Forget transparent gadgets with their exposed circuitry, forget gamer gear with their flashy LEDs, this right here takes the prize for being the most gorgeous tech-aesthetic ever. Meet the Ornamental MSI Mouse, a wireless mouse concept from the mind of Eslam Mohammed. Crafted out of pure metal, the mouse eschews sleek surfaces for something a little out of the ordinary. Instead of a basic outer shell, the mouse sports an eye-catchingly intricate baroque-inspired metal outer casing. With ample cutouts that let you see through the details right into the mouse’s inner body, the shell is a combination of detail-heavy yet visually light. To balance the use of Baroque, the left and right buttons are left sleek and plain, creating a fusion that looks so good you’ll never want to lay your hands on another mouse in your life.
The Ornamental MSI Mouse blends two genres of classic aesthetics together into one gorgeous form. A very fresh reinterpretation of steampunk, this mouse is simultaneously old-school and new-age, with that ornamental chassis that encases wireless tracking tech that you’d expect from the computer peripherals of today.
The baroque shell itself looks to be either cast or machined out of metal (3D printing would be a little too expensive), and then capped with the other parts that fix right together. If the shell were to be made of aluminum, the mouse would still be incredibly light considering its all-metal construction. The hollow shell design promotes air-flow, which means you’ll never find yourself with sweaty palms… just be a little careful of resting your hand on the mouse too long or you’ll have the baroque imprints on your hand! This mouse clearly isn’t for intensive workplace usage.
Capping off the mouse’s design are all-metal left and right-click buttons, along with two shortcut buttons underneath the thumb on the side. The buttons are also accompanied by a gorgeous knurled scroll wheel that combines luxury with tactile. There’s nothing ‘cheap’ or plastic about the mouse’s design. The only real drawback is that Eslam’s concept is just that… a concept. Hopefully he’ll build a prototype soon. When he does, I’ll have my credit card ready!
If you’re anywhere near a laptop, spend a second looking at the keyboard it contains. Chances are, the keyboard you’re looking at has a 65% layout, featuring the QWERTY keys, the number row above it, and function keys. Not all laptops have num-pads on the side (unless they’re 15-inch laptops or more), so what you’re left with is perhaps the most condensed keyboard layout ever. However, you CAN go smaller. Remove the function row from the top, and you’re now left with a bare-basics 60% keyboard layout. It gets the job done, it’s compact, and is ideal for portability – all of which are the Pro X 60’s most prized features. Debuted as Logitech’s first 60% wireless keyboard, the Pro X 60 Lightspeed is deviously tiny, but doesn’t trade size for functionality. It’s still got great mechanical travel at its heart, making the keyboard perfect for pretty much everyone, but ideal for gamers, who revere that mechanical feel.
At a glance, the $179 Pro X 60 Lightspeed is a study in meticulous design and technological advancement. Offering a choice between tactile or linear GX optical switches, and available in three colors—black, white, or pink, the keyboard seeks to envelop gamers in a bespoke gaming experience. The keyboard’s compact size is a deliberate choice, offering ease of transportation without compromising on the essential features that gamers have come to expect from Logitech’s G Pro X series.
Unlike its predecessor, the G Pro X TKL Lightspeed, the Pro X 60 Lightspeed opts for optical switches over mechanical ones, offering a distinct feel with a 1.8mm actuation point and a travel distance of 4mm. This choice underscores Logitech’s pursuit of providing gamers with precision and responsiveness in a form factor that defies convention. The keyboard’s versatility extends to its connectivity options—wired via a USB-C cable, or wireless through Bluetooth or Logitech’s proprietary Lightspeed dongle, ensuring a seamless gaming experience with a 1000Hz polling rate.
Gamers can customize the keyboard and assign macro shortcuts, adjust lighting, and tweak audio effects to their liking, with each key capable of performing up to 15 different functions through Logitech’s G Hub software and the new Keycontrol tool. The inclusion of Lightsync RGB lighting, pre-set to a static blue to minimize distractions, further enhances the gaming atmosphere, allowing for a personalized color palette and lighting sequences to radiate through the keyboard’s dual-shot PBT keycaps.
Beyond its technical prowess, the Logitech G Pro X 60 Lightspeed is designed with quality-of-life improvements that cater to the gaming lifestyle. A strategically placed volume roller, a Game Mode switch that disables potentially distracting keys, and a carry case for easy transport all contribute to a gaming keyboard that understands the rhythm of competitive play and travel. For gamers for whom every second and every key press can make the difference between victory and defeat, the Pro X 60 Lightspeed is a mobile command center that bridges the gap between performance and portability. The Pro X 60 Lightspeed is available for preorder, with deliveries starting April 17th.
As a design website, we’ve had the distinction of covering practically every computer mouse there is. Regular mice, ergonomic mice, vertical mice, gaming mice, inflatable mice, even origami mice… so the BM1 doesn’t come as any massive surprise in terms of the visual design department. Modeled on the Lambda-class T-4A Shuttle from Star Wars, the mouse balances ergonomics with a rather inventive design that pays tribute to one of the greatest cinematic universes of all time.
Crafted by a visionary designer with a profound love for the Star Wars universe, the BM1 Mouse pays homage to one of the saga’s most iconic vessels – the Lambda-class T-4a shuttle. With its sleek contours and unmistakable resemblance to the Imperial Shuttle, this mouse beckons adventurers to embark on a journey through the stars, where every click and scroll resonates with the pulse of interstellar warfare.
For the legions of Star Wars aficionados and gamers alike, the BM1 Mouse offers an unparalleled experience, seamlessly blending the allure of the Galactic Empire with the thrill of virtual conquests. At first glance, the echoes of the Lambda-class shuttle resonate through the sleek contours of the mouse, with its central body mirroring the iconic vessel’s silhouette (if you exclude the wings).
The fusion of form and function reaches its peak with the mouse’s primary features – the left and right clicks, reminiscent of the cannons adorning the front of the Imperial Lambda. Each click resonates with the exhilaration of battle, offering gamers an immersive experience akin to piloting a starfighter through the vast expanse of space.
Beyond its striking resemblance to the Imperial Shuttle, the BM1 Mouse boasts a visual identity that exudes sophistication and ergonomic brilliance. Chamfered edges provide not only aesthetic appeal but also enhance grip and comfort during prolonged gaming sessions. The streamlined shape evokes a sense of speed and agility, reminiscent of the starships that dominate the Star Wars universe.
Not to be overlooked is the mouse’s scroller – a distinctive feature that commands attention with its futuristic design. Easy to spot and effortless to use, the scroller serves as a tool for navigation in the digital realm, guiding users through galaxies far and wide with precision and ease.
Moreover, the visual cues and font selection evoke a sense of futurism, drawing parallels to the technological marvels of the Star Wars universe. The color palette, a delicate fusion of greys, whites, and vibrant primary hues, further accentuates the mouse’s futuristic appeal, transporting users to a realm where technology and imagination converge.
A closer look at the mouse’s underside reveals a flat base adorned with sleek depressions, reminiscent of the underbelly of a spaceship preparing for flight. This attention to detail not only enhances the mouse’s aesthetic appeal but also reinforces its identity as a vessel for digital exploration and conquest.
For designers and data enthusiasts, the number pad is a productivity powerhouse. It streamlines repetitive tasks, frees up valuable desk space, and keeps your workflow flowing. But what if your number pad could be more than just a utilitarian tool? Enter the Keychron Q0 Max, a fully customizable number pad that blends cutting-edge features with a familiar design. It might outwardly look like a numpad, but it’s a meticulously designed tool built to streamline workflows for both casual users and productivity powerhouses. Designed for content creators, programmers, or simply anyone who values efficiency, the Keychron Q0 Max wireless keypad offers a compelling combination of features and customization. Its compact size makes it a perfect space-saving solution for desks of all sizes, while its powerful functionality caters to users who demand more from their peripherals. With its attractive price tag and feature-rich design, the Q0 Max is a strong contender for the title of best productivity keypad in the market.
The Q0 Max builds upon the success of its predecessor, the Q0 Plus, by offering a more versatile layout. It retains the familiar numeric keypad but adds five dedicated macro keys on the left-hand side and a convenient rotary knob. These additional controls unlock a treasure trove of customization possibilities. Imagine assigning complex macros to single keypresses, streamlining repetitive tasks, playing games, or using the knob for media control or application switching. The Q0 Max empowers you to tailor your workflow for maximum efficiency.
Hot-swappable switches allow you to personalize the typing experience to your exact preferences. Do you crave the satisfying tactility of the Jupiter Tea switches? Or perhaps the smooth glide of the Jupiter Red is more your style? Keychron offers a variety of options to suit every taste. Additionally, south-facing RGB lights enhance the visual appeal, bathing your workspace in a vibrant glow that complements your setup.
For users who crave even deeper control, the Q0 Max boasts compatibility with QMK/VIA software. You can remap any key and program those valuable macro keys to perform actions you use frequently. Imagine launching specific applications, inserting frequently used text snippets, or controlling multimedia playback – all with a single tap. Keychron has also made significant upgrades to the Q0 Max’s core components. Pre-installed switches now hail from the Gateron Jupiter series, renowned for their impressive durability. With a staggering 80 million keypress lifespan, these switches can handle even the most demanding typing marathons.
The Q0 Max comes dressed in two sleek color options: classic carbon black and crisp shell white. This allows you to seamlessly integrate the keypad into your existing setup, ensuring it complements your aesthetic preferences. The barebone kit, ideal for enthusiasts who already have their preferred switches and keycaps, starts at a budget-friendly $109. For those who prefer a complete package, the finished version with pre-installed Gateron Jupiter switches and high-quality PBT keycaps comes in at $119.
They say necessity is the mother of invention, so it’s probably not surprising that some of the best and sometimes even outrageous designs were born out of someone’s itch, as they call it. Take for example this rather interesting DIY project that gives a home for an iPad mini and hides the Mac Studio in plain sight. While there’s no shortage of products that address those needs separately, this creative solution manages to combine both in an inspired way, paying homage to the product that catapulted Apple to fame 40 years ago: the venerable original Macintosh. Of course, it isn’t just a superficial nostalgia trip, but one that also harnesses some of the best features of Apple’s product design today.
Designer: Scott Yu-Jan
Although it’s patterned after the Mac mini, the powerful Mac Studio is exponentially taller, and its presence can’t be ignored when you place it under a monitor. On the other side of the fence sits the lightweight and compact iPad mini, which has gained a lot of features that almost make it suitable as a desktop device. These two products come from very different lines but share the same family spirit. Putting them together might sound superficial, but this 3D-printed modular case manages to pull it off so tastefully.
Dubbed the Macintosh Studio, the enclosure sits on top of and snugly hugs most of the Mac Studio, leaving only the ports near the bottom unrestricted. The front of the contraption has a slot for the iPad mini to slide in securely and connect to the Mac Mini via a single USB-C cable. This way, the iPad mini is always charged and ready to go when you need it, while also serving as a second screen for the Mac Studio thanks to Apple Sidecar. This gives both devices a customized home without removing anything from their functionality. You can even draw on the iPad quickly, though the position and angle of the screen won’t be ideal for working on art and designs.
The Macintosh Studio design doesn’t just copy the original Macintosh’s form but manages to insert a few modern conveniences to take advantage of all the unused space at the back. There’s a retractable headphone hook at the top, for example, as well as interchangeable drawers for a single portable hard drive or a stack of SSDs. There are other possible designs, but these two, in particular, add value to the experience while still staying within reasonable limits.
Given that it’s simply a 3D-printed enclosure, there’s plenty of flexibility when it comes to the color of the Macintosh Studio. A variety of hues could make it look like a hybrid of the Macintosh and the colorful iMacs, adding a bit of life to what is normally a plain and drab silver aesthetic. All in all, the design is quite ingenious in how it manages to solve two rather different problems while still preserving the individual values of each product.
Multiple portable displays boost productivity by enabling multitasking and reducing the need to switch between applications. With extra screens, you can have reference materials, email, and active projects open simultaneously, streamlining your workflow and saving valuable time. This setup is especially beneficial for professionals, students, and anyone needing to stay productive while on the go. It allows for a more efficient use of time and resources, making it easier to keep up with the demands of today’s fast-paced work environments. The market for portable displays isn’t as saturated as other tech sectors, primarily due to the niche demand and the technical challenges associated with creating lightweight, durable, and high-performance screens that can easily integrate with a range of devices. Creating a product that balances portability with screen quality, battery life, and ease of use requires significant innovation and investment. Among the options available, the FlipGo from JSAUX stands out as a compelling solution for several reasons. Let’s dig in and explore how it addresses the core needs of power users.
First, the essential feature of the FlipGo is its portability without sacrificing display quality. It’s slim, light, and easy to carry with laptops, tablets, and smartphones so that you can create a multi-screen workstation anywhere. The magnetic attachment system securely connects to the Snap Stand or monitor arms, making the setup intuitive. This design allows the portable display to easily integrate with laptops, tablets, and certain smartphones, offering a simple user experience. The package includes four sets of magnets in FlipGo. The monitor can be magnetized to a monitor arm with various magnetic mounts like the Snap VESA adapter. This makes FlipGo a clear choice when you need to position it anywhere.
You can also use the Flex Folio, which serves as a stand and a case. This origami-like accessory provides protection and supports the display when necessary. Regardless of a portable external display’s portability, it’s not worthwhile if the quality is subpar. This is particularly true when considering screen size and resolution. You can choose between two dimensions: 13.5 inches and 16 inches. Both provide ample screen space without feeling cramped. The 13.5-inch model weighs 1.1 kg, while the 16-inch model is slightly heavier at 1.6 kg, underscoring its portability.
Magnetic Design
However, this display isn’t just notable for its size and weight. It also offers remarkable quality. The smaller model has a 2.2K resolution (2256×1504), and the larger model boasts a 2.5K resolution (2560×1600). Both feature a 100% sRGB color gamut for vivid, crisp visuals. A standard 60Hz refresh rate further improves the display’s smoothness.
FlipGo arranges desktop displays vertically for a more focused, productive experience. Its square-like aspect ratio minimizes head movement. The ultra-narrow bezel connects the screens, offering an uninterrupted view. It simplifies tasks like writing papers or handling multiple sources. It also supports split-screen browsing, making it easy to manage various desktop windows. As a day trader, this setup is particularly beneficial. It allows the stock charts for technical analysis to be on top while the trading software is at the bottom.
FlipGo powers up directly from your laptop’s USB-C port, using a single cable to light up two screens for One to Duo or UltraView mode. When connected to an external power supply, it also charges the laptop. Although FlipGo has two separate displays, it can be a single screen to present content. You can switch between these displays with just a click. FlipGo ensures that neither your productivity nor your perspective is ever limited. FlipGo’s neatest feature is undoubtedly its touch and gesture support for macOS and Windows. Not only does it function as a typical touchscreen, but it also serves as a secondary touchpad for your MacBook, enhancing your productivity.
Regarding productivity, the built-in hub varies slightly between the Pro, Touch Screen, and Standard models. The Pro model includes a display switch button, two USB-C 3.2 ports for Mac and Windows, a Mini HDMI (HD), an OTG USB-A 2.0, an OTG USB-C 2.0, a menu jog dial, and a power button. The latter model, however, has two HD inputs but lacks the Display Switch Button.
The FlipGo comes in two sizes and two tiers: Pro and Standard. Each provides different features. The Pro tier has UltraView mode with a single cable for dual-screen use and supports DisplayLink. The Standard tier does not include Pro features but can be upgraded for touchscreen capabilities, turning your FlipGo into a portable tablet. Regardless of tier, all FlipGos offer the same visual quality, resolution, 400 nits of brightness, and color accuracy. The 13.5-inch model costs $379, and the 16-inch model is $479. Both models include a 12-month warranty, lifetime support, and international shipping from May 2024.
Handheld gaming PCs might be the buzzword in the industry, but they’re not the only small-form gaming-oriented computers around. In fact, it’s probably thanks to the relative success of the likes of the Steam Deck, Lenovo Legion GO, and ASUS ROG Ally that the formula for compact gaming computers has been tested and proven. It probably shouldn’t come as a surprise, then, that gaming desktops in mini PC form would be popping up more frequently, like this latest entry from ASUS’ ROG brand that carries in its compact body some pretty big specs, a big legacy, and, unfortunately, an equally big price tag.
Gamers, especially those on the PC side of the fence, might already be familiar with the Republic of Gamers brand, but “NUC” might sound alien to them. The name, which stands for “Next Unit of Computing,” actually came from Intel and was used for the chipmaker’s line of mini PCs. After a decade of existence, Intel decided the product line really bore no fruit, definitely not in terms of profit, and decided to shutter the hardware and license the name to ASUS. Thus, the ASUS ROG NUC is pretty much the merger of two DNAs, one from Intel’s somewhat proof-of-concept mini PCs and the other from ASUS’s gaming house.
Unlike Intel’s NUCs, which were pretty much barebone general-purpose budget computers in a small box, the ROG NUC has the beating heart of a gaming laptop, just crammed in a small box that’s just around two inches thick. That includes an Intel Core Ultra processor, the kind that boasts upgraded AI chops, and an integrated NVIDIA RTX 4060 or 4070, depending on the configuration. There are plenty of ports for connection, as well as options for expanded storage that you can easily access thanks to its tool-less chassis.
While those might sound like juicy features for a gaming mini PC, the starting price of $1,629 makes it look less palatable, or $2,199 for the next step up in specs. For that price, you can already get a respectable gaming laptop with nearly the same or even better specs, and you won’t need to hook it up to a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. And unlike a desktop PC, you can’t upgrade anything other than memory and storage, so performance is pretty much a fixed value.
These raise the question of who the ASUS ROG NUC will be for, and the answer is quite a niche market. It will be for PC gamers who don’t exactly need mobility but do have limited desk space for a tower. It might even be for users who already have a more powerful gaming desktop and just need a secondary computer for their office. Either way, these scenarios make that high price tag even less appealing unless ASUS holds a sale immediately after launching the product.
Apple products have always been hailed by designers, and its computers have long been the tool of choice for many digital content creators, especially graphic artists. None of those computers, however, have ever sported a touchscreen, even one that supports the Apple Pencil, an irony that isn’t lost on many digital artists. This means they have to settle for external drawing tools or, for some more daring users, mods that combine MacBook internal with a drawing tablet. A Mac that can instantly be used as a digital canvas is definitely going to be an artist’s dream, and based on a patent that Apple has filed, that dream could still become a reality, and it already has the perfect design for that.
Designer: Apple
Apple M3 iMac
Apple might have plenty of reasons not to put touch screens on iMacs and MacBooks, but those reasons are starting to drop one by one. It might not want to muddle the lines that separate its Macs and iPads, for example, but you can already run touch-based iOS apps on Macs for years now. And it’s not like it’s lacking the technology to make it all possible, as proven by the highly successful iPad Pro and Apple Pencil.
A patent unearthed by Patently Apple reveals that the company has indeed, been toying around with that idea, though it’s not exactly surprising given how many ideas tech companies patent all the time. Admittedly, the patent’s focus is less on the touch screen itself but more on the stand and hinge mechanism that would let you tilt and even pull the whole iMac down to the desk’s surface, making it more comfortable for artists to draw on. It’s an instant display tablet without having to buy an expensive Wacom or switch to a different technology from the one you might already be familiar with.
As weird as that idea might sound, it has actually already been done before and with surprising success. The Microsoft Surface Studio pictured at the top is one of the company’s unexpected hardware champions, quickly endearing itself to content creators. It is almost exactly what Apple’s patent describes, an all-in-one computer with a stand and hinge that lets you tilt and turn it whichever way you need to, and it comes with a touch screen, too!
Microsoft Surface Studio
It’s not hard to imagine how such a feature could be a game changer for artists on Macs, making their workflows more seamless. Of course, it’s far too premature to get excited over this patent, because tech companies also have a tendency not to implement even a fraction of the patents they hold. And given Microsoft already has an implementation of this design, it might still come down to a legal battle if Apple does decide to push through with a touchscreen iMac since it filed the patent years before the Surface Studio came out.
Apple is not a big fan of reusing its products for something else, at least something that is still close to the original function of the design. It probably won’t object to completely unrelated applications of those designs, especially when it’s for a creative and artistic purpose. The non-functional parts of an iPhone, for example, could be disassembled and framed to be displayed as a piece of tech history. Or one might simply take the empty shells of old Mac Pro and turn them into a piece of structural art, which is exactly what this rather striking metal bench tries to accomplish in a way that will probably make you wonder how strong those old Apple desktops might have been.
The designs for more recent Mac Pros have been rather controversial, to say the least. The cylindrical 2013 was derided for looking like a trash can, while the boxy 2019 design, though a bit more traditional, is jokingly called a cheese grater. Neither are good foundations for a stable piece of furniture, but the first-ever Mac Pro fortunately fits the bill perfectly. It was a minimalist brushed aluminum box with tapered legs on the front and back to raise it up and equally tapered handles on those same sides for easier lifting.
Made for Manhattan clothing brand Hidden as part of store display, the Mac Pro Bench is exactly what it sounds like. It takes two first-gen Mac Pros, totally gutted of any and all electronic components, and has a folded aluminum plank attached on top. The plan has a tapered shape that fits perfectly between the front and back handles, making it feel as if the desktops were made for this very purpose. Two versions of the bench exist, one preserving the brushed aluminum aesthetic of the Mac Pro, and another thoroughly coated in Hidden’s green motif.
It’s not being sold en masse, which will probably keep Apple’s lawyers happy, though there are also ways to make your own. That said, it’s probably not a good idea outside of making it a decorative piece. It’s actually not tested how much weight the Mac Pros will be able to handle, especially with a bench meant to sit more than one person. The hollow legs of the desktop don’t look reassuring either, and it might have been more practical to have sawed those off, even if it meant ruining the original Mac Pro shape.
That said, it’s possible to reinforce the foundations of the Mac Pro Bench to make it a more usable piece of furniture. More importantly, however, the piece of art could also spark the imagination and creativity of others to make similar designs that reuse discarded desktop PCs in a less conventional and more interesting manner.
Celebrating the Chinese New Year in fitting spirit, this limited-edition mechanical keyboard comes with both QWERTY and the Standard Chinese Script… but what we love more is the fitting red and gold color scheme, and those beautiful majestic fire-breathing beasts found on the special keys! The special keycaps sit on Drop’s CSTM80 keyboard, and are designed as a collaboration between Drop and designer Boba.Types. “Adorned with fiery reds and rich golds (a dragon’s favorite colors, we’d hazard a guess), this set is nothing if not ornate,” mention the folks at Drop.
While most keyboards are designed to be comfortable enough to use without looking at, this one makes it hard to look away. The keycaps are just gorgeous, and make for a great collector’s edition for people celebrating the Lunar New Year… or anyone with a fascination for the great “lóng” (dragon) of Chinese mythology.
The keycaps come as a base set, but also feature novelty and accent caps for adding a little more flavor to your already Sichuan-spicy keyboard. The accents come in the form of golden keys that stand out against the otherwise red keyboard, allowing you to easily spot keys you’re more likely to use frequently. The novelty keys add gorgeous mythological imagery to your keyboard, including a special numeric row that’s adorned with the 12 Chinese zodiac signs. Even special keys like the escape, shift, control, alt, etc. are jazzed up with symbolism… and while memorizing all the key types will probably be a bit of a headache, it’s absolutely worth it in the long run. Also, your friends will have a tough time figuring out how to snoop around on your computer!
The keycaps come in a special DCD profile (Drop Cylindrical Dye-Sub) developed by Drop. It’s designed to deliver a “classic feel with a unique, grit-free PBT texture for a finish as smooth—and strong—as dragons’ scales,” say the folks at Drop. The keycaps are compatible with Cherry MX switches and similar clones, and the base kit sets you back $49, while an additional $35 gets you the novelty keycap set.
