time, but instead will give firm yet comfortable support for a long time to come.
I will say that the lumbar support is very noticeable in this chair. For those who like to have less support here, this chair may not be your favorite, but if you are looking for something that can add a layer of support, help you stop slouching, or help with a sore lower back, this may just be what you need.
Hinomi H2 Pro: Design & Build Quality
I found overall, this chair feels good quality for the money. It has a stable aluminum base, smooth casters, quality mesh upholstery, a good pattern, and good mechanics. It keeps the chair moving well without creaking or feeling like something will break over time.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
Hinomi H2 Pro: In use
Specs
Seat Height Range: 18-22.8 inches Seat Depth: 16.7-19.9 inches WeightCapacity: 330 lbs Dimensions: 26.8 x 25.2 x 20.5-inches Warranty: 10 years
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
Sometimes chairs in this mid-price tier can be a weird mix between budget materials and a premium price, but the Hinomi H2 Pro fits its price quite nicely. Even though it’s not the highest priced nor the most feature-set, this chair provides all day comfort with ergonomic support, which at the end of the day is all that we are looking for.
Testing for the first day, the first few hours of this chair felt firm, I noticed the lumbar support very prominently, and I felt very supported. By hour four, I started realizing that this mesh was keeping me cool which was great. However, I wish the thigh support could extend a bit more for my very long legs (I’m 6’2”). By hour eight, I was noticing that my head and neck still felt supportive and I hadn’t noticed any squeaking nor looseness in the chair.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )
Now, 60 days later, I still feel the same way. This chair has held up great, and I actually use the feature of folding down more than I thought.
At first, I thought it was a bit gimmicky and I was just using it because why not, and I wanted to use the fun feature, but now, as I mentioned, a full two months of having this chair in my rotation and used by my team, I find myself folding up the chair and pushing it under my standing desk when standing to get work done more often than not.
Rather than pushing it behind me into my office taking up more space, or pushing it off to the side, I now push it directly under my desk right where it is out of the way. Granted, if you have a smaller desk this may not work, but for medium to large desks, this is a spectacular plus to a chair like this.
Hinomi H2 Pro: Final verdict
The Hinomi H2 Pro is a welcome upgrade to an already great chair with the Hinomi H1 Pro. It’s a lumbar-prominent, breathable mesh, color popping, chair folding ergonomic addition that offers a great bang-for-the-buck.
It’s not the most luxurious of chairs, nor does it claim to be. It offers an appropriate experience for the price, while also throwing in the fact that it can fold flat like a party trick you never knew you wanted to be able to do.
Should you buy a Hinomi H2 Pro?
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Value
Mid priced, and a mid chair, it's very fairly priced, good quality for the money
4 / 5
Design
Bold colors, nice mesh, and unique folding frame
4.5 / 5
Hardware
Sturdy mechanics, nice base, and hyper-mobile arms
4 / 5
Performance
High-comfort for long sessions, nice lumbar support, though not for everyone
4 / 5
Overall
A fun chair with some nice features, and great adjustments, though it may not be the perfect chair for all
4 / 5
Buy it if...
You want highly adjustable armrests
These armrests are some of the most adjustable I have ever seen. So, if armrests are a big deal to you, you'll probably love this chair
You want to be able to fold your chair in half
There aren't many chairs that I've tested that fold in half, if you want this feature for storage or for ease of use, this chair may be perfect for you for that feature aloneView Deal
Don't buy it if...
You want a more subtle or adjustable lumbar
This lumbar support is pretty pronounced, it may not be the right fit for you if you don't want to be forced into perfect lumbar positioning
You want a more minimal chair
This chair is bold, it's pronounced, and it is not understanted to say the least, if you are looking for a sleek and aesthetic chair, this may not fit your vibe
For more office furniture essentials, we've tested and reviewed thebest office chairs.
Most people think of scanners as that quaint mechanism that looks like an old photocopier on the printer, or an independent flatbed ideal for capturing receipts.
But in commercial terms, there are two pathways to bulk image capture: industrial document scanners that can handle hundreds of documents in short order, or devices like the CZUR ET24 Pro focused on book scanning.
Scanning books is a critical task for museums and archives where many people wish to see and read rare books, but the process is often detrimental to the documents.
The CZUR ET24 Pro is a camera solution designed specifically to cope with books where the scanning surface is likely to be curved, and the captured data will need to be flattened to provide the best viewing experience for others.
It features a 24MP camera mounted on a stand with its own lighting source and the electronics needed to profile the curve of the pages, and pass that information on to the scanning software to make appropriate adjustments.
The workflow allows the operator to turn the pages, hold them down and then trigger a capture using the foot pedal, hand switch or software-controlled, before moving on to the next page.
In addition to auto-flatten functionality, the software can also de-skew and includes OCR that can understand 180 different languages.
The CZUR ET24 Pro can scan any documents up to A3 size (16.5” x 11.7”), making it suitable for the majority of book scanning projects. CZUR makes a series of these devices, with the ET24 Pro being a mid-range option; it also makes cheaper, lower-resolution ET16 Plus and ET18 Pro models, in addition to the larger ET25 Pro and ET Max variants.
The only significant caveat with this device is the price, with the asking price being $649 for this model. That probably prices this hardware out for anyone who just wants to capture a single book, but for those who do this job regularly, it might be a solid investment.
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)
CZUR ET24 Pro: Price and availability
How much does it cost? From $649/£649/€629
When is it out? Available now
Where can you get it? Through an online retailer or direct from CZUR
The range of CZUR scanners can be purchased through Amazon and AliExpress, and the asking price on Amazon is $649 in the USA, in the UK it's £649 at Amazon.co.uk, and €629 in Europe. Though the Europeans have a voucher deal running that reduced that to €534, making it the cheapest place to get it via Amazon.
The AliExpress pricing is better for the UK at £507.07, but for both the EU and USA customers, it's more expensive to get it from AliExpress than it is from Amazon.
Book scanning appears to be a subject that CZUR has effectively ring-fenced, since many competitor products are rebadged versions of its products. There are hand scanners and a few cheaper versions of the same concept, but CZUR has a wide range of options progressing from small portal solutions to larger professional installations.
Because there aren’t many competitors, the price is the price, and only the potential purchaser can determine if that represents value for money.
For what hardware is in this equipment, it seems expensive to this reviewer, but for those scanning books every day, it might seem like a bargain.
Value: ★★★★☆
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)
CZUR ET24 Pro: Specs
Feature
Specification
Product Type
Smart Book & Document Scanner
Camera Sensor
CMOS, 24 Megapixels
Resolution
5696 x 4272 pixels (320 DPI default)
Max Scan Area
?A3 (420 x 297 mm / 16.5 x 11.7 in); Max: 480 x 360 mm (18.89 x 14.17 in)
Max Scan Thickness
35 mm (A3), 50 mm (A4)
Scan Speed
1.5 seconds per page (single/dual pages)
Image Format
JPG
Export Formats
JPG, PDF, Searchable PDF, Word, Excel, TIFF
Color Depth
24 bits
Video Streaming
MJPG
Preview
PC Visual Presenter: 3072 x 1728 @12fps; Scanning: 1536 x 1152 @20fps
Light Source
Built-in top LED and side lights
Focus Mode
Fixed focus
Trigger Methods
Device control, software, hand button, foot pedal
System Support
Windows XP/7/8/10/11 (32/64-bit), macOS 10.11+, Linux Ubuntu 16.04+
EFL: 4.55mm, BFL: 3.4mm, F/NO: 4.5, IR Cut: 650±10nm, Field of View: 82°, Distortion:
CZUR ET24 Pro: Design
Mostly plastic
Built-for purpose
Plenty of options
I was initially somewhat disappointed with this device, or rather, specifically the build quality, as it is almost entirely made of relatively thin plastic.
Given the L-shaped form factor, I at least expected the base to be mostly metal to counteract the weight of the top arm that holds the camera. It’s not, and therefore, the whole construction isn’t far from toppling over if something or someone accidentally collides with it.
That said, it comes mostly in one piece, and the only feature that requires attaching other than cables is the side lighting component that is roughly halfway up from the base. This is attached using magnets, and again, they needed to be stronger magnets to avoid this part falling if knocked.
The base has four buttons and connections on the rear for attaching the various triggers, an included power supply and, on this model, a display via HDMI.
If you attach all the cables provided, including the foot pedal and hand button, there could be five cables coming out of the scanner, which is a bit messy.
One annoyance is that this uses generally old technology. The USB cable to connect it to a computer is Type-A, so that’s a pain for anyone with a modern laptop which has only USB-C, and the Type-A is USB 2.0, making for longer file transfers than are possible with better connectivity. Not that the scanned files it captures are huge, but USB has got better for many reasons with each subsequent release.
There is another way to use the scanner: use it for presentations and display what it sees via the HDMI output. This sounds super-useful until you realise that the maximum resolution supported by the HDMI is 1080p, whereas the captures are 5696 x 4272 pixels or nearly six times bigger. You can zoom the display to see more detail from the capture, but why this isn’t in 4K is a mystery.
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)
Another curiosity is that on top of the scanner, where the camera is supported, is a small colour LCD display, which shows what the camera is currently seeing. If you are sitting in front of the scanner, unless you are remarkably tall, you won’t be able to see the display unless you are standing up. That might be great for posture, but the idea of scanning a book while standing up seems mildly bonkers for those in the later stages of life.
There is an easy fix for this would be that the display was hinged, just like the ones that are on most 3D printers, and this would have worked for both standing and sitting operations. This evidently was either never considered by the designers or they rejected it on a cost basis. Whatever the reason, it was an obvious omission that needs to be rectified.
Along with the scanner and its cables, CZUR also provides two ‘finger cots’, curious devices I’ll discuss in the user experience section. And, also a CD with the software on it. No, that’s not a bit of my infamously odd UK humour, this scanner came with a CD, something I’ve not seen with a tech product in many a year.
Why wasn’t it a cheap USB flash drive? I’ve no idea, but I take it that CZUR thinks that the market for these devices is those still using technology from the end of the previous century.
And, as if to underline this point in neon marker, the software is provided in a version that runs on Windows XP, disturbingly.
To be clear, you can download the software and the manuals from the CZUR website if you can’t find a PC with an optical drive mounted.
Design: ★★★★☆
CZUR ET24 Pro: Features
OpenRISC 32-bit
1Gbit DDR?
Lasers?
CZUR describes the processor in the scanner as being a dual-core OpenRISC 32-bit, which covers a great many possible processors, none of which is especially impressive. The specifications also tell us that it has 1Gbit DDR. I find that hard to believe, because original DDR isn’t made these days, and also that would be 128MB/s of memory, which seems implausibly small for the job.
Perhaps those were typos, and it has 1GB of maybe DDR4, but I do wonder why they didn’t just take off-the-shelf phone electronics with their 64-bit ARM SoCs rather than building a complete bespoke platform to do the same job as phones do literally for pennies. And if they had taken that path, the scanner could have been wireless-capable and also have had USB-C inherently.
Another head-scratcher in the specs is that it indicates that the scanner has three lasers, which I presume are used to calculate the curve of the pages so they can be accurately flattened once scanned. My problem with this is that there is no evidence in use that there are any lasers, at least not ones that produce visible light frequencies.
I suspect this is another Chinese-made product where infrared and lasers are confused, as I can’t see anyone in the valuable book trade wanting their most valuable assets subjected to laser light if they could help it.
It should be noted that the profiling of the page has some significant limitations in the thickness of the book that can be scanned. The depth that can be adjusted for is 35 mm at A3 and 50 mm at A4. If your book is thicker than that, or you don’t hold it down to flatten it as much as possible, then you will end up with less than perfect scans.
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)
Features: ★★★⯪☆
CZUR ET24 Pro: User experience
Define a workspace
Tons of features
Lacks a clearly defined workflow
Setting up this scanner doesn’t just involve getting it out of the box, plugging it all together and installing the software, as there are some subtle nuances to the installation that I wasn’t aware of.
For starters, there is a black neoprene mat that comes with the scanner that shows exactly the area that the camera is focused on, and it has a notch cut on one side, which is where the scanner must be precisely placed. Failure to do this accurately will impact the scanning process, so make sure it's right.
One thing that I only realised after a few scans was that no objects other than the book and your hands can be inside the border of the mat, and that includes the cabling. If it crosses the threshold of the mat, the software will think it's something to scan, and that will throw all sorts of things out of whack.
The software, which I’ll get to shortly, is designed to realise what fingers look like and will remove them from the processed image if you are using them to hold the pages down. However, also included are two yellow ‘finger cots’, which are devices to perform the same page-holding function, but are easier for the software to erase. They also provide a means to touch the book without adding skin oils to the paper, which is also useful for rare publications.
The biggest issue I had in creating a suitable workspace for this device was the amount of space it required. To avoid cables crossing the mat meant the laptop needed to be well away from the scanner, and my 120cm long pine table was probably the minimum size that is workable. Anything smaller and the computer will be too close to the scanning mat, making the scanning exercise more challenging. It would probably work better with a desktop system under the desk, although where you would put the mouse and keyboard is debatable.
In a previous role, I worked with document scanners, and it was a two-person operation: one handled the scanner and documents, while the other operated the computer.
That might seem people-intensive, but it's significantly more efficient than having one person do the whole thing by themselves.
In my experience, working alone, this process turned out to be more complex than I’d originally anticipated. This was mostly down to the need to use both hands to hold down the book and then needing a third hand or a foot to trigger the scanning process.
There is an ‘Auto-scan’ function that can detect page turns, but it’s easy to make a slight adjustment with the finger cots and trigger another scan of a page you have already captured. Facing pages can be captured as left and right images or as a combined, flattened output, which allows some leeway in cropping and adjusting how the captures are processed on each side.
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)
There are, however, a few things missing that I’d have liked to have seen. Having worked with a repository containing millions of images, a golden no-no is having images with the same name, since this can lead to overwriting a file with something else.
What this software doesn’t offer is the unique label that is never reused and added to every filename. You can create daily or project-driven folders, but this system would be massively advantaged if the capture files were integrated with a database, possibly detailing who scanned them, what adjustments have been applied and other information, such as an index code for the book.
While it can scan barcodes present on the book, it doesn’t use the same logic to identify page numbers that can then be inserted automatically into the file naming model. That wouldn’t be difficult to achieve, and could make a file collection that is correctly sorted by page, irrespective of the order it was scanned.
What is more comprehensive are the options for exporting the files in PDF, Tiff and various other formats.
My assessment of the software is that it isn’t exactly intuitive, but I did eventually locate the features I was looking for. While I was reviewing the scanner, it was updated, suggesting that it does get improved on some basis, which is gratifying.
What it lacks is an inherent workflow, where a book goes in one end and scanned digital data comes out of the other end.
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)
User experience: ★★★⯪☆
CZUR ET24 Pro: Final verdict
(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)
Typically, with me, first impressions play a big part, and the amount of plastic in this product I found off-putting out of the box. However, after I’d used it, my opinion of this device subtly improved, because in the end of the day it does what CZUR claims for it.
I still think it needs a heavier base to counteract the arm, and a swivel on the display to make it easier to see when sat in front, but the workflow is practical, and it's possible to scan even a large book in an afternoon.
Does this justify the price? Probably not, but given the minimal product options that anyone wanting to scan a book has, that might be something you are forced to deal with.
I should mention before I get complaints that there are potential legal pitfalls to copying books protected by copyright, and that those using devices like the CZUR 24 Pro need to be aware of where those limitations exist in their specific geography.
This equipment can scan any book or publication, but doing so may not be protected under the law. But, if you have publications you can justify digitising, the CZUR 24 Pro will do it reasonably efficiently with a bit of training.
Final score: ★★★★☆
Should you buy a CZUR ET24 Pro?
Value
Seems expensive, till you realise the limited alternatives
4 / 5
Design
Simple but effective design that is quiet and attractive
4 / 5
Features
Odd hardware choices
3 / 5
User experience
Lots of features but lacks straightforward workflow
4 /5
Overall
Does whats required, but needs training
4 / 5
Buy it if...
You need to scan some books.
While this isn't perfect at all, this is far superior to trying to use a flat-bed scanner or taking photographs.
Don't buy it if...
You have no scanning strategy.
The worst possible approach to scanning documents is to assume its a photocopy exercise. If you think that, then the CZUR ET24 Pro or any other book-scanning equipment will be a wasted investment. Develop a plan that considers how the contents will be stored, retrieved and distributed, and then think about a scanner.
For thirteen years, Final Cut Pro was branded as Final Cut Pro X, having been rebuilt from the ground up from its Macromedia origins, with its version number firmly stuck at X (read ten).
Every major update since its launch in June 2011 only got a decimal point increase. But last year, all that changed: Apple dropped the X, and introduced the world to Final Cut Pro 11. Does this brand new numbering system (now at 11.2) mean radical changes for Apple’s best video editing software? Let’s check it out…
Final Cut Pro: Price & availability
(Image credit: Apple // Future)
You pay once, and it’s yours forever, including any future updates, large or small. That’s one heck of a deal, and it’s been this way for 14 years.
First things first, how much does it cost? Surprisingly little. I mean, it’s not subscription based, so you’re not renting your software month after month like Adobe Premiere Pro. But it’s also not free, like DaVinci Resolve.
Final Cut Pro sits comfortably in the middle, and will set you back $300 / £300 / €350. That might sound like a lot at first, but consider this: every single update, large or small, has been free since the original Final Cut Pro X was released. Even the mighty version 11 I’m looking at here, was included in the price. That’s one heck of an incentive.
Score: ★★★★⯪
Final Cut Pro: Interface
(Image credit: Apple // Future)
It has a small amount of customizability, but you can’t move panels around. They can be resized a little, though. Yes, it does feel like it’s Apple’s way or the highway, but at the same time, you can sit in front of any FCP interface and get to work without trying to figure out where everything is.
If you’re new to FCP, or are wondering if you should be using it over a competing product, let’s take a quick look at its interface. Unlike Premiere Pro, which prides itself in its impressive customisability, FCP’s interface is pretty rigid. You’ve got your list of libraries on the left (where all your media is stored), your inspector sidebar to the right (where all the changeable parameters can be found), the lower third is for the timeline, and roughly in the centre is your preview window. Many editors have two preview windows, FCP only has one. It may feel confusing but it actually works very well: mouse over a clip in your library and it’ll appear in that section; do the same in the timeline, same result.
You can’t move these sections around, but it’s possible to hide or reveal them, so they’re there when you need them, and disappear when you don’t. You can also resize the borders between these sections to a certain extent, so you can see more or less of them as you require. Definitely useful, but compared to Premiere Pro, it’s pretty anemic.
But what you lose in customisability, you gain in familiarity: I can step in front of any FCP interface, and get to work immediately, without wasting time trying to figure out someone else’s highly individual layout!
One thing I’d like to quickly mention is the ‘magnetic timeline’. Usually, when you work on an edit, and delete a clip in between others, you’re left with a gap, which you then need to fill with a new clip, or by dragging to the left all the clips to its right.
This still happens in FCP, but not when working in the primary timeline. When you resize or delete a clip there, all the clips to its right are automatically shunted to the left. It can take a while to get used to, especially since clips on other layers are actually tethered to clips in the primary timeline; delete a clip that has other clips tethered to it, and they all go.
It requires a little bit of management because of that, but when you’re used to it, you edit so fast. Interestingly, Adobe recently released Premiere Pro for iPhone, and guess what? It uses the magnetic timeline concept, even though the desktop version of Premiere Pro doesn’t. Apple’s been ahead of the curve for a long while with that one.
Score: ★★★★☆
Final Cut Pro: New features I love (and hate)
(Image credit: Apple // Future)
There’s a bunch of little touches that are so useful when editing, you have to wonder why they hadn’t been implemented before. And yes, there are big tentpole attractions too, which are powerful and well implemented - as long as your Mac can run them.
I could obviously go through the long list of features new to version 11 and above, but I'm going to focus on the ones I’ve grown to love over the months. Yes, you’ve got a couple of new effects, and a couple of fancy transitions. However, the absolute best feature - the one I still think “why didn’t they implement this years ago?” - is a simple keyboard shortcut to move clips up or down a different layer without having to drag them around.
The problem with dragging is, more often than not, the selected clip(s) might move a few frames along the timeline as you do that. There are ways to prevent this, but they’re sadly not foolproof. And fixing the timing takes time. Now, I just need to select the clip(s) I wish to move, hold down the Option key (you might know it as Alt), and press the up or down arrow key as many times as I need. That’s it. It has saved me so much time, it’s worth the price of admission alone.
Another welcome improvement takes place in the library: when you sync clips together, or create a Multicam clip, the original files are automatically hidden. Sure, you could do it manually before, but every second you save through automatic decluttering, can and is put to good use later on in the editing. It doesn't sound like much, but it’s the little things, you know.
(Image credit: Apple // Future)
One feature I’ve found I can’t do without is more technical: the magnetic mask. It’s oh so clever: it uses special algorithms to analyse an item on the screen, allowing you to select it, while ignoring the rest. Once you’re happy with what’s highlighted, FCP analyses the entire clip and tracks it over time. It works if the object (or person) moves, or even turns around, and the camera doesn’t need to be static either. You can fine tune the results should you need to of course. It’s a great way to separate an item from its background, remove the background entirely, perform separate colour corrections on both, let your imagination run wild. Goodbye manual rotoscoping! Highly impressive (and so fast on a Mac equipped with an Apple Silicon chip).
One cool feature I’ve used a few times is applying colour correction to an adjustment clip which is placed above others in the timeline. Doing so changes all the clips beneath it. Fine tune the adjustment clip, and it affects all the clips beneath it in one go. Another great time saver.
Then there’s the one I’m dying to use but can’t: automatic transcription and captioning: FCP uses more clever algorithms to create written words from spoken dialogue, making subtitles appear at the right time on the screen. Apple is seriously behind with this feature, and it’s a much needed addition. I’ve tried it myself on a Mac other than my own, and it’s fast, and surprisingly accurate. So why can’t I use it? Because I’m still on an Intel Mac, and powerful though my machine still is, only Macs equipped with Apple Silicon can take advantage of this feature (grumble grumble).
And since I’m grumbling, I might as well mention that version 11.2 removes support for FireWire devices if you’re running macOS Tahoe. It breaks my heart to see FireWire disappear like that. If you don’t know what FireWire was, it used to run rings around USB, and could do things USB-C still can’t. Oh well, that’s technology for you.
All in all, Final Cut Pro is a powerful video editor, and these new additions help it catch up to the competition once more. I would easily put it in the top three - the other two being Premiere Pro and Resolve. Editing with it is fluid, it has many powerful features, with third party hooks to add additional effects and transitions. The newest features certainly do make it so much better, especially if you own an Apple Silicon Mac. Most features still work on old venerable Intel Macs, although the writing’s all too clearly on the wall for those.
Score: ★★★★⯪
Final Cut Pro: Final verdict
(Image credit: Apple // Future)
I've always been a fan of Final Cut Pro. Yes, it's an underdog in the video editing world - despite having the backing of one of the biggest forces in the creative industry. Of course, it being limited to Mac devices isn't going to help - even more so with Apple now limiting some of its best features to high-spec Macs and MacBooks.
But in terms of editing video, it's fluid, intuitive, and the new features really speeds up the entire workflow. Sure, it does feel like Apple's playing catch up with the other top names in the arena - notably Adobe's Premiere Pro. However, at least those modern editing tools are coming online now, and not festering away, unloved and forgotten. Honestly, it used to feel like Apple has abandoned Final Cut Pro, so I'm happy to see the renewed support.
And I can't knock that one-off cost with lifetime updates and upgrades. For that, no other video editor comes close.
Final score: ★★★★☆
Should I buy Final Cut Pro?
Buy it if...
You’re looking for an affordable video editor for your Mac, don’t like too much customizability, but appreciate a fancy, fluid and fast way of working, with powerful tools to create great edits.
Don't buy it if...
You don’t appreciate new editing concepts and would rather stick to the tried and true traditional way of editing video, and if you don’t own a Mac.
