CORSAIR unveils versatile sim racing cockpit at Computex 2024. With adjustable design and robust build, it promises enhanced racing experience for enthusiasts.
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No that isn’t the latest prop or collectible from the obscure film franchise Mega Shark vs. Mecha Shark. It is, in fact, a high-end PC from the folks at Cooler Master. With a mission of wanting to build some of the world’s literally and slangily coolest PCs ever, Cooler Master’s latest showcases at Computex 2024 has us wondering if anything can be a PC (no, sometimes things are also cakes). The company brought out the Shark X and their sneaker-shaped PC designs, which should be available later this year. Standing at anywhere up to 3 feet tall, these PCs aren’t for making spreadsheets, they’re the sportscars of the PC world, designed to dominate both visually as well as in performance. Oh, and they cost upwards of $7000 as per sources, so maybe we’re better off relegated to more budget-friendly PCs, even though they may look boring.
Designer: Cooler Master
The Shark X is advertised as a “fully upgradeable” gaming PC. While the final specifications might change slightly, the current iteration boasts a powerful core: an Intel Core i9-14900KF processor and an MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 Ti graphics card. That’s paired with 32GB of DDR5-5600 memory and a 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD for speedy storage. Cooling is handled by a Cooler Master MasterLiquid 120 ATMOS liquid cooler, ensuring the system stays frosty during intense gaming sessions. The power supply is a Cooler Master SFX 850W Gold PSU, providing ample wattage for the hardware.
The price tag? Brace yourself – the Shark X is expected to cost upwards of $7,000. Let’s be honest, at that price point, raw performance upgrades become secondary. The Shark X is for those who prioritize an unforgettable conversation starter and a unique centerpiece for their battle station.
The Shark X was also accompanied by the Sneaker X, a more footwear-enthusiast-focused PC that comes with unique panels, stickers, and even a suspension spring giving the PC an over-the-top futuristic look. Both the Shark X and Sneaker X made appearances at CES in 2023, although it seems like Cooler Master’s refining them to a point of an eventual sale.
Cooler Master debuted the Sneaker X in a red variant last year, but this year sees the addition of newer colors. Word on the CPU is vague (the pamphlet says “latest high-end CPU”), but the PC also packs ITX motherboards, and supports Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 GPUs. Cooling comes courtesy the Cooler Master PL360 FLUX 360mm AIO liquid CPU cooler. The Sneaker X also has a much more manageable price tag that starts at $3,500 as compared to the Shark X which is double the price. I can understand the appeal, though. A dynamic mecha shark leaping in mid-air does have more eye-catching appeal than a sneaker with suspension springs and a fan. You can’t deny that they’re both pretty gorgeous though…
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Just months after its initial launch, MSI is showcasing the next version of its handheld gaming PC, the Claw, at Computex 2024. The new iteration, dubbed the Claw 8 AI+, boasts a complete hardware overhaul and aims to address the shortcomings of its predecessor. Although the design language remains arguably the same, the Claw 8 AI+ now comes with a gray body that helps highlight the controls better, a larger screen, and a much more comfortable ergonomic design.
MSI isn’t revealing the specific Lunar Lake CPU model powering the Claw 8 AI+, but it confirms the presence of this next-generation Intel chip. This is coupled with up to 32GB of speedy LPDDR5x RAM and a 1TB SSD. The storage solution is an M.2 2280 SSD, mirroring the ASUS ROG Ally X, potentially allowing for easier upgrades in the future.
Designer: MSI
Beyond internals, the Claw 8 AI+ sports a redesigned chassis that appears more comfortable to hold compared to the original Claw. The device was kept under a glass display so we couldn’t get a handheld experience. It accommodates a larger 8-inch display, though the resolution remains 1080p with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Dual Thunderbolt ports are a welcome addition, offering versatility for connecting external displays or high-speed peripherals.
Battery life was a major pain point for the original Claw. MSI is rectifying this with a substantial leap in capacity for the 8 AI+. The new model boasts an 80-watt-hour battery, matching the ROG Ally X and offering a significant improvement over the original’s disappointing 53-watt-hour unit. This rapid turnaround from MSI highlights their determination to carve a space in the competitive handheld gaming market. They assure continued support for the original Claw with ongoing driver updates, including one released recently.
The success of the Claw 8 AI+ hinges heavily on the capabilities of the Lunar Lake CPU. Intel boasts a “radical low-power architecture” ideal for handheld devices, alongside improved integrated graphics powered by their Battlemage architecture. While details are scarce, the potential for efficient performance and impressive visuals is promising.
However, past experiences with the original Claw, hampered by the Meteor Lake CPU, serve as a cautionary tale. While other manufacturers opted for AMD processors, MSI’s choice limited performance. Here’s hoping the pairing of Lunar Lake and the Claw 8 AI+ proves fruitful.
Pricing details remain under wraps, but a September launch window is expected. While the final design might differ slightly from the prototype showcased at Computex, a potential price drop for the original Claw is also hinted at.
The post MSI Claw 8 AI+ Handheld Gaming PC: Bigger Screen, More Power, and Improved Battery Life first appeared on Yanko Design.
Although they have existed for a long time now, it seems that handheld PCs are finally taking root in the market. These mobile gaming devices are becoming more numerous, including a few from well-known manufacturers as well as a bit more obscure brands. That, unfortunately, also means that some designs are getting all too common, even if there’s still plenty of room for experimentation and innovation. At Computex 2024, we’re seeing some of these bold designs that are trying to challenge the status quo and one of them comes from an unlikely name yet could also be bringing some much-needed improvements to handheld gaming computers.
Designer: ADATA XPG
Handheld PCs are pretty much miniature laptops and they even use some of the same hardware but with weaker cooling solutions. That practically means you’re stuck with the specs you got when you bought the device, though there might be options to upgrade the storage and only that. Many laptops these days, however, also have upgradable RAM, and ADATA, a brand better known for its data storage solutions, is bringing that to the handheld PC market with the XPG Nia.
This feat is being attributed to the equally new LPCAMM2 memory module which, unlike most RAM on handhelds and some laptops, isn’t soldered to the motherboard. This makes memory upgradable in theory, though how easy it will be still remains to be seen. The XPG Nia also features upgradable storage courtesy of a more standard M.2 2230 SSD slot. This might sound like minor improvements since the capability has been around in laptops for many years, but it goes a long way in making handhelds last longer and be more sustainable in their own small way.
That isn’t the only novelty that the ADATA XPG Nia is bringing to the table, however. The handheld has a tilting screen that you can adjust to your comfort, and it has a built-in kickstand that lets you put the device down on a table without requiring a separate stand or dock. And unlike the majority of handheld gaming PCs, it has a front-facing camera that can be used for eye-tracking and, possibly, video chat among gamers. Again small details, but ones that significantly improve the usability and ergonomics of a device that still hasn’t cemented its place in the market.
As admirable as these improvements might be, the big drawback to the ADATA XPG Nia is that it’s not a product you can buy, at least not any time soon. What was shown at Computex was just a prototype, and the earliest ETA for the handheld PC is 2025. That leaves not only a lot of room for the brand to change or even backtrack on these features, it also gives its competitors the opportunity to steal the limelight even before the XPG Nia has a chance to get out the door.
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The ROG Ally X by ASUS upgrades storage, RAM, battery life, ergonomics, and cooling, enhancing handheld gaming with improved performance and longer playtime.
The post Unveiling the ROG Ally X: A New Era for Handheld Gaming first appeared on Trendy Gadget.
After numerous leaks and rumors, the cat is finally out of the bag. The next ASUS Republic of Gamers handheld PC isn’t the Ally 2 but the ROG Ally X as expected. While some might see it as simply splitting hairs, the naming does make a difference. It still has the beating heart of the first ROG Ally, but with a few extras that respond to the criticisms and requests of the gaming community who embraced this more portable form factor right off the bat. From some perspectives, those extras are really small and subtle, especially if looking at it from the outside. But with enough of those changes working together, the ROG Ally X is positioning itself to be a more powerful companion that will let you play more games longer.
Designer: ASUS ROG
Just from a glance, you might not be able to tell that this is in any way different from the OG ROG Ally, at least except for its new all-black motif. It still boggles the mind why ASUS chose white for its first iteration, a color that’s almost alien to gamers’ palettes, though it did help the ROG Ally stand out from its rivals. If you look more closely, however, and hold the device in your hands, you might notice how things are somewhat different, hopefully for the better.
The handles, for example, are rounder now, which helps improve the grip that’s critical to a handheld device. The back triggers now come at an angle for better ergonomics, while the joystick and D-pad have been improved to be more durable and more precise. The biggest changes, however, are on the inside, where every little thing counts if it’s meant to improve the gaming experience.
It’s still the same AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme as the original ROG Ally, but that mobile gaming processor is now paired with 24GB of DDR-7500 RAM, up from 16GB in the first iteration. The storage capacity has been doubled to up to 1TB, but the bigger surprise is that ASUS is making it easier to upgrade it. The battery has also been doubled to 80Wh, which means you’ll have more time playing before you need to plug the little monster in. To compensate for this newfound power, ASUS ROG promises an improved thermal cooling solution so you won’t burn your hand while you play.
There is at least one change that some might consider a downgrade, depending on how attached they’ve become to ASUS’ proprietary XG external graphics port. In its place, the ROG Ally X uses a more standard Thunderbolt-compatible USB-C port that could still work with external GPUs but also with a lot more devices as well. Given all these changes, it’s no surprise that the ASUS ROG Ally X will cost more than its predecessor at $799.99. Then again, this version is squarely aimed at power gamers, and those who can live with the bare minimum can still get the older model, at least for now.
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We have seen no shortage of retro designs that try to recreate the glory of old product designs, especially in the gaming world. Many of these try to be as faithful as they can to the original, but some are content to add a few interesting twists like sticking to the spirit of the design and the experience. A Game Boy, for example, was one of the earliest handheld gaming devices to gain international fame, but that doesn’t mean it has to stick to that petite size today. In fact, this DIY retro project goes in the opposite direction and brings the green-tinted monochrome display of the OG Game Boy to an extra large arcade cabinet screen, complete with a joystick and buttons that could feel more satisfying to mash to quickly get through dialogues.
Designer: Shaun Campbell (didsomebodysayretro)
Compared even to its colorful successor, the original Game Boy felt a bit underwhelming. Despite that, it opened gamers of the past generations to a world of gaming that they can take anywhere with them. In addition to special features that allowed them to link up with other Game Boy devices, the gaming handheld embodied a kind of freedom that was revolutionary in an age of home consoles. It’s almost ironic, then, that the WoodBoy project removes that portable design but exchanges it with another of the Game Boy’s popular traits: pure gaming fun.
In a nutshell, WoodBoy shoves the original Game Boy, not the Game Boy Color, into a handmade wooden arcade cabinet. This gives it a much larger screen than the minuscule 2.5-inch screen of the handheld original, something a bit better for today’s more discerning eyes. In fact, everything about the arcade is an upscaled version of the Game Boy, redefined for, well, arcade play. Instead of a gigantic D-pad, for example, you get a more satisfying joystick for directional control.
Curiously, WoodBoy eschews the traditional 2×2 button arrangement you might find on most arcades for two red buttons at the top and two black buttons on the front edge of the cabinet. This mimics the separation of the A, B, Start, and Select buttons on the Game Boy and minimizes the potential for confusion or erroneous presses. At the same time, however, that might make it harder to hit pause quickly with either of your hands if it has to travel to the front.
What makes WoodBoy different from many DIY retro projects is that it runs actual original Game Boy cartridges rather than using emulation. It utilizes a kit that mods the original Game Boy device into a console, making it compatible with authentic cartridges and games. That, of course, makes it dependent on owning said cartridges, but WoodBoy is definitely a collector’s product anyway.
The post DIY Game Boy arcade blows up classic titles with a giant screen, giant controls first appeared on Yanko Design.
While LEGO’s released quite a few game-themed playsets in the past few years (the Super Mario and Animal Crossing ones immediately come to mind), they’ve notably missed one title that’s arguably had just as big an impact (if not bigger) on the gaming community as Mario and Animal Crossing. I’m sure Zelda fans have waited with bated breath for the day LEGO dropped a Zelda-themed playset and looks like that wait finally paid off. LEGO’s first official Zelda Playset captures the Great Deku Tree in a 2-in-1 build that lets you either make a variant of the tree shown in its early stages, or in full-bloom as shown in the franchise’s 2017 game, Breath of the Wild. The set also includes a whole slew of familiar characters like Zelda, Link, and many more!
Designer: LEGO
Clocking in at a hefty 2,500 pieces, The Great Deku Tree offers a unique two-in-one build experience. Zelda veterans can choose to construct the iconic tree as it appears in the opening chapter of The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time, complete with a section inspired by the Deku Tree Dungeon and a miniature replica of Link’s house in Kokiri Village. Feeling a touch more recent? The set also allows you to build the weathered and majestic Great Deku Tree from Breath of the Wild, complete with hidden Koroks.
Beyond the impressive tree itself, the set boasts a treasure trove of characters and accessories to bring Hyrule to life. We’re talking buildable figures of Link (both his classic and Breath of the Wild incarnations), Zelda, and even a creepy-crawly Skulltula. The set also includes iconic items like the Deku Shield, the Sheikah Slate, and the legendary Master Sword, nestled snugly in its pedestal.
With intricate details, playable features, and a whopping piece count, The Great Deku Tree promises an immersive building experience for Zelda fans of all ages. Whether you yearn for the nostalgia of Ocarina of Time or prefer the open-world adventure of Breath of the Wild, this Lego set caters to both sides of the Hyrulean coin.
The Legend of Zelda Great Deku Tree set is available for pre-order now for $300, with a release date set for September 1st. So grab your rupees, dust off your Master Sword replica (safety first!), and get ready to embark on a Lego brick adventure through the beloved world of Zelda.
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The Raspberry Pi, lovingly called RPi by fans, did for electronics what 3D printing did for design. It allowed almost anyone to come up with interesting, innovative, and sometimes just amusing projects that need a very small and cheap computer to function. The size of a credit card and less than $100 (going as low as $35 even!), the Raspberry Pi is a barebones and naked single-board computer (SBC) that you can insert almost anywhere and add to any design. That said, there are some use cases for the RPi that require a proper enclosure and those are a dime a dozen these days. This one case, in particular, goes over the top and puts the small pocket-sized computer inside a box that, for all intents and purposes, looks like a miniaturized gaming desktop, complete with multiple fans and RGB lighting.
Designer: Sunfounder
Truth be told, this Raspberry Pi 5 case really goes overboard considering the limitations of the computer in terms of performance. You’ll only ever be able to play very light computer games on it, so associating it with a gaming desktop seems out of character, but it definitely gives it some style. Then again, we did see an even more exaggerated liquid cooling system for the Raspberry Pi that makes this case actually look reasonable.
The Pironman 5, as the case is called, is also unlike the majority of Raspberry Pi cases in that it’s actually made of aluminum instead of plastic, just like a typical desktop tower. And like many gaming PCs these days, one side and a part of its back it made of transparent acrylic that lets you take a peek into the computer’s innards, not that there’s that much to see anyway. The RPi, after all, is just a single board that has everything soldered into it, but the case does have a few interesting bits that will make it worth looking into.
There are three fans, which is again overkill, and two of them have RGB lighting. Equally interesting is how the case exposes all the RPi’s ports on the case’s back, just like what you’d expect from a desktop computer, despite the board having those ports on different sides. There’s even a way to access the GPIO pins without opening up the case, making expansion and modification super easy. You can add an NVMe SSD or control the computer with an IR remote control, all of which are not available in the base Raspberry Pi.
The Pironman 5 is cute and eccentric, and few will probably be using the case aside from a few niche situations. It makes the single-board computer look more interesting and more usable as a desktop computer, but you pay the price in terms of space, power consumption, and the literal $80 cost. Then again, that’s the beauty of the culture that the RPi started, allowing anyone and everyone to come up with interesting designs, even if they turn out to be impractical in the end.
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Liking for retro game-inspired handhelds has surged in the last few years, thus, prompting proactive manufacturers to catch up on the trend. Anbernic is not letting this opportunity go with a variety of gaming handhelds including the RG35XX H, RG353P, RG35XXSP, and the RG556 (very unconventional naming conventions has to be said) already released this year.
Add to that lineup the latest RG Cube which comes loaded with a Unisoc T820 processor, capable enough to play titles from the Nintendo 6 and Dreamcast. According to the company, it doesn’t stop there as the handheld should also play select titles from the PS 2, GameCube, Wii, and Nintendo 3DS in emulation mode.
Designer: Anbernic
The cute Android 13-powered gadget has a 3.95-inch IPS touchscreen (720×720) with a 1:1 display ratio which to be honest should affect the visuals in some of the newer titles. The octa-core processor (maxes at 2.7 GHz speed) mated to 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM is supported by an 850MHz GPU capable of producing 1080p resolution visuals at an impressive 120fps. The buck doesn’t stop there as RG Cube has 128GB of UFS 2.2 storage with expandable storage of up to 2TB via a MicroSD card.
For extended gaming hauls, the handheld boasts a battery life of 7 hours courtesy of the 5200mAh battery life. The in-built fan provides active cooling when things get too hot. Most gamers should love this compact gaming player since it has RGB lighting effects, a gyroscope sensor, a vibration motor, D-Pad input, action buttons, shoulder triggers, and Hall Effect joysticks that should last long without any malfunctions. Playing classic games on this one will be a treat with the stereo speakers in-built, USB-C port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack for purists.
Anbernic has not announced the pricing or release date of the gaming handled yet or the pricing. At launch, the RG Cube will come in three color options: Beige White, Radiant Purple, and Gray.
The post Anbernic RG Cube is a Cute Retro Handheld with Game Boy-inspired Square Screen first appeared on Yanko Design.