Here’s everything Razer just announced at CES 2023

Razer usually uses CES to showcase its upcoming gaming peripherals and accessories for the coming year, and the 2023 show was no exception.

While the company has skipped some of its usual categories like mice and keyboards, it has brought new features to others and created several entirely new product lines.

Also: HTC VIVE XR Elite aims to be the new all-in-one premium headset for everyone

Let’s take a look at what Sneki Snek has in store for the coming year.

Razer Edge

The already revealed Razer Edge handheld was once again the star of the lineup, with the company providing a few more details on the Wi-Fi and 5G-only versions.

We now know that the full specification includes a 6.8-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 and a refresh rate of 144 Hz for faster response.

It also revealed that the unit will be powered by the Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 Gaming Platform, which it designed in collaboration with the chipmaker to provide “active cooling for long gaming sessions playing top AAA titles and native games on the go without having to compromise on performance . .”

The Wi-Fi-only version will go on sale exclusively on Razer.com in the US on January 26 for one cent under $400, while the Razer Edge 5G will be a Verizon Wireless exclusive. The wireless carrier is expected to release more details on the price and release date of its exclusive 5G edition Razer edge on its own product page.

Let’s hope the Razer gaming laptop matches the high-quality hardware we found in the Logitech G Cloud, while avoiding the software and service issues that have been ruining our experience with this device. However, only time will tell.

Project Carol

It’s a CES tradition for Razer to bring at least one product that’s a little more… out there than usual. In years past, the company’s R&D department showed off things like a computer built right into a desk (which never made it into production) or COVID-19 masks that make you look like an RGB cyber ninja (which actually enjoyed limited production). .

This year’s entry from Razer’s R&D department, Project Carol, might win the award for the least intimidating name ever used. Then again, I’ve recognized some very mean carols.

This Carol is here to kindly provide “near-field surround sound for crisp, clear sound, paired with 7.1 surround sound for an immersive gaming experience.” It does this through speakers installed in an attachable head cushion that can be installed on any typical gaming chair, Razer’s own. A spark and Enki line included of course.

In addition to surround sound, the device offers real-time tactile feedback created from the sound it emits through Razer’s patented HyperSense technology. The company claims this will allow players to “feel everything behind them and place them firmly in the center of the action.”

Also: Herman Miller Embody Gaming Chair review: Seating’s endgame?

If you’re worried about power or audio cables running to the chair, don’t be. ProjectCarol is powered by an 8-hour rechargeable battery and uses a 2.4GHz wireless connection to receive audio from your PC. As with most of the experimental products Razer brings to CES, pricing and availability information for Project Carol remains sketchy. Until Razer clears this up, keep an eye on its product page for the latest information on a possible release.

Razer Blade

Razer showed off two new Blade laptops at this year’s CES. The latest edition of the company’s sleek gaming notebooks moves to a 16:10 aspect ratio, a popular move in recent notebook releases for the extra vertical screen it provides.

In addition to this new display orientation, the latest Blades have clearly been designed to push almost every internal component as far as it can currently go, and feature 13th Gen Intel Core i9 HX chipsets, Nvidia RTX 40 series GPUs with up to 175 W TGP, and expandable memory DDR5 5,600 MHz.

These redesigned displays have also seen a visual upgrade, with Razer opting for its first HDR-enabled dual-mode mini-LED displays that support a refresh rate of 120Hz in UHD+ or 240Hz in FHD+ for the 16-inch model. Meanwhile, the 18-inch version pushes that to 240Hz at QHD+ resolution.

Also: What is the best gaming laptop and is there a good one under $1000?

Speaking of 18 inch blade, you know you’re in for a treat when Razer is marketing it as “the most powerful laptop ever.” That level of performance will apparently set you back $2,899.99 and up, depending on configuration, when the laptop launches later in Q1 2023. Meanwhile, the still-mighty 16-inch model will retail for $2,699.99 and should being sold around the same time.

Soundbar Leviathan V2 Pro

When ZDNET reviewed the non-Pro version of the Razer Leviathan V2 soundbar, we praised its sound quality but complained about the lack of ports. While we’ll have to wait for the V2 Pro’s launch to see how it performs, we already know the new trick it brings: beamforming surround sound using AI head-tracking technology.

This somewhat confusing phrase means that the soundbar actually tracks the position of your head to make sure its surround sound generation is fine-tuned to keep you in the right place, no matter how much you fidget.

Also: CES 2023 Day 2: The Biggest Reveal

This virtualized surround sound experience will be available in two flavors starting with the V2 Pro: the THX Spatial Audio Virtual Headset, which offers “accurate positional audio previously only found in headsets,” and the THX Spatial Audio Virtual Speakers, for which Razer claims “room”. -filling out the soundstage that users would normally experience with a full-fledged home theater system.” Basically, there’s one mode that’s better for serious gaming and one that’s better for movie gaming and media consumption.

Pricing for the Leviathan Pro starts at $400 and will begin shipping in February. You can find more information about it on Razer’s product page.

Kiyo Pro Ultra Webcam

The new Kiyo Pro Ultra webcam has one purpose: to bring “DSLR-like” video quality to a plug-and-play webcam. To that end, Razer has included what it claims is “the largest sensor ever used in a webcam.”

Also: This new optical technology would make AR glasses look much cooler

The sensor in question, a Sony 1/1.2″ STARVIS 2 unit, has a 2.9μm pixel size to “capture more light and image data in each pixel for exceptional detail and color”. It’s paired with a custom F/1.7 aperture lens to ultimately absorb about four times more light than other webcams, Razer said.

The built-in processor also allows the Kiyo Pro Ultra to convert raw 4K 30 fps (or 1080P 60 fps) to uncompressed 4K 24 fps, 1440p 30 fps or 1080p 60 fps for streams. Other features include AI face-tracking autofocus, HDR support at up to 30 frames per second, and the ability to customize advanced settings like ISO, shutter speed, and more.

The Kiyo Pro Ultra is available now for $299.99 exclusively on Razer.com.

VR peripherals

One area of ​​gaming where Razer has had very little influence so far is VR. That’s about to change with the launch of the first line of peripherals designed specifically for Meta’s Quest 2 Headset.

The company’s VR product kicks off with the new Razer Adjustable Head Strap System, seen above, which attempts to upgrade the Quest 2’s flexible elastic strap to something more adjustable and naturally contoured to your head. Razer claims the Quest 2 will provide users with superior comfort and optimized weight distribution.

Next up is Razer’s Facial Interface, a replacement for the Quest 2’s somewhat problematic default seal that seals the Quest 2 to the user’s face. The new accessory uses “ultra-thin textured and profiled membranes” to reduce pressure on the wearer’s face while adhering to hypoallergenic materials to prevent skin irritation. Razer also promises that it can better block light, helping to increase immersion.

No pricing information has yet been provided for any Quest 2 accessories, but Razer has promised that they will be available later this quarter. More information can be found on the company’s website.