Fans of the YARH.IO handheld we covered late last year should appreciate this new edition: the YAHR.IO Micro 2. Like its predecessor, it uses a Raspberry Pi and functions as a small, all-in-one computer that fits in the palm of your hand. This new edition is designed to use a Raspberry Pi 3 B+ as the main board.
The unit is totally portable and has everything you need to operate any basic OS on the Raspberry Pi including a battery, touchscreen, port access and a Bluetooth keyboard.
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(Image credit: YARH.IO)
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(Image credit: YARH.IO)
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(Image credit: YARH.IO)
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(Image credit: YARH.IO)
According to the devs, the system works well with Raspberry Pi OS and can even run Kali Linux for serious tools on the go. In order to fit the components inside the housing, the ethernet port was removed from the 3B+ while the double USB stack was replaced with single USB ports.
The screen is a Pimoroni Hyper Pixel IPS touchscreen spanning 4-inches across. The battery is a Fenix ARB-L18-3500U 3500mAh Li-ion USB rechargeable battery. An Arduino Pro Micro module is used to help moderate the battery voltage.
(Image credit: YARH.IO)
Check out more details on the YARH-IO Micro 2 at the official yarh.io website. Don’t forget to explore our list of Best Raspberry Pi Projects for more cool creations from the Pi community.
The RISC-V CPU architecture is making progress across a plethora of devices. From soldering irons and watches to desktop computers, the open source RISC-V CPU looks set to make an impact in 2021. Seeed Studio and Beagleboard have today announced an official collaboration with StarFive, a leading RISC-V solutions provider. The focus of this announcement is the Beagle V, an affordable single board computer (SBC) which runs Linux and is powered by a dual core RISC-V.
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(Image credit: Seeed, BeagleBoard, StarFive)
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(Image credit: Seeed, BeagleBoard, StarFive)
Powering Beagle V is a dual core 64-bit U74 RISC-V CPU clocked at 1.5 GHz and up to 8GB of LPDDR4 RAM. From a CPU perspective Beagle V looks to be slightly faster than a Raspberry Pi 4, but looking at the StarFive JH7100 System on Chip (SoC) we can see a Tensilica-VP6 used in computer vision projects, an Nvidia Deep Learning Accelerator (NVDLA) used for artificial intelligence and finally a Neural Network Engine. All of these point towards a board that looks on paper to be quite the AI / machine learning powerhouse. Best of all Beagle V is a purely open source product, with both the hardware and the software offered under an open source licence.
MicroSD card slot for operating system and data storage
1 x Wi-Fi 2.4GHz b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.2
Power with USB Type-C (5V@3A)
1 x Reset button and 1 x Power Button
At its heart, Beagle V is still an SBC and as such it has what we come to think as the “standard complement” of ports. With four USB 3.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet, Micro SD card and a single HDMI port, capable of 1080P 30fps. A 40 pin GPIO suggests compatibility with Raspberry Pi HATs, and a casual glance at the pinout shows that the standard digital I/O, I2C and SPI seem to be mapped correctly. Dual camera (CSI) and a single display connector (DSI) suggest that Beagle V may be compatible with the official Raspberry Pi camera and display. Wireless connectivity is provided via 2.4 GHz WiFi and Bluetooth 4.2. A shame that 5 GHz WiFi and Bluetooth 5.0 are not present, but we can live without it. Power is provided via a USB-C port, and from the datasheet we can see that Beagle V requires 5V at 2A but a 3A supply would be a real benefit.
Starting from $119 for the 4GB model, or $149 for the 8GB, Beagle V is slightly more expensive than a Raspberry Pi 4 but for RISC-V and AI enthusiasts this is a small price to pay for a RISC-V machine of such power. With an anticipated early access release date of March, with larger availability from September 2021, Beagle V looks to be a worthy contender to the Nvidia Jetson for AI and machine learning projects. It may not be a direct competitor to the Raspberry Pi, but it will be interesting to put the two against one another to see both of their pros and cons.
Samsung’s Galaxy S21 phones are official. The firm took the wraps off its Galaxy S21, S21+ and S21 Ultra during its Galaxy Unpacked event, where it also unveiled the Galaxy Buds Pro true wireless earbuds.
The event, which took place a month earlier than usual, was of course virtual, but that didn’t stop Samsung from giving chapter and verse on its new Galaxy S Series.
The headline news: the flagship S21 Ultra sports the S-Pen that was until now exclusive to the company’s big-screen Note phones, such as the Note 20 Ultra, and features an even more highly-specified 108MP quad camera. The Galaxy S21 range features cameras capable of shooting 8K video at 24fps, and a new camera bump design for a refreshed aesthetic.
Could the Galaxy S21 not only prove the company’s best yet but also rise above the latest flagship Sony Xperia 1 II to claim the best phone plaudits? We certainly wouldn’t bet against it.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (Image credit: Samsung)
Galaxy S21 price and release date
The Galaxy S21 5G will be available in Phantom Violet, Phantom Grey, Phantom Pink and Phantom White finishes, available with 8GM RAM in 128GB (£769, $799) and 256GB (£819) storage options.
The Galaxy S21+ 5G comes in Phantom Violet, Phantom Silver and Phantom Black options with 8GB RAM and 128GB (£949, $999) or 256GB (£999) storage sizes.
And lastly, the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is available in Phantom Black and Phantom Silver, coated in a ‘frosted haze’ matte finish. Phantom Titanium, Phantom Navy and Phantom Brown are additional finishes available exclusively on Samsung.com. RAM and storage pairings are as follows: 12GB RAM with 128GB (£1149, $1199), 16GB with 256GB (£1199), and 16GB with 512GB (£1329).
Galaxy S21 pre-orders are open immediately for all three phones, with shipping beginning on 29th January.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (Image credit: Samsung)
Galaxy S21 series: camera
We found the camera on last year’s Galaxy S20 to be a real highlight, so the fact that Samsung has improved its excellent software for the S21 series is promising. Single Take, which creates a portfolio of all the best moments you capture in one shot (useful when scrolling through options to upload to Instagram), enters a 2.0 version, now using five times more AI processing for the promise of even better results. There’s Dynamic Slo-Mo, as well as a Highlights Reel, the idea being that you don’t need to edit shots yourself.
Portrait Mode has been improved (you can now alter the lighting or your backdrop), as has Space Zoom, which now has a lock to neutralise shaky hands at 30x zoom. The new Director’s View mode lets you simultaneously view both the front and rear cameras in your viewfinder, with all of the lenses available to easily switch between. Vlogger view, meanwhile, lets you simultaneously capture from both the front and back lenses, so you can shoot something while, say, documenting your own reaction.
8K at 24fps video recording is onboard, with 8K Video Snap allowing you to capture high-res photos when playing your videos back. And this is the first time 4K filming at 60fps is achievable through all lenses.
While the Galaxy S21 and S21+ have triple-lens snappers (a 12MP ultra-wide, 12MP wide and 64MP telephoto) and a 10MP front shooter, the Ultra takes things further once again. We’re looking at Samsung’s “most advance Pro-grade cameras yet” here. There’s still a quad rear configuration here, but the main 108MP wide lens is new and promises 64x richer colours and three times wider dynamic range. That’s complemented by 12MP ultra-wide and two 10MP telephotos.
That dual-telephoto system (one 3x optical, one 10x optical) powers the Ultra’s 100x Space Zoom, with the lenses automatically switching according to the distance from your subject. And with a new Bright Night sensor, improved Night Mode, noise reduction and 12MP Nona-binning technology, Samsung is promising its “biggest leap yet in low-light photography”. We look forward to trying all that out for ourselves.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (Image credit: Samsung)
Galaxy S21 series: screen
The camera lens bump marks the biggest design tweak for the S21 family, with the contoured cut-out blending into the device’s metal frame on the top left corner. It certainly gives the body’s rear a sleeker, more streamlined look.
The front of the phone shouldn’t let the side down either, their ‘Dynamic AMOLED 2x’ screens supporting 120Hz in 6.2in FHD+ (S21), 6.7in FHD+ (S21+) and 6.8in WQHD+ (S21 Ultra) sizes, and featuring a new Eye Comfort Shield that automatically adjusts blue levels.
The Ultra boasts the “best display Samsung has ever created”, offering that maximum refresh rate even in maximum resolution quality. Samsung is promising 25 per cent more brightness (the peak is an eye-dazzling 1500 nits) and double the contrast of the S20 Ultra’s screen. Bold.
Of course, that display is at the mercy of your fingertips – or the S-Pen, as it hits the S Series for the first time. When asked where this leaves the Note line, TM Roh, Samsung’s president and head of mobile communications business, said: “We’ve made the bold decision to expand the S Pen experience to Galaxy S21 Ultra, and plan to expand the S Pen experience across additional device categories in the future.”
Samsung Galaxy S21 (Image credit: Samsung)
Galaxy S21 series: the rest
While Samsung has predominantly moved the S21 family on in camera and screen technology, more modest improvements have been made under the hood, too. Ready for a numbers breakdown? Here it goes.
Samsung is promising 20 per cent faster CPU, 35 per cent faster GPU, and double-the-speed AI processors over the S20 handsets, making the S21 its fastest phones to date. The ‘Ultrasonic’ in-screen fingerprint scanner is now 1.7x larger for improved accuracy, too.
Battery-wise, the S21, S21+ and S21 Ultra sport 4000mAh, 4800mAh and 5000mAh juice packs respectively – the only change over the S20 series being the middle device gaining an extra 300mAh.
There’s 8GB RAM, plus either 128GB or 256GB storage options for the S21 and S21+, while the S21 Ultra gets either 8GB or 16GB RAM, with either 128GB, 256GB or 512GB storage options.
All three support Samsung’s Smart Things Find (which helps you locate Galaxy devices using Bluetooth LE – even when they’re offline) and £29/$30 Galaxy Smart Tag (which helps you locate non-connected devices or belongings that are tagged – pets, keys etc).
5G is, as expected, on the menu across the line-up, while Ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless communication technology support in the S21+ and S21 Ultra means we could see those premium devices able to, say, unlock a car (i.e. replace a car key fob) in the near-future, too.
So there you have it: three 5G Galaxy S21 phones for 2021, with improved cameras and screens, sleek (and tweaked) designs, and an expanded feature set for the Ultra handset. We, for one, cannot wait to get our hands on them very shortly. Watch this space, Android fans.
MORE:
Samsung Galaxy S20 review: “Another success”
Best smartphones 2021: best phones for music and movies on the move
iPhone 13: release date, price, leaks and all of the news
Not all projectors are huge, hulking beasts that threaten to put your back out when picked up. Asus has just unveiled this cute little number, the ZenBeam Latte. Why latte? It’s not much bigger than a coffee cup.
It handily doubles as a 10W Bluetooth speaker, with audio from Harman Kardon. And like many Bluetooth speakers, its body is covered in fabric, making it look more in keeping with home interiors.
With its screen size ranging from 40 to 120 inches, it’s not going to rival a proper home cinema model, but then it’s a different beast altogether, built to be portable and for taking from room to room or even to someone else’s house.
Battery life is a healthy three hours for video, though you’ll want to plug it in if you’re settling in for a long session. And for audio, it’ll last 12 hours before needing a recharge.
There’s an app store built-in for getting your favourite streaming apps, and you can wirelessly mirror your phone’s screen to play videos from social media or elsewhere on the web.
Asus is keeping quiet on price at present, but it should launch in the US in the second half of this year. Now, what will you watch on it? Mr. Bean, perhaps? Or Americano Gods?
MORE:
More new gadgets galore! CES 2021: all the news and highlights from the first all-digital CES
The LG CineBeam HU810P 4K laser projector has hit the shelves in the States for a par-for-course $2999 and should be making its way worldwide shortly, according to usual form.
It’s a DLP projector, powered by LG’s three-colour ‘Dual Laser’ system which uses an XPR pixel shifting technology to create a 4K HDR image, at 2700 lumens, with a light source lifespan of up to 20,000 hours of use.
At the front end is a 1.6x zoom lens which can focus an image of between 40-300in at a minimum distance of 1.1m. The lens shift feature adds a good degree of flexibility to the installation too, offering up to 60 per cent movement on the vertical in either direction and 24 per cent horizontally.
Its relatively high brightness means that you should be able to get a decent picture in rooms with ambient lighting and there is an excellent suite of connectivity for wireless sources, masterminded by the LG webOS 5.0 TV operating system. It brings built-in access to the likes of Disney+, Prime Video and Netflix. Any service you can’t find can be mirrored from an iOS device given that the LG CineBeam HU810P is also Apple AirPlay 2-enabled.
There are also three HDMI 2.1 inputs (including ALLM and eARC) as well as two USB 2.0 sockets and Bluetooth to stream sound to headphones or external speakers.
There’s plenty of picture processing on board too with LG’s Trumotion image smoothing as well as a big focus on contrast tech assisted by the automatic iris on the lens. It can adjust to let more or less light out to match the brightness of your environment and works in tandem with an Adaptive Contrast system which analyses the source material frame-by-frame to work at an optimum black level at all times.
Dynamic Tone Mapping is also there to help with colour as well as contrast. But, if those processing modes aren’t working for you, then there’s always the option to go manual with the aid of LG’s built-in calibration software.
(Image credit: LG)
There has been no official announcement about UK, Europe or Australian pricing but, given that this device was first announced at IFA 2020, it seems destined to be travelling beyond America. Expect to pay somewhere in the region of £2500 (AU$4400).
LG has been making very credible inroads into the 4K home projector space in the last few years and we look forward to seeing how this one performs.
MORE:
Best projectors 2020: Full HD, 4K, portable, short throw
How to set up your projector and get the best picture
Samsung just finished its first Unpacked event of 2021. The headline announcements were the three new phones in its S21 lineup, but the company also announced new true wireless headphones, an item tracker, and a few other things.
We’ve rounded up all of the biggest announcements from the event right here.
Photo by Chaim Gartenberg / The Verge
The Galaxy S21 and S21 Plus will launch on January 29th
Samsung announced the $799 Galaxy S21 and $999 S21 Plus, which are available for preorder today ahead of availability on January 29th. They’re largely the same phones, except for their physical size. And their camera module takes up an entire corner of the phones, giving them a whole new look.
Photo by Chaim Gartenberg / The Verge
Samsung’s Galaxy S21 Ultra is compatible with the S Pen
Samsung announced the $1,199 Galaxy S21 Ultra, its newest top-of-the-line flagship smartphone. It has a bigger screen and more cameras than the S21 and S21 Plus, and, in a first for Samsung’s S line of smartphones, support for the S Pen stylus. It’s also available for preorder today and will launch on January 29th. Samsung is also working on an S Pen Pro with Bluetooth, which is coming later this year.
The Galaxy S21 Plus box.Image: Samsung
Samsung’s S21 lineup won’t include a charger in the box
Samsung is following Apple in not including a charging brick in the box with its newest phones. The phones will come with a USB-C to USB-C cable, but you’ll need to own a compatible charging brick or buy a new one if you want to plug your brand-new phone into a wall. The S21 lineup also won’t include headphones in the box.
Image: Samsung
The Galaxy Buds Pro are Samsung’s most premium wireless earbuds yet
Samsung’s new Galaxy Buds Pro true wireless earbuds have improved active noise cancellation, a refined ambient sound mode, an IPX7 rating for water resistance, and more. They cost $199, are available for preorder today, and you’ll be able to buy them in stores on Friday.
Photo by Chaim Gartenberg / The Verge
Samsung announced the SmartTag and SmartTag Plus Tile-like item trackers
Samsung announced a Tile tracker competitor called the SmartTag. It’s a small Bluetooth Low Energy dongle that you can attach to things, and you can pair it with Samsung’s SmartThings app. The SmartTag only works with Galaxy devices, though. The SmartTag will be available on January 29th and it will cost $29.99. Samsung also announced the Galaxy SmartTag Plus, which uses ultra wideband for more precise tracking. The SmartTag Plus is launching later this year, and you’ll be able to buy one for $39.99.
Samsung’s new Galaxy S21 Ultra supports the company’s S Pen stylus. Support for the accessory has been a staple of Samsung’s Galaxy Note smartphones for years, but this is the first time it’s been supported in the company’s Galaxy S-series. The new S Pen will be available as an optional $39.99 accessory, and Samsung says the S21 Ultra will also work with S Pens from other Galaxy Note or Galaxy Tab devices.
As for what you can use the stylus to do on the S21 Ultra, Samsung has outlined a range of familiar use cases. These include drawing, note-taking, photo editing, and signing documents. Physically, the new S Pen stylus is a little bigger than previous Galaxy Note S Pens, but it retains the side button. Samsung is also releasing a bigger S Pen Pro later this year, which comes equipped with Bluetooth and support for air gestures.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra with its stylus.Photo by Chaim Gartenberg / The Verge
Unlike Galaxy Note phones, the Galaxy S21 Ultra doesn’t have a built-in slot for storing the stylus. Instead, Samsung is selling cases with S Pen carrying slots, which cost $69.99 when bundled with the stylus. Having to use a case to carry the accessory doesn’t sound as convenient as being able to slot it in the phone directly, but it’s a compromise given there’ll be plenty of Galaxy S21 Ultra owners who won’t bother with the optional accessory.
In the new lineup, stylus support is exclusive to the Galaxy S21 Ultra. You won’t be able to use an S Pen with either the Galaxy S21 or S21 Plus.
Rumors of the Galaxy S21 Ultra’s stylus support have been around since last year, and the feature was essentially confirmed in an FCC filing at the end of December. Now that the Galaxy S series is inheriting one of the Note series’s biggest features, there are rumors that the latter could be discontinued. However, this has reportedly been disputed by one Samsung official.
Update January 14th, 11:02AM ET: Added details of Samsung’s S Pen Pro.
Epomaker, short for “The Epoch of Makers,” effectively is an entity comprised of several keyboard brands/makers. The Epomaker brand is among them, and to remove any confusion, this review shall cover Epomaker the brand from now on. The brand is based in China, but has been in the public eye across the globe recently by offering a lot of interesting keyboards, especially high quality pre-builds for very reasonable prices. Their latest offering went up on Kickstarter to a resounding success and is going retail in January 2021 to ring in the new year. As such, we want to make sure you are well aware of the GK96S before you decide on whether this is for you. Thanks to Epomaker for sending a review sample to TechPowerUp!
Perhaps the biggest feature of the Epomaker GK96S is the high degree of customization on offer. Indeed, my sample is a completely different board altogether, the GK96LS, where the “L” stands for the left-handed numpad. The standard version has the more familiar 96% form factor with shorter keys on the bottom row and dedicated arrow keys, while the GK96LS foregoes the latter for a more substantial numpad. The company outright states that this is more for those prioritizing ergonomics and number crunching, with the standard version still saving you quite a lot of space compared to a typical full-size keyboard. The other customization options here include a wide plethora of switches to choose from, with the optical switch versions using “SK” instead of “GK” in the name, as well as different keycap colors and composition, which results in an extremely high number of SKUs. This review based on one SKU will aim to discuss the GK96S family as a whole (including the SK96S) and the GK96LS in my specific configuration in detail, beginning with a look at the specifications below.
Specifications
Epomaker GK96LS Keyboard
Layout:
96% form factor in a modified US ANSI layout, left-handed numpad
Material:
ABS plastic case, ABS or PBT plastic keycaps
Macro Support:
Yes
Weight:
1.2 kg/2.65 lbs.
Wrist Rest:
No
Anti-ghosting:
Full N-Key rollover USB
Media Keys:
Available as a layered function
Dimensions:
123 (L) x 370 (W) x 35 (H) mm
Cable Length:
6 ft/1.8 m
Software:
Yes
Switch Type:
Choice of several Gateron optical (SK96) or mechanical (GK96) RGB switches
Asus announced a new mechanical keyboard at CES 2021 called the ROG Claymore II. It’s designed for gamers, with customizable macro keys and per-key RGB backlighting. It’s also the first device to feature Asus’ own ROG RX Blue or Red optical switches with a claimed 100 million keypress lifespan.
This model gives a nod to people who just can’t totally quit the numpad: you can detach it to make the Claymore II an 80 percent keyboard if you need to save space or magnetically attach it when you need to crunch some numbers. The numpad also offers more intuitive media controls, like a volume dial.
The ROG Claymore II connects either via a USB-C cable or wireless via 2.4GHz. If you use it wirelessly, its 4,000mAh battery is supposed to last for up to 40 hours. Asus says the USB-C port supports fast charging and USB passthrough for other devices. This model will be released in Q2 2021; Asus hasn’t yet shared a price.
Image: Asus
Asus has also announced its new ROG Gladius III Wireless gaming mouse. The mouse doesn’t have a final price or a specific release date (beyond its Q2 2021 target), but the design and specs are worth knowing about. The Gladius III Wireless looks similar to the Razer DeathAdder V2, which we cited as the best wired gaming mouse to buy. The new device’s sensor supports up to 19,000 DPI, and it can be connected with a wire or wirelessly via 2.4GHz or Bluetooth. Asus says a purely wired version of this mouse will release at some point.
Notably, the ROG Gladius III allows for user-replaceable switches so you can find the right feel for your needs — even letting you swap between three-pin mechanical and five-pin Omron optical switches. Most people likely will never put their mice under such stress that they’ll reach the end of their switches’ lifespan, but having the option to swap them out is certainly a nice feature.
Asus presented the new peripherals for ROG Claymore II and ROG Gladius III Wireless gamers, respectively a mechanical keyboard and a mouse. The ROG Claymore II has ROG RX Blue or Red switches and a detachable number pad.
by Manolo De Agostini published 12 January 2021 , at 19: 41 in the Peripherals channel ROG ASUS
Asus has presented at CES 2021 the ROG Claymore II , a RGB mechanical gaming keyboard featuring the new ROG RX Blue or Red optical switches .
According to Asus, the shape of the switch reduces the delay due to bounce to almost zero , in so that the keys react exactly when you press them. The square and hollow structure, the four corner locks of the keycaps and the X-stabilizer mechanism ensure accuracy even in repeated typing sequences, while the guaranteed duration of 100 millions of key presses ensures high resistance.
Claymore II is accompanied by a magnetic palm rest and a detachable numeric keypad that can be attached to either side of the keyboard in format) %. The numeric keypad includes four keys to control media playback which can be customized to create productivity shortcuts or macro commands. There is also a scroll wheel to adjust the volume.
USB-C and 2.4 GHz RF wireless connections ensure connectivity with little lag. The 4000 mAh battery ensures up to 40 hours of use on a single charge, USB C connection also supports fast charging or “USB passthrough” function to connect other devices. In addition, Claymore II also features Aura Sync lighting and relies on Armory Crate software to generate a multitude of customization options.
Together with the keyboard, the Taiwanese company offers ROG Gladius III Wireless , a gaming mouse with ergonomic design with a sensor capable of operate up to 19. 00 0 DPI and advanced tri-mode connectivity: via cable, 2.4 GHz radio frequency and Bluetooth.
The new Push-Fit Switch Socket II supports both traditional 3-pin mechanical and 5-pin Omron optical micro-switches, allowing you to customize the click experience and tactile button feedback based on to your preferences. Gamers can also replace worn switches to extend the life of the mouse.
Asus ensures that it has paid particular attention to reducing latency, while smoothness is guaranteed by the ROG Omni feet 100% TPFE with rounded edges. A wired version of ROG Gladius III is also available. Asus has not disclosed the prices of the two products at the moment, but we will surely know more when they arrive in Italy.
After seeing the new ROG Claymore II keyboard with its own optical-mechanical switches, Asus has taken advantage of this CES 2021 to renew the ROG Gladius mouse that is now in its third version. The ROG Gladius III Wireles , is now equipped with a sensor 19. 12 dpi so that your movements are more sensitive and precise. Although we find the Wireless version of this mouse that has a 2.4 GHz radio frequency connection or bluetooth , we can use it with the USB type C cable that it incorporates as if it were a mouse of In addition to using the cable to recharge your battery, the Asus ROG Gladius III offers us a mode for each situation .
The ROG Gladius III Wireless is now compatible with the usual 3-contact mechanical switches, but also with 5-contact Omrom optical switches , this allows versatility when choosing the resistance that we want to offer in our pulsations, at the same time as replacing these switches when they stop working .
Thanks to its charging cable ROG Low friction paracord and its pads ROG Omni 100% TP FE rounded, sliding the mouse will be much smoother and it will not matter if you use it with cable or wirelessly, since its technology of Zero latency provides a near real-time response .
We have no information about its price or exit in the Spanish market, but as always we will be attentive to this information to offer it immediately. There will be a wired and wireless version.
End of Article. Tell us something in the Comments or come to our Forum!
Juan Antonio Soto
I am a Computer Engineer and my specialty is automation and robotics. My passion for hardware started at 14 years when I gutted my first computer: a 386 DX 40 with 4MB of RAM and 210 MB of hard disk. I continue to unleash my passion in the technical articles I write at Geeknetic. I dedicate most of my free time to video games, contemporary and retro, in the more than 20 consoles that I have, besides the PC.
Few things are more frustrating in-game than a faulty mouse. After years of heavy use, even some of the best gaming mouse options are known to suffer from degradation in the left and right click buttons, resulting in faulty behavior. At CES 2021 today, Asus introduced a potential solution in the Asus ROG Gladius III and ROG Gladius III Wireless.
Similar to the Asus ROG Chakram that Asus announced last year, the ROG Gladius III will offer the ability to swap out the switches in its left and right click buttons. Asus claims to have updated this mechanism, dubbed the Push-Fit Switch Socket II. While the ROG Chakram only supports 3-pin Omron mechanical micro switches, Asus’ new mouse will also support 5-pin Omron optical micro switches, bringing more options and jumping on the optical mechanical trend that’s getting more popular among gaming mice and even more among the best gaming keyboards.
Asus’ Push-Fit Socket II will not only allow gamers to easily replace deteriorating switches but also change the feel of their clicks. The ROG Chakram came with two pairs of switches. Asus hasn’t yet confirmed what will come in the box with the Gladius III.
The ROG Gladius III will compete with the best wireless mouse contenders and wired ones, as it’ll be available in both wireless or wired form and come with a Paracord cable that’s supposed to fight drag.
(Image credit: Asus)
Asus is also equipping the ROG Gladius III with 100% PTFE feet, which should help the mouse glide around easily, especially if Asus is generous with the application.
All that is enough to make the ROG Gladius III stand out, but Asus also included some inscriptions in the mouse’s side that almost look like alien writing to decode until you realize it’s just some laser-engraved Asus branding.
(Image credit: Asus)
With up to 19,000 CPI and options to use a 2.4 GHz dongle or Bluetooth connection for the wireless or to go wired, we’re interested in seeing how Asus’ new rat performs. In our Asus ROG Chakram review, we noted that removable left and right click buttons made for a bit of a clunky, cheaper feel. We’ll see if Asus tackled those complaints with the ROG Gladius III when it comes out in Q2. The wireless version will be available in mid-late May for $109.99 and the wired version in April for $79.99.
Asus is making its first convertible gaming 2-in-1, with an eGPU-shaped twist. At CES 2021 today, the company announced the ROG Flow X13, a slim gaming notebook also designed for creative use. But the big surprise is the XG Mobile external GPU that is also a charger, with a proprietary connector to squeeze as much performance as possible from Nvidia’s RTX 30-series mobile GPUs. It will release in Q1 of this year but pricing of both the X13 and XG Mobile dock (an optional accessory) were not immediately available.
13.4-inch, 16:10 IPS touchscreen, either FHD at 120 Hz or 4K at 60 Hz
Networking
Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0
Battery
62Wh
Size
11.8 x 8.78 x 0.59 inches
Weight
Flow X13: 2.87 pounds; XG Mobile: 2.2 pounds
Availability
Q1 2021
The laptop on its own is 0.59 inches thick and weighs 2.87 pounds, with options for either a 1080p resolution with a 120 Hz refresh rate or a 4K screen at 60 Hz. Either way, it’s a touch display, (which makes sense for a 2-in-1 with tablet and tent modes), in the 16:10 aspect ratio.
(Image credit: Asus)
The system is powered by AMD’s latest Ryzen processors, with up to 32GB of LPDDR4x RAM at 4,266MHZ and up to 1TB of PCIe SSD storage. For when you’re away from the dock, there’s an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650.
Asus XG Mobile eGPU
For enthusiasts, the interest will lie with the introduction of the XG Mobile eGPU, a 2.2-pound combination external graphics card, dock and power brick with up to a mobile RTX 3080. It adds extra USB ports, an Ethernet jack and display outputs (allowing for up to four monitors in total between the devices) and is also a 280W power adapter.
All of that connects to the laptop with the XG Mobile interface, a custom solution that, at the moment, only works with the Flow X13. Asus claims the connection, which uses over 67 wires in the cable, reaches PCIe 3.0 speeds of 63 Gbps, faster than Thunderbolt 4 eGPUs. That should mean better performance than a standard eGPU, though this is a mobile graphics card, and you can’t swap it out.
(Image credit: Asus)
On the laptop, Asus claims that custom cooling will provide drops of 7 degrees Celsius on the CPU and 8 degrees Celsius on the GPU, though this machine has different parts and a new chassis that wasn’t available in last year’s products.
The questions about this device, without an attempt to try it ourselves, are many. How many people will splurge on both the 2-in-1 laptop and the additional XG Mobile? How much better will the XG Mobile truly be over an eGPU? Is there an appetite for a mobile eGPU?
Many of these questions we hope to answer soon, once we have the chance to test the Flow 13, along with the XG Mobile, ourselves.
Gigabyte has a pair of new gaming notebooks with AMD’s new Ryzen 5000 processors paired with Nvidia RTX 30-series graphics. What’s notable is that they go up to the RTX 3070, passing the seeming barrier of the RTX 2060 paired with Ryzen chips last year.
Designed to compete with the
best gaming laptops
, the new computers are dubbed the Gigabyte A5 and A7, and don’t use the Aorus brand that the company typically uses for its high-end gaming notebooks. The A5 will start at $999 while the A7 will start at $1,399.
Gigabyte A5
Gigabyte A7
CPU
Up to AMD Ryzen 9 5900H
AMD Ryzen 7 5800H
GPU
Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Max-P (8GB)
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Max-P (6GB)
RAM
Up to 32GB DDR4
Up to 32GB DDR4
Storage
1x 2.5-inch HDD slot, 2x M.2 slots
1x 2.5-inch HDD slot, 2x M.2 slots
Display
15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080, IPS, 240 Hz
17.3-inch, FHD, iPS, 144 Hz
Networking
Intel AX2000 Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0
Intel AX2000 Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0
Battery
48.96 Wh
48.96 Wh
The A5 is a 15.6-inch laptop with two submodels: the A5 X1, with either a Ryzen 9 5900H or Ryzen 7 5800H paired with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Max-P; and the A5 K1, with either a Ryzen 7 5800H or Ryzen 5 5600H with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Max-P. The display is 1920 x 1080 and runs at 240 Hz.
The A7 is a 17.3-inch with just one option: an Ryzen 7 5800H and an RTX 3060 Max-P. Its 1920 x 1080 display runs at 144 Hz.
Otherwise, they seem largely similar, down to the same battery capacity.
(Image credit: Gigabyte)
Both are monolithic black rectangles, though the A5 is 1.14 inches thick while the A7 is slightly thicker at 1.25 inches. Ports are similar, including three USB Type-A ports, HDMI 2.0, Mini DisplayPort, USB 3.2 Type-C, an audio jack, microSD card reader. Additionally, both will have RGB keyboards with 15 lighting effects.
These laptops continue a trend we’re starting to see of companies adopting AMD for gaming notebooks (though Gigabyte is sticking to Intel for the Aorus brand), and we’re curious to get more information about when they will release and how they perform.
Gigabyte is using CES 2021 as an occasion to refresh its Aero creative notebooks and Aorus gaming laptops, and while the CPUs are the same old Intel Comet Lake processors, the graphics cards are getting an upgrade.
Specifically, the Aorus 15G, Aorus 17G, Gigabyte Aero 15 and Gigabyte Aero 17 are all getting the latest Nvidia GeForce RTX GPUs, up to the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Max-Q.
Aorus 15G
Aorus 17G
Gigabyte Aero 15
Gigabyte Aero 17
CPU
Intel Core i7-10870H
Intel Core i7-10870H
Up to Intel Core i9-10980HK
Up to Intel Core i9-10980HK
GPU
Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Max-Q (8GB)
Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Max-Q (8GB)
Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Max-Q (8GB)
Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Max-Q (8GB)
RAM
Up to 32GB DDR4-2933
Up to 32GB DDR4-2933
Up to 32GB DDR4-2933
Up to 32GB DDR4-2933
Storage
2x M.2 SSD slots
2x M.2 SSD slots
2x M.2 SSD slots
2x M.2 SSD slots
Display
15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080, 240Hz, Pantone calibrated
17.3-inch, 1920 x 1080, 300 Hz, Pantone calibrated
4K HDR OLED or FHD 144 Hz
4K HDR IPS or FHD 300 Hz
Networking
Intel AX200 Wireless (Wi-Fi 6), Bluetooth 5
Intel AX200 Wireless (Wi-Fi 6), Bluetooth 5
Intel AX200 Wireless (Wi-Fi 6), Bluetooth 5
Intel AX200 Wireless (Wi-Fi 6), Bluetooth 5
Battery
99 Wh
99 Wh
99 Wh
99 Wh
Starting Price
$1,499
$2,099
$1,999
$1,699
The two gaming notebooks are largely the same, each using the same Intel Core i7-10870H Comet Lake processor. The 15G pairs that with either the RTX 3060, RTX 3070 Max-Q or RTX 3080 Max-Q, while the 17G only uses the 3070 or 3080 Max-Q variants. Additionally, the 15G uses an FHD, 240 Hz screen while the 17G has a faster 300 Hz panel. Both are Pantone certified and factory calibrated.
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(Image credit: Gigabyte)
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(Image credit: Gigabyte)
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(Image credit: Gigabyte)
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(Image credit: Gigabyte)
As for the Aeros, those have CPU options up to the Intel Core i9-10980HK. The 15-incher has a 4K OLED option of 144 Hz FHD panel, while the 17-inch version has a 300 Hz FHD screen and a 4K version, but it’s not OLED.
Those laptops are getting a very slight design change this year, replacing the Aero arrow with a series of patterned lines on the top cover.
We look forward to seeing how these stack up to the best gaming laptops when they launch.
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