I built a black-and-white gaming desk setup that feels clean, calm and completely me — and it has a secret weapon that makes it all work
Depending on how you configure it, your desk setup can be a productivity powerhouse, your little getaway spot at the end of the day or even better, both.
Over the past few years at Tom's Guide and even before, I've built all sorts of different desk setups.
While some were to showcase a particular product like one of the best standing desks, I've put together others just to try out a different monitor configuration like when I built a stacked monitor setup, then a traditional dual monitor setup and most recently, a triple monitor setup.
Along the way, I've mastered cable management and found a few key accessories that I now try to incorporate into every desk setup I build. However, while I've created desk setups around new products I've tested and different monitor configurations, I have yet to put together one based on colors alone.
Aesthetics plays just as big of a role in desk setups as cable management does and I've always really liked the incredibly clean look you get from white devices and accessories. I do like a bit of contrast though, which is why I decided to build a black-and-white desk setup that's as nice to work at as it is for playing games after a long day.
To that end, I've quietly been collecting white devices and accessories for almost a year now. Thanks to the Corsair Platform:4 Elevate Desk I'm currently testing out, I've finally been able to do just that.
Here are all the devices I used in this desk setup, why I chose them and how they work alongside one another along with this desk's special feature that ties everything together.
This sit-stand desk is designed with gamers and streamers in mind and is available in all-black, natural wood with white legs or dark wood with black legs. Its modular T-channel rail system lets you mount the included monitor arm along with all sorts of other accessories and it also has a built-in cable management tray and an in-desk storage compartment.
The Corsair Platform:4 Elevate Desk ($999, Corsair) is a solid sit-stand desk with unique features like its modular T-channel rail system and in-desk storage compartment. However, if you want to take full advantage of it, I highly recommend pairing it with the company's Multi Frame Pegboard ($299, Corsair).
Not only does this give you four feet of pegboard for storage and hanging accessories but you also get a large shelf for up top and two smaller shelves for on the sides.
As I'm using this desk setup for both work and gaming, I figured having my controllers and headsets hung up on the pegboard made a lot of sense. This way, I can focus on the task at hand while working and when I need some motivation, I can look up at them and know that I can play some games as soon as I'm done.
Given that I have a white Xbox Series X on the left side of the desk and a PS5 Pro on the right, I hung up the headset and controller for each console on their respective side of the pegboard.
Corsair does provide plenty of hooks with its Multi Frame Pegboard to help you organize things. However, to keep my Sony Pulse Elite headset and my Razer BlackShark V2 headset from stretching out, I'm using an old magnetic NZXT Puck (split in two) to attach them to the pegboard. I am using Corsair's hooks to hold my DualSense and Xbox controllers though.
At first, I thought the controllers might wobble a bit up there but even when moving the desk away from the wall, they haven't budged or fallen down yet.
Another useful feature of the Corsair Platform:4 Elevate Desk is its built-in storage compartment. On its far left side, there's a USB-A and USB-C port to charge devices like your controllers or a pair of the best wireless headphones right at your desk.
Surprisingly, these ports aren't connected to the desk at all. Instead, there's a separate USB-C port on the bottom that you can plug into your PC or into a power strip.
I always use one of the best surge protectors in my sit-stand desk's cable management tray to prevent devices from coming unplugged as my desk adjusts. Due to its proximity, I plugged the storage compartment directly into the surge protector to power it. However, for fast charging, I ran a separate cable from the 20W USB-C port on the heavy duty Anker 351 Power Strip ($30, Amazon) I'm using under this desk, threading it up through the holes at the back of the storage compartment. When I'm done charging, I just tuck that cable back under its lid to keep it close but out of sight.
Though I do like the Corsair Platform:4 Elevate Desk's built-in storage compartment, its placement on the desk is a bit awkward. If it was closer to the front of the desk, there'd be plenty of room underneath your monitor to store your laptop or in my case, to set up one of the best mini PCs like the Mac mini M4. Given that I wanted to use this desk setup for both work and gaming, I had to get a little creative when it came to where I put my PC.
Corsair does sell optional desk extensions that go on the sides of the Platform:4 Elevate Desk and are the perfect size for one of the best gaming PCs. However, my review unit didn't come with any as I prefer narrower desks like this 47-inch model since they're easier to move and rehome once I'm done with them.
At first, I considered taking the large shelf off the top of the desk's pegboard and mounting it on the side like you would with one of the desk extensions (which I might still do one day). Fortunately, I then had a realization that would allow for a clean, clutter-free desktop while still incorporating a PC into this setup without adding anything on the sides.
Unlike with some of the other standing desks I've reviewed, the Platform: 4 Elevate Desk has a wider 29-inch cable management tray. Even with my 13-inch long surge protector and the various power bricks for the devices on my desk tucked inside it, I still had plenty of room on the right side of the tray for a mini PC.
I took stock of the dimensions of several of the mini PCs I have on hand before deciding to use the Geekom A6 with this desk setup as it's even smaller than the Mac mini M4. Plus, with an AMD Ryzen 7 6800H processor with Radeon 680M integrated graphics and 32GB of DDR5 RAM, it's more than powerful enough to handle my day to day workload, which mainly consists of writing and editing in Chrome with more tabs than I like to admit open simultaneously.
To ensure the A6 had plenty of airflow for its vents on either side, I attached the cords running from the left side of the desk to the back of the cable management tray. Likewise, since it doesn't draw too much power, I usually leave it on or put it to sleep when I'm not using it. This way, I don't have to reach underneath my desk to reach its power button.
Even if you don't spring for Corsair's Multi Frame Pegboard, the Platform:4 Elevate Desk comes with a monitor arm in the box.
Instead of clamping it to the back of the desk like with many of the best monitor arms, it attaches to the modular T-channel rail system instead. It's worth noting that there are a ton of compatible accessories (both first and third-party) that can attach to it, such as the Elgato Prompter or the Key Light which are particularly useful, for streamers and content creators.
When attached to the T-channel rail system, you can easily slide the included monitor arm to the right or left side of the desk to get it in the exact position you want. It's a well-built monitor arm that's easy to adjust but there's just one problem: the cable channel underneath it isn't all that big. It's fine for running one or two cables from your monitor but that leaves just enough room for a single HDMI cable and your display's power cable. However, this is a common problem with most monitor arms.
Besides not having enough room for multiple cables, one reason I've started using monitor stands instead of arms with my desk setups is that the cables that come with most devices just aren't long enough. For instance, with the Secretlab Magnus Pro standing desk's monitor arm, I ended up just buying longer cables. However, as I planned to use the Platform:4 Elevate Desk with multiple consoles and a PC, I opted for an HDMI switch instead.
Given that the white MSI MPG 321URXW QD-OLED monitor I'm using with this desk setup has a refresh rate of 240Hz, I couldn't use just any HDMI switch. As I'm partial to Ugreen's GaN chargers and cables, I decided to pick up its most advanced HDMI switch yet.
The Ugreen 8K@60Hz HDMI Switch 5 in 1 Out ($69, Amazon) may have 8K in the name—despite the best 8K TVs being few and far between—but it also supports 4K at 240Hz along with HDR10+. This made it perfect for this desk setup as the Xbox Series X and PS5 can do 4K at 120Hz with room to grow if I do decide to add a powerful gaming PC to it later on.
Remember that storage compartment at the back of the Platform:4 Elevate Desk? Well, there's just enough space between it and the rear edge of the desk for this HDMI switch to sit on top. It needs to be out in the open as well, since in addition to a button for switching inputs, it also comes with a remote that requires line-of-sight to its IR sensor.
With the Platform:4 Elevate Desk, Corsair also includes a small tray you can mount on the desk's T-channel rail system. To keep my desktop clear, however, I mounted it on the right side of the desk to store my remotes and the controller for the Quntis RGB Pro+ Monitor Light Bar I have on top of my display.
You get another one with the Multi Frame Pegboard, so I put that on the left side of the desk and placed a phone stand and a coaster there to keep them out of the way as well.
Like most of the best gaming monitors, the MSI MPG 321URXW QD-OLED doesn't have built-in speakers. This is probably for the best as they would add extra bulk and take away from the monitor's incredibly thin profile.
Given that the BlueAnt Soundblade I bought recently is a soundbar that's designed to go under your monitor and would block the Platform:4 Elevate Desk's storage compartment, I decided to pick up a pair of the best computer speakers for this desk setup.
Although computer speakers are available in a variety of sizes and form factors, very few come in a clean white package to match the rest of the accessories on my desk. At CES 2025 in January, I spoke with Kanto's director of marketing, who generously offered to send out a pair of the company's bookshelf speakers for one of my desk setups.
I reached back out to him when I was finally close to having everything I needed for my black-and-white desk setup and he sent over a pair of Kanto Ora speakers along with the company's subwoofer, the Kanto SUB8. As I've used a pair of older AudioEngine A2 speakers at my main desk setup for years now, it was a welcome change to try something more modern.
Besides their wide soundstage and detailed sound, I really like how compact the Kanto Ora speakers are. They also offer multiple connection options including Bluetooth, USB-C and stereo RCA inputs which really came in handy for using them with the Xbox and PS5 Pro on top of my desk and the mini PC underneath it.
Even though I already had them raised up to ear level on the two small shelves that come with Corsair's Multi Frame Pegboard, I put a pair of Kanto's S2 Tilted Desktop Speaker Stands ($29, Amazon) underneath them. Not only does this help reduce unwanted vibrations and resonance, but it also angles the speakers upward while making them appear as if they're floating on top of the shelves.
The right Kanto Ora speaker has all the input ports on the back which is why I put it on the same side as my PS5 Pro. Unlike the Xbox Series X, the PS5 can be connected to external speakers via USB or over Bluetooth. Unfortunately, Microsoft left the Xbox Series X a bit shortchanged, as it lacks audio output via USB or Bluetooth. For that reason, I had to pick up an RCA to 3.5mm audio cable and run it to the headphone jack on the MSI gaming monitor.
This did mean that I had to manage a few extra cables but to keep everything neat and tidy, I ran all my cables along the backside of the Multi Frame Pegboard's frame and the T-channel rail where I have the monitor mounted.
Now with everything set up and all my cables managed, it was finally time to try out my new black-and-white desk setup.
Even with more and more Xbox games coming to PlayStation, I still prefer having the option to play on either console. Having their respective controllers and headsets on either side of my desk setup just like the consoles themselves, really simplifies things.
If I want to play PS5 games, I just grab the DualSense above the console or vice versa for the Xbox controller on the other side of my desk.
The games I played on the PS5 Pro with the MSI MPG 321URXW QD-OLED monitor looked great and with the Kanto Ora speakers connected via USB, they sounded fantastic too. With the added bass from the Kanto SUB8, I played this way during the day, but at night, I switched to the Pulse Elite headset.
Given that I'm not using that much space on the desk's T-rail system, I've started using it as a place to store the various USB dongles for my PS5 accessories like that headset.
Even though I love all the extra graphical power in the PS5 Pro, there's still one area where the Xbox Series X has it beat: Quick Resume. I play a lot of single-player, story-driven games but I keep coming back to the skateboard sim Session. With Quick Resume, I can jump out of a game like Metaphor: ReFantazio and pick up right where I left off in Session without missing a beat. What's more, Quick Resume even works when you lose power or your Xbox gets unplugged.
In addition to playing games at my new black-and-white desk setup, I've been doing a fair bit of work here. In fact, I've written this entire story at my new desk setup, both while sitting in one of the best office chairs and while standing up.
Like I mentioned before, I can't get over how well Corsair's pegboard holds everything in place as the Platform:4 Elevate Desk goes up and down. The same stability applies to the included monitor arm; the MSI monitor has only moved ever so slightly, and then only when I've really slammed down on my keyboard's keys.Speaking of my keyboard, I decided to pick up the Monsgeek Fun 60 Ultra ($80, Amazon) for this desk setup as I wanted to give magnetic key switches a try and this all-white version perfectly matches the rest of the aesthetic I'm going for.
As for my mouse, I'm using a trackball mouse from the Japanese company Elecom. After using a regular mouse for years, I've found that trackball mice are easier on my hands and wrists, plus Elecom's are incredibly easy to customize thanks to the latest version of its Mouse Assistant software.
Since my HDMI switch still has two free ports, I could theoretically add an additional two devices whether they be computers or game consoles. I recently bought a Nintendo Switch 2 which I was previously using with this monitor as part of another desk setup. It could easily end up being incorporated into this one though.
Likewise, while Windows 11 works well enough, I have been using macOS on my Mac mini M4 more often lately and if I can comfortably fit one mini PC in the Platform:4 Elevate Desk's cable management tray, who's to say I couldn't make room for another down there.
Alternatively, if I wanted to go all out, I could always add some of Corsair's desk extensions to this desk setup. That same T-channel rail system is also present on the sides of the Platform:4 Elevate Desk, so adding extra desk space with one or even two extensions would be easy enough. That way, I could have a full-blown gaming PC and not just a mini one, though I know from experience that white PC parts are harder to find and also carry a premium price.
I've built a lot of desk setups over the years and with each one, I've seen how much better I have gotten at managing cables, picking devices that work well with one another and choosing the right accessories to tie everything together.
This black-and-white desk setup is no different and to date, I think it's my best one yet. In fact, I'm seriously considering moving this one out of my office and into our game room to replace my current dedicated gaming setup.
Even though collecting all of the different white devices and accessories for this particular desk setup took quite a bit of time—just about 8 months in fact—seeing everything come together has been really rewarding.
As for putting Corsair's Platform:4 Elevate Desk together, that part was easy. Instead, it was the Multi Frame Pegboard that proved the most difficult. From there, it was just a matter of deciding what needed to go where, making sure I had the right cables to connect everything and most importantly, enough cable ties to give this desk setup the clean, clutter-free look I was going for.
I'm still not quite sure exactly what I'll do with my next desk setup but if you have any ideas or a particular theme or configuration you'd like to see me tackle next, let me know in the comments below.
As for those speakers where my gaming chair's headrest should be in the photo above, you'll have to stay tuned since that story is coming up next.
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Tom's Guide
6 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
I built a black-and-white gaming desk setup that feels clean, calm and completely me — and it has a secret weapon that makes it all work
Depending on how you configure it, your desk setup can be a productivity powerhouse, your little getaway spot at the end of the day or even better, both. Over the past few years at Tom's Guide and even before, I've built all sorts of different desk setups. While some were to showcase a particular product like one of the best standing desks, I've put together others just to try out a different monitor configuration like when I built a stacked monitor setup, then a traditional dual monitor setup and most recently, a triple monitor setup. Along the way, I've mastered cable management and found a few key accessories that I now try to incorporate into every desk setup I build. However, while I've created desk setups around new products I've tested and different monitor configurations, I have yet to put together one based on colors alone. Aesthetics plays just as big of a role in desk setups as cable management does and I've always really liked the incredibly clean look you get from white devices and accessories. I do like a bit of contrast though, which is why I decided to build a black-and-white desk setup that's as nice to work at as it is for playing games after a long day. To that end, I've quietly been collecting white devices and accessories for almost a year now. Thanks to the Corsair Platform:4 Elevate Desk I'm currently testing out, I've finally been able to do just that. Here are all the devices I used in this desk setup, why I chose them and how they work alongside one another along with this desk's special feature that ties everything together. This sit-stand desk is designed with gamers and streamers in mind and is available in all-black, natural wood with white legs or dark wood with black legs. Its modular T-channel rail system lets you mount the included monitor arm along with all sorts of other accessories and it also has a built-in cable management tray and an in-desk storage compartment. The Corsair Platform:4 Elevate Desk ($999, Corsair) is a solid sit-stand desk with unique features like its modular T-channel rail system and in-desk storage compartment. However, if you want to take full advantage of it, I highly recommend pairing it with the company's Multi Frame Pegboard ($299, Corsair). Not only does this give you four feet of pegboard for storage and hanging accessories but you also get a large shelf for up top and two smaller shelves for on the sides. As I'm using this desk setup for both work and gaming, I figured having my controllers and headsets hung up on the pegboard made a lot of sense. This way, I can focus on the task at hand while working and when I need some motivation, I can look up at them and know that I can play some games as soon as I'm done. Given that I have a white Xbox Series X on the left side of the desk and a PS5 Pro on the right, I hung up the headset and controller for each console on their respective side of the pegboard. Corsair does provide plenty of hooks with its Multi Frame Pegboard to help you organize things. However, to keep my Sony Pulse Elite headset and my Razer BlackShark V2 headset from stretching out, I'm using an old magnetic NZXT Puck (split in two) to attach them to the pegboard. I am using Corsair's hooks to hold my DualSense and Xbox controllers though. At first, I thought the controllers might wobble a bit up there but even when moving the desk away from the wall, they haven't budged or fallen down yet. Another useful feature of the Corsair Platform:4 Elevate Desk is its built-in storage compartment. On its far left side, there's a USB-A and USB-C port to charge devices like your controllers or a pair of the best wireless headphones right at your desk. Surprisingly, these ports aren't connected to the desk at all. Instead, there's a separate USB-C port on the bottom that you can plug into your PC or into a power strip. I always use one of the best surge protectors in my sit-stand desk's cable management tray to prevent devices from coming unplugged as my desk adjusts. Due to its proximity, I plugged the storage compartment directly into the surge protector to power it. However, for fast charging, I ran a separate cable from the 20W USB-C port on the heavy duty Anker 351 Power Strip ($30, Amazon) I'm using under this desk, threading it up through the holes at the back of the storage compartment. When I'm done charging, I just tuck that cable back under its lid to keep it close but out of sight. Though I do like the Corsair Platform:4 Elevate Desk's built-in storage compartment, its placement on the desk is a bit awkward. If it was closer to the front of the desk, there'd be plenty of room underneath your monitor to store your laptop or in my case, to set up one of the best mini PCs like the Mac mini M4. Given that I wanted to use this desk setup for both work and gaming, I had to get a little creative when it came to where I put my PC. Corsair does sell optional desk extensions that go on the sides of the Platform:4 Elevate Desk and are the perfect size for one of the best gaming PCs. However, my review unit didn't come with any as I prefer narrower desks like this 47-inch model since they're easier to move and rehome once I'm done with them. At first, I considered taking the large shelf off the top of the desk's pegboard and mounting it on the side like you would with one of the desk extensions (which I might still do one day). Fortunately, I then had a realization that would allow for a clean, clutter-free desktop while still incorporating a PC into this setup without adding anything on the sides. Unlike with some of the other standing desks I've reviewed, the Platform: 4 Elevate Desk has a wider 29-inch cable management tray. Even with my 13-inch long surge protector and the various power bricks for the devices on my desk tucked inside it, I still had plenty of room on the right side of the tray for a mini PC. I took stock of the dimensions of several of the mini PCs I have on hand before deciding to use the Geekom A6 with this desk setup as it's even smaller than the Mac mini M4. Plus, with an AMD Ryzen 7 6800H processor with Radeon 680M integrated graphics and 32GB of DDR5 RAM, it's more than powerful enough to handle my day to day workload, which mainly consists of writing and editing in Chrome with more tabs than I like to admit open simultaneously. To ensure the A6 had plenty of airflow for its vents on either side, I attached the cords running from the left side of the desk to the back of the cable management tray. Likewise, since it doesn't draw too much power, I usually leave it on or put it to sleep when I'm not using it. This way, I don't have to reach underneath my desk to reach its power button. Even if you don't spring for Corsair's Multi Frame Pegboard, the Platform:4 Elevate Desk comes with a monitor arm in the box. Instead of clamping it to the back of the desk like with many of the best monitor arms, it attaches to the modular T-channel rail system instead. It's worth noting that there are a ton of compatible accessories (both first and third-party) that can attach to it, such as the Elgato Prompter or the Key Light which are particularly useful, for streamers and content creators. When attached to the T-channel rail system, you can easily slide the included monitor arm to the right or left side of the desk to get it in the exact position you want. It's a well-built monitor arm that's easy to adjust but there's just one problem: the cable channel underneath it isn't all that big. It's fine for running one or two cables from your monitor but that leaves just enough room for a single HDMI cable and your display's power cable. However, this is a common problem with most monitor arms. Besides not having enough room for multiple cables, one reason I've started using monitor stands instead of arms with my desk setups is that the cables that come with most devices just aren't long enough. For instance, with the Secretlab Magnus Pro standing desk's monitor arm, I ended up just buying longer cables. However, as I planned to use the Platform:4 Elevate Desk with multiple consoles and a PC, I opted for an HDMI switch instead. Given that the white MSI MPG 321URXW QD-OLED monitor I'm using with this desk setup has a refresh rate of 240Hz, I couldn't use just any HDMI switch. As I'm partial to Ugreen's GaN chargers and cables, I decided to pick up its most advanced HDMI switch yet. The Ugreen 8K@60Hz HDMI Switch 5 in 1 Out ($69, Amazon) may have 8K in the name—despite the best 8K TVs being few and far between—but it also supports 4K at 240Hz along with HDR10+. This made it perfect for this desk setup as the Xbox Series X and PS5 can do 4K at 120Hz with room to grow if I do decide to add a powerful gaming PC to it later on. Remember that storage compartment at the back of the Platform:4 Elevate Desk? Well, there's just enough space between it and the rear edge of the desk for this HDMI switch to sit on top. It needs to be out in the open as well, since in addition to a button for switching inputs, it also comes with a remote that requires line-of-sight to its IR sensor. With the Platform:4 Elevate Desk, Corsair also includes a small tray you can mount on the desk's T-channel rail system. To keep my desktop clear, however, I mounted it on the right side of the desk to store my remotes and the controller for the Quntis RGB Pro+ Monitor Light Bar I have on top of my display. You get another one with the Multi Frame Pegboard, so I put that on the left side of the desk and placed a phone stand and a coaster there to keep them out of the way as well. Like most of the best gaming monitors, the MSI MPG 321URXW QD-OLED doesn't have built-in speakers. This is probably for the best as they would add extra bulk and take away from the monitor's incredibly thin profile. Given that the BlueAnt Soundblade I bought recently is a soundbar that's designed to go under your monitor and would block the Platform:4 Elevate Desk's storage compartment, I decided to pick up a pair of the best computer speakers for this desk setup. Although computer speakers are available in a variety of sizes and form factors, very few come in a clean white package to match the rest of the accessories on my desk. At CES 2025 in January, I spoke with Kanto's director of marketing, who generously offered to send out a pair of the company's bookshelf speakers for one of my desk setups. I reached back out to him when I was finally close to having everything I needed for my black-and-white desk setup and he sent over a pair of Kanto Ora speakers along with the company's subwoofer, the Kanto SUB8. As I've used a pair of older AudioEngine A2 speakers at my main desk setup for years now, it was a welcome change to try something more modern. Besides their wide soundstage and detailed sound, I really like how compact the Kanto Ora speakers are. They also offer multiple connection options including Bluetooth, USB-C and stereo RCA inputs which really came in handy for using them with the Xbox and PS5 Pro on top of my desk and the mini PC underneath it. Even though I already had them raised up to ear level on the two small shelves that come with Corsair's Multi Frame Pegboard, I put a pair of Kanto's S2 Tilted Desktop Speaker Stands ($29, Amazon) underneath them. Not only does this help reduce unwanted vibrations and resonance, but it also angles the speakers upward while making them appear as if they're floating on top of the shelves. The right Kanto Ora speaker has all the input ports on the back which is why I put it on the same side as my PS5 Pro. Unlike the Xbox Series X, the PS5 can be connected to external speakers via USB or over Bluetooth. Unfortunately, Microsoft left the Xbox Series X a bit shortchanged, as it lacks audio output via USB or Bluetooth. For that reason, I had to pick up an RCA to 3.5mm audio cable and run it to the headphone jack on the MSI gaming monitor. This did mean that I had to manage a few extra cables but to keep everything neat and tidy, I ran all my cables along the backside of the Multi Frame Pegboard's frame and the T-channel rail where I have the monitor mounted. Now with everything set up and all my cables managed, it was finally time to try out my new black-and-white desk setup. Even with more and more Xbox games coming to PlayStation, I still prefer having the option to play on either console. Having their respective controllers and headsets on either side of my desk setup just like the consoles themselves, really simplifies things. If I want to play PS5 games, I just grab the DualSense above the console or vice versa for the Xbox controller on the other side of my desk. The games I played on the PS5 Pro with the MSI MPG 321URXW QD-OLED monitor looked great and with the Kanto Ora speakers connected via USB, they sounded fantastic too. With the added bass from the Kanto SUB8, I played this way during the day, but at night, I switched to the Pulse Elite headset. Given that I'm not using that much space on the desk's T-rail system, I've started using it as a place to store the various USB dongles for my PS5 accessories like that headset. Even though I love all the extra graphical power in the PS5 Pro, there's still one area where the Xbox Series X has it beat: Quick Resume. I play a lot of single-player, story-driven games but I keep coming back to the skateboard sim Session. With Quick Resume, I can jump out of a game like Metaphor: ReFantazio and pick up right where I left off in Session without missing a beat. What's more, Quick Resume even works when you lose power or your Xbox gets unplugged. In addition to playing games at my new black-and-white desk setup, I've been doing a fair bit of work here. In fact, I've written this entire story at my new desk setup, both while sitting in one of the best office chairs and while standing up. Like I mentioned before, I can't get over how well Corsair's pegboard holds everything in place as the Platform:4 Elevate Desk goes up and down. The same stability applies to the included monitor arm; the MSI monitor has only moved ever so slightly, and then only when I've really slammed down on my keyboard's of my keyboard, I decided to pick up the Monsgeek Fun 60 Ultra ($80, Amazon) for this desk setup as I wanted to give magnetic key switches a try and this all-white version perfectly matches the rest of the aesthetic I'm going for. As for my mouse, I'm using a trackball mouse from the Japanese company Elecom. After using a regular mouse for years, I've found that trackball mice are easier on my hands and wrists, plus Elecom's are incredibly easy to customize thanks to the latest version of its Mouse Assistant software. Since my HDMI switch still has two free ports, I could theoretically add an additional two devices whether they be computers or game consoles. I recently bought a Nintendo Switch 2 which I was previously using with this monitor as part of another desk setup. It could easily end up being incorporated into this one though. Likewise, while Windows 11 works well enough, I have been using macOS on my Mac mini M4 more often lately and if I can comfortably fit one mini PC in the Platform:4 Elevate Desk's cable management tray, who's to say I couldn't make room for another down there. Alternatively, if I wanted to go all out, I could always add some of Corsair's desk extensions to this desk setup. That same T-channel rail system is also present on the sides of the Platform:4 Elevate Desk, so adding extra desk space with one or even two extensions would be easy enough. That way, I could have a full-blown gaming PC and not just a mini one, though I know from experience that white PC parts are harder to find and also carry a premium price. I've built a lot of desk setups over the years and with each one, I've seen how much better I have gotten at managing cables, picking devices that work well with one another and choosing the right accessories to tie everything together. This black-and-white desk setup is no different and to date, I think it's my best one yet. In fact, I'm seriously considering moving this one out of my office and into our game room to replace my current dedicated gaming setup. Even though collecting all of the different white devices and accessories for this particular desk setup took quite a bit of time—just about 8 months in fact—seeing everything come together has been really rewarding. As for putting Corsair's Platform:4 Elevate Desk together, that part was easy. Instead, it was the Multi Frame Pegboard that proved the most difficult. From there, it was just a matter of deciding what needed to go where, making sure I had the right cables to connect everything and most importantly, enough cable ties to give this desk setup the clean, clutter-free look I was going for. I'm still not quite sure exactly what I'll do with my next desk setup but if you have any ideas or a particular theme or configuration you'd like to see me tackle next, let me know in the comments below. As for those speakers where my gaming chair's headrest should be in the photo above, you'll have to stay tuned since that story is coming up next.
Tom's Guide
7 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
I review OLED TVs for a living — and this 3-year-old Sony is still one of my favorites I'd buy
There has been no shortage of excellent TVs that've launched in 2025. Specifically when it comes to new OLEDs, the Samsung S95F and LG C5 are among the best TVs ever tested here at Tom's Guide. But newer doesn't always necessarily mean better. In fact, when it comes to recommending premium TV picks to friends, family and readers, it's a 3-year-old set that's often at the top of my list. I'm referring to the Sony A95L, a flagship QD-OLED TV originally released back in 2023 that you can still buy brand-new today. Yes, Sony technically replaced the A95L with the 2025 Bravia 8 II OLED TV. But the successor only comes in 55- and 65-inch configurations. To accommodate those looking for bigger screens, Sony decided to keep the 77-inch A95L in its QD-OLED lineup. And there are a few reasons I think that was a pretty smart move, especially considering I recently introduced it into my own living room. When it originally launched, the A95L set a new standard for premium OLED TVs. It combined Samsung's QD-OLED panel technology with Sony's best-in-class Cognitive Processor XR. The result was a TV with unmatched color volume, excellent peak brightness for HDR content, near-perfect motion handling, and Sony's signature cinematic image tuning. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. I don't think anyone in the TV community was shocked when it won the Value Electronics annual TV Shootout event, being crowned the 'king of 4K TVs' by a panel of reviewers and display experts. At the time, it felt like this OLED was in league of its own. The Sony Bravia A95L is a QD-OLED TV that excels with every kind of content, every time. In our Sony Bravia XR A95L QD-OLED TV review we said the Editor's Choice TV offers superlative picture and top-notch sound. That clear distinction is why I think, a few years later, it remains a great choice. Our lab tests confirmed near-100% coverage of the P3 color gamut and outstanding Rec.2020 performance when it comes to HDR. Simply put, the A95L didn't leave much room for improvement. Sony A95L Sony Bravia 8 II HDR Brightness (10%, in nits) 1215 1584 UHDA-P3 Gamut Coverage 99.95 100 Rec. 2020 Gamut Coverage 89.41 90.55 Input Lag (ms) 16.1 16.3 The new Bravia II did rise to the occasion with a healthy degree of upgrades, but it's not nearly enough to render the A95L irrelevant as we've seen some other TV manufacturers do with the progression of their OLED lineups year over year. As the close test results above show, the A95L doesn't make customers sacrifice quality much for prioritizing a larger screen size. And if those customers happen to be gamers like me, the A95L offers 4K at 120 Hz, VRR and Auto Low Latency Mode over two HDMI 2.1 ports, plus PlayStation-specific features that optimize HDR and picture modes on the fly. Input lag measures a smooth 16 ms, and for me, the gaming experience has only increased my appreciation for the A95L as my console's monitor. It's rare to recommend a three-year-old TV, but the A95L is that kind of product. It's a no-compromises display with longevity built in, especially if you're serious about upgrading your home theater space and have an appetite for a big-screen gaming TV. Sony's TV division has always prioritized picture fidelity over flashy upgrades, and the A95L is a testament to that approach. Even in 2025, it remains one of the most visually stunning displays you can buy. It may not be new, but it's still among the best — as long as 77 inches fits your wall and your budget.
Tom's Guide
8 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
We asked cybersecurity experts to build a privacy toolbox for $10 per month – here's what they came up with, and more
Our online data is being collected all day, every day. Whether it's browsing the web, watching our favorite shows, or online shopping, everything we do online can be tracked, used to push ads, sold on, or even used to scam us. This all sounds very doom and gloom, but there are actions you can take to protect your personal information. For the Tom's Guide VPN team, the best VPNs are always our first port of call for digital security, but they are just one piece of the privacy puzzle. VPNs, the best antivirus software, the best password managers, secure browsers, authenticators, the best encrypted messaging apps, and data removal services can all be used to take back control of your data. You could spend hundreds of dollars on tools like these, but you don't have to. So we asked the Tom's Guide VPN and Security teams to build a collection of privacy bundles for all eventualities – here's what they came up with. NordVPN Plus: get a $20 Amazon gift card + 4 months freeNordVPN is our #1 VPN. It's fast, secure, private, and great for streaming. What you'll get... • Protection for up to 10 devices• Speeds of 950 Mbps+• Streaming service unblocking• Post-quantum encryption• Threat Protection Pro• NordPass password manager• 30-day money-back guarantee• $20 Amazon gift card (for a limited time only)• 28 months protection for $3.76 per month ($105.36 up front pre-tax) Every tool we recommend here is reputable and will protect your data – that's for sure. But not every product will be right for you. We've therefore tried to include a range of different products, at different prices, allowing you to decide what's best for you. No matter what privacy bundle you want to create, a VPN is a must have in all of them. VPNs protect your privacy online by routing your internet traffic through an encrypted tunnel. Your data is kept safe from hackers, third-parties, and your ISP and the most private VPNs will never log, store, or share your browsing data. Many leading VPNs include password managers and antivirus in their plans, so it's worth comparing all the features offered and see which plan is right for you. VPNs aren't a silver bullet – but they're a perfect first step into improving your online privacy. They also don't have to cost the world, and I think most people will find at least occasional use for one. Our top picks: NordVPN: from $2.91 per month. Our top-rated VPN. A great all-purpose option with lots of added extras. Surfshark: from $1.99 per month. An excellent bargain alternative that also offers antivirus as an add-on. ExpressVPN: from $4.99 per month. More expensive, but includes a huge amount of privacy extras for no extra cost. Scams and threats from hackers are unfortunately commonplace on the internet – but antivirus software acts as a powerful shield against these dangers. The software can scan your device and its files for malware, warn you about suspicious links, block sites, and detect data leaks. It can't protect you if you give away your information but it'll do its utmost to warn you before that happens. If you weren't already aware, the computing world is full of potential threats: malware, infostealers, ransomware, phishing attacks and more. Whether you don't know what any of that means, don't want to deal with it or want to make sure you have the best protection against all of it, you're going to need an effective antivirus software. Our top picks: Bitdefender Total Security: from $4.17 per month. Effective, real-time, malware and phishing protection. It can scan your system and is easy-to-use. Norton 360 Deluxe: from $4.17 per month. Security giant with a feature-rich offering, including a decent VPN. Malwarebytes Plus: from $2.81 per month A cheap, light, alternative for those looking for basic malware protection without the fuss. Weak and re-used passwords are a significant reason people get hacked – 123456 is currently the world's most popular password. You might struggle remembering multiple passwords but a password manager takes all the hassle out of account security. Password managers generate and store secure, complex passwords so you never have to worry about passwords again. From email to Netflix, bank accounts to fitness devices, smart home cameras to social media accounts, everything needs a password – a strong, unique password. And to keep them all safe, secure and easy to access your best bet is to use a password manager. Our top picks: 1Password: $4.99 per month. Total password protection which includes Travel Mode, security monitoring, and 2FA and passkey support. Bitwarden: Free. Sync an unlimited number of passwords with this completely free service. Premium plans with more features are also available. NordPass: from $1.29 per month ($3.76 per month w/ NordVPN Plus). Easy-to-use, mobile friendly app from the NordVPN team. Great features, including biometric support. Google Chrome dominates the browser market, but it's a privacy nightmare, riddled with trackers and it simply loves your data. There are alternatives that don't collect your data, block ads and trackers, and are way more privacy-focused. Browsers vary in their speed, features, and usability but there will be a Chrome-alternative for everyone. A chunk of secure browsers utilise Chromium (what Google Chrome is built on) so you'll find these more familiar and easy-to-use if you enjoy Chrome's design. Many also come with in-built ad-blockers, VPNs, and password managers – plus a lot of them are free. Break free from Google Chrome with a secure browser. You'll say goodbye to cookies, trackers, and ads whilst maintaining the sleek design you're familiar with – they're really customizable too. Our top picks: Brave: Free. Based on Chrome, but is privacy-focused and dedicated to ad and tracker blocking. Vivaldi: Free. Hugely customizable to suit any need, and has partnered with Proton VPN. Tor: Free. A secure browser veteran, whose decentralized networks takes you into the world of anonymity. Your data isn't just at risk when browsing the web – it's when you message too. WhatsApp, iMessage, and Messenger are three of the most popular apps, but none of them protect your privacy. WhatsApp is end-to-end encrypted, so your message content can't be seen, but it collects and shares your metadata and has recently introduced ads into its app. Secure messaging apps encrypt your messages, collect little to no metadata, and some don't even require a phone number to use. Like secure browsers, encrypted messaging apps are the perfect way to break free from the status quo and reclaim control of your data. They're easy to use, boast strong privacy and security, and many are free. Our top picks: Signal: Free. A popular, open-source, app that keeps little to no metadata. A phone number is required though. Session: Free. Highly private, Signal-based app which operates a decentralized network and requires no phone number. But it can be a little buggy. Threema: $6 one-off payment. An open-source and audited messaging service which doesn't require a phone number. A one-off payment of $6 is its biggest downside. Fed up with spam calls and emails? Then you might want to explore data removal services. These tools search the records of data brokers for your information and send removal requests on your behalf. Brokers then have to delete records of your data and you should see a reduction in spam over time. Combining a data removal service with other privacy tools mentioned here should mean there is less of your data available to profit off. Data removal services can be purchased on their own, but they are included in some premium VPN plans. Clicking "Accept" on cookies is often the easy way out. However, this lets data brokers build up a huge amount of data on you. You can certainly send deletion requests yourself, but using a data removal tool to automate that job is well worth the time and hassle it saves. Our top picks: Incogni: from $8.29 per month ($3.99 per month w/ Surfshark One+). Developed by the team behind Surfshark, Incogni is a affordable and effective – and one of the few to cover the UK, Canada, and Australia. Optery: from $3.99 per month (but free basic plan available). Provides tons of detail and what information it has helped delete, but only covers the US. PrivacyBee: from $8 per month. With over 850 data brokers on its books, Privacy Bee has the widest reach – but again, it's US-only. Protecting yourself online doesn't have to break the bank. This is the best privacy toolbox for (well) under $10 per month. Total Cost = $3.99 per month The best cheap VPN is Surfshark. Surfshark One+ is just under $4 per month and you'll get the fastest VPN on the market, which doubles as the best streaming VPN, protection for an unlimited number of devices, and high-level security and privacy. Surfshark One+ includes its own award-winning antivirus which can scan your device, protect your webcam, monitor for data leaks, and offers real-time protection. You'll also get a full Incogni subscription – saving you a chunk of cash. The data removal service will scan data brokers for your data and send out deletion requests on your behalf. There's no password manager with Surfshark, but Bitwarden offers a truly free unlimited version of its services that allow you to sync as many passwords as you want. The free, open source tier is very secure and provides useful included features like autofilling, secure-note storage and sharing. It has browser extensions for popular, and lesser used, browsers and apps for desktop and mobile. You'll also get secure cloud storage, two-factor authentication and health reports to alert you to weak, or exposed, passwords. Brave, Vivaldi, Opera, DuckDuckGo, and Firefox are all free, so the secure browser is up to you. They're designed with privacy in mind and come with some great additional features. You'll be able to block ads, trackers, and cookies, allowing you and your data to break free from the clutches of Google Chrome. Almost all the best encrypted messaging apps are free. Signal is our favorite and it's very popular, open-source, messenger service. Session and Wire are some other free encrypted messaging apps. Your best bet is to try them all out and see which one you like best. If you want a best-in-class privacy toolbox, then you won't go far wrong with these products. For your VPN, we'd recommend NordVPN. It's the best overall VPN, fast, secure, and unblocked all the streaming sites we tested it with. You can protect up to 10 devices on one plan and its extra features include Threat Protection Pro, the NordPass password manager, and encrypted cloud storage. Total Cost = $21.21 per month Two-year NordVPN plans, covering NordVPN Plus and above, are currently on offer, in one of NordVPN's best ever deals. Plans come with free Amazon gift cards – between $20-$50 – as well as four extra months of free protection. Threat Protection Pro is a threat protection feature, not an antivirus. It's the best VPN malware protection and is great to have, but we'd still recommend a dedicated antivirus. NordPass is one of the best password managers and if you just want password generation, storage, and 2FA, this will do the job – but it's not "the best." Bitdefender has made the top of our antivirus software picks because of its great value, quality real-time protection against malware and threats. Its quick and custom scans learn your computer's file structure and the Advanced Threat Detection can monitor your system for suspicious activity in real-time to stop infections before they occur. The interface is clear and efficient to use, there's a firewall, and webcam protection. You'll also get a free VPN and a secure browser, but you'll likely want alternatives to these. If you want more than NordPass, 1Password is our top choice. It's accessible on a variety of platforms and has a Travel Mode feature that can hide your passwords at international borders. The "masked" email addresses feature is a privacy bonus and there's autofill and passkey support. Security monitoring tools will list weak or reused passwords, and alert you about unsecured or breached websites and logins. 2FA, mobile app PIN unlock, and biometric login are also present. Secure browsers are more of a personal preference. Your browser of choice depends on speed preference, how much customisation you want, and whether you like the Chromium design. Brave and Vivaldi are two great privacy-focused choices. Brave has in-built ad, tracker, and fingerprint blocking and its Chromium design is compatible with most sites. Vivaldi is a little slower, but is far more customisable and comes with email and calendar features – as well as Proton VPN Free built-in. Both are free and will protect your privacy far better than Google Chrome. For a data removal service, it's Incogni. Incogni is very easy to use and comes included with the NordVPN Ultra and Surfshark One+ plans. It's cheaper than a lot of alternatives, but the range of data brokers isn't huge. Incogni is also unavailable outside of the UK, US, Canada, EU and EEA areas, and the Isle of Man. Signal is the best encrypted messaging app out there. It's free to use, end-to-end encrypted, open source, and records a very limited number of metadata. Signal is the most popular WhatsApp alternative, but you do have to sign up with a phone number. All of these products will protect your online privacy, but in this bundle we'll detail some tools that have the highest levels of privacy – and even some that delve into the world of anonymity. Total Cost = $21.27 per month Mullvad VPN is one of the most private VPNs available. Mullvad is a no-logging VPN and its privacy policy goes into specific detail of the types of data it collects and for what purpose. Mullvad VPN is open source so you can examine it for yourself and it protects your data with post-quantum encryption. You can even pay for Mullvad in cash and its €5 per month price (approx $5.82) never changes. Mullvad also launched its own secure browser. Proton Pass is an encrypted password manager and Proton makes privacy its mission. It uses AES-256 encryption and is open source. It's zero-knowledge, so only you can see your passwords and it supports biometric logins. There's 2FA, passkey support, and account recovery capabilities. Tor is a decentralized network, run by volunteers, that focuses on anonymity and privacy. The Tor Browser routes your traffic through three relays before connecting to the internet. The website, and anyone watching, will see a connection from Tor and not your IP address. There's no browsing history and cookies are only valid for one session. Fingerprinting is prevented as all users look the same and your traffic is encrypted at each relay. Because of the relays, Tor is a much slower browser than others, so you may find it harder to use on a day-to-day basis. For messaging apps, we're going with Session. It's based on Signal but has more privacy-focused features. You don't need an email or phone number to sign up – instead you get a random Session ID. Like Tor, it's decentralized and your messages are end-to-end encrypted. Almost no metadata is collected and it's been audited. Session isn't as popular as Signal, and there have been reports of bugs. But as an app, it's the most private. It's a little trickier to recommend truly private antivirus software and data removal services. Incogni was developed by the team behind Surfshark so there is an element of data privacy to its offerings. It has fewer partners than its competitors and its privacy policy is clear about how it uses your data. It also doesn't sell your personal data. However, it shares data with the likes of Google Analytics and does need your details to operate its service. Norton 360 Deluxe is not only an excellent antivirus, it boasts some handy privacy features too. You can monitor the dark web for names, your social security number, or email. It can't compete with the market leaders, but Norton's VPN is solid and has had its no-logs policy audited. If you want any privacy issues fixing automatically, you'll need to pay $109.99 per year for Norton's Privacy Monitor Assistant add-on – and that's quite a considerable downside. It's not just your desktop that requires privacy protection, it's your mobile too. NordVPN has great iPhone and Android apps. They might be a little complex for absolute beginners, but if you're familiar with VPNs then you shouldn't have any trouble. NordPass is the best password manager for mobile. It's intuitive, simple, and is included with all NordVPN plans except NordVPN Basic. Total Cost = $5.01 per month Bitdefender Mobile Security offers its top-tier antivirus in mobile form, for both Android and iPhone. It's fairly cheap and has a tonne of security features. One of which is app lock which can turn off apps that may pose a security risk. Again, secure browsers are a personal preference. Although I use Brave on my laptop, I prefer Vivaldi on my phone. I enjoy Vivaldi's UI a little more and its customization options mean I can set it up exactly how I want it. There are no mobile apps for data removal services, so we haven't recommended one for this bundle. You may not want to subscribe to or purchase a wide range of apps. So if you're after convenience, consider Proton Unlimited. Total Cost = $9.99 per month For $9.99 per month, you'll get Proton VPN, Proton Pass, Proton Drive, Proton Mail, Proton Calendar, and Proton Wallet. Everything is end-to-end encrypted and the interconnected ecosystem works seamlessly and is perfect for breaking away from Google. Antivirus isn't offered, so you would need to purchase that separately. Proton VPN does include NetShield but this is a threat protection and isn't quite as good as others offered by VPN providers. Vivaldi has partnered with Proton to include Proton VPN Free as an extension. It's one of the best free VPNs available and will slot nicely into your Proton arsenal.
