I looked at and tested Medion's gaming peripheral line-up because I wanted to know whether Medion can do more in 2024 than just evoke nostalgic memories.
Before I tell you about these three products, I first have to introduce you to the Medion and Aldi brands. Those who are impatient are welcome to scroll further down
In my youth wereAldi-PCs
(You used to have this tooComputer
said) the epitome of good value for money. They were ideal for families like mine, where a single tower PC was available for all family members. Of course, just for school!
Even my nerd clique from back thenMy mother, who had bought the Medion PC, said it was a really good choice.
I still remember this time with a pleasant feeling today. Whenever my mother wasn't home, I repurposed the family computer,andto play.
While I was talking on the phone, I talked to Anna, with whom I was secretly in love, about our respective progress with herfemale Indiana Jones
through. It was a magical time that I spent in front of the Aldi PC.
From the Aldi brand to the market leader
As the competitor Fujitsu Siemens ComputersWhen the group was dissolved in 2008, Medion was able to further establish itself on the market and has since become the largest independent German and European manufacturer ofSingle-user computers
(PCs).
Medion AG was even so successful that it was able to win the interest of shareholders in June 2011. Just one month later, none other than the Chinese company Lenovo became the majority owner by acquiring over 75 percent of Medion shares.
A lot has happened since then. The former Aldi brand Medion has constantly expanded its range over the years. Desktop PCs were quickly joined by monitors and classic gaming peripherals such as mice, keyboards and headsets.
The products have been around for a long timeno longer only sold through the Albrecht brothers' discount store. Medion has been an independent, successful electronics brand since the early 2000s, although there were occasional financial lows.
What will Medion's gaming brand Erazer look like in 2024? I looked at three current products from the Persipherie range.
What have I tested?
- Gaming-Maus:Erazer Wizard P20
- Gaming keyboard:Erazer Supporter X20
- Gaming-Headset:Erazer Mage P20
According to his own statement, the offer is aimed atfrom Medion to players. The focus is on a rather young age group, typically between 16 and 35 years old, which includes both casual gamers and passionate gamers. Technology-savvy users who value high-quality gaming equipment are also part of the target group.
Gaming-Maus: Erazer Wizard P20
Erazer Wizard P20 specifications
- Switch: Omron
- Sensor: Pixart PAW 3389
- DPI: 16.000
- lighting: Yes, RGB
- Number of buttons: 9, programmable
- Connection type: Fabric-coated USB cable, 1.80 m long, not removable
- Dimensions: 12,9 x 7,5 x 4,2
- Weight: 145 g
The Erazer Wizard P20 is right ergonomicshaped and, due to its high weight of 145 grams, is particularly suitable for high-sense gamers with medium to large hands who play with the palm grip. There are distinctive rubber coatings on the right and left of the thumb rest for a firm grip.
The thumb side is rubberized and offers a solid grip.
The back and main mouse buttons are smootherand have a coating that is reminiscent of Corsair's mice. Experience has shown that these surfaces quickly look unsightly and shiny and wear out. The coating causes the mouse to attract a lot of dust.
The DPI value can be adjusted on the top. Four more buttons are on the left side, two for the thumb and two for the index finger. These keys are made of uncoated plastic and therefore offer little grip.
The keys and back are made of coated plastic, the pattern in the middle and the additional keys are made of bare plastic.
The four sliding surfaceson the bottom could have been larger. Combined with the comparatively heavy weight and the slightly stiffer cable, it is difficult to navigate with the mouse.
The inner valuesthe Wizard P20 will be in the middle of the field in 2024. If the design of the mouse were more modern, the device could demonstrate this better. The mouse can currently no longer be purchased anywhere.
Gaming Keyboard: Erazer Supporter X20
Erazer Supporter X20 Specifications
- Switch: Cherry MX Red
- Connection: Fabric-coated USB cable, non-removable, 1.8 m
- lighting: Yes, RGB under keys and on the sides
- Palm rest: Yes, magnetic, made of plastic
- Dimensions: 46,5 x 19,4 x 3,7 cm
- Weight: 1.066,9 g
- Preis: 90 euros RRP
At first glanceThe Erazer Supporter X20 seems to have fallen out of time. This is due on the one hand to the non-removable cable, which is at least covered in fabric and nice and long, and on the other hand to the strange-looking keycap coating. This is reminiscent of the case of the Erazer Wizard P20. Both coatings are not very durable and quickly look dingy.
The mechanical gaming keyboardis extensively illuminated with RGB and looks pretty if you don't look closely. This would certainly be a good gift from grandparents to their grandchildren, but would probably appeal less to the target groups identified by Medion.
Here too is the priceAt around 90 euros, it's far too high for what's on offer. Well, it has Cherry MX Red switches, but they are nothing special and are standard. A palm rest is included, but it is made of thin plastic sheet and does not provide any real relief.
Gaming-Headset: Erazer Mage P20
Erazer Mage P20 Specifications
- Construction method: Closed
- Connection: Fabric-coated USB cable, non-removable, 2.40 m long
- Frequency response: 20 - 20.000 Hertz
- impedance: 32 Ohm
- Microphone: Clip-on, removable
- lighting: Yes, RGB
- Weight: 402 g
- Preis: 70 euros RRP
The Erazer Mage P20 is a classic over-ear gaming headset with a removable clip-on microphone and RGB lighting.
The inside of the head arch is covered with an artificial leather that is reminiscent of classic plastic. The outside (picture) is of higher quality and sewn on the sides, as is the case e.g. B. is also the case with the Razer Blachshark V2 Pro (2023).
The construction is closed, however, the fit (on my head) is so loose that the device doesn't offer the typical driving, punchy sound that is typical of closed models, even though the ear pads are made of synthetic leather. This usually ensures that gaming headsets seal even more tightly.
The headset is wired, but has colorful lighting. The headset is operated via a remote control on the cable.
The faux leather didn't seal as well as one would expect.
The microphoneAlthough it doesn't come with any pop dirt, it can be put into position fantastically - and then stays there. The voice quality, however, was not convincing, even though you can be understood by others. The sound output of the headphones is also rather mediocre.
For 70 eurosThere are much better devices, such as the Endorfy Viro Plus USB, which also uses more suitable materials and includes a number of accessories.
Has Medion lost its importance?
Over the last ten years I have met Medion from time to time. Sometimes it was about monitors, sometimes about input devices. However, none of the products left a lasting impression on me.
This year the time had come:An agency provided me with Medion's latest line-up for testing: the gaming mouse, the gaming keyboard and the gaming headset.
The experience was sobering. Although I indulged in memories, they were not based exclusively on the positive connections from the past.
When I touched, examined and used the hardware, it reminded me again and again of devices that I might have found great when I was 15, but not in 2024.
As things stand today, the devices seem somewhat old-fashioned. The technical data is mostly impressive, but only meets the minimum standard.
If the models were all significantly cheaper, I might be able to make a budget recommendation. But at 90 euros for the keyboard and 70 for the headset, gamers can get better.
