The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is over for one more yr. It was a barely bizarre present this yr, marred by an embarrassing energy outage, one too many pointless robots (Cloi, I’m taking a look at you) and the creeping feeling that the world’s greatest tech present would possibly simply be turning into a bit irrelevant.
Fortunately, PC players nonetheless have lots to look ahead to in 2018, from giganto gaming screens and teeny tiny powerhouse NUCs to mouse mats that may cost your cellphone, metal-clad motherboards, and possibly one more hike in GPU costs when EVGA unleashes its crypto mining dream machine energy provide that may run one thing foolish like 14 Nvidia GTX 1070s all on the similar time (thanks, guys). But all that’s simply the tip of the iceberg. Read on for what I’m formally deeming one of the best of CES 2018, all and not using a single stroppy robotic in sight.
HTC’s fancy pants Vive Pro goggles
It will in all probability find yourself being far too costly for us mere mortals, however HTC’s new Vive Pro headset seems to be a major improve over its predecessor. With a brand new greater decision OLED show, a re-jigged headband, correct headphones and the choice to make it utterly wi-fi with its new adaptor doodad, VR would possibly lastly get its second wind.
Asus’ magic-powered bezel-free monitor package
We’re submitting this one within the ‘mad, definitely not likely to launch ever in the history of the universe’ folder of our CES highlights, however Asus’s bezel-free package is simply too bonkers to disregard. Using mounted vertical lenses and optical wizardry, this little piece of package successfully makes the hole between multi-monitor setups disappear, creating the looks of a seamless wraparound show. It doesn’t want any energy or additional software program to function, both, because it’s all completed by gentle refraction MAGIC.
Intel’s super-charged NUC with AMD Vega graphics
This tiddly barebones PC is probably the most highly effective extremely compact system Intel’s ever constructed, and it’s all because of its brand-new Core chip with in-built AMD Vega M graphics. Capable of VR and fairly first rate 1080p gaming, we’re all crossing our fingers that this would possibly sign the second coming of the Steam machine.
NZXT’s first ever motherboard
PC case maker NZXT stunned everybody this yr by saying that not solely had they made their very first motherboard, however that it may additionally be one of the best motherboard ever created. Designed to assist Intel’s Z370 chipset, this LGA 1151 board not solely seems extremely good, however you too can select from a wide range of colored heatsink covers or go all out with its white and black metallic choices.
AMD’s new Ryzen+ CPUs
This April will see the launch of the second technology of AMD’s Ryzen+ CPUs. Those seeking to improve can anticipate power-saving boosts and a slight improve in pace, and so they’ll even slot straight into your present motherboard. Even higher, AMD’s dropping the value of all its present 1000-series CPUs within the run-up to the large day. Yes, everything’s still borked by the Spectre flaw, however a discount’s a discount, proper?
Nvidia’s ginormous gaming screens
Just in case 34in ultrawide displays weren’t sufficient for you, Nvidia’s going all-in on large display screen gaming this yr with its 65in 4K HDR G-Sync 120Hz ‘big format gaming displays’. With a built-in Nvidia Shield streamer as nicely, you may even play Android video games and watch Netflix on them as nicely. Expect fashions from Acer, Asus and HP by the top of the yr.
Corsair minimize the cables with new suite of wi-fi peripherals
Corsair went large on wi-fi at this yr’s CES, unveiling a keyboard, mouse and mouse mat which are all due out on the finish of January. The Okay63 keyboard has Cherry MX switches and all of the RGB gubbins you possibly can want for, plus a relatively tasty 75 hour battery life. The Dark Core RGB wi-fi mouse, alternatively, can final 24 hours and has built-in Qi wi-fi charging – excellent for its new RGB wi-fi and Bluetooth-enabled MM1000 mouse pad, which additionally helps Qi charging. Even higher, the MM1000 will even cost any Qi-enabled gadget, like your cellphone. Juicy…
Kingston’s first wi-fi headset is a battery life beast
Not to be outdone on the peripherals entrance, Kingston introduced their first wi-fi gaming headset, the HyperX Cloud Flight. With a battery lifetime of as much as 30 hours, it’s received extra endurance than each different gaming headest out there at the moment. It’s additionally TeamSpeak and Discord licensed and comes with a removable noise-cancelling microphone and LED lights, and I’ll be testing one very shortly, as they’re out there RIGHT NOW for £140.
EVGA turns into public enemy No.1 with insane 2220W energy provide
Just whenever you thought you’d had sufficient of cryptocurrency-based GPU value hikes, EVGA go and announce this ridiculous 2200W energy provide that may run seven Nvidia GTX 1080 Ti playing cards on the similar time, in keeping with PC Gamer. EVGA couldn’t truly display the Supernova 2200 P2 on the present as it requires a 240V outlet, however crypto-miners are more likely to go bananas over this factor.
Steelseries’ all-seeing Rival 600 mouse
Look at you sitting there all smug together with your single sensor gaming mouse. You assume you’ve received all of it, don’t you? Well, Steelseries’ new Rival 600 is about to place you in your house, as this wired mouse has not one, however TWO sensors for final precision – Steelseries’ proprietary TrueMove3 sensor and an optical sensor whose sole function in life is to observe lift-off distance. Weighing simply 96g, you too can customise its steadiness with its eight 4g weights in as much as 256 totally different combos. How about that to your esports, eh?
Dell’s XPS 15 goes convertible with Intel/AMD CPU combo
Intel stated earlier this week that each Dell and HP had been engaged on extremely slim units that may utilise its new Core with Vega M graphics CPUs, and now we all know what they’re. In Dell’s case, it’s the relatively beautiful XPS 15 2-in-1, which is outwardly each the strongest 15in hybrid on the earth proper now, in addition to the smallest and thinnest. Measuring a mere 16mm thick, the brand new XPS 15 additionally has a 4K display screen and a shiny maglev keyboard that makes use of the identical floating tech as high-speed trains. Needless to say, I’m very a lot on board with this.
Sennheiser’s flagship GSP 600 headset goes all-out on consolation
It’s not usually I get excited a few new headset, however I’m intrigued by Sennheiser’s so-called ‘adjustable contact pressure’ function on its fresh-off-the-showfloor GSP 600. As nicely as with the ability to alter the general measurement and match of the headset on the aspect of the scarf, it additionally seems such as you’ll be capable to use the slider on prime of the headset to regulate how tight it feels. It’s additionally received a model new ear cup design, new microphone, metallic hinges – new every part, principally – and I can’t wait to get it in for testing.
