Razer Building Smaller Gaming Devices Besides Laptops
Razer's CEO hinted that the company will release small form factor systems once the Razer Blade laptop hits the market next month.
In a short interview with PC World, Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan said that the company plans to release additional systems once its 17.3-inch Razer Blade laptop lands on North American store shelves in December. Although he didn’t provide specific details on the future products, he confirmed that they would be "small form factor systems."
Earlier this year at CES 2011, the company revealed a concept device called the Razer Switchblade. Based on Intel's Atom processor, the netbook-like device promised to bring traditional PC desktop gaming to a portable form factor. Razer replaced the typical mouse and keyboard interface with an "ultra-sensitive multi-touch screen, dynamic tactile keyboard, and an intelligent user interface that adjusts the configuration and key layout on-the-fly based on game content and user requirements."
According to the company, the 7-inch Switchblade concept measures 172 x 115 x 25-mm, and features both Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity. As of this writing, the product page indicates that Razer is still working with selected partners to design and launch products based on the concept design. However the company announced back in April that the Switchblade would launch in China first with several pre-installed games.
"We think we have a phenomenal opportunity in China," he said. "I think that our focus is on China, and then we'll explore the rest of the world."
That said, there's a good chance Tan's recent comment to PC World about upcoming "small form factor systems" in North America could mean the Switchblade is finally landing stateside. That's just speculation of course, and for now US-based customers will have to make due with Razer's $2,800 gaming laptop, the Razer Blade. It will feature a 2.8 GHz Intel Core i7 processor, a Nvidia GeForce GT 55M GPU, and a programmable LCD panel mounted next to the keyboard when it ships in December.
Recently, Razer was broken into and two Blade prototypes were stolen.
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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LuckyDucky7 That keyboard on the device in the picture is awful. They seem to forgot how important Shift keys are to a computer user, much less a gamer- every FPS game out there uses Shift to sprint or run (or walk).Reply
They also forgot to add a touchpad- they can't seem to make up their minds on whether or not this is a portable machine or not. It's sort of the worst of 2 worlds- normally you're aiming for the best.
And, why Atom processors? Why not go the smart way and use an E-450? That costs just as much and is more powerful than an Atom with Ion.
Otherwise, it's a neat concept. But is it really that useful in its aims? -
RADIO_ACTIVE LuckyDucky7That keyboard on the device in the picture is awful. They seem to forgot how important Shift keys are to a computer user, much less a gamer- every FPS game out there uses Shift to sprint or run (or walk).They also forgot to add a touchpad- they can't seem to make up their minds on whether or not this is a portable machine or not. It's sort of the worst of 2 worlds- normally you're aiming for the best.And, why Atom processors? Why not go the smart way and use an E-450? That costs just as much and is more powerful than an Atom with Ion.Otherwise, it's a neat concept. But is it really that useful in its aims?LuckyDucky7That keyboard on the device in the picture is awful. They seem to forgot how important Shift keys are to a computer user, much less a gamer- every FPS game out there uses Shift to sprint or run (or walk).They also forgot to add a touchpad- they can't seem to make up their minds on whether or not this is a portable machine or not. It's sort of the worst of 2 worlds- normally you're aiming for the best.And, why Atom processors? Why not go the smart way and use an E-450? That costs just as much and is more powerful than an Atom with Ion.Otherwise, it's a neat concept. But is it really that useful in its aims?The keys change with every game ;) . three are little screens on the keys, so i would asume that when playing an FPS it would have a sprint key to the left for your pinky.Reply
http://www.razerzone.com/switchblade/gaming -
molo9000 Nobody wants to play PC games on a 7" screen.Reply
A Nintendo 3DS or a Playstation Vita or whatever are 1/2 the price and 10 times more fun if you want mobile gaming. -
RabidFace This is such old news. Surprised that Toms didn't link this video.Reply
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiQ0AnlfBu4
"The CEO of Razer could sell me air and I would buy it ;)" (credit to a YT user comment)
That comment made me laugh so hard almost a year ago.
But as for the device, I see it working with a niche market, and only if the hardware is there to be able to run most games on low/medium settings. And not just 10 year old games. -
tlmck LuckyDucky7That keyboard on the device in the picture is awful. They seem to forgot how important Shift keys are to a computer user, much less a gamer- every FPS game out there uses Shift to sprint or run (or walk).They also forgot to add a touchpad- they can't seem to make up their minds on whether or not this is a portable machine or not. It's sort of the worst of 2 worlds- normally you're aiming for the best.And, why Atom processors? Why not go the smart way and use an E-450? That costs just as much and is more powerful than an Atom with Ion.Otherwise, it's a neat concept. But is it really that useful in its aims?Reply
I believe the shift keys are the up arrows. -
foogoo Razer products are garbage. I bought a nostromo and it never worked properly even after several support calls and many driver updates. I threw it in the garbage as a reminder to myself never to buy another razer product.Reply -
Novulux foogooRazer products are garbage. I bought a nostromo and it never worked properly even after several support calls and many driver updates. I threw it in the garbage as a reminder to myself never to buy another razer product.Reply
But...my mousepad is working just fine. :O