The annual CES event for 2020 was recently held in Los Angeles. Arguably the biggest tech event of the year, it’s the only place to be if you want to get to grips with the latest trends in gaming and entertainment, as well as those Sci-Fi worthy bits of kit that never really make it past the prototype stage.
It’s also the showcase event for the world’s best gaming manufacturers; an opportunity to introduce their newest and brightest tech and hardware innovations to a captivated audience. 2020’s event saw some pretty exciting new releases from the likes of ASUS, Razer and Samsung. Here’s a quick round-up of the must-have hardware that will soon be unleashed in Kenya and across the globe.
Razer Kishi
As anyone with even the slightest interest in gaming knows, mobile gaming is a really big deal nowadays. Gamers across the world are taking to the streets with smartphones fully loaded up with games like PUBG, Mario Kart and Activision’s Call of Duty. There are even professional mobile eSports Leagues springing up all over the world.
Despite its convenience, however, actually playing mobile games can be a different story. Razer has the solution, in the form of its Kishi universal mobile gaming controller. Promising to be compatible with the vast majority of mobile devices, including iOS and Android, this mobile-specific gaming controller should make getting through fast paced gameplay on the go a lot smoother.
Samsung Odyssey G9
Samsung can always be relied upon to unveil the gaming monitor of your dreams at CES, and they’ve done it again in 2020 with the 49-inch (yes, 49 inch) Odyssey G9. Featuring a 1000R curvature – the first gaming monitor ever to do so – the G9’s 5120 x 1440 resolution, 240Hz refresh rate and Nvidia G-Sync compatibility is every PC gamer’s ultimate wish fulfilled.
This gigantic monitor is also set to become a firm favourite with professional online poker players, as the innovative design will add new levels of immersion to standard and fast fold competition formats.
MSI Optix MAG161
Gamers who are in the market for a more modest screen will love the latest portable monitor from MSI. The Optix MAG161 comes in at an ultra-thin 15.6 inch IPS panel. Featuring a 240Hz refresh rate, Full HD res, and FreeSync support, this is a fully-functional yet extremely lightweight monitor, and is ideal for travel as well as regular use.
ASUS Rog Zephyrus G14
We’re well into a new decade now, so the world is definitely ready for the “most powerful 14-inch gaming laptop” ever to be produced by the gaming equipment giants. Although we can’t verify that particular claim just yet, the Zephyrus G14 certainly has a lot to offer.
All the functionality a gamer needs is there in this sleek, lightweight device: 4th generation AMD Ryzen CPUs, Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 graphics card, 10 hours battery life etc. But it’s also got a trick up its sleeve in the form of 1,215 mini LEDs on the back panel. These lights can be customised to display gifs, logos, gamer avatars, and they can even be programmed to “dance” with music.
Alienware Concept UFO
No, this collaboration between Alienware and Dell is not a Nintendo Switch dupe, it’s a portable gaming PC in its own right. Sure, it’s still just a concept at this stage, but PC tech has definitely evolved to the stage where miniature, portable PCs like this are possible.
With its 8 inch, 19000 x 1200 resolution screen, sleek design and detachable controllers, Concept UFO is one of those devices that isn’t a necessity, but will be at the top of gamers’ must-have lists for years to come.
Origin The Big O
And finally, it wouldn’t be a CES round-up without mentioning one of those big-ticket fantasy items (because a 49 inch gaming monitor isn’t “fantasy” enough!), and boy, does the Big O represent fantasy. This utterly bonkers custom stack from bespoke PC builders Origin PC is a gaming rig made up of a powerhouse PC, and either a PS4 Pro or Xbox One S. Flashy, custom made, powerful…and completely out of any regular gamer’s price range!
