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Sure, your TV screen may be the first thing people notice about your entertainment hub, but it’s sound quality that completes a proper home theater setup. Whether you want to invest in the best surround sound system you can get in order to transform your entertainment space or you just want something simple that will boast a big impact, there are plenty of great immersive audio options out there. And when it comes to buying a home theater sound system — from AV receivers and multispeaker setups to simpler-yet-still-powerful soundbars — we’ve got you covered.

Soundbars offer a lot of performance in a compact package and cost much less to get up and running than a speaker system. You can even choose one with advanced features like Dolby Atmos and Wi-Fi streaming. Some soundbars offer an upgrade path including optional subwoofers and rear speakers, though if you want to truly mix and match speakers, an AV receiver is for you.

Receivers offer a lot in the box and, unlike soundbars, they have plenty of HDMI inputs to accommodate different sources. You can even start with just a couple of stereo speakers — and I did this for a couple of years without feeling I was missing out. Yet, given you can get a full 5.1.4 Klipsch system for under $500 you don’t really need to wait.

Whatever route you decide to go with — soundbars or AV systems — there should be something here that will improve your home entertainment experience. These are the best home theater systems available right now. We’ll update this list periodically as we review new products.

Chromebooks, or laptops that run on Google’s ChromeOS, have been around for more than a decade and have gone from basic internet appliances to excellent laptops for personal or professional use. Their user-friendly nature makes them a good option for schools, businesses and for people who are less tech-savvy.

But a lot of negative ideas about Chromebooks have circulated over the last 10 years too, including the fallacy that you can’t use them offline and that the devices are underpowered. Some of these critiques may have been true when Chromebooks were first released, but they have since been corrected or improved upon.

Here are eight Chromebook misconceptions to ignore when looking for a new laptop.

1. Chromebooks are underpowered

This is a common misconception that dates back to the Chromebook’s launch, when it was mainly used for accessing the internet via the Chrome browser. As more people started using Chromebooks, including for school and business, Google increased the functionality of the operating system and Chromebook makers improved their performance to take advantage of new features. Now, like other laptops, you get what you pay for with a Chromebook.

ChromeOS, the Chromebook operating system, still has low hardware requirements, though. This means Chromebooks can provide basic functionality for less money. Despite the low hardware requirements, Chromebooks can perform as well as — and in some cases better than — similarly priced Windows laptops.

“New Windows laptops for $200 are few and far between and, frankly, are rarely worth buying,” CNET’s Joshua Goldman writes. “Finding a good $200 Chromebook, on the other hand, is pretty easy to do… Premium Chromebooks typically start between $400 and $500, but can easily run more than $1,000 depending on your needs.”

The Lenovo Duet 3, for example, is $379, and it can stream videos, run almost any Android app and be used for cloud gaming via Nvidia GeForce Now or Xbox Cloud Gaming. Other premium Chromebooks, like the CNET Editor’s Choice award-winning Acer Chromebook Spin 714, are more expensive, but they can have up to 10 hours of battery life. They can also stream videos and handle productivity apps like Slack with ease.

2. You can only use Chrome on Chromebooks

It’s understandable — yet incorrect — to think that Chromebooks, which run on ChromeOS, can only use a Chrome browser. You can run other browsers, like Brave and Firefox, on your Chromebook.

To use these browsers, you need to download the apps from the Google Play Store. While those apps are meant for Android phones, they will work on your Chromebook. Some apps have tablet support so they look cleaner and use the additional space on the screen of your Chromebook. Their windows can also be resized just like traditional desktop software.

3. Chromebooks aren’t safe to use

Chromebooks have multiple layers of protection to keep your data safe. For example, you’ll get automatic updates from Google so your device always has the latest patches. Chromebooks also run individual websites and apps in sandboxes to contain threats.

These security features make Chromebooks more secure than many other laptops. According to CVE Details, a security vulnerability datasource, ChromeOS has had about 50 security vulnerabilities since 2010. In comparison, Windows 10 has had almost 3,000 vulnerabilities since 2013.

4. Chromebooks don’t work offline

While the first models were designed to be used online only, Google changed that long ago so that many Chromebook apps will work with or without an internet connection. You can use your Chromebook to take notes, watch movies and listen to music when offline. You can even check and respond to emails or view, edit or create documents in Google Drive. In these cases, whatever emails you are sending or changes you are making to documents won’t go through until you reconnect to the internet.

5. You can’t game on Chromebooks

Years ago you could only play web-based games on your Chromebook but since 2016, you can play many of the games in the Google Play Store. That includes games like Roblox and Apex Legends Mobile. You can also play games from Steam, Nvidia’s GeForce Now, Amazon Luna and Xbox Cloud Gaming on your Chromebook.

Google is even selling Chromebooks made for cloud gaming. The Acer Chromebook 516 GE, Asus Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip and Lenovo Ideapad Gaming Chromebook are the first three gaming Chromebooks that let anyone play AAA computer games without a high-end gaming PC using cloud services.

6. Chromebooks aren’t good for photo or video editing

For basic editing, the Google Play Store has a number of photo and video editing apps, including Adobe’s Android apps and LumaFusion, which are Chromebook-compatible. Google also unveiled a new video editor and movie maker in Google Photos in July.

If you’re a business professional and need more advanced photo- or video-editing capabilities, like Adobe InDesign or Photoshop, you’ll still want a Windows, Mac or Linux laptop. However, if you are putting together a family photo album or a video for a family reunion, Chromebooks have everything you need.

7. Chromebooks can’t run Microsoft Office

Yes, you can run Microsoft Office on your Chromebook. However, instead of using the software suite made for Windows or MacOS, you’ll use Microsoft’s Office progressive web apps, or PWAs.

PWAs are like the mobile versions of websites, but they give you more features, like offline use and push notifications. There are PWAs for Microsoft Office 365 that work great on Chromebooks. Besides having to download the PWAs, using them is the same as using the web versions of Office 365. Microsoft Office power users might find that Office PWAs aren’t as robust as the desktop software, but the PWAs will likely meet most people’s needs.

8. You can’t use Windows on a Chromebook

This one is half true. While you can’t install Windows onto your Chromebook, you can access the operating system via remote access. You can use remote computer access tools, like Parallels for Chrome or Chrome’s Remote Desktop, to connect your Chromebook to a Windows computer.

Parallels lets you run full-featured Windows applications and is mainly meant for business users. Chrome’s Remote Desktop takes minutes to set up and can be used to access Windows — or Mac — software on your Chromebook. Is this cheating? Maybe, but I won’t tell if you won’t.

For more on Chromebooks, check out these eight Chromebooks for any budget and how to see which Chromebooks are about to expire. You can also check out how to run Windows Office on your Chromebook.

Tablets are ultra convenient thanks to their portability and versatility. If you’re shopping for one of these nifty devices, but need a budget-friendly option, Amazon’s Fire Max 11 tablet is a solid iPad-alternative that offers some great features without breaking the bank. It regularly lists for $230, but Amazon has slashed the price by $40 right now, meaning you can get your hands on one for just $190. We don’t know how long this offer will last, so we recommend making your purchase sooner rather than later.

The Fire Max 11 has an impressive 11-inch display with a 2,000×1,200 screen resolution and it comes equipped with 4GB of memory and 64GB of storage. If that’s too little for your needs, don’t fret. You can expand your storage up to 1TB with a microSD card — though you will have to buy one separately. The tablet has also upgraded to an aluminum body, rather than the plastic design of previous iterations. It’s also compatible with Wi-Fi 6, has Amazon Alexa and has optimal battery life, lasting up to 14 hours per charge. And if you need to use your tablet for video calls, it has an 8-megapixel camera, too. For those of you looking for a workstation, you can grab both a keyboard case and a stylus pen for this model, though they are each sold separately.

It’s worth noting that this is an ad-supported model, which means advertisements will appear when the device is locked. However, you can always opt out later by paying a one-time fee through your Amazon account. Also note that Google Play is not supported on Fire tablets. If you want to see what else is out there, be sure to check out our roundup of the best tablet deals happening now.

Apple’s next event is likely to be held Sept. 12, with the company expected to unveil the new iPhone 15 series, as well as the Apple Watch Series 9, a new Apple Watch Ultra and of course iOS 17. However, you don’t have to wait until then to get your hands on the third iOS 17 public beta, which just came out Friday.

As long as you’re enrolled in the Apple Beta Software Program, which is free to do, you can check out upcoming iPhone features like improved autocorrect, interactive widgets, using your photos to create Live Stickers, and sharing your contact information via AirDrop.

The iOS 17 developer beta, meant for developers, is currently on its fifth iteration. The public beta should be a more refined and stable version of the developer beta, though you may still deal with software bugs, features that don’t fully work, and other issues.

Read more: Don’t Install the iOS 17 Developer Beta on Your iPhone

Not all iPhone models will work with iOS 17, so you’ll first need to check whether your device is compatible. You can see the full list of supported devices here — the iPhone XS and later should work with iOS 17. You can also check out our list of the best iPhones for 2023, in case you’re looking to upgrade to a newer model.

If you’re interested in testing iOS 17 public beta 3, here’s everything you need to know to download the experimental software to your iPhone.

How to download the iOS 17 public beta on your iPhone

Before you download anything, make sure to update your iPhone to the latest version of iOS 16, and then back up your iPhone either to the cloud or computer. Backing up your device is incredibly important if you decide you no longer want iOS 17 and wish to go back to iOS 16. Without a backup, you could potentially lose important data when you revert. Alternatively, if you have a spare iPhone, consider running the public beta on that instead of your primary phone.

Now that you’re ready, you can proceed.

On your supported iPhone, go to the Apple Beta Software Program website and either sign in (if you’re already a member) or sign up. You’ll need an Apple ID to do either. If you’re signing up, follow all the prompts.

On the Guide for Public Beta page, you’ll get more information about the iOS 17 public beta. Under Get Started, tap the blue enroll your iOS device link. On the next page, scroll down to the second section and depending on what software update you currently have, you have two options:

• If you’re running iOS 16.4 or later, all you need to do is go to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates and choose the iOS 17 public beta to install.
• If you’re on iOS 16.3 or earlier, you must download a configuration profile (tap on the blue Download profile button), go to Settings, tap the profile, and follow the instructions.

Finally, go to Settings > General > Software Update and install the iOS 17 public beta. Once your phone reboots, you’ll have access to iOS 17.

For more, check out our iPhone 14 review and everything you need to know about the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro.

Instagram on Friday unveiled a handful of new features it says will help you “express your creativity and connect with friends.” You’ll now be able to add music to image carousels, collaborate with friends on posts and reels, and respond to new “Add Yours” prompts.

These new additions mostly build on top of existing features and will be rolling out globally.

Instagram unveiled the new features with the help of musician Olivia Rodrigo. In a post announcing her new single, “Bad Idea Right?,” Rodrigo showcased a carousel of photos with the new single playing over the images.

Here’s what to know about Instagram’s latest features.

How to add music to photo carousels on Instagram

This feature is easy to use and very similar to adding music to a single post. After choosing the photos you’d like to include in your carousel, continue through the pages as normal until you reach the page where you can caption or geotag your photos. There will now be an option to Add music as well.

After selecting Add music, you’ll see a tab with song suggestions and a browse tab that categorizes songs by genre or mood. If you want to search for a specific song, type the name of the song into the search bar at the top of the page. You can preview songs before adding them to your post.

Once you’ve selected the song that’s right for your carousel, you can scrub through the song to pick the best 90-second clip for your images. Instagram will also suggest sections of the song, to make it easy to pick.

More collaboration on Instagram

Another new feature gives you the ability to add three co-authors to posts, reels or carousels. It doesn’t matter whether the account you want to add is private or public. Once people accept the invitation to be a collaborator, they’ll be shown as a co-author on the post.

Instagram also announced the “Add Yours” sticker that creators and artists can add to their reels. When fans tap the sticker, they’ll be able to contribute their own creative take on a trend or song. Creators and artists can then highlight their 10 favorite submissions, and fans will be notified if their reel is selected.

For more on Instagram, check out the latest updates to Threads and learn how to turn on Quiet Mode.

It’s Best Buy’s anniversary, and to celebrate, the retailer has launched a three-day sale with huge markdowns on TVs, headphones, tablets, smartwatches, laptops, kitchen tools and more. There are a ton of deals available, so we’ve combed through the sale to find some of the best offers and have highlighted our favorites below. You can shop the sale now through Sunday, Aug. 13 at 9:59 p.m. PT (Monday 12:59 a.m. ET). Note that some of the prices — particularly on Apple products — have been matched at Amazon.

Top deals available at Best Buy right now

Find more great savings at Best Buy below.

• Keurig K-Slim single-serve coffee maker: $80 (save $50)
• JBL Reflect Mini noise-canceling earbuds: $100 (save $50)
• MacBook Pro M2 13-inch (256GB): $1,099 (save $200)
• Insignia 55-inch F30 LED 4K Fire TV: $270 (save $130)
• Beats Solo3 wireless on-ear headphones: $130 (save $70)
• Apple iPad Mini (64GB) Wi-Fi model: $400 (save $100)
• HP 15.6-inch AMD Ryzen 3 (256GB) laptop: $280 (save $200)
• Google Pixel tablet (256GB) with charging speaker dock: $519 (save $80)
• KitchenAid digital countertop oven: $150 (save $50)
• Samsung Galaxy Buds Live earbuds: $80 (save $70)
• Fitbit Charge 5 fitness tracker: $120 (save $30)
• Toshiba 43-inch C350 LED 4K Fire TV: $200 (save $130)
• Nanoleaf hexagons starter kit (7 panels): $170 (save $30)
• Sony WF-C700N noise-canceling earbuds: $90 (save $30)
• MacBook Air M2 (256GB): $949 (save $150)
• Sony 65-inch Bravia XR X90L 4K Google TV: $1,300 (save $300)
• Asus ROG gaming tablet (1TB): $1,100 (save $800)
• Philips Hue A19 smart light starter kit: $130 (save $40)
• Samung 65-inch The Frame 4K Tizen TV: $1,700 (save $300)
• Ecovacs Deebot X1 Omni robot vacuum/mop: $1,100 (save $450)

There are plenty of other markdowns worth checking out, so be sure to shop the entire sale selection at Best Buy to find more great deals.

Schools and workplaces all around the world rely on Microsoft’s productivity apps, including popular programs like Word and Excel. In today’s world, it’s pretty tough to get by without having access to them. But getting access on your own can cost a pretty. If you’re looking to get your hands on a license for your Windows or Mac computer, StackSocial has a great offer available right now that you won’t want to miss.

A Microsoft Office 2021 license costs as much as $440 when purchased through Microsoft directly, but right now at StackSocial, you can get lifetime access for just $35. Just note that Mac users will only get the basic Home and Business suite, while Windows users will get the Professional suite, which includes Office Publisher and Office Access as well. This offer is available now through Aug. 13, so we’d recommend signing up soon if you don’t want to miss out.

StackSocial’s deal is a great bargain when compared with the online Microsoft 365 subscription suite, which starts at $7 a month or $70 a year for individuals. There’s a free online version of Microsoft Office that you can use as well, but it isn’t nearly as feature complete. (Separately — and notably — Apple users should note that Outlook is now a free app for the Mac.)

Now, a deal this good comes with some caveats. First, this key is good only for a single computer, so you won’t be able to install it on various machines in your home, and if your current computer happens to die, you could run into a snag when trying to transfer it. Likewise, you’re passing up on other benefits you’d get as a 365 subscriber. You won’t get any OneDrive Cloud Storage, nor will you get the fancy new cloud-based AI features like Microsoft Copilot. And while the apps should continue to work as long as your computer does, Microsoft’s support for this version of Office ends on Oct. 13, 2026.

To that last point: Though this is listed as a “lifetime license” — that is, the lifetime of the computer you installed it on — it’s worth noting there’s always a risk that Microsoft could terminate the license. But versions of StackSocial’s deal have been running for more than a year — the one we bought in early 2022, for instance, still works fine. At this cost, it takes a little over four months for you to get a full return on the investment compared with buying the subscription, so the risk factor isn’t super high here.

Samsung on Friday launched the beta version of its next software update, and if you’ve got a phone in the Galaxy S23 series, you’ll be able to sign up to try it out.

Signing up for the beta of Samsung One UI 6 will give you early access to the latest additions to Samsung’s software, which is based around allowing you to customize your phone settings to what you use the most.

“Our mission with One UI is to reflect the unique preferences of our users in every aspect of their mobile experience,” said Samsung Executive Vice President Janghyun Yoon in a release.

Here are some of the things you can expect in Samsung One UI 6:

• A simplified, “more modern” design.
• A new default font.
• New emojis on Samsung Keyboard.
• Screen visibility and settings like brightness available in the Quick Panel.
• The ability to set different lock screens with Modes and Routines (“such as a calming photo of a forest in Sleep Mode,” Samsung suggests).
• A new custom camera widget where you can preselect a camera mode and photo saving location.

One UI 6 is based on Google’s Android 14 operating system.

The beta program is open to Samsung Galaxy S23 users in the US, Germany and South Korea. The company was originally expected to launch the One UI 6 beta on Thursday, but it was pushed back a day. Samsung didn’t provide a reason for the delay.

Any feedback you give Samsung will help make final adjustments to the system ahead of its official launch.

Read more: Best Unlimited Data Plans for August 2023

Tournament top scorers Japan take on Olympic silver medalists Sweden today in this intriguing Women’s World Cup quarterfinal at Eden Park.

The free-scoring Japanese have arguably been the stand-out side in this year’s tournament so far, with in-form striker Hinata Miyazawa currently leading the golden boot standings after scoring five goals from four games.

The Swedes have meanwhile shown plenty of reliance, having pulled off the result of the completion so far by knocking out hot favorites the USA on penalties in the previous round.

Below, we’ll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch Germany vs. Colombia no matter where you are in the world.

Japan vs Sweden: When and where?

This quarterfinal clash takes place at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand on Friday, August 11.

Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m. NZST local time in New Zealand, which makes it a 3:30 a.m. ET or 12:30 a.m. PT start in the US and Canada, a 7:30pm AEST start in Australia, and a 8:30 a.m. BST kick-off in the UK.

How to watch the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 online from anywhere using a VPN

If you find yourself unable to view the tournament locally, you may need a different way to watch this match — that’s where using a VPN can come in handy. A VPN is also the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds on game day by encrypting your traffic, and it’s also a great idea if you’re traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network, and you want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins.

With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the game. Most VPNs, like our Editors’ Choice, ExpressVPN, make it really easy to do this.

Using a VPN to watch or stream sports is legal in any country where VPNs are legal, including the US, UK and Australia, as long as you have a legitimate subscription to the service you’re streaming. You should be sure your VPN is set up correctly to prevent leaks: Even where VPNs are legal, the streaming service may terminate the account of anyone it deems to be circumventing correctly applied blackout restrictions.

Looking for other options? Be sure to check out some of the other great VPN deals taking place right now.

Livestream Japan vs Sweden in the US

Women’s World Cup matches are being broadcast on Fox in the US. If you’re already a subscriber, you can livestream games via the Fox website. if you’re not, you’ll need a live TV streaming service that carries Fox, the least expensive being Sling TV Blue.

Numerous other live TV streaming services carry local Fox stations as well, namely YouTube TV, Hulu Plus Live TV, DirecTV Stream and Fubo. They all cost more than Sling TV, but they also carry more channels. Check out our live TV streaming channel guide for details.

NBC-owned Telemundo, meanwhile, offers all the games in Spanish, and can also be viewed via NBC’s streaming platform Peacock Premium.

One further option in the US for watching matches comes with Tubi TV, which is offering full-length replays of the games in English minutes after they end on the free ad-supported streaming service. You’ll have to sign up for a Tubi account in order to get the games, but you won’t need a credit card or subscription.

Watch Japan vs Sweden for free in the UK

Football fans in the UK are among the luckiest in the world, as all matches of the FIFA Women’s World Cup being shown live on free-to-air channels, with the BBC and ITV sharing broadcast duties. This game will be shown live on BBC1, which means viewers in the UK will be able to stream the game for free on BBC iPlayer. Coverage starts at 10:45 a.m. BST on Thursday morning.

Stream Japan vs. Sweden in Canada

Comprehensive live coverage of the 2023 Women’s World Cup is available in Canada via TSN. Cord cutters can watch via the network’s streaming service TSN Plus.

Stream Japan vs Sweden for free in New Zealand

Live coverage of 2023 Women’s World Cup for the co-host nation is with free-to-air channel Prime. Kick-off for this match is at 7:30 p.m. NZST.

Quick tips for streaming the 2023 Women’s World Cup using a VPN

• With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — your experience and success when streaming the Women’s World Cup action live may vary.
• If you don’t see your desired location as a default option for ExpressVPN, try using the “search for city or country” option.
• If you’re having trouble getting the game after you’ve turned on your VPN and set it to the correct viewing area, there are two things you can try for a quick fix. First, log into your streaming service subscription account and make sure the address registered for the account is an address in the correct viewing area. If not, you may need to change the physical address on file with your account. Second, some smart TVs — like Roku — don’t have VPN apps you can install directly on the device itself. Instead, you’ll have to install the VPN on your router or the mobile hotspot you’re using (like your phone) so that any device on its Wi-Fi network now appears in the correct viewing location.
• All of the VPN providers we recommend have helpful instructions on their main site for quickly installing the VPN on your router. In some cases with smart TV services, after you install a cable network’s sports app, you’ll be asked to verify a numeric code or click a link sent to your email address on file for your smart TV. This is where having a VPN on your router will also help, since both devices will appear to be in the correct location.
• And remember, browsers can often give away a location despite using a VPN, so be sure you’re using a privacy-first browser to log into your services. We normally recommend Brave.

Corsair’s top-of-the-line model in its K70 series of gaming keyboards, the K70 Max ($230, 249 or roughly AU$485), delivers a lot for its high price if you’re willing to take advantage of the type of customization it offers. Unlike the K70 Pro, which has traditional optical switches offered in linear, clicky and tactile variants, the Max comes with magnetic-mechanical MGX switches, comprised of a magnet which controls the point at which a keystroke registers (actuation point) lodged inside a spring that makes it feel more mechanical.

The technology enables useful capabilities, like the ability to manually define actuation points — two per key in the range of 0.4-3.6mm, for things like quick combos — and reset points. I found the dual actuation useful for double jumps, for instance. But the feel of the keys is idiosyncratic compared to more conventional mechanical and optical switches, thanks to a combination of the magnetic actuator, soft landing and full 4mm travel. The effect is like jumping from a plane and landing on a steel core wrapped in a layer of air inside a marshmallow. It’s an acquired taste that I’ve had some trouble acquiring.

For example, linear switches essentially have no actuation distance, or one that’s so small it might as well as be none. But the equivalent setting on the MGX switches (0.4mm) still feels like there’s a slight but distinct point to overcome through. So they don’t feel quite as smoothly linear as optical switches, though there isn’t enough resistance to prevent accidental presses because it has the same light 45g actuation force of opticals like Razer’s.

But your mileage may vary, because different hands and brains.

There are compelling reasons to put up with the oddness, though, if it doesn’t throw you off too badly. The customizable actuation and reset points let you find that exact point where you can execute a move as fast as possible without overshooting, rather than letting your keyboard dictate your response.

I had to go through a lot of trial and error to find a setting that made my spacebar sufficiently easy to actuate without repeating, for instance. I finally ended up with a midrange actuation point (2.1mm) and a short reset point (0.6mm); if you use spaces in hidden fields (like passwords), reliable keystrokes are critical, since you can’t tell if you’ve made a mistake.

You can also try using the dual actuation points to the same end, or change the global debounce delay setting, which is normally zero (a positive debounce adds a slight lag between the keypress and the registering of the keystroke). The dual actuations are nice, but for a lot of people it might not compensate for the lack of dedicated macro keys. I wish there were a built-in way to test different variations or presets with combinations of settings when you get started.

Since you probably don’t want the same settings while gaming, being able to add granular settings to profiles and load them into the keyboard’s memory is good. If you need to quickly “wipe” all the customizations, there’s a tournament mode switch.

Corsair plans to offer an update with support for Rapid Trigger mode, where the switch effectively resets immediately upon release. A firmware update is slated for the end of August, and it’ll be integrated into iCue, Corsair’s software for Mac, by the end of the year. The latter is necessary to customize it.

The keyboard works with consoles and the Mac as well as Windows, but iCue is a version behind Windows and doesn’t run at all on consoles. So the ability to cycle through profiles in hardware is key, though you may not be able to customize if you don’t have a Windows system. And in order to take advantage of its 8,000 Hz polling rate (or anything above 1K Hz, I believe), you need iCue.

Beyond the switches and what they bring to the table, the Pro Max is pretty much the same as the Pro. It’s tanklike and heavy, thanks to all the metal in it, with nice design touches including multiple channels to thread the braided cable through. There’s a nice magnetically connecting wrist rest with rubber tabs that cushion the bottom edge of the keyboard (and accumulate schmutz). There’s also bright, shine-through per-key RGB lighting and sturdy, textured doubleshot PBT keycaps.

The only thing I don’t like about the keys is the sound of the spacebar. It’s stable, with three points of attachment, but it sounds hollow and high-pitched. That’s not an issue if you wear a headset, but when it’s just you, your keyboard and your speedy touch typing, the noise kind of grates.

The Corsair K70 Max probably doesn’t have broad appeal; the price alone narrows the potential pool of buyers. And I’m not sure how practical it is generally. If speed matters to you, you may be better off with the speed and consistency of optical switches like the Corsair OPX versions in the cheaper K70 Pro, among other brands. But if you need a keyboard that can be many things to many games — and work, too — the K70 Max may offer the flexibility of a custom feel for every occasion.