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VR's golden age is over, and there wasn't much gold there

TechRadar News - Sat, 02/14/2026 - 03:10
Meta's shift from immersive virtual reality to smart glasses leaves no clear home for business-grade VR/AR headsets.
Categories: Technology

AI can be a catalyst for sustainability: here’s why that’s not a contradiction

TechRadar News - Sat, 02/14/2026 - 03:00
AI’s energy demands don’t tell the whole story. Used strategically, it can accelerate sustainability progress.
Categories: Technology

Acer Veriton GN100 AI mini PC workstation - another AI development system using the same Nvidia Grace Blackwell foundations

TechRadar Reviews - Sat, 02/14/2026 - 01:20

I’m not going to get to have the Acer Veriton GN100 for long, so this is more of a hands-on discussion than an actual review.

My first reaction, out of the box, to the Acer Veriton GN100 is that it all seems remarkably familiar. An elegant mini-PC style case with a car-grill aesthetic, a selection of USB-C ports alongside a 10GbE LAN port and the mercurial NVIDIA ConnectX-7 SmartNIC.

While it’s physically a little smaller, the ports on this machine are identical to those on the ASUS Ascent GX10, as both brands followed Nvidia’s Blackwell system plan exactly.

The only significant difference is that where the Asus provided access to the single M.2 NVMe drive that was installed, the Acer Veriton GN100 is an entirely sealed unit, where whatever storage it has can’t be replaced or upgraded.

Inside is the same Nvidia DGX Spark Personal AI Supercomputer built around the ARM v9.2-A CPU and Blackwell GPU integrated silicon. This, when combined with 128GB of LPDDR5 memory and 4TB of NVMe storage, is collectively called the GB10 platform.

This is a remarkably powerful platform that has uses in data science, medical image analysis, robotics and AI model development. To be clear, this isn’t a Windows PC, and an understanding of Linux is required to use it.

As the specification suggests, this isn’t an inexpensive item, starting at $2999 for the US-supplied hardware, but £3999.99 in Europe. For those who want a highly compact and efficient development environment, especially for AI, the Acer Veriton GN100 is an option, but it isn’t the only machine available using the same platform.

Acer Veriton GN100: Price and availability
  • How much does it cost? From $3000, £4000
  • When is it out? Available now
  • Where can you get it? Available from Acer and online retailers

To avoid any confusion about specifications, Acer decided there would be only one SKU of the Veriton GN100, with 128GB of LPDDR5 and 4TB of storage.

Inexplicably, it costs £3999.99 direct from Acer in the UK, but only $2999.99 from Acer in the US. Why do we pay 82% more for an identical part when the UK doesn't tariff Taiwanese goods, Acer?

Also, this product doesn’t seem to be available elsewhere, so finding it cheaper on Amazon, for example, isn’t currently possible.

The alternatives built around the same platform are the ‘founders edition’ Nvidia DGX Spark Personal AI Supercomputer, ASUS Ascent GX10, Gigabyte AI TOP ATOM Desktop Supercomputer, and MSI EdgeXpert Desktop AI Supercomputer.

The Nvidia DGX Spark Personal AI Supercomputer, as the originator modestly calls it, undercuts the Veriton GN100 in the UK and costs £ 3699.98 for a system with 128GB of RAM and 4TB of storage. But, it’s more expensive for US customers, costing $3999 on Amazon.com.

The ASUS Ascent GX10 price on Amazon.com is $3088.94 for the 1TB storage SKU (GX10-GG0015BN), and $4,149.99 for the 4TB storage model (GX10-GG0016BN).

Even with the current price of M.2 modules, that is a remarkable price hike for the extra storage capacity.

For UK customers, the 1TB ASUS Ascent GX10 model price is £3713.02, but I found it via online retailer SCAN for a tempting £2799.98. SCAN also carries a 2TB option for $3199.99 and the 4TB model for £3638.99.

The Gigabyte AI TOP ATOM Desktop Supercomputer 4TB model sells for £3479.99 from SCAN in the UK, and can be found on Amazon.com for $3999.

And the final model with the same spec as most is the MSI EdgeXpert Desktop AI Supercomputer, selling for £3,598.99 from SCAN in the UK, and $3998.01 on Amazon.com for US customers.

The conclusion is that the US price is difficult to beat, whereas the European pricing is wildly out of what competitors are charging for this technology.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Acer Veriton GN100: Specs

Item

Spec

CPU:

ARM v9.2-A CPU (GB10) (20 ARM cores, 10 Cortex-X925, 10 Corex-A725)

GPU:

NVIDIA Blackwell GPU (GB10, integrated)

RAM:

128 GB LPDDR5x, unified system memory

Storage:

4TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD storage

Expansion:

N/A

Ports:

3x USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C, 20Gbps, alternate mode (DisplayPort 2.1)

1x USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C,with PD in(180W EPR PD3.1 SPEC)

1x HDMI 2.1

1x NVIDIA ConnectX-7 SmartNIC

Networking:

10GbE LAN, AW-EM637 Wi-Fi 7 (Gig+) , Bluetooth 5.4

OS:

Nvidia DGX OS (Ubuntu Linux)

PSU:

48V 5A 240W

Dimensions:

150 x 150 x 50.5 mm

Weight:

1.2kg

Acer Veriton GN100: Design
  • Oversized NUC
  • Connect-7 scalability
  • Zero internal access

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

While the GN100 looks like an oversized NUC mini PC, at 1.2kg, it's heavy, although it is lighter than the ASUS Ascent GX10 by over 200g.

In order to drive the monster silicon inside, Acer included a Delta-made PSU that’s rated to 240W over USB-C.

All the ports are on the back of this system, and nothing is on the front, not even the power button, other than some visual styling and the Acer logo.

These include, identical to the ASUS Ascent GX10, four USB-C ports, one of which is required for the PSU to connect, a single 10GbE LAN port and a single HDMI 2.1 video out.

This arrangement enables a single monitor using HDMI, but additional ones using the USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 ports in DP Alt mode, although one is exclusively needed to power the unit.

Why Nvidia chose USB 3.2 and not USB4 seems curious, since the models and data processed on this unit will eventually need to make it somewhere else, and the best networking on offer is 10GbE, which equals roughly 900MB/s transfer speeds.

And for those working on the hardware, the lack of any USB-A ports for mice or keyboards looks a bit silly.

However, this hardware is intended to be used ‘headless’ using a remote console, so perhaps that isn’t an issue in the greater scheme of things.

Where this design sheds any resemblance to PC hardware is with the inclusion of a ConnectX-7 Smart NIC, a technology acquired by Nvidia when it bought Mellanox Technologies Ltd, an Israeli-American multinational supplier of computer networking products based on InfiniBand and Ethernet.

In this context, ConnectX-7 is like those annoying cables that Nvidia used to make video cards work collectively, when they cared about video cards. Except that the capacity amount of bandwidth that can travel over ConnectX-7 is substantially more.

The port has two receptacles, with each capable of 100GbE, allowing 200GbE to flow between the GN100 and another, doubling the number of AI parameters from 200 billion in a single machine to 400 billion when buddied up to another.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Acer Veriton GN100: Features
  • ARM 20-core CPU
  • Grace Blackwell GB10
  • AI platforms compared

The Nvidia GB10 Grace Blackwell Superchip marks a notable advancement in AI hardware, created through a partnership between Nvidia and ARM. It arises from the growing need for specialised computing platforms to keep pace with the rapid development and deployment of artificial intelligence models. Unlike a typical PC, the GB10 is designed around the ARM v9.2-A architecture, incorporating 20 ARM cores (10 Cortex-X925 and 10 Cortex-A725). This reflects a wider industry move towards ARM-based options, which are more power-efficient than PC processors, and potentially more scalable for AI tasks.

The capabilities of the GB10 are impressive. It combines a robust Nvidia Blackwell GPU with the ARM CPU, achieving up to a petaFLOP of AI performance with FP4 precision. This level of power is especially suitable for training and inference of large language models and diffusion models, which are fundamental to much of today’s generative AI. The system is further supported by 128GB of unified LPDDR5x memory, enabling it to handle demanding AI tasks efficiently.

The caveat to all this power and memory is that PC architectures aren’t designed to exploit them effectively, and Microsoft Windows memory management has long been an issue.

Therefore, to be efficient and communicate effectively with other nodes, the GB10 needs Ubuntu Linux, modified with NVIDIA’s DGX OS, to harness the platform's power and handle multi-node communications.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

As I already mentioned, the GB10 delivers up to 1 petaFLOP at FP4 precision, ideal for quantised AI workloads. But that is still less than the multi-petaFLOP performance of NVIDIA’s flagship data centre chips, the Blackwell B200 or GB200.

However, where it goes toe-to-toe is in respect of power efficiency, since this node only consumes around 140W, which is much less than the Blackwell B200, which can consume between 1000W and 1200W per GPU. The GB200 combines two B200 chips and a Grace CPU, and the power demand can bloom to 2,700W. Although these systems might offer up to 20 Petabytes of performance, at around 19 times the power.

The balance here is that the GN100 can sit on your desk without needing any special services or environment, whereas the datacentre hardware needs a specialist location and services to ensure it doesn’t overheat or cause the local electricity network to fail.

In this respect, the GN100 and its counterparts represent the more realistic end of the AI wedge, but how useful they can be is dependent on what you are attempting to do, and if this much power is enough for your purposes.

Acer Veriton GN100: AI Reality Check

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

In my prior Asus GX10 coverage, I talked at length about AI, and how there are lots of people making a bet that it is the next big thing, and others who are much more critical of the technology and how it's developing.

I’m not going to rehash the obvious flaws of AI, or the lack of a path to address all of those, but I would strongly recommend researching before starting any AI endeavour and creating expectations that either can’t be met with current technology, or the power in this physically small computer.

What I can say is that recent AI releases have substantially improved over previous generations, but access to these advanced models, like ChatGPT 5.3 Codex and Claude 4.0, is ringfenced for paid subscribers using the Cloud.

Obviously, the beauty of a device like the GN100 is that you can download these models and run them on your own hardware, even if getting the most out of them requires them to be connected to the Internet to source information.

For those interested, running GPT-5.3-Codex on this hardware requires you to install Tailscale and a local inference engine like Ollama, pull the codex to the GN100 using the appropriate commands. Then you can open up an Open WebUI from another system, ideally, and use the model.

For anyone familiar with Linux, none of this is especially taxing. But to make it even easier, the ChatGPT team (or is that the AI?) has made a Codex App that does most of the legwork for you.

If you want to try something else, some models come in pre-prepared Docker Containers that can simply be installed and executed, making deployment remarkably straightforward.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

When you first power the system up, you are presented with a web interface created for the Nvidia DGX Spark, and install VS Code, the DGX Dashboard with JupyterLab, Open WebUI with Ollama and Comfy UI.

To be clear, this isn’t like a Windows application install. You are given instructions as to the commands you need to execute, which install the tools and libraries that are needed. Those who don’t use Linux every day will find it a challenge, but eventually, even I managed to get almost everything working, at least enough to load models and create some output. Image generation was especially impressive, although some of the deep thinking models aren’t that responsive if you ask them something genuinely challenging.

Some people might assume that because the code for these models is being run locally on the GN100, the cost of a subscriber model should be cheaper. But I’ve not noticed that so far, you just get better performance and save the creators' electricity bill. What running a model on this hardware gives you is that you own the model, it can’t be removed from you, and there is the potential for you control the model, customising it in a specific and personal way.

For those exploring AI in a serious way its necessary to use the latest models, and that often has a cost implication, even if you own the hardware platform.

What you certainly don’t want to do is install some free model from a couple of years ago, and then be disappointed with the results. The steepness of the curve of development on models is extraordinary, and even versions of the best ones from six months ago have been overtaken by the latest releases.

For those working in this area, using modern AI is like trying to get onto a bus when they don’t stop or even slow down to allow passengers on or off. Being aware of where the model of interest is, and when it's been overtaken, is critical to not being completely out of date before the project is completed.

Acer Veriton GN100: Early verdict

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

NVIDIA decided to ship its Grace Blackwell technology in an entry-level form and created a blueprint for that in their NVIDIA DGX Spark Personal AI Supercomputer, its partners are delivering their versions, like the Acer Veriton GN100.

Other than the outer case and a few other small choices, it's debatable how much variation we’re likely to see between these machines. It’s not like the GPUs, where the partners get to design variations and even tweak the founders' editions for better performance.

Maybe if these become massively popular, then we might see more variation, like combining two systems in a single box, or blending the technology with DAS storage. But for now, this is where we are.

That said, the Acer version is perfectly serviceable, but when the specifications are so close its mostly about price. For Americans paying $2999 for the GN100, it's probably one of the cheapest options, and for those in Europe, oddly, it's one of the more expensive. Perhaps Acer can fix that for Europeans, but given the rising cost of RAM, it's more likely the USA will have to pay more.

The one weakness of this design is the lack of access to the SSD, and if that’s a deal breaker for you, some other machines do have that capability.

As ever, Acer has delivered a workable solution for demanding computing tasks, but what this brand can’t guarantee is the skills needed to make the most from their platform. Buyers need to appreciate that while the hardware offers more than ten times the AI processing of a high-end PC, making the most of what it can do requires a particular skill set.

For more compact computing, see our guide to the best mini PCs you can buy

Categories: Reviews

Acer Veriton GN100 AI mini PC workstation - another AI development system using the same Nvidia Grace Blackwell foundations

TechRadar News - Sat, 02/14/2026 - 01:20
Designed for the development of and use of AI models, the Acer Veriton GN100 uses the Nvidia Blackwell architecture to deliver ultimate performance.
Categories: Technology

Today's NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Saturday, Feb. 14

CNET News - Sat, 02/14/2026 - 00:51
Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Feb. 14.
Categories: Technology

How to watch England vs Scotland: Free Streams, TV Channels & Preview for T20 World Cup 2026 match

TechRadar News - Sat, 02/14/2026 - 00:15
Here's how to watch England vs Scotland T20 World Cup streams as qualification hopes are on the line.
Categories: Technology

'Our work for Milano-Cortina is helping create a new generation of network': HPE tells us what it takes to be the network backbone of the 2026 Winter Olympics

TechRadar News - Sat, 02/14/2026 - 00:00
The most geographically-widespread Winter Olympics ever needs a next-gen network - HPE tells us why it is the only choice.
Categories: Technology

'I want to give millions of young people the financial foundation I never had': MrBeast buys a financial planning app for young people, but all we can ask is - why?

TechRadar News - Fri, 02/13/2026 - 19:10
MrBeast acquires Step to teach financial skills to young users, expanding Beast Industries beyond media into fintech and money management.
Categories: Technology

I tested the Viltrox 85mm f/1.4 Pro for two months — here's why this classic portrait lens beats pricey first-party glass

TechRadar Reviews - Fri, 02/13/2026 - 19:00
Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro: one-minute review

I've had a busy time reviewing Viltrox lenses this year – including a range of primes such as the cheap and characterful 'body cap' 28mm f/4.5 lens, my dream reportage photography 35mm f/1.2 lens, the buttery bokeh-delivering 135mm f/1.8 LAB and the lightweight 50mm f/2 Air. Now, it's the turn of the AF 85mm F1.4 Pro.

It's designed for full-frame and is currently available for Sony and Nikon cameras only, with no word yet on an L-mount version (Fujifilm's X-mount is APS-C, and there's already an equivalent 56mm F1.2 Pro lens available). It's the first 'Pro' autofocus lens I've tested in Viltrox's range, which also includes the AF 50mm F1.4 and various APS-C lenses, including the 27mm F1.2 and 75mm F1.2 (for Sony E, Fujifilm X and Nikon Z).

In short, it's the classic portrait lens for pro photographers, with upper-body portraits and dreamy animal portraits (think cats and dogs) being its speciality. I also like the focal length for street photography.

Just 15mm in length – Viltrox AF 28mm f/4.5 is a true body-cap lens, with a much faster f/4.5 aperture than other such optics, including the Panasonic 26mm f/8. If you don't mind something a little larger and pricier, there are f/2.8 alternatives (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

In the hand, the Viltrox 85mm F1.4 Pro's rugged build quality is immediately evident – this is a weather-sealed metal lens, with a range of external controls for photo and video work, even if it lacks the digital display found in Viltrox's flagship 'LAB' lenses.

Image quality is top drawer in every regard, too, demonstrating everything you'd hope for in a portrait lens; detail is sharp, bokeh is smooth, lens distortions are minimal. And then comes the mic drop: this lens costs just $589 / £569 / AU$919 – that's a third of the price of Sony's 85mm F1.4 GM II, and almost half the price of Sigma's 85mm f1.4 Art DG DN. It's regularly on sale for less, too.

Surely we can forget these rival lenses then, and save a packet with the Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro instead? Not quite. At 800g and measuring 108.5mm in length, this is a hefty lens that's a fair bit heavier than rivals. If an 85mm f/1.4 lens is your workhorse optic, it could be well worth forking out extra for a lighter alternative.

Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro: price and availability
  • Available in Sony E and Nikon Z-mount versions
  • It costs $598 / £569 / AU$919
  • Viltrox regularly discounts its lenses – there's 15% off the AF 85mm F1.4 Pro at the time of writing

Viltrox's 'Pro' series, which includes the 85mm F1.4 lens, sits between its flagship 'LAB' series, and above its lightweight 'EVO' in terms of both price and quality. At $598 / £569 / AU$919, it's not a cheap lens by any means, and is the priciest of a trio of Viltrox 85mm lenses, with an f/1.8 and f/2 EVO also available. That said, the f/1.4 aperture is a better option, especially for pros who work in challenging situations, including indoors and low light.

The lens is currently available in Sony E and Nikon Z versions, but not L-mount or Canon RF (don't expect the latter – Canon has locked Viltrox out. But for reference, Canon's own 85mm F1.4L VCM costs 3x the price of Viltrox's, and for me is very similar).

A fairer comparison for value, then, is against Nikon and Sony's own 85mm lenses, plus lenses from other third parties such as Sigma. Nikon doesn't have a f/1.4 version in its range yet.

Here's how the Sony and Nikon-mount 85mm lenses stack up (spoiler alert – the Viltrox wins on value):

Sony E mount

Nikon Z mount

Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro

$598 / £569 / AU$919

$598 / £569 / AU$919

Nikon Z 85mm F1.2 S

N/A

$2,999 / £2,799 / AU$4,749

NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S

N/A

$849 / £789 / AU$1,399

Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art

$1,319 / £979 / AU$1,596

N/A

Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II

$2,049 / £1,799 / AU$2,499

N/A

Sony FE 85mm F1.8

$649 / £499 / AU$949

N/A

Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro: specsViltrox AF 28mm f/4.5 specs

Type:

Mid-telephoto prime

Mount:

Sony E, Nikon Z

Sensor:

Full-frame

Focal length:

85mm

Max aperture:

f/1.4

Minimum focus:

0.79m, 0.13x max magnification

Filter size:

77mm

Dimensions:

84.5 x 108.5mm

Weight:

28.2oz / 800g (lens only)

Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro: design
  • Durable, weather-sealed design, but prone to scratches
  • Around 25% heavier than alternatives
  • External controls suit photo and video work
Tim ColemanTim ColemanTim ColemanTim Coleman

The Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro's build quality and design are clearly excellent, and remind me of Sony's current standard-focal-length GM lenses – and even more so of Canon's new range of hybrid 'VCM' lenses, which includes a triple-the-price 85mm F1.4L VCM. As mentioned, Viltrox isn't permitted to make Canon RF lenses, but I've used both the Canon RF 85mm F1.4L VCM and Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro, and I'm having a hard time spotting any meaningful differences, besides the Canon lens being 25% lighter.

There's a ridged aperture ring that can be set to clicked or smooth adjustments between aperture values, and which could host a follow-focus mechanism for cinematic manual focusing, equipping the Viltrox 85mm lens well for photo and video work. Elsewhere, there's an AF/MF switch, a custom button, plus a large focus ring – every control is beautifully dampened / smooth in operation.

A rear rubber seal confirms the weather-sealing, and you'll find a USB-C port within the metal rear mount, through which future firmware upgrades can be installed.

Tim ColemanTim Coleman

Viltrox supplies a chunky lens hood which easily screws on and off, while the lens accepts the common 77mm size of threaded filters.

There's a reassuring weight to the metal lens, although it's perhaps a little too weighty for its own good; at 800g it's around 25% heavier than the aforementioned Sony, Sigma and Canon equivalents. Measuring 108mm in length, it's similar in size to the Sony lens but bigger than Sigma's.

Despite its weight, I thought the balance between the Viltrox lens and mid-range Nikon camera, with which I was testing the lens, felt pretty good. I wouldn't want it any heavier or longer, but it just about sits within comfortable limits – and it would be an even better match with chunkier a Nikon Z8.

Over the course of two months with the lens I've managed to look after it, and it still looks pristine. However, I've tested other Viltrox lenses in other scenarios with less care, including the AF 35mm F1.2 LAB which has a similar finish, and they've proved to be prone to scratches. I'm not going to test that theory for the sake of it, but that's my word of warning.

Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro: Performance
  • 11-blade rounded aperture with f/1.4 to f/16 range, capable of smooth bokeh
  • Speedy and reliable VCM autofocus
  • Extremely sharp between f/2 and f/8
Tim ColemanTim ColemanTim ColemanTim ColemanTim Coleman

That big f/1.4 aperture is for sure a major selling point of the lens, especially when you consider that Viltrox already has two 85mm lenses for full-frame cameras in its range: the original 85mm f/1.8 and an 85mm f/2 EVO – the latter is the lightweight and affordable choice.

You can see how chunky the diameter of the lens is in the product gallery above, plus how big the lens aperture is through the range, with a generous 11-blades creating a circular aperture for attractive bokeh.

Like Canon's range of hybrid lenses, the Viltrox 85mm lens employs a Voice Coil Motor (VCM) which drives autofocus, and the result is snappy autofocus – it's quicker in my experience than Viltrox's pricier 135mm f/1.8 LAB.

Focusing is internal, meaning the lens size remains unchanged as it focuses, and that there are 'floating' lens elements inside. That means there's an unsettling rattling noise when moving the lens when it's not on the camera, or when the camera is not turned on. There's nothing to worry about here – that's totally normal, and it's the same with all such lenses. Those elements 'lock', and are ready to go for focusing when paired with a camera that's turned on.

f/1.4Tim Colemanf/1.8Tim Colemanf/2Tim Colemanf/4Tim Colemanf/1.4Tim Colemanf/1.8Tim Colemanf/2Tim Colemanf/2.8Tim Colemanf/4.5Tim Coleman

Image quality impresses, truly. Detail is incredibly sharp, especially between f/2 and f/8, where lens distortion is also pretty much non-existent. Open the lens to f/1.4 and there's vignetting (darkening in the corners), but that's gone by somewhere between f/2 and f/2.8.

An 85mm f/1.4 lens is a good option for product photography – I used it for my Instax Mini Evo Cinema shotsTim ColemanAnd of course it's a top choice for portraiture, especially head and shoulder shotsTim ColemanI can't take credit for this photo – unlike the previous self portraits where I've shot remotely through Nikon's app, my son took this one of me with my daughter on a hikeTim ColemanIt's also a decent option for animal portraits!Tim ColemanTim ColemanTim ColemanThe f/1.4 aperture lets in plenty of light, which makes the lens a great choice for low light / indoor shotsTim ColemanTim Coleman

Only in the most extreme scenarios, and with all lens corrections turned off, have I seen chromatic aberrations in my photos. One example was an image that included dew drops on a backlit cobweb.

Bokeh is super-smooth. Provided you're relatively close to your subject and shooting between f/1.4 and f/2.8, you'll typically get smooth and big bokeh that's rounded in shape – no ugly onion-ring effect in sight.

Increase focus distance and, as bokeh consequently gets smaller, it can go a little cats-eye in shape. Overall, however, bokeh looks lovely, and is a real reason to opt for this 85mm lens over Viltrox's other offerings.

At f/5, detail is staggeringly sharp across the entire frameTim ColemanAgain, f/5.6 delivers crisp detail, and with the compression effect of the mid telephoto focal length, the background can still be blurred here for decent subject separationTim ColemanI opted for f/1.4 here for a dreamy effectTim ColemanOne big strike against the lens is its limiting minimum focus distance. I wish I could get closer to subjects like this fungiTim ColemanThe out of focus dew drops in this photo exhibit a little chromatic aberration distortion, but I'd expect that from such a subject, and with lens corrections turned off.Tim Coleman

As is the case with other 85mm f/1.4 full-frame lenses, macro photography is not the Viltrox lens's forte. Minimum focus distance is 0.79m, making for a modest 0.13x maximum magnification. To be clear, the Sony and Sigma alternatives are no better.

Close focusing beyond the lens's capabilities is hardly the regular concern of a portrait photographer, but for me I like mixing up what I photograph, and would appreciate more versatile close focusing – it would make for a more complete lens.

Should you buy the Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro?

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Buy it if...

You specialize in portraiture
Upper-body portraits, animal portraits – if these are your thing, you'll want to pick up a pro lens like this.

You're a pro on a budget
You'll get similar performance from this lens to what you'll get from much pricier alternatives.

Don't buy it if...

You regularly shoot long and demanding portrait sessions
If portrait photography is your full-time job, it could be worth stretching your budget to a pricier but lighter alternative (Sony users in particular).

You'd like a versatile prime
With modest close-focusing, the 85mm lens is fairly niche – it works well for portraiture and street / documentary photography, but not a great deal else.

How I tested the Viltrox AF 85mm F1.4 Pro

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
  • Viltrox loaned me a Z-mount version of the lens
  • I paired it with my full-frame Nikon Z6 II
  • My review period spanned two months, and I used the lens in a range of scenarios

Viltrox sent me a Z-mount version of the lens at the back end of 2025, which has given me plenty of opportunity to test it out in various scenarios with my Nikon Z6 II full-frame mirrorless camera (but not with an APS-C body).

I set up my Z6 II for the lens, including the various subject-detection autofocus modes (Auto area, with specific subject detection based on what I was shooting).

I used it indoors and outdoors, in good light and bad, and I shot sequences of the same photos through the aperture range in order to check for lens distortion, sharpness, bokeh and so on.

First reviewed February 2026

Categories: Reviews

You've only got 10 more days to get Surfshark's best plan at a discounted price with 3 extra months thrown in — here's how to claim

TechRadar News - Fri, 02/13/2026 - 19:00
All of Surfshark's best features are available for less, but not for much longer
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The Nintendo Switch 2 is the ultimate machine for multiplayer mayhem, and these 6 party games are truly essential

TechRadar News - Fri, 02/13/2026 - 19:00
I adore my Nintendo Switch 2, and take it with me just about everywhere I go – but I always make sure to have these party games in my bag too.
Categories: Technology

I tested the Viltrox 85mm f/1.4 Pro for two months — here's why this classic portrait lens beats pricey first-party glass

TechRadar News - Fri, 02/13/2026 - 19:00
Viltrox's take on the classic 85mm f/1.4 professional portrait lens is a huge success, and it's excellent value too
Categories: Technology

Today's NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Feb. 14, #509

CNET News - Fri, 02/13/2026 - 18:45
Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Feb. 14, No. 509.
Categories: Technology

Don’t worry, VR isn’t dying – this weird XR arcade cabinet just made me fall in love with my Quest 3 all over again

TechRadar News - Fri, 02/13/2026 - 18:00
Feeling down about VR in 2026? I’ve been testing an XR arcade cabinet, and it has made me fall in love with my Quest 3 again.
Categories: Technology

Apple TV going streaming-first with every 2026 movie feels risky, especially with potential Barbie, Marty Supreme, and Karate Kid-sized hits all coming

TechRadar News - Fri, 02/13/2026 - 18:00
Apple TV’s 2026 slate might have the next Barbie, Marty Supreme or Karate Kid – and I’m baffled it’s all streaming first.
Categories: Technology

Google Revives Android 17 Beta 1 Just Days After Halting Launch

CNET News - Fri, 02/13/2026 - 17:39
Android 17 Canary will feature improvements to the camera, networking and security, the company says.
Categories: Technology

Samsung says it “took the leap” with HBM4, as it starts shipping faster AI memory built on advanced process nodes

TechRadar News - Fri, 02/13/2026 - 17:05
Samsung begins to ship HBM4 memory at 11.7Gbps speeds, and claims an early industry lead.
Categories: Technology

'Oura’s long‑term vision is to help shift health systems' — Oura's chief medical officer tells us how it's using smart rings to shape US legislation

TechRadar News - Fri, 02/13/2026 - 17:00
Oura is using its smart rings to help shape US health legislation – here's everything you need to know.
Categories: Technology

There's a sneaky way to watch NBA All star Weekend for FREE

TechRadar News - Fri, 02/13/2026 - 16:45
Here's a sneaky way to watch the NBA All star Weekend 2026 for free from anywhere in the world as basketball's annual tournament returns Feb 13-15
Categories: Technology

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Leaps Onto PS Plus in February

CNET News - Fri, 02/13/2026 - 16:37
Peter Parker and Miles Morales are here to save the day once again.
Categories: Technology

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