Peripherals - Page 9

ASUS's Republic of Gamers, or ROG, has a reputation for being one of the most sought-after 'premium' gaming hardware brands. At Gamescom this year, the company unveiled a new range of peripherals coming soon, including a pair of great-looking keyboards, a portable mini gaming mouse, and a new wireless headset with a familiar design.

First up is the ROG Falchion Ace HFX gaming keyboard, which, at a glance, looks like a wired (and black) version of the ROG Falchion RX Low Profile Keyboard we reviewed a few months ago. However, this isn't a low-profile keyboard; the adjustable ROG HFX Magnetic Switches (with an 8000 Hz polling rate) and Rapid Trigger feature make it a similarly compact keyboard - with a 65% layout in a 60% keyboard frame - for PC gaming.

The following keyboard will interest those who might not be fans of the TKL or 'tenkeyless' trend in recent years. The ROG Strix Scope II 96 RX Wireless includes the company's ROG RX optical switches with near-zero debounce delay and a numpad in a slightly more compact 96% layout.

The AVerMedia X'TRA GO is an impressive and potentially game-changing little unit (our full review is coming soon). It is a portable capture device and charging dock for a range of gaming handhelds that presents a simple one-button solution for recording up to 4K30 or 1080p 120FPS high-quality footage.

With support for the ASUS ROG Ally, Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, MSI Claw, Lenovo Legion Go, and iPhones and iPads, it's a dream come true for content creators, streamers, and gamers who are looking for an easy, painless, and tidy capture solution.

With a dedicated USB-C port with Type-C DP Alt mode compatibility and 64W charging, you can connect all these devices and stream direct-feed gameplay to a PC via an additional USB-C Port. The physical design looks excellent, too, but the port setup makes it the perfect-sounding capture device for portable and handheld gaming.

At TweakTown, when we look at keyboard and mouse combos, it's usually the pairing of some high-end gear, a mechanical keyboard with high-quality keycaps, and an enthusiast mouse with the sort of sensor tailor-made for playing Counter-Strike at the professional level. However, for those who are straight-up professionals working in an office, the new Dell Silent Keyboard and Mouse (KM555) could be of interest.

And that comes down to them being silent, creating no or inaudible sound. This is ideal for the modern office or even remote home work environment, as no one in a meeting will be able to hear you clack away on your keyboard or click through a presentation on a Zoom call with your mouse.

The Dell Silent Keyboard and Mouse (KM555) combo is also wireless, supporting Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz. Dual-mode features allow both to run simultaneously and 'Smart Connect' can detect which connection to use. You'll never need to worry about power, as both the keyboard and mouse offer up to 36 months of battery life.

Logitech is known for creating some of the highest-quality peripherals on the market and innovating in ways that have enabled it to capture large segments of consumers.

Its no surprise that Logitech Research and Development laboratories would be constantly producing new and interesting designs of established products, with the goal of inventing a fresh take that attracts more customers. Logitech's CEO Hanneke Faber gave a glimpse behind the curtain at Logitech's "innovation center" in Ireland in a recent interview with The Verge. Faber said they were shown a "forever mouse" that was designed to capture similar longevity as a watch.

Faber was asked what made the "forever mouse" a "forever mouse," to which Faber responded it was heavier, came with great software that users would constantly be updating and was "beautiful." Faber was further pressed about how Logitech would make money from selling a mouse to consumers that they would never have to replace. Faber said that such a product would need to offer value in the form of a service in the form of software updates.

Logitech is no stranger to the peripheral market, making some of the highest-quality peripherals for gamers and creatives alike.

But have you ever considered paying a monthly subscription for one of your peripherals? Logitech has, and the company's CEO Hanneke Faber recently revealed in an interview with The Verge they were shown a "forever mouse" at Logitech's "innovation center" in Ireland. This "forever mouse" was directly compared to the longevity of a watch in the way that people, more often than not, choose not to throw away their old watch. Logitech is aiming to create a product that captures that some longevity.

Faber was asked follow-up questions about this mysterious "forever mouse," such as "What made the mouse a forever mouse?" Faber described it as a "little heavier," having "great software and services you'd constantly update," and "it was beautiful." Faber added, "I don't think we're necessarily super far away from that."

The new ASUS ROG Azoth Extreme premium wireless gaming keyboard is here; however, it's hard not to look past the price - $499 USD. So then, what does a 75% gaming keyboard that costs as much as a GeForce RTX 4070 include? Quite a lot of premium features: a full-color OLED touchscreen, a carbon fiber positioning plate, and an adjustable gasket mount.

The latter allows gamers to toggle between two different type-feels, a first for a gaming keyboard. We first saw the ASUS ROG Azoth Extreme at Computex 2024, where ASUS explained that no expense was spared; every square inch of this thing has been designed to deliver the company's most premium keyboard experience to date. After a brief hands-on, we awarded it a Best of Computex 2024 award.

You'll have to wait a bit for our full review (it's due to arrive any minute), so let's go through what makes this custom 75% gaming keyboard a true enthusiast-level piece of hardware.

Logitech has unveiled its latest lightweight and portable wireless gaming mouse, the Logitech G309 LIGHTSPEED. With dual-wireless connectivity and the company's power-efficient (and powerful) HERO 25K sensor, the Logitech G309 can deliver over 300 hours of low-latency 1ms LIGHTSPEED gameplay on a single AA battery.

Switch to Bluetooth, and the battery life jumps to an even more impressive 600 hours. Weighing in at 86 grams with the battery, the Logitech G309 is compact, versatile, and lightweight enough to double as an on-the-go productivity tool and a weapon of choice for those late-night gaming sessions. It also sports a new form factor and ergonomic shape, designed for comfort and multiple grip styles.

When paired with Logitech's POWERPLAY Wireless Charging System, the Logitech G309 can also be used without a battery, making it even lighter - 68 grams. As a LIGHTSPEED device, all you'll need is a single receiver or dongle to use the Logitech G309 LIGHTSPEED with a compatible keyboard like the recently announced Logitech G515 TKL LIGHTSPEED Gaming Keyboard.

Logitech has announced its latest low-profile keyboard, the Logitech G G515 LIGHTSPEED TKL Wireless Gaming Keyboard. For those familiar with the company's popular and still highly sought-after low-profile G915 gaming keyboard, this TKL entry will undoubtedly reignite those 'I want this now' feels.

The G515 LIGHTSPEED TKL Wireless Gaming Keyboard sports a similar low-profile design with a clean and minimal look that also takes advantage of the company's latest peripheral tech - LIGHTSPEED wireless and LIGHTSYNC RGB lighting. The G515's low-profile switches (available in Tactile and Linear styles) feature an actuation point of only 1.3mm and a total travel distance of 3.2mm.

Despite its low profile, the G515 LIGHTSPEED TKL Wireless Gaming Keyboard is also built to the standard expected from a modern, high-end keyboard. You have a sound-dampening foam layer, pre-lubed switches, stabilizers, and PBT keycaps.

Razer's DeathAdder is one of those iconic mouse shapes that you instantly feel at home with. Over the years, it has evolved into a high-end ultra-lightweight esports gaming mouse with the award-winning Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro. Today, Razer has announced the latest addition to the DeathAdder family, the new DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed, which features a design inspired by the V3 Pro.

Like the V3 Pro, the HyperSpeed is described as an "ergonomic wireless esports mouse," which is backed up by its lightweight 55-gram build. It's actually 12% lighter than the DeathAdder V3 Pro and features a change to the iconic DeathAdder shape made in collaboration with professional esports players.

Like the Razer Viper V3 Pro Wireless we recently reviewed, the DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed sports a smooth finish rather than a matte one. It is powered by Razer Optical Mouse Switches Gen-3 and Razer's Focus X 26K Optical Sensor and even supports 8K polling - though you'll need the Razer HyperPolling Wireless Dongle (sold separately) for that.

Computex 2024 has officially wrapped up, and during the tradeshow, many new products were unveiled and showcased, and one that certainly caught my eye was the Lord of the Rings-themed setup Corsair had on at their suite.

The Corsair-owned DROP brand had a full PC setup outfitted in the latest Lord of the Rings-themed collectibles, created through an official partnership between Middle Earth Enterprises and DROP. The partnership has spawned various officially licensed faction-themed keyboards, mouse pads, keycaps, and even standalone statues.

At the Corsair suite, the company had on display the new Mordor set that featured an awesome Barad-dur mouse mat, keycaps of the One Ring in various locations, a Sauron-themed wrist rest, a Balrog-themed space bar, keycap holders, and more. For those that don't know, DROP's keyboards are completely customizable, enabling users to switch out keys, plates and even gaskets.

We got to check out the new Corsair Custom Lab at Computex 2024. It immediately reminded us of the Xbox Design Lab, which lets you pick and choose various colors and materials to personalize your own Xbox controller. Corsair plans to expand the features and functionality of the Custom Lab in the future, but the service is kicking off by letting you build a custom M75 WIRELESS mouse, a K65 PLUS WIRELESS keyboard, and an MM300 mouse pad.

These are the most recent Corsair peripherals and fantastic boot options. Both earned awards in our recent reviews, with the K65 PLUS WIRELESS keyboard, in particular, being one of the best keyboards Corsair has ever produced. Corsair Custom Lab lets you change the colors of individual keyboard keys and mouse buttons or choose from different styles and templates.

"It's an extension of the player and their personality," Thi La, President and COO at Corsair, says. "With our range of products, combined with Corsair Custom Lab capabilities, users can create and customize an amazing setup that reflects who they are."

A new type of keyboard switch? Yes, and we got to go hands-on with the new Ducky One X at Computex 2024 - which features the latest keyboard innovation from Cherry (the creators of the iconic Cherry MX): Induction Switches. These are similar to the magnetic switches we've recently seen that allow you to adjust the actuation point. Lower and faster for gaming, higher for typing to get a more tactile feel.

However, this analog keyboard style requires sensors that use more power, which is why you don't see wireless keyboards with adjustable magnetic switches and long-lasting batteries. With Induction Switches, coils are built into the PCB, and the new switches detect electrical changes as they approach.

We were told that this technology has existed in the keyboard space for a few years, but this is the first time it all comes together in switch and keyboard form. The result is less power required, which means the new Ducky One X will support low-latency wireless, Bluetooth, and wired.

The ASUS ROG Azoth gaming keyboard, which we reviewed last year, earned our Editor's Choice award due to its features, performance, excellent type-feel, and hot-swappable pre-lubed ROG NX mechanical switches (Linear). At Computex 2024, the follow-up is making a play to be one of the very best 75% TKL gaming keyboards available - and from what we've seen so far, it could very well hit those heights.

The ROG Azoth Extreme is every bit as customizable as its predecessor-hot-swappable switches, multiple layers of dampening, and gasket mounting are becoming the standard in the premium space - but it takes things to the next level. Underneath the keyboard, you can adjust the mounting to get the desired feel-smooth, spongy, or more tactile - all with the same switches.

Underneath is where you'll find magnetic feet that you can snap on or take off the keyboard to adjust the height, a stylish touch that adds to the premium feel.

Ever since Street Fighter II and Mortal Kombat first hit the arcade scene in the 1990s, owning a decent arcade-quality stick with a six-button layout has been the dream of every fighting game fan. Over the years, several at-home arcade sticks have been released into the market, but to get something high-quality, arcade, and tournament-ready costs a premium.

This week, Turtle Beach Corporation and Performance Designed Products (PDP) announced two new editions for its premium arcade stick line-up: The King of Fighters Pro FS Arcade Fight Sticks and TEKKEN 8 Pro FS Arcade Fight Sticks. Both are launching with an MSRP of $499.99, equivalent to a home console like the PS5 or Xbox Series X.

Licensed by SNK, Bandai Namco Entertainment, and PlayStation, these are compatible with PS5, PS4, and Windows PCs. The fight sticks are all colored, and feature character designs from their respective franchises. They are available now via PDP's official site in limited quantities: 200 units for The King of Fighters Pro FS Arcade Fight Sticks and 300 for the TEKKEN 8 Pro FS Arcade Fight Sticks.

If you've got an ASUS ROG Ally gaming handheld, you might want to check out the new Sabrent USB Type-C 3-Port Gaming Hub, which expands the device's on-the-go capabilities for just $16.99 USD.

It connects to the ROG XG Mobile Interface and USB Type-C combo port on the top of the handheld, giving you immediate USB expansion options with up to 100W USB-C upstream power delivery.

The Sabrent USB Type-C 3-Port Gaming Hub connects to the ROG Ally and includes two USB-A ports for connecting additional portable storage to the handheld or an extra device like a keyboard or mouse. In fact, as a powerful Windows 11 gaming handheld, you can connect a USB controller to play with the ROG Ally on a desk or table - like the Switch with detached JoyCons.

In 2024, putting together a gaming rig with the attached gear (keyboard, mouse, headset, etc.) usually means choosing a bunch of black or white-colored hardware, with both options often including a hefty dose of RGB lighting. White-colored PC hardware and peripherals are minimal, sleek, modern-looking, and growing in popularity.

It's not unusual for hardware makers to release both 'light' and 'dark' versions of hardware to cater to the tastes of different gamers. With that, Razer has introduced White Editions for some of its high-end gear: Razer Cobra Pro, Razer Basilisk V3, Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro, Razer Huntsman V3 Pro, and Razer Seiren V3 Chroma.

The list covers Razer mice, keyboards, and the latest USB microphone. Hit the jump for the entire product breakdown. All gear is now available via Razer.com and retailers like Best Buy.

We reviewed the AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 GC553G2 External Capture Card late last year. It was one of the first capture cards to offer full 4K 144 Hz HDMI 2.1 passthrough with HDR and VRR support. It earned our Editor's Choice Award as a "powerful USB streaming and capture solution for content creators" with excellent PC and console hardware support.

Today, we've got word from AVerMedia of an exciting new firmware update for the Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 GC553G2 that adds an exciting new feature - 4K144 Capture on Windows devices via AVerMedia RECentral software or OBS. With most HDMI 2.1 capture cards topping out at 4K60 capture, the Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 is even more impressive than it was when it first debuted.

The 4K144 option captures video using the MJPEG or Motion JPEG codec, which gives each frame its own relevant image file (so to speak) and should lead to impressive quality. No longer limited to just passthrough, the Live Gamer ULTRA 2.1 now offers creators and enthusiasts the option to record native 4K 144FPS gameplay.

In 2021, when the global pandemic was raging and social distancing was in full effect, gaming peripheral and hardware company Razer decided to release its own RGB-lit facemask called the Razer Zephyr. The mask would feature an interchangeable filter system, a see-through front piece, UV light sterilization, RGB lighting, Razer style, and N95-grade filters - except the last bit wasn't real.

The one thing many expected the mask would do is to filter out at least 95% of airborne particles (between .1 and .3 micrometers in size), but it couldn't. Or, at least Razer never submitted the Zephyr mask to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to receive N95 certification.

Priced at $100 USD, reviewers called out Razer for the Zephyr not meeting the N95 standards for what was an expensive face mask. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) stepped in around the time Razer removed mentions of N95 from the product page. But it was too little too late.

Cooler Master has a pair of new gaming chairs, the CALIBER X2C and CALIBER R3C, designed to keep you comfortable and relaxed when playing. Both feature the latest iteration of Cooler Master's 'COOL-IN Technology,' which will apparently keep you "up to 2 degrees cooler than standard chairs."

We're not sure how that was measured or what difference being "up to 2 degrees cooler" than someone sitting on a standard chair will bring to the gaming experience, but it could be the difference between sweating and not.

This is achieved with 'COOL-IN Fabric Technology, ' which apparently extracts hot air from the body while keeping the seat surface cool. It's kind of funny how it's all described on the product pages for the new Cooler Master CALIBER X2C and CALIBER R3C gaming chairs - we're also told the cooling fabric features 'Jade Powder' particles for premium cooling.

We somehow missed this, but ASUS recently launched its own external 4K game capture box, the new TUF Gaming Capture Box-4K Pro. This box supports full HDMI 2.1 4K 144 Hz HDR passthrough, variable refresh rates, and up to 4K 60 FPS capture. It's a stylish little unit with RGB flourishes and that signature rugged all-aluminum ASUS TUF Gaming look.

The TUF Gaming Capture Box-4K Pro supports a wide range of input signals, making it an excellent option for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X capture. On the PC side, it supports 1080p and 1440p 120 FPS capture and 1080p 240 Hz and 1440p 144 Hz passthrough. On top of this, there's VRR or Variable Refresh Rate support, so you can game with G-SYNC or FreeSync enabled.

All of this is handled via a single USB 10 Gbps port that connects to a compatible PC for recording and capture. The TUF Gaming Capture Box-4K Pro is also a certified OBS-compatible device. In addition, ASUS has announced that it has won a prestigious IF Design award.