Peripherals - Page 14

At Computex 2023, ASUS lifted the lid on its latest wireless gaming keyboard to drool over (or try not to) with the ROG Strix Scope II 96. After a brief hands-on with the keyboard at ASUS's HQ in Taipei, this is on track to be just as impressive as the ASUS ROG Azoth Mechanical Keyboard we recently reviewed.

The 96 in the naming refers to its compact 96% form factor, meaning it retains all function keys and the numerical keypad without taking up too much desk space.

Under the hood sits ASUS's new pre-lubed hot-swappable ROG NX Snow switches with fast actuation and a linear keystroke feel. The top housings are polycarbonate (PC), with the bottom housings made of polyoxymethylene (POM) composite and POM. Interestingly ASUS will offer two styles of keycaps, the always impressive PBT double shot or new UV-coated ABS keycaps.

HDMI 2.1 is well and truly here in the gaming space, with PC graphics cards supporting the latest spec since the arrival of the GeForce RTX 30 Series alongside the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles. HDMI 2.1 is about increased bandwidth to support a smooth 8K60 and 4K120 signal with HDR for consoles and up to 4K 144Hz with HDR and VRR on PC.

And with that, it makes sense that AVerMedia's new HDMI 2.1 Game Capture Card range at Computex 2023 turned a few heads because they are the first of their kind - and on track for launch around August of 2023.

The new Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 (GC553G2) and the Live Gamer 4K 2.1 (GC575) both support 4K 144Hz HDR and VRR passthrough, with capture of up to 1080p at 240fps and 4K at 60fps. We might have to wait a little longer before seeing a 4K 144Hz HDR capture card.

G.Skill has decided it wants to compete with Elgato's immensely popular Stream Deck with its own version called the WigiDash PC Command Panel.

G.Skill had the WigiDash on display at Computex 2023, and officials from the company ran me through all of its specifications, use cases, and what the company plans on achieving with its release. The WigiDash is a simple, yet diverse product as it sports a customizable 7-inch touch-display at a resolution of 1024 x 500 pixels, and with G.Skill's software, which is still in development, users will be able to change the size of each of its on-screen widgets.

Essentially, the WigiDash is meant to act as a gamer assistant, displaying all of the necessary system specifications, such as component clock speeds, temperatures, etc. G.Skill explained to me that buyers will be able to add a multitude of widgets to the WigiDash, depending on the widget support. Notably, the WigiDash comes with a USB 2.0 connection and requires at least Windows 10, preferably Windows 11 (64-bit).

SteelSeries has partnered with Blizzard to release a new collection of limited-edition gaming gear inspired by the Diablo universe to celebrate the release of Diablo IV. The gear sees award-winning SteelSeries products given the Diablo treatment, from the Arctis Nova 7 Wireless Headset to an Aerox gaming mouse, mousepad, and even a very cool Artisan Keycap.

With only 2,160 of the Diablo-inspired keycaps being produced, those will likely be snapped up quickly.

And those that purchase the Diablo IV-themed Arctis Nova 7 Wireless, Aerox 5 Wireless, or Thumbsticks Collector's Edition will get access to an exclusive in-game item - a Mount Trophy - explicitly created for this Blizzard and SteelSeries collaboration.

Gaming chairs can be an expression of style in addition to offering the sort of ergonomic support required for those long sessions, and it's that idea that sits at the heart of Vertagear's new PL1000 gaming chair - which arrives in a stylish pink and white finish.

It's a striking look, and right off the bat, you'll know if it's something for you by simply taking a quick look at the images provided by Vertagear. The form factor follows the standard gaming chair ergonomics across the industry but is backed up by an impressive build with a high backrest and industrial-grade metal base.

The Vertagear PL1000 pink and white gaming chair also has an adjustable memory foam neck pillow for added comfort and support. It features a wide-seat design with ultra-premium Dual Layer Hybrid Foam that will contour and shape according to how you sit.

A 3D printer that outputs chocolate creations? Sounds decadent and delicious. And the complete opposite of using plastics and resin to create 3D prints. The Cocoa Press 3D chocolate printer has been in the works for quite some time, with creator Ellie Rose Weinstein working on iterations, improvements, and refinements since 2014.

And the Cocoa Press 3D is available for pre-order now with a deposit of USD 100 - with DIY kit shipments shipping in Fall 2023. The complete chocolate 3D printer costs USD 1,499 and, as per above, will arrive in a DIY kit for assembly. There are also "Professional Packages" starting from USD 3,995, shipping in early 2024.

The official site notes that the Cocoa Press DIY kit is "intended for users with prior 3D printing experience" and features an assembly time of around 10 hours.

There's a certain level of nostalgia when it comes to classic tech, especially gaming hardware, from before the era of digital downloads. Xreart presents classic and discarded tech as hangable wall art, with examples including the classic Nintendo Game Boy from 1989 and the 1st generation Apple iPhone from 2007.

It's an excellent idea, and the results are pretty impressive, with the classic hardware disassembled and arranged with annotations to let you know what a bit of silicon is.

I got my hands-on the Game Boy from Xreart recently, and although I'm no connoisseur of the finer things in life, like fancy artwork, there's no doubt this is the coolest thing I've had the chance to hang on a wall since that time I got a degree for learning the ins and outs of computing. So I thought I'd share it.

Looking for a dock for your Steam Deck that does it all and then some? Well, the new 6-in-1 USB-C Docking Station for Steam Deck from Syntech might be the answer, as it's packed with features and is currently available with a nice 10% discount over at Amazon, which goes up to 50% with a coupon (link at the end of the article).

Syntech's Docking Station for the Steam Deck offers 4K@60Hz output over HDMI 2.0, a Gigabit Ethernet input for fast transfer, three USB-A 3.0 outputs, and USB-C 3.0 for full-speed charging. So yeah, it's stacked.

The dock also sports a minimal curved look that looks stylish and sleek in the product shots provided by Syntech, making it one of the best-looking Steam Deck docks currently available. The USB-C charging also means that it can double as a nice little charging stand for the Nintendo Switch or a smartphone.

The KEBOHUB EE01 is born from a collaboration between Whatgeek and affordable Apple peripheral specialists 3inus. The goal is to combine a mechanical keyboard's precision and tactile feel with the versatility of a device hub. Designed primarily for MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and iMacs from 2021 onward, the KEBOHUB is also compatible with Windows devices.

For that, 3inus packs in replaceable Windows-specific keycaps to integrate correctly. Sporting a funky two-tone look with full support for dynamic RGB lighting, I had the chance to test the KEBOHUB EE01 before its Kickstarter crowdfunding debut this week. And even though my platform of choice has always been PC, it was fun to dip into the world of Apple with the KEBOHUB.

Of course, the main draw here is the hub, powered by the KEBOHUB EE01's dual USB-C cable, which connects to your Apple device. The hub features multiple USB 3 ports and USB-C for charging and connecting things like storage devices directly to the keyboard and an HDMI port capable of outputting a 4K 60 Hz signal for a secondary display.

The new Xbox Wireless Controller - Remix Special Edition is being released just in time for Earth Day, with recovered plastics from reclaimed materials making up a third of its physical design.

It also sports a stylish look with earth-tone colors and different texturing, with the reclaimed materials featuring subtle variations and markings to give each Remix Special Edition controller its unique look and feel.

In addition to reclaimed materials that include CDs, plastic water jugs, and even automotive headlight covers, it also uses "regrind." The team at Xbox describes "regrind" as the process of recycling leftover Xbox One controller parts into raw materials that can be used to create new controllers like the Remix Special Edition.

The Flux Keyboard is a fascinating new peripheral that has blasted through its Kickstarter goal of AUD 200,000, where it was funded in eight minutes and hit AUD 1 million in four hours. And it's not hard to see why, as this modular keyboard integrates a fully dynamic display with the feel of a mechanical keyboard.

The display allows any icon to be placed on any key, paving the way for multi-language support and application-specific layouts and styles. Created by the Australian-based Flux Group, the high-definition IPS display sits below a modular, transparent layer that can display any image or video and can even showcase reactive animations as part of a singular background.

How does this translate to the precision and tactile feel you get from a mechanical keyboard? On that front, the Flux Keyboard uses custom Maglev switches that rely on magnets to deliver a tactile or linear feel similar to what you get from the spring in a traditional mechanical key switch.

Razer's Focus Pro 30K Optical Sensor, created in collaboration with PixArt, is one of the most impressive currently out there - which we covered in our full review of the ultralight Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro.

One of the sensor's features that Razer clearly pointed out was that surface compatibility extended to glass. A surface we don't normally associate with a high-performance gaming mouse, but hey.

This brings us to the launch of the new Razer Atlas gaming mouse mat (which retails for USD 99.99), the company's first glass gaming pad optimized for optical sensors like the one found in the DeathAdder V3 Pro. A built-to-last gaming pad made up of "premium tempered glass" that delivers an ultra-smooth surface with little to no resistance - according to Razer.

If you're serious about sim racing, mainly F1 and games like F1 22, you'll no doubt have looked into racing wheels, pedals, racing chairs, and even multi-screen setups powered by a high-end PC gaming rig. The new custom 2022 Oracle Red Bull Racing RB18 Show Car Simulator rigs are built on this idea, and they're also built using the "same processes as the real race cars." With realistic carbon molds that make them eye-wateringly expensive.

And with that, the Race Edition starts at a whopping USD 92,325, with a more high-end Champions Edition available for USD 123,100 - with shipments expected to commence in April 2023. So then, what does $92,000 get you in terms of an F1 racing simulation rig?

These rigs are essentially realistic shells of the Championship Winning RB18 created from "official Oracle Red Bull Racing CAD data," with Oracle Red Bull Racing involved in the development alongside Memento Exclusives (F1 Authentics). These simulators are similar to the ones used by the drivers themselves, and in terms of customization, both Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez driver liveries are available.

Regarding keyboard and mouse combos with funky designs, we often think of RGB-lit tanks with neon lights aimed at the gaming market. Of course, there are exceptions, like Logitech's stylish and retro typewriter-inspired Pop Keys range.

The new Samsung Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Mint Choco combo take a different route - a road leading to sweet dessert delights.

You don't often want to bite into a PC mouse to see if it's full of ice cream, but that's precisely what happened when I first saw this new mint chocolate ice cream design. Chocolate chips sprinkled on top of a mint-colored keyboard and mouse combo, a new design currently listed on Samsung's Korean site. Here's hoping the design makes its way to the rest of the world because there's nothing quite as universal as chocolate and ice cream.

The new Alienware Tri-Mode Wireless Gaming Keyboard (AW920K) is the first wireless gaming keyboard from the hardware maker, with availability starting today in the US. It's a premium kit with mechanical CHERRY MX Red switches and programmable dials - called the Programmable Rocker Switch and Dial - to control media.

The Tri-Mode in the naming refers to the connectivity options: high-speed 2.4 GHz wireless via a USB-C dongle, Bluetooth 5.1 that can store and switch between three separate devices, and good old-fashioned wired via USB.

The new keyboard from Alienware is joined by a suite of other products announced by the company, including two new headsets - the Alienware Dual Mode Wireless Gaming Headset (AW720H), available now in the US, and the Alienware Wired Gaming Headset (AW520H) arriving in Q2 2023.

The Sabrent USB Type-C to Dual HDMI and DisplayPort Adapter is designed for USB-C ports that support video via DP Alternate Mode. Based on its features, it sounds like the perfect accessory for laptops with USB-C video ports. With two HDMI 2.0b ports and a DisplayPort 1.4 port, it's versatile enough to support basically any display released in the last decade and opens the door to multi-screen support.

As per the release notes, the Sabrent USB Type-C to Dual HDMI and DisplayPort Adapter supports the DP 1.4 spec of 8K at 30Hz, with the two HDMI ports supporting up to 4K at 60Hz. Naturally, when connecting multiple devices, bandwidth over full Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C 10 Gbps ports limits what you can put out display-wise - but even so, it's still impressive when you can get 4K over DisplayPort and 2K over two HDMI displays simultaneously - or, 4K 60Hz using DisplayPort and a single HDMI port.

There's even a panoramic mode via AMD Eyefinity, NVIDIA Surround, or Intel Collage. For those that use a single high-end laptop for work and play, it's something to consider.

The new EK-Loot Mousepad - Quantum is not the usual release from EK, a company known for creating custom water block solutions for various builds and setups. As a large 900 x 400 mm mousepad and desk mat, it's still related to custom water cooling as it features numerous visual touches to make the loop-building process easier.

There are guides for tube bending and an explanation of the EK-Matrix7 system, which is behind what makes EK's CPU and GPU water blocks look as sleek and stylish as they do. There are even little diagrams and imagery for all the fittings, extenders, and screw types used in DIY water block construction.

The exact pressure amounts needed for loop testing are also readily available. If you're planning on putting together some custom water cooling or are already well-versed in the world of tubes, pipes, and liquid cooling, this is the mousepad for you.

We reviewed the Logitech G A30 Wireless Gaming Headset late last year (as the Astro A30 Wireless Gaming Headset). We were supremely impressed by its stylish design and great sound - though at the time of the review, the spotty Logitech G app held it back. With the highly anticipated third season of the Star Wars TV series The Mandalorian set to debut in March, Logitech is launching a unique custom A30 Wireless Gaming Headset, The Mandalorian Edition.

Logitech is positioning this as a collector's item instead of a straight-up headset, and it's not hard to see why. The special edition headset uses the A30's stylish speaker tags, featuring the profile of Din Djarin (aka The Mandalorian) and a Clan Mudhorn signet. The headset is also packed with easter eggs and visual flourishes inspired by the show, not to mention Beskar steel-inspired colors.

"With the new A30 Mandalorian edition, we are proud to have designed a headset that pays homage to the legacy of The Mandalorian and the Star Wars galaxy. We hope that fans love it as much as we do," said Peter Kingsley, chief marketing officer at Logitech G.

If you're serious about your racing games, that is, your Gran Turismo titles and entries in the Forza Horizon or Forza Motorsport series' then the new Playseat Trophy-Logitech G Edition might be for you. And we use the word 'serious' because you're looking at USD 599 or AUD 999 for a high-end racing cockpit without a racing wheel or pedals, and Logitech G's impressive wheels and pedals are sold separately.

That isn't a knock against the Playseat Trophy-Logitech G Edition but said to highlight that this is one premium bit of kit for racing fans designed for professionals and enthusiasts alike. With an open cockpit design, high-quality lightweight ActiFit materials, comfortable ergonomics, and a carbon steel frame that can be stored easily when not in use.

Playseat's ActiFit materials are impressive as it not only conforms to different body types but provides full support while dissipating heat for those long sessions in F1 22 and racing lap after lap. Everything is adjustable here, too, from the seat to the wheel placement to the pedal plate - with the option to "bolt down" adjustments, so they stay in place. And with an overall weight of 17kg, it's one of the lightest racing game chairs on the market.

We recently reviewed the Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro, where we wrote, "as the lightest wireless gaming mouse, the Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro is incredible when you factor in the underlying hardware. It may be no-frills in terms of lighting, luxury inbuild grips, and a multitude of buttons and profile options, but it certainly makes up for it in pure performance."

Today comes word of two new additions to the DeathAdder line-up, one being the funky DeathAdder V3 Pro Faker Edition created in collaboration with esports champion Lee "Faker" Sang-Hyeok. It features an impressive red 'Unkillable Demon King' aesthetic that looks very cool while sporting all the hardware features we praised in our review.

Faker has used and won world championships using a DeathAdder, so this collaboration is awesome to see. "This is a special moment for me," said Lee "Faker" Sang-Hyeok. "I've always dreamed of having my own mouse, and now I can share it with my family, friends, and fans. I love the design, and the performance is unparalleled. Huge thanks to Razer for all their efforts and for working with me on this amazing project."