These past few days have been madness over here at NAG. Not only have we been called back to work after burrowing ourselves in enough games to drown a small country, but we also come back during CES 2023. For those who don’t know, CES is the world’s largest technology show and this year was its first in-person event since the pandemic.
Over the years, CES has cemented itself as the birthplace of breakthrough technologies. Between all the new cutting-edge technology and prototypes, there is hardly a moment to come up for air.
We at NAG know that we are just some of the ones struggling to get back into the swing of things. If you’ve got an interest in technology, notably PCs and gaming, this is the article for you.
We’ve got two of our sexiest and best writers, Arielle and Trent, to team up and put together a kickass list of their favourite announcements from CES that they think you should have on your radar.
So without further ado, here is a pocket-sized version of CES 2023 for you to enjoy while you settle into 2023:
Vive XR Elite – Trent’s Pick
Taiwan-based tech company HTC has unveiled its latest virtual reality headset, the Vive XR Elite. Positioned as a direct competitor to the Quest Pro, the new headset boasts a refined form factor, compact design, and lightweight build.
In terms of hardware and features, the Vive XR Elite offers an upgraded display resolution and improved sound quality over its predecessor. It also boasts a wider field of view and six degrees of freedom, allowing for a more immersive virtual experience. HTC has not yet announced a release date or pricing for the Vive XR Elite, but it is expected to be available in the coming months.
Intel’s Core i9-13980HX – Arielle’s Pick
Raptor Lake. That is the code name for Intel’s new 13th-gen Core chips, and I’m sorry, that alone should be enough. If not, Intel’s new chips are designed for laptops and pretty damn impressive, allowing for a 12 per cent improvement when gaming.
This chip is included in the new MSI monster, the Titan GT77 HX 13V – MSI’s desktop replacement notebook. And according to MSI, its OverBoost Ultra Technology allows all 8 P-cores on the Core i9-13980HX to reach a max boost clock of 5.2 GHz with a total CPU + GPU power of 250 W.
Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 – Trent’s Pick
The Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 Gaming Monitor is a large 57-inch screen that features a 7,680×2,160 resolution and 32:9 aspect ratio. With VESA Display HDR 1000 standard, the G9’s screen combines quantum micro-LED technology to produce an outstanding image in all gaming environments, from the darkest shadows to the brightest scenes. With this technology, the monitor can display the most accurate and vivid colours, giving every game a more realistic and immersive appearance.
Additionally, the Matte Display feature minimizes distractions during the longest game sessions by reducing light reflection on the screen. The G9 is also the first gaming monitor in the world to offer DisplayPort 2.1, a major improvement over DisplayPort 1.4.
Acer’s Desk Bike – Arielle’s Pick
Okay, so there is absolutely no chance that I would ever use this, but that doesn’t mean I don’t think it’s cool. While the whole standing desk, walking desk and exercise ball as a chair fad is just not for me – I’m more of a gaming chair and doughnuts kind of worker, Acer’s new contribution to the workspace is pretty damn ingenious.
During CES, Acer debuted its new eKinekt BD 3 bike desk. Essentially it’s an exercise bike that uses the kinetic energy generated from pedalling to charge your laptop, phone or whatever other devices would please you, with the idea being that your work effort and your exercise effort would have to be kept the same during the day to function at peak productivity.
The eKinekt BD 3 bike desk comes with adjustable seat and desk height and resistance. There is also a bag hook, USB ports and a drinks holder.
AMD Ryzen 7000 CPUs – Trent’s Pick
AMD revealed its Ryzen 7000 series laptop CPUs, providing a variety of alternatives for the upcoming generation of PCs. The Ryzen 7000X3D processors are based on the Zen 4 architecture, which is an improvement over the Zen 3-based Ryzen 5000 series and will provide greater performance and efficiency.AMD has confirmed that it will launch its Ryzen 7000X3D desktop processors on February 14th,2023.
AMD also unveiled Ryzen AI, an XDNA Adaptive AI architecture that will be incorporated into the Ryzen 7040 series of CPUs. The integration of an AI engine inside an x86 CPU for the first time promises increased efficiency in this field. Overall, buyers searching for strong and effective CPUs for their laptops have a variety of alternatives thanks to the Ryzen 7000 series and Ryzen AI.
Lenovo’s New Dual-Screen Yoga Book 9i – Arielle’s Pick
If there is one thing I’ve started to look for in my life and my tech, it’s convenience. If something can help me do something else faster, more effectively, and hassle-free, sign me up. Lenovo’s New Dual-Screen Yoga Book 9i promises to be all that and more.
The Yoga Book 9i is a full-sized touch-sensitive OLED dual-screen laptop that lets users take advantage of a fully portable laptop experience while not having to sacrifice the convenience and multi-tasking potential of dual screens. Users can either use both screens as one full screen or use each screen independently.
Lenovo’s New Dual-Screen Yoga Book 9i can also be used either in laptop mode, as a tablet or in tent mode, depending on your need.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti – Trent’s Pick
The 12GB card was first described by Nvidia as a low-end RTX 4080, but as soon as the details were disclosed, many pointed out that it did not meet the expected specifications of a xx80-class GPU. As a result, Nvidia “unlaunched” the card and renamed it the RTX 4070 Ti. The new card was made available for purchase on January 5, the GPU is priced at $800, however, some local retailers have them priced over R22,000.
Nvidia did not announce a Founders Edition for the GPU, which is typically an edition that adheres to the marketed price. The lack of the Founders Edition has left some to speculate that there will be no guarantee on the pricing of the card and that they could be in short supply, much like other GPUs released in the past few years.
Razer Edge Game Handheld – Arielle’s Pick
Finally, after almost a decade of eager anticipation, the Razer Edge Game Handheld is here… almost. First announced at CES many, many years ago, the Razer Edge Game Handheld is a 6.8-inch handheld console much like the beloved Nintendo Switch and the illusive Steam Deck that will arrive on the 26th of this month for $400 or roughly R7000.
If you’ve seen Razer’s Kishi snap-on game controllers for phones, you have a good idea of what the Razer Edge Game Handheld will be like. Essentially it’s an Android tablet with snap-on controllers that have haptic and vibration support.
The on-paper specs are pretty good, with a 2,400×1,080-pixel resolution AMOLED display that runs up to 144Hz with a G3X chipset. The standard 128GB storage can also be extended up to 2TB with a microSD card slot.
Alienware X14- Trent’s Pick
Gaming PC maker, Alienware, has introduced its most powerful gaming laptop ever, as well as the world’s thinnest 14-inch gaming laptop. The latest laptops have a flatter back that makes them more pleasant to handle. Furthermore, the laptops feature a new nose that makes them easier to open. They also have a redesigned foot shape that improves cooling and comfort when worn on your lap.
The second-generation Alienware x14 is the smallest of the lot and is billed as the world’s thinnest 14-inch gaming laptop. It has a 2,560×1,600-pixel resolution display with a refresh rate of 165Hz and a 100% P3 colour spectrum. The laptop also boasts a bigger 16:10 screen, support for Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision, full-HD cameras, and thermal material on the CPU and GPU for improved heat dissipation. These new laptops are sure to be a hit with gamers looking for powerful and portable devices.
Samsung Flex Hybrid OLED – Arielle’s Pick
Samsung Flex Hybrid OLED is sure to excite fans of folding phones everywhere. During CES, Samsung unveiled its latest product called Flex Hybrid OLED. It’s a panel that can fold and slide, and Samsung plans to implement it in future smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
The one model at CES unfolded from one side and then slid to unveil a 10.5-inch display with a 4:3 ratio and a 12.4-inch panel with a 16:10 ratio. According to Samsung, there are two Flex Hybrid OLED projects, The Flex Slidable Solo and Flex Slidable Duet. Both panels are fully touch-sensitive.
Dell Concept Nyx Controller – Trent’s Pick
Dell has once again impressed the crowds at CES with its latest prototypes and concept pieces. While none of Dell’s prior CES prototypes was commercialized, this year’s offerings demonstrate a renewed commitment to making these concepts a reality.
This year, Dell has taken the Concept Nyx concept to the next level by introducing a new controller that takes the standard gamepad design and adds a host of new features. A fingerprint reader is located beneath the central button, touch sensors are located beneath the shoulder buttons, and two scroll wheels are located beneath the centre region. Shift buttons on the rear of the controller, similar to those seen on certain high-end controllers, may be used to switch between sets of commands.
The conventional Xbox-style controller, which has become the norm for PC gaming, maybe restricting, but Dell’s new controller prototype provides players with a plethora of additional options and possibilities. It remains to be seen whether Dell will bring these innovations to market, but they are certainly worth following.
Asus Spatial Vision 3D – Arielle’s Pick
Okay, so this news seemed both cool and old at the same time. During CES, Asus announced that its bringing glasses-free 3D to its laptops, much like Acer did over a year ago. However, unlike Acer, which used LCD displays, Asus is bringing its new Spatial Vision 3D tech to OLED.
This glasses-free 3D will come to two of the brands’ creator laptops, the ProArt Studiobook 16 3D OLED and the Vivobook Pro 16X 3D OLED.
NVIDIA GeForce NOW coming to vehicles – Trent’s Pick
NVIDIA has also announced that the NVIDIA GeForce NOW cloud gaming service will be coming to cars, with no special equipment needed. This new function will allow drivers and passengers to listen to music, watch movies, and play video games while driving or parked. Hyundai Motor Group, BYD, and Polestar are among the automakers who have already joined the NVIDIA DRIVE ecosystem and will be the first to provide GeForce NOW in their vehicles.
Cloud technologies and mobile internet have enabled this new growth. The next generation of automobiles is shifting from fixed function to software-defined, and cars are becoming more networked, allowing for previously unimaginable services. GeForce Soon brings PC gaming to practically any platform, including laptops, mobile devices, smart TVs, and now personal automobiles.
There was too much unveiled at CES 2023 to mention everything, so if you missed something that you think deserves to be on this list, then let us know about it in the comments below and let’s get excited together.