Oculus has made the decision to lower the price of their (formerly) flagship VR headset, the Rift S. It’s now exactly the same price as the entry-level 64GB Meta Quest 2 .
If you’re looking to get into VR, that can make things a little tricky. After all, if they are both exactly the same price, how should you choose? Admittedly, it’s not a straightforward decision, but there are some key areas of comparison that everyone trying to pick between these two products should know about.
The Quest 2 Offers More Options
The Meta Quest 2 has one big difference from its predecessor. It was designed as a standalone VR headset, and also be the only headset that Oculus sells.
Yes, if you buy a Quest 2 you not only get access to a fantastic library of curated standalone VR experiences, you also get access to the world of premium tethered PC VR experiences. Using a USB cable of sufficient quality and speed, a Quest transforms into what is essentially an Oculus Rift. The Quest 2 (and Quest 1 for that matter) also offer controller-free direct hand tracking. This is an entirely new and different way to experience VR.
The Oculus Rift S, on the other hand, can only work as a tethered PC VR headset. It does share the same inside-out tracking technology as the Quest 2, but other than that they don’t have much in common. While the Quest 2 can go anywhere and do anything, the Rift S is chained to a PC.
The Specification Advantage Is Mixed
The specifications of a VR headset don’t tell the whole story when it comes to using it, but even so there’s little difference in specs between these two devices.
The Rift S has a slightly higher-resolution display, but the Quest 2 has newer, more advanced optics and panels. The field of view between both headsets are comparable as well, but the Quest 2’s controllers are newer and more advanced.
Ultimately, both headsets are likely to offer a similar VR experience on average, if we’re restricting ourselves to the fundamentals of sight, sound, and control.
The Quest 2 Will Likely Get New Features
After the first Quest was released, the developers at Oculus continued to innovate. We got both the Oculus Link and hand tracking features as software upgrades. It seems that this is no different for Quest 2. Oculus has promised an upgrade that will push the panels to 120Hz and significant improvements are being made to the software on an ongoing basis.
The Rift S isn’t likely to learn any new tricks, of course any innovation in the PC VR space will make the Rift S experience better. Just don’t forget that Quest 2 will share in the spoils of any new PC VR software improvements.
The Rift S Promises Additional Comfort
One significant point of difference between the two headsets is how they attach to your face. The Rift S uses a halo band, which you’ll also see in the PlayStation VR and Windows Mixed Reality headsets. This is a sturdy and comfortable way to attach a VR headset and we prefer it whenever possible.
The head strap and face cushion on the Quest 2 is a significant improvement over the first model, but there are still compromises here. Since the Quest 2 has to remain light and compact, a solid halo headband isn’t going to work.
That being said, there are plenty of aftermarket strap replacements. The Oculus-made Elite Strap is a solid strap that offers better balance and cushioning. Unfortunately, that also makes it more expensive than the Rift S. Then again, you need to pay for an entire PC to go with your Rift S, so perhaps it’s not such an unfair comparison.
The Rift S Price Tag Is Just the Beginning
When you buy the Oculus Quest 2, you really don’t have to spend any more money on hardware. Just log in, buy some games and have fun. It’s a complete, all-in-one device. You have the option to connect it to a PC and enjoy PC VR titles, but if you aren’t interested, you’re under no obligation to do so.
When you buy a Rift S, you also need an entire gaming PC to go with it. Now, if you already have a capable gaming PC, this is a moot point, but if you don’t then it adds hundreds or thousands of dollars to the total cost of ownership.
The Rift S Is Being Discontinued, But Does It Matter?
One critical fact you should know before buying either of these headsets is that Oculus themselves have scrapped every headset model except for the Quest 2. Going ahead, every new generation of Oculus headset will be a Quest.
That doesn’t mean that Oculus is dropping support for the Rift S, however. After all, the Quest is slotting into the same PC VR software, so you can rest assured the Rift S will keep working for years to come.
You always take some risk when buying a discontinued product, but we honestly don’t think it’s a big factor in this specific case. After all, the Rift S is a peripheral, not an all-in-one device. If all you care about is PC VR then the Rift S will stay relevant for longer than Quest.
Once the internals of the Quest 2 become too outdated, it’s only real use going ahead will be as a PC VR headset which will bring it on a level playing field compared to the Rift S.
Both Have Facebook Baggage
Regardless of which headset you choose from Oculus, you’ll have to deal with their controversial decision to make a Facebook account mandatory for all Oculus users. Whether that’s a problem for you is a personal matter.
If you already have a Facebook account you may not mind. But you should know about this development! Some users have had success bypassing the Facebook requirement on the Quest 2, but this runs the serious risk of having your account banned or your headset locked out of the store.
When it comes to the Rift S things are a little better, since it’s possible to use Open Source HMD drivers . Although that too comes with compromises in terms of performance and stability.
We Agree With Oculus
After Oculus saw the potential of Oculus Link with the Quest 1, the writing really was on the wall. We think they made the correct decision to consolidate their headset products into a single convergent unit. Most people, most of the time, should opt for the Quest 2 over the Rift S in or opinion. Even with the cost of an Elite Strap add-on, the Quest 2 offers a better overall deal. If you really don’t care about standalone VR and can find a Rift S for a significantly lower price than a Quest 2, only then could we recommend it.
- Tribit StormBox 2: The Under $70 Portable Speaker that Stands Out
- ENGWE L20 2.0 Review: The Best Budget-Friendly Foldable E-Bike?
- TopDon TC004 – a Thermal Imaging Camera That Will Give You Predator Vision
- Newyes Portable Wireless Thermal A4 Printer Review
- Eskute Star Folding Fat Tire Electric Bike Review
If you don’t have a full-sized printing machine at home and often need to print a document on the go, check out the Newyes portable printer . This wireless printer is lightweight and small enough to fit in your bag. Not to mention it’s environmentally friendly, since it uses thermal paper instead of ink.
Follow our review of the Newyes portable wireless thermal printer to see if it suits your printing needs.
Newyes Portable Wireless Thermal A4 Printer: First Impressions & Specs
When I was a student, I remember my university always required hard copies of documents. Luckily, there was a print shop on campus where I could always pop in to print something.
Then I became a professional, and to my surprise many life spheres still required me to have printed versions of documents with me. Of course you can get your own full-sized machine to print things at home, but if like me you live in a small apartment, you value every extra bit of space and don’t want a massive printer to take it up.
One day, when I was looking for a neighbor with a printer to help me with my event tickets, they introduced me to the concept of a portable printer. Seeing how easy it is to use, I immediately wanted to get my hands on one of those. So here I am, reviewing one of the most useful gadgets I received recently – the Newyes portable thermal printer.
Before we continue with this review, here is the full list of specs of this printer.
- Model: Newyes LD0801
- Dimensions: 10.4 x 1.2 x 2.28 in (265 x 58 x 30.5 mm)
- Weight: 16.8oz (475g)
- Paper format: A4
- Paper width: 210mm or 218mm
- Printing Type: thermal paper
- Resolution: 203DPI
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Charging port: USB type-C port
- Input Voltage: DC 5V / 2A
- Battery: 1200mAh lithium battery
- Charging time: 75 min
- Automatic shut down: after 30 minutes
- Stand-by: about 30 days
- Extra features: LED light, reset, on / off switch button
- Color: white, black
- Warranty: limited one year warranty
- Price: $199 on the Newyes website
If you find yourself in need of hard copies of important documents while on the move, the Newyes portable wireless thermal printer will become your go-to gadget. Newyes calls it “the world’s smallest printer”, and with the weight of under 500g this seems plausible. This mini printer offers a handy solution for those moments when you need to quickly print an important document but don’t have access to an office setup.
Operating this printer is a breeze – a simple Bluetooth connection is all that’s required. Once connected, just fire up the app, choose the file you want to print, and send it over. Efficiency is at the forefront, and you can easily print multiple sheets by inserting new pages back to back.
The only limitation this printer has is that it can only print in black. So even if your original file is in color, the printed document will still come out in black and white. Other than that – you can print a variety of file types including Excel, Word, PDF, JPG, PNG, and web pages – and it only takes seconds.
The Newyes portable wireless printer combines convenience, portability, and efficiency – all the things I appreciate in a modern gadget.
Design and Unpacking
Let’s have a closer look at the design and build of this smart printer, as well as what you get included in the package when you purchase it.
What’s in the Box
Here’s everything you’ll find when unpacking your Newyes portable thermal printer:
- The Newyes portable wireless thermal printer
- Bracket
- USB type-C cable
- Storage/carrying pouch
- 100pcs thermal printing paper
- User manual
You can use the Newyes portable printer right out of the box, as you’re all set with essential accessories. Aside from the printer itself, the package includes a bracket which will make printing more than one page smoother, a convenient storage bag for carrying your printer with you, a USB-C cable for charging, and a supply of 100 pieces of thermal paper to get you started.
One important thing to remember is that this printer only works with thermal paper. While thermal paper is significantly more expensive than normal paper, this printer also uses inkless printing and works without a ribbon and toner. Since you don’t have to spend money on ink, carbon ribbons or toner cartridges, you ultimately end up saving money with thermal paper.
The Newyes LD0801 is a pocket-sized printer that features straightforward design. For the purpose of this review, I had a printer in white color. The printer looks like a small white brick with just two pressable buttons on top – one for switching it on and off, and another for opening the printer’s cover. You’ll also see the paper entry slot on top of the printer.
On the side of the printer, you’ll find a single charging port.
The printer is made of plastic, but the build feels sturdy. I never have to worry about throwing it into my bag or damaging it when traveling. Besides, you can use a nice carrying pouch included in the package for protection.
Performance & Features
According to Newyes, the portable printer has a “handheld size and two times the weight of an iPhone”. This can give you an idea of how portable and convenient this little gadget is. In a month of testing, I used it at home, in a store, and even in a car while on the road.
Using the printer is unbelievably easy. Connect it to your mobile phone via Bluetooth, press the button to turn the printer on and put a sheet of thermal paper into the paper entry slot. Make sure to use thermal paper and not standard paper, and put it with the black marks facing down. Bear in mind that the thermal printer can only print in black and white and only on one (marked) side of the thermal paper sheet.
Then open the iPrint app on your smartphone. If you’re printing an A4 document, you can select one of two options – Photo Printing and Document Printing . Then choose the document from your phone’s files and print it.
The printer is reliable and in the time that I used it the Newyes LD0801 never let me down. The printing quality will surprise you, as it’s sometimes better than what you get from a full-sized printer. The printer supports printing in various formats, and you can use it to print documents from your smartphone (Android and iPhone), iPad, and Android tablet.
When fully charged, the printer can support up to 90 pieces of paper continuously, which is very impressive for a gadget of such a small size.
Software
The Newyes portable printer requires an iPrint app to operate. The app is available for free on iOS and Android. You’ll need to download the app on your device from the App Store or Google Play before you begin printing your documents.
The app has a simple and user-friendly design. You’ll need to pair your device with the printer on the first use via Bluetooth.
Depending on the type of document you want to print, you can choose different options from the app. There’s photo printing, document printing, web printing, and banner printing.
The app also has Materials and Template sections, where you can find various pictures and templates for printing to-do lists, post-its and holiday cards. You can also use the Newyes LD0801 as a label printer using these templates.
Battery Life
The Newyes portable wireless thermal printer is equipped with a decent 1200mAh lithium battery. This high-capacity battery allows you to print on the go without constantly worrying about running out of charge. When I received the printer, I charged it fully once, and it still hasn’t run out of battery after one month of use (I use it to print something almost every other day).
Charging this printer is quick and takes just over an hour to charge the printer from zero to full. The type-C charging cable facilitates a rapid charging experience. And if you run out of battery while on the go, you can quickly charge the printer from a portable power station or a power bank to continue printing.
The printer doesn’t support wireless charging, so I’d recommend always bringing the usb-c cable with you just in case.
Should You Buy the Newyes Portable Wireless Thermal Printer?
The Newyes portable thermal printer ensures high-quality wireless printing while on the go and easy operation. It’s not the most budget-friendly option, but this purchase will save you money and nerves in the long run thanks to its versatility and portable nature.
Personally, I can say that this printer made my life easier. So much that it’s probably my favorite smart gadget of the year. If you’re looking for a portable printer that won’t take any space in your house, I’d certainly recommend considering the Newyes LD0801 model.
- Tribit StormBox 2: The Under $70 Portable Speaker that Stands Out
- ENGWE L20 2.0 Review: The Best Budget-Friendly Foldable E-Bike?
- TopDon TC004 – a Thermal Imaging Camera That Will Give You Predator Vision
- Eskute Star Folding Fat Tire Electric Bike Review
- The 70mai Power Station Tera 1000 Review
