Peripherals News - Page 1
Sabrent's 7-Port USB C Hub is powered and each port has its own switch
The Sabrent 7-Port Hub with Switches (HB-3A4C) is a straightforward device. It's a USB-C hub with three 5Gbps USB-A ports and four 5Gbps USB-C ports, one of which can deliver an impressive 20W of power. If you're in the market for a hub, then this is definitely one to consider, as each port also comes with its own switch and LED indicator to make managing multiple connected devices a breeze.
With charging and hosting, this powered hub arrives with a dedicated power adapter to ensure reliability when connecting multiple accessories and devices. One of the key features of the hub is the per-port switches that let you enable and disable devices without having to plug or unplug them. This is an excellent feature for external devices like an Xbox controller or headset - allowing you to turn them on and off with a button.
And some good news: there's no need for additional software. Simply plug in the single USB Type-C interface to your PC, laptop, smartphone, or portable gaming handheld like the ROG Ally or Steam Deck, and you're ready.
Continue reading: Sabrent's 7-Port USB C Hub is powered and each port has its own switch (full post)
MSI announces new FORGE series of affordable gear, starting with a keyboard and mouse
MSI has announced a new affordable gear range, the FORGE Series. This range will comprise FORCE G for gamers and FORGE (non-G), which is "ideal for office use and professional environments." The first products to carry the new FORGE branding are the FORGE GK100 keyboard and FORGE GM100 mouse, available as part of the FORGE GK100 COMBO.
The first thing that stands out here is the FORGE GK100 keyboard's physical design and look. It looks like a PC gaming peripheral from the early 2000s-the complete opposite of the more minimal keyboard designs of recent years. MSI made a bold choice, and it will be interesting to see if it catches on. If you're a fan of angles and sci-fi flourishes with plenty of RGB, you're sorted.
Based on the specs, at least with this first offering, the FORGE series should be affordable for budget-conscious gamers. MSI describes the switches as "durable" but provides no other information, so they're likely not mechanical. The FORGE GM100 mouse also sports a modest 6,400 DPI optical sensor.
Cooler Master launches the 'Ultimate Mechanical Gaming Keyboard' with its new MK770
The Cooler Master MK770 Hybrid Wireless Keyboard is described as a 'state-of-the-art mechanical gaming keyboard' with 'unparalleled customization' and 'outstanding gaming performance.'
And sure, companies love to talk up new releases. Still, with Cooler Master's mechanical keyboard track record and the fact that the new Cooler Master MK770 also comes in a stylish (and not for everyone) pastel color option, like me, you probably want to know more.
This is a premium feature-packed mechanical keyboard with a reasonable price point of $129 USD. With this, you get hot-swappable switches for that extra layer of customization, a gasket structure, pre-installed KailhBox V2 switches, silicon dampers to keep noise levels down, per-key customizable RGB lighting, double-shot PBT keycaps, stabilizers, and more.
DROP CSTM65 mechanical keyboard features a magnetic decorative top case you can swap out
The new CSTM65 Keyboard from Drop is a compact 65% mechanical keyboard that aims to take customization to new heights thanks to its interchangeable magnetic case (available in polycarbonate or aluminum) that can easily slip on or off the keyboard while covering the entirety of the board.
It's an excellent addition to a customization-focused keyboard, with various keycap options, switches (Gateron Brown Pro 3.0 Switches or Gateron Yellow KS3 Switches), weights, and even cables. This mix-and-match design lets users personalize theDrop CSTM65 Keyboard to suit their style. Polycarbonate cases are sold separately, in a range of colors, for $25 each, with aluminum cases available in silver or black for $59 each.
The specs here are impressive, with a gasket-mounted design, ABS keycaps, PCBA-mounted stabilizers, and 5-pin switch support. The Drop CSTM65 Keyboard is available in a barebone (MSRP $79) and fully assembled (MSRP $129). Fully assembled includes the keyboard, keycaps, switches, stabilizers, and black polycarbonate case.
Corsair's new K65 PLUS WIRELESS 75% keyboard is compact and feature-packed
Corsair has launched a brand-new wireless keyboard for enthusiasts and gamers with the new K65 PLUS WIRELESS, and it looks beautiful thanks to the 75%-layout and stylish two-tone keycaps. Compact, powerful, and wireless, it ticks and checks many of the most sought-after boxes and features for a high-end keyboard.
With two layers of sound-dampening foam and silicon, screw-in stabilizers, and PBT dye-sublimated keycaps (in midnight gray and silver), the K65 PLUS WIRELESS comes pre-installed (and pre-lubed) with Corsair's impressive MLX Red switches that we recently saw in the award-winning Corsair K70 CORE SE - which are hot-swappable so you can swap them out for full customization.
On that front, to coincide with the launch of the K65 PLUS WIRELESS, DROP Holy Panda X tactile switches are currently 50% off (via DROP.com). The K65 PLUS is a wireless keyboard with low-latency 2.4GHz for gamers, Bluetooth for mobile devices and tablets, and the ability to connect and switch between multiple devices. It's also compatible with PC and Mac.
The stylish and sleek ROG Falchion RX Low Profile keyboard from ASUS is now available
ASUS announced the ROG Falchion RX Low Profile 65% compact (and wireless) gaming keyboard at CES 2024, and it immediately grabbed our attention based on its sleek and stylish design. Also, it's not every day that you see a low-profile keyboard designed for gaming - with the ROG Falchion RX Low Profile using ASUS's new pre-lubed RX Low-Profile switches.
The Red Linear version features a 1.0 mm actuation point for fast input, with a feel and rebound designed to provide the feedback you're after in a keystroke and paired with two layers of dampening foam, a touch panel, and tri-mode connectivity (wired, Bluetooth, and ROG SpeedNova wireless), the hardware here sounds impressive. Of course, a big part of the appeal here is the look.
With a white, grey, and reflective surface appearance, the ROG Falchion RX Low Profile looks futuristic, sleek, and stunning. Somehow, ASUS managed to fit the 65% form factor and key layout in a 60% frame, so there's not a millimeter of wasted space.
BOOG75 is a new gaming keyboard with adjustable magnetic switches and premium features
The new BOOG75 from BOOM+GAME is a new enthusiast gaming keyboard for those looking to bring cutting-edge design and tech to their PC gaming. It certainly ticks many of the right boxes with fully adjustable magnetic switches with rapid trigger functionality, gasket mounting, sound-dampening foam, and low-power LED lighting.
The BOOG75, per the name, is a 75% keyboard, one of the most popular form factors for gaming keyboards. Although compact compared to a full-sized board, the 323.6 x 145.78 x 34.73 mm dimensions, 5-degree typing angle, and around 3kg weight make it a robust and solid unit.
The design here is premium through and through, with an aluminum case with an anodized finish (that extends to the backplate) and Gateron KS37B switches with a magnetic hall sensor. Magnetic switches work because actuation points are determined by distance that you can adjust - and here, you can do so on a per-key basis ranging from 0.1mm to 4.0mm.
Can a mouse become a webcam? This clever mod shows what can be done with an optical sensor
Ever wondered if you could use your mouse as a webcam? Of course you haven't - probably not, anyway - but someone did, and went ahead to complete a project that made this a reality (to an extent, we should add as a caveat).
As depicted on YouTube, Doctor Volt took an optical mouse and turned its sensor into a camera with a bit of high-tech tinkering (as flagged up by Hackaday, via Tom's Hardware).
The sensor was augmented with a wide-angle lens (made for a Raspberry Pi camera), and Doctor Volt used a third-party microcontroller (ESP32-S3 chip) in conjunction with the mouse sensor. Some 3D printing was required to make parts to hold the lens in place, too.
AVerMedia launches Live Gamer 4K 2.1 and Live Streamer ULTRA HD capture cards
AVerMedia has launched two new capture cards aimed at PC games, streamers, and content creators with the arrival of the Live Gamer 4K 2.1 and Live Streamer ULTRA HD. The Live Game 4K 2.1 is the PCIe version of the excellent Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2) capture card we reviewed late last year.
The Live Gamer 4K 2.1 (GC575) is a premium HDMI 2.1 PCIe capture card created to take full advantage of HDMI 2.1 - including 4K144 passthrough with HDR and VRR support. This allows for high-quality 4K 60fps capture while enjoying the full benefits of HDMI 2.1 on a modern display. And it looks slick with added RGB lighting that can sync with your setup. For those with PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X consoles of a new GeForce RTX or Radeon RX GPU - HDMI 2.1 on a capture card like this is a game changer for not compromising visuals while streaming or capturing footage.
The Live Gamer 4K 2.1 is joined by the new Live Streamer ULTRA HD (GC571), it is aimed at those looking for high-quality streaming and capture with entry-level pricing. It offers 4K60 passthrough with VRR support and can capture 1080p120 or up to 4K30.
Drop has another cool looking The Lord of the Rings keyboard coming in 2024
Last year, I reviewed the 'Elvish' version of the DROP + The Lord of the Rings mechanical keyboard collaboration. As far as keyboards go, they were a little limited without software support or much customization, but that's not what I wanted to check it out for - the attention to detail and little touches make it an awesome piece to put on display. As a Lord of the Rings fan who adores the books and films, I'll cherish it for years.
This is a roundabout way of saying that I'm now keen to pick up the latest DROP + The Lord of the Rings Rohan keyboard - which is inspired by the Rohirrim, the 'kingdom of horsemasters.' Like previous Lord of the Rings keyboards from DROP, this new collab is chock full of awesome little details from OSHETART, including galloping horses, authentic helms, and beacons of Minas Tirith.
This time, the keycap fonts are in English, too, so it'll be more usable, with a design inspired by Ye Olde English. Performance-wise, you've got Holy Panda X Switches, DCD-profile keycaps, and silent Phantom Stabilizers. Plus, it's available in green or brown.