Tag Archives: Computex 2024

Cooler Master’s new PC Cases look like something out of a Mecha Paradise

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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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MSI Claw 8 AI+ Handheld Gaming PC: Bigger Screen, More Power, and Improved Battery Life

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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.

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ASUS Ceraluminum brings beautiful ceramic and durable aluminum laptops

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Gone are the days when laptops were seen just as technical equipment needed to get work done. Just like with smartphones, they have also become part of our modern lifestyles and a reflection of our own selves. What all these mean is that people are now more conscious of the design of the laptops they purchase, not just the specs or the brand. Yes, there are still many that look like tanks with rainbow lighting accents, but even some more powerful notebooks now have sleeker and more refined aesthetics as well. To keep up with more discerning consumers, ASUS has engineered a new kind of material for the outer lid of their newest and most premium laptop that combines the lightness of ceramic with the durability of aluminum into an elegant surface that just screams “luxury.”

Designer: ASUS

Laptop lids are often made of either plastic or metal because of their resilience and durability. Of the two, metal, which usually means aluminum, is considered more premium but also tends to be heavier and sometimes uncomfortable due to how cold it is to the touch. In contrast, ceramic is equally premium yet almost the opposite of metal: lightweight, warm to the touch, and sadly also fragile.

ASUS has aimed to bring the best of these worlds together and has created the portmanteau “Ceraluminum” to mark the success of their years of research and experimentation. In reality, it is actually aluminum but treated in a special process, which it unsurprisingly calls “ceramization,” which gives it the properties of ceramic. This “hi-tech” new material boasts being lighter than steel yet also more durable than actual ceramic. More importantly, the material focuses as much on the tactile experience as on the aesthetics. Like ceramic, Ceraluminum is not only cool to the touch but also gives the fingers a better grip on the laptop’s lid.

Ceraluminum is still a novel material and it might not be ready for truly mass production just yet. For its maiden voyage, ASUS has chosen its new Zenbook S 16 to be the first to benefit from this amalgamation of two of the most premium materials known in the industry. It’s a perfect match as well, given how incredibly thin and lightweight the laptop is. It looks premium and definitely feels premium, a fitting exhibit for Ceraluminum’s equally premium properties.

In addition to its elegant material, the ASUS Zenbook S 16 also brings nature-inspired colors to match. Zumaia Gray takes inspiration from flysch cliffs in Spain, while Scandinavian White mimics the warm light of the sun on snowy mountains. Even this color is a product of sophisticated materials research, modifying the molecular structure of copper and oxygen atoms to give off a different color while using the same aluminum oxide material as other colors. The ASUS Zenbook S 16 is, in the final analysis, an exhibit of the brand’s innovation in creating new materials meant to delight not just the eyes but also your fingers and elevate your laptop experience.

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ADATA XPG Nia handheld gaming PC brings a bit of ergonomics and sustainability

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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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ASUS Project DALI concept slaps a color E Ink display on the back of laptops

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As much as laptop makers wax philosophical about the power of their hardware and the beauty of their screens, what most people will probably admire the most about their products will be the laptop covers. Like with smartphones, this is the most visible part of a laptop and, therefore, also the most expressive. You can almost tell a lot about the laptop owner from the design and stickers they have on their laptops or, conversely, from the lack of any embellishment. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been any easy way to cater to the varied tastes of laptop owners, at least until now. At Computex 2024, ASUS is showing off one of its latest concept designs that lets owners change the design of their laptop covers with a press of a key, and it won’t cost either power or money to keep changing it on a whim.

Designer: ASUS

You could, in theory, put a second LCD screen on the back of your laptop for a dazzling display of images or even captivating videos, but that would put a drain on your laptop’s battery, especially if you need to keep that cover display visible even when the laptop is closed and shut down. As with any problem involving power-hungry LCDs and OLEDs, the solution is using ePaper Display or EPD, like E Ink’s popular panels for eBook Readers. And wouldn’t you know it, E Ink has the perfect technology for that, and ASUS is slapping it on its Project DALI laptop concept to make laptops more personal without having to stick anything to it.

Although it’s primarily being used for signage installations, the E Ink Spectra 6 brings a touch of color to the eye-friendly and battery-conservative E Ink screen. It’s not going to match the vibrant colors of even the crudest LCD, but it has one very important advantage. Once you change the image displayed on it, it will no longer consume any power and can display that image for a long, long time. In other words, it’s perfect for a semi-permanent display that doesn’t change much, something like what the back of your laptop could have.

Project DALI puts this technology to offer an unprecedented level of personalization to laptop owners, something you can’t even imagine doing with stickers or skins. With ASUS’s special software, you can either select from a few preset designs or make your own, allowing you to express your tastes, interests, and personality the way you want it. Best of all, you can change it any time you want, and it will only cost you a bit of time and effort, not money from buying new stickers or energy from cleaning off those pesky adhesive residues.

ASUS Project DALI is hardly the first to put an E Ink display on the back of a laptop, as Lenovo also demonstrated a similar idea back in January at CES 2024. DALI, however, uses a newer Spectra 6 technology with higher color DPI, though the number of supported hues is, of course, still limited. Unfortunately, there is still no word on whether Project DALI will become an official ASUS product, but it’s bound to win plenty of fans once it does.

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Cooler Master MasterHUB modular control system adjusts to creators’ workflows

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Content creation these days looks so simple the way influencers like to show off in behind-the-scenes videos, but the reality is that they can be overwhelmingly complex as the content they create, especially as they level up their craft. While it’s definitely possible to stick to the tried and true keyboard, mouse, or drawing tablet, the demands of today’s creators and their audiences call for better tools that help make their lives easier. That said, no two artists or designers are alike, and they work in different ways with different techniques, tools, and processes. Most gadgets and devices try to force users to a specific way of working, but this modular stream kit lets you decide not only the specific controls that you need but even the layout that you want.

Designer: Cooler Master

As the name implies, stream kits were originally designed for live streamers as they usually need to access some functions quickly without having to perform finger calisthenics over their keyboard. Over time, however, the flexibility of these programmable buttons with tiny LCD displays has become a favored tool by many content creators, from designers to artists to video editors to general enthusiasts. The MasterHUB comes from this lineage but has one special power that very few have: it can change its shape to adapt to your needs, workflow, or even your whim!

The MasterHUB’s foundation is a base where you can mix and match modules that each deliver a different kind of control. The most common of these is the App Control with 15 programmable keys, each with a customizable display, that can be used to trigger an action or launch an app. Another module is the Encoder which is a large dial with an integrated circular LCD display that can be used for something like scrubbing through audio and video timelines. A Knob Module has three knobs that can be mapped to changing brush sizes, undoing and redoing steps, and similar actions. Completing the set is a Fader Precision module with five sliders and a Roller Scroll Module with two rolling bars.

This modular system allows creators to define the layout out of their control center. They can even set it up vertically instead of the conventional horizontal layout, and you can pretty much change the combination on a whim, presuming you’re prepared to do the work of setting up the configuration again. Such a flexible control hub will also benefit even computer users who don’t create content, like gamers and power users that need more knobs and buttons than their keyboard can provide. Availability details for this powerful creativity tool, unfortunately, are still unavailable at the moment.

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ASUS ProArt PZ13 detachable laptop brings Windows on ARM to creators on the go

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Although Windows on ARM has existed before, the latest iteration of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X processors is coming out in full force to redeem the platform’s previous image. Part of that means having more PC makers on board who are willing to dive head-on into the arena, branding not just more capable silicon but, more importantly, AI-powered features that are all the buzz these days. ASUS, unsurprisingly, isn’t going to be left behind, and it’s bringing all that goodness into the new ProArt PZ13 detachable laptop that offers an ultra-portable form factor aimed to give creators an edge to let their creative juices flow whenever and wherever inspiration strikes them, even if it’s just on their living room couch.

Designer: ASUS

Given the uninspiring legacy of previous Windows on ARM attempts, it’s quite a bold move for ASUS to pitch the platform to one of the most discerning audiences in the market. Artists, designers, and content creators need more than just light, portable devices or long-lasting batteries, they need the performance that will be able to meet the demands of the software they use. At only 9mm thin, weighing only 1.87 lbs, and carrying a large 70Wh battery, the ASUS ProArt PZ13 definitely gets the first two aspects right. The new AI-enabled Qualcomm Snapdragon X processor promises to deliver that last and most critical part.

If it wasn’t painfully obvious yet, this processor harnesses the power of AI to boost its performance, particularly with paired with the Windows 11 operating system. It isn’t just your run-of-the-mill AI voice assistant that answers your search queries but a deeper, more encompassing tool that optimizes the system’s operation to save time, power, effort, and other resources. ASUS is also throwing its own AI-powered creation tools, like a StoryCube media hub for organizing digital assets, and a subscription-based CapCut for dynamic video editing. And, yes, Microsoft’s CoPilot is also onboard to make the other menial tasks more efficient as well.

The ASUS ProArt PZ13 comes in a 2-in-1 detachable design that is reminiscent of the Microsoft Surface, complete with a full-width kickstand and a keyboard cover. The 13.3-inch 3K ASUS Lumina OLED touch screen promises to meet the demanding requirements of creators when it comes to brightness, color accuracy, and precision, supporting an optional ASUS Pen 2.0 stylus for creating digital masterpieces. Unlike the existing line of ASUS ProArt laptops, this tablet and laptop in one is clearly designed for mobility, and the IP52 dust and water resistance rating, along with MIL-STD-810H certification, offer some peace of mind when you need to take the device places.

Of course, the real question will be whether Windows 11 on this new Snapdragon platform will perform just as well as on Intel and AMD processors. Early reviews seem to be promising, but the final judgment will really depend on the compatibility of creators’ tools on this still rare combination. The ASUS ProArt PZ13 AI-powered detachable laptop will go on sale sometime in the third quarter of the year, with pricing details to be released closer to the product’s launch.

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