It’s a busy night for ASUS Malaysia as they take the stage to not only unveil the first-ever gaming tablet but also to introduce two new backpacks for gamers. While this may not be the company’s first rodeo when it comes to fashionable gamer gear, it’s the first time they have made it at an official event. The two new backpacks seem to be catering to two unique styles.
Source: ASUS
Built to Game: The ROG Ranger BP2701 Gaming Backpack
The first – the ROG Ranger BP2701 Gaming Backpack – is a large, loud gamer backpack with space for your whole rig. The 22L bag is made of durable, high strength 600D polyester that is lightweight, scratch-resistant and repels water. The bag itself weighs only 0.93kg. However, it’s built to accommodate up to 17-inch laptops with multiple pockets for accessories. The laptop is also accessible through a quick access zipper on the side.
The bag is emblazoned with a holographic ROG insignia and comes with mesh-covered back pads which allow cool air to circulate. These pads also mould themselves to fit the contours of your body with padded Lycra shoulder straps and a chest strap for support and comfort. The luggage strap on the back of the bag not only adds to the aesthetic but also allows you to quickly and seamlessly secure the ROG Ranger to larger luggage when travelling. It also has concealed pockets for ease of access and security.
Adaptable Versatility: The ROG Archer Backpack 15.6 BP1505
Together with the ROG Ranger, ASUS also announced the ROG Archer Backpack 15.6 BP 1505. The smaller, 16L backpack is built to be your daily driver. It’s made of durable Condura 610D fabric which also repels water. It’s built to be versatile seamlessly going between a briefcase, shoulder bag and backpack. The YKK zippers and Duraflex buckles bring added durability to the backpack’s versatility.
It comes with 3 compartments that allow you to carry more than just your 15.6-inch laptop. Thanks to the water-repelling material, you can even carry your water bottle in the ROG Archer with peace of mind. On the back, the ROG Archer comes with an ultra-breathable, high molecular weight polyethylene padding which will keep you cool even on hot days.
Pricing & Availability
Both the ROG Ranger BP 2701 Gaming Backpack and ROG Archer Backpack 15.6 are available starting in April 2022. They will be available from retail outlets and the ROG Stores on Shopee and LAZADA.
The Ranger will cost MYR469.00 while the Archer will retail at MYR399.00.
ASUS took the stage in Las Vegas during CES 2022 to unveil a brand new slate of devices. Among them was one of the more interesting devices we’ve seen from ASUS and specifically the Republic of Gamers in a while – the ROG FLOW Z13. The new tablet brings gaming prowess and specifications to a form factor that we’ve yet to see for any device carrying its specifications.
Source: ASUS
The ROG FLOW Z13 comes with a 13.6-inch IPS display with up to 4K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The display comes with 100% coverage of the sRGB gamut with Pantone Validation and support for Dolby Vision HDR. Yes – like always, ASUS’s ROG goes over the top with all the bells and whistles for its first-ever gaming tablet. Together with the display, the FLOW Z13 comes with 16GB of onboard RAM with up to 1TB of M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD memory.
Here’s the kicker when it comes to the Z13, its body is only 1.2cm thick but it has specifications supporting up to an Intel Core i9 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050Ti built-in. Yep – you read that right! BUILT-IN! You don’t have to hook up any additional accessories to get an RTX3050Ti GPU with the Z13. In fact, the ROG FLOW Z13 does support the ROG XG Mobile system we saw in the earlier ROG FLOW X13 with minor updates. However, adding on the XG Mobile system allows you to bump up to an RTX3080 with 16GB of GDDR6 RAM and 150W TGP. That’s a whole lot of power for a 13-inch tablet!
Source: ASUS
In addition to the insane CPU and GPU, the Z13 also supports stylus and touch inputs. It’s also not taking any hostages when it comes to connectivity. It comes with 1 USB 2.0 Type-A port, 1 Thunderbolt 4 port with DisplayPort support, 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port with DisplayPort, G-SYNC and USB-PD support, 1 microSD card slot, a 3.5mm combo jack and, of course, the ROG XG Mobile interface.
Source: ASUS
The keyboard bundled with the ROG FLOW Z13 is an RGB backlit Chiclet Keyboard. It also acts as a folio cover as well. It also comes with a triple microphone array for better video conferencing with the 8-megapixel, 720p webcam. On the speaker side of things, it has a 2-speaker system with Smart Amplifier technology. It also supports Windows Hello fingerprint recognition.
Pricing & Availability
The ROG FLOW Z13 will be available in three configurations in Malaysia. The lowest-end configuration will be sporting a 12th Generation Intel Core i7 with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX3050 and will retail for MYR7,999. A step up will get you the Core i9 with a higher RTX3050Ti. This will cost MYR8,799. The maxed-out version for Malaysia will come with the Core i9, RTX3050Ti and a 4K display with a 60Hz refresh rate. It’s going to set you back a whopping MYR15,999.
Source: ASUS
All variants of the Z13 will be bundled with a ROG Sleeve bad, the ASUS PEN and a ROG mouse. The higher-end variant will come with the XG mobile platform bundled together which comes equipped with an RTX3080 and expands the connectivity options available on the tablet.
The maxed-out ROG FLOW Z13 will be available starting in April 2022 while the other two are now available on ROG’s LAZADA storefront.
Official Specfications
Model
GZ301Z-CLD132W
GZ301Z-ELD236W
GZ301Z-ELC214W
Color
Black
Black
Black
Dimension (W x D x H)
30.2 x 20.4 x 1.20 ~ 1.20 cm
30.2 x 20.4 x 1.20 ~ 1.20 cm
30.2 x 20.4 x 1.20 ~ 1.20 cm
Weight
1.18 Kg
1.18 Kg
1.18 Kg
Processor
12th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-12700H Processor 2.3 GHz (24M Cache, up to 4.7 GHz, 14 cores: 6 P-cores and 8 E-cores)
12th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-12900H Processor 2.5 GHz (24M Cache, up to 5.0 GHz, 14 cores: 6 P-cores and 8 E-cores)
12th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-12900H Processor 2.5 GHz (24M Cache, up to 5.0 GHz, 14 cores: 6 P-cores and 8 E-cores)
Wi-Fi 6E(802.11ax)+Bluetooth 5.2 (Dual band) 2*2 (*BT version may change with OS upgrades.)
Wi-Fi 6E(802.11ax)+Bluetooth 5.2 (Dual band) 2*2 (*BT version may change with OS upgrades.)
Wi-Fi 6E(802.11ax)+Bluetooth 5.2 (Dual band) 2*2 (*BT version may change with OS upgrades.)
I/O Ports
1x ROG XG Mobile Interface 1x Thunderbolt™ 4 support DisplayPort™ / power delivery 1x USB 2.0 Type-A 1x card reader (microSD) (UHS-II) 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C support DisplayPort™ / power delivery / G-SYNC 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack
1x ROG XG Mobile Interface 1x Thunderbolt™ 4 support DisplayPort™ / power delivery 1x USB 2.0 Type-A 1x card reader (microSD) (UHS-II) 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C support DisplayPort™ / power delivery / G-SYNC 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack
1x ROG XG Mobile Interface 1x Thunderbolt™ 4 support DisplayPort™ / power delivery 1x USB 2.0 Type-A 1x card reader (microSD) (UHS-II) 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C support DisplayPort™ / power delivery / G-SYNC 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack
Camera
8MP camera and 720P HD Webcam
8MP camera and 720P HD Webcam
8MP camera and 720P HD Webcam
Mic
Built-in 3-microphone array
Built-in 3-microphone array
Built-in 3-microphone array
Keyboard Type
Backlit Chiclet Keyboard RGB
Backlit Chiclet Keyboard RGB
Backlit Chiclet Keyboard RGB
Aura Sync
YES
YES
YES
Speakers
2-speaker system with Smart Amplifier Technology
2-speaker system with Smart Amplifier Technology
2-speaker system with Smart Amplifier Technology
Audio Tech
AI noise-canceling technology Dolby Atmos Hi-Res certification Smart Amp Technology
AI noise-canceling technology Dolby Atmos Hi-Res certification Smart Amp Technology
AI noise-canceling technology Dolby Atmos Hi-Res certification Smart Amp Technology
Next generation gaming on both the Microsoft Xbox and Sony PlayStation are technically the best and most advanced gaming devices ever to hit the market. The Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 offered a gaming experience like no other when they made the announcement of a certain storage technology that changed the gaming industry. It allowed the hardware to fully access all the speed offered by a 4th generation SSD storage.
In theory, the new technology allowed full access to the 5GB/s read speeds that the new SSDs are capable of. That much read speeds also means that loading times in games are cut short to nearly an instant. For games that was introduced on PS5 like “Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart”, it means no loading screens from one map to another. In that sense, developers are given more freedom to design games that has nearly no loading screens. That technology alone put the next-generation consoles ahead of even the most powerful gaming PCs you can find today.
Microsoft did make an announcement 18 months ago that that same DirectStorage technology on the Xbox Series X will make it to Windows games. That 18-month waiting time has laboured its final fruits. Microsoft has just announced that the DirectStorage API is here for Windows games.
Source: Make Use Of
This announcement also means that games for Windows 10 and Windows 11 now get full access to the full 5GB/s the 4th Generation PCIe NVMe Solid State Drives. Technically, if SSDs gets faster in these few years, DirectStorage technology should also mean that whatever speeds SSDs can go to, games have access to as well. In that sense, it means loading times in PC games are not just greatly reduced, it could be eliminated.
There is a problem here. While Microsoft says that Windows 10 and 11 are ready for games with no loading screens, we will not be getting any games without loading times though. The reality is this, the marker is still full of games that are optimised for HDD speeds. That also means that even if your SSD can be read at 5GB/s, games today are not made to take advantage of those speeds yet.
The way things look, it looks like we also will not be getting any games that would be made to take advantage of those speeds anytime too soon too. HDDs are still a thing in the PC market. It is the cheapest way to set up a gaming PC today still, at the same time too, PCIe NVMe 4.0 SSDs are not the cheapest storage options available at this time. Still, if game developers are paying attention, they will make more games like the upcoming “Forspoken”. For now, while this announcement may not be much too significant currently, it could mean a future where games can feel seamless all the time.
Today, content is king. When you talk about popular contents in the modern digital age, streaming is always something that comes up. The streaming industry is not limited to e-sports or gaming titles anymore, it could be anything really.
The entire streaming culture really can find its roots in gaming tough. When you talk gaming, you inevitably talk Razer. Razer is not just a gaming brand anymore though; they are a lifestyle brand with nice stuff for your PC and your gaming needs. We are also personal fans of the brand; we use their gaming peripherals and a certain compact USB mic for our podcasts (keep a look out for season 3!).
The streaming industry, as we pointed out, while started from the gaming culture is constantly growing. It used to be that you needed to have a capable enough gear to stream, a stable internet connection at home, preferably a fast one too just so that you can sit down and talk to hundreds to millions of people around the world. Today, 5G is looming upon us. Even without 5G, 4G LTE is more than enough to allow streamers to go LIVE anywhere and at any time. The number of digital platforms that allows anybody to stream whatever they like has changed the streaming industry.
Razer, as one of the brands that advocates the streaming culture must make progress with the streaming industry. To do that, they released a few new gears that streamers can up their game. They launched a new mic, a new mixer, and a lighting pad.
Taking Your Stream Anywhere – Razer Seiren BT
Source: Razer
To take your stream anywhere, anytime, you need to be mobile. The best hardware you have in your disposal is your smartphone. Your smartphone does everything a PC can while you are on the road. Most of the time though, while the camera on modern smartphones is more than capable of capturing clear, high-resolution videos for your Twitch stream, the audio is usually quite choppy unless you use a wired headphone and look cumbersome. Most wireless audio gear also means extra heft and a lot of cost.
The most elegant solution for this is using technology that is already available to us. That is why the Razer Seiren BT exists. The Razer Seiren BT is optimised to be used with smartphones and mobile streaming set ups to ensure that streamers always get the best audio quality no matter where they stream. Its simple clip-on design allows the mic to be mounted conveniently without disturbing your visuals. The wireless mic is also built with clever noise cancelling technology to cancel out background noise and wind noise in the environment, controllable via the Razer Streaming Mobile App.
Have More Control Over Your Streamed Radio – Razer Audio Mixer
Most of the time, audio is an afterthought in streaming. While setting up, plenty of people will tell you how important it is to get your visual right. You tend to focus on getting a good camera on hand and to make sure you and your environment looks good. Then you forget you need to let your voice get through in the stream, so you get yourself a mic that easily plugs into the USB port.
Source: Razer
While that is all good, you will have a problem when you want to work with multiple audio streams. You can, technically, control all these audio streams on your PC itself if you have the technical know-how. If you do not though, the Razer Audio Mixer is here to help.
The Audio Mixer is a clever solution to your Audio problem when streaming. It allows you to control up to 4 audio input channels to stream audio into and from your PC. It is an analogue board as well, so you can have direct and quick fader control over all the audio channels you have for your stream.
The Audio Mixer takes on most audio inputs too including hybrid-XLRs inputs, TRS Line, Optical TOS and others. Integrated to Razer’s versatile Synapse 3 software, streamers not just adjust the volume of your audio inputs and outputs. You can access the EQ of each channel via the software to tune your audio in your streams. All of these is done and loaded on the Razer Audio Mixer’s processor, so your PC can focus on working the video streams.
Visuals is Still Everything Though – Razer Key Light Chroma
Source: Razer
Being one of the big advocates of RGB hardware in gaming hardware, Razer is still all about the visuals too. Of course, visuals are still very important in streaming culture. You do not want to see badly filmed stream with dim lighting on the star of the show. As a star, you do not want your face to be covered by darkness too. But the regular cool or warm lighting is just too boring. What do you do?
You get the Razer key Light Chroma RGB light pads, mount it to your desk with an included desk clamp pole, point the pads to you, and choose whatever colour you want on your face, or lighting up your room. The Razer Key Light Chroma looks very much like a regular professional light pads used to light up a room or a scene with 16.8-million choice of colours with RGB Chroma. But connect them to your or smartphone via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and you will find that Razer’s Synapse 3 and Streaming App features more controls over the light pad than you know. Sadly, it is not battery compatible, you do need to carry a power adapter that can supply 52.5W to each light pad to power the pads. If you want to take your streaming mobile with the 2800 Lumens light source, you do want to make sure you have a power outlet available.
The Razer Seiren BT, Audio Mixer, and Key Light Chroma is now available on Razer’s online store and authorised stores. Unlike some of other devices in Razer’s arsenal, there are no colour options for these devices. Prices start from US$ 99.99 (MYR 479*) for the Seiren BT, US$ 299.99 (MYR 1,399*) for the Key Light Chroma, and US$ 249.99 (MYR 1,209*) for the Audio Mixer. More information on Razer’s range of streaming focused hardware can be found on their website.
To be fair, when we say it is the world’s first 60% Analog Optical switch keyboard, you also must keep in mind that the Razer Analog Optical Switch is Razer’s proprietary technology made exclusively for Razer’s own keyboard line-ups. While that makes it sound less special, hear us out. It is still a special keyboard in its own rights.
The Huntsman Mini, if you look at it, is one of the most compact gaming keyboards available. Even compared to other compact keyboards, it is compact. There are a few sacrifices to make a 60% keyboard. One of them is that you lose your D-Pad. Just think about how much space you save though, and you start to understand why you want a 60% keyboard.
Source: Razer
The Chroma RGB 60% keyboard also comes with the acclaimed Razer Optical switch. Rather than a physical switch, the actuation of the keys is done via light. This also means fewer moving parts and in turn, better durability. The Huntsman Mini is offered in two flavours too, a clicky variant and a linear variant.
While the Optical Switch is great, it could be better. Enter the world of Razer Analog Optical Switches, the only switch of its kind that allows for multiple actuation points. The Analog Optical Switch really redefines what we know about how keyboard should work.
Razer Analog Optical Switch
The Analog Optical Switch, a Razer exclusive, also works like the Optical Switch in its own right. It still relies on light detection and passing technology. Actuation is achieved when an emitted light hits a receiver within the single keys of the switch. The Analog Optical Switch is also only possible because of the Razer’s optical technology. You can see it as an improvement or an evolution over the original Optical Switch.
Source: Razer
Instead of making it an on/off switch, the light sensor within the keyboard now detects how much light is received from the emitter. This is also in accordance with the key height itself, how deep you pressed the key. The switch then activates according to the input from your fingers. While it does mimic the theory of a pressure sensor, it is far simpler than that.
This allows for a more precise control over movements in games. With multiple sensitivity, you can adjust your turning circle and intensity in driving games, for example. In driving games, you can even adjust your throttle feed to feather it in corners to be more precise as well. In first-person, or third-person games, you can control your movement speeds to a more relaxing walking pace when you want to slow down in a town.
The application can also go beyond that though. You can have two types of actuations from a single key for creative applications. We are not saying you should, but you could if you want, especially with the compressed size that is the 60% keyboard form factor. You could add a few more functions within the keyboard in different applications to make your workflow smarter, and faster; you just have to remember which keys does what.
The Razer Huntsman Mini Analog will be available in Malaysia today onward from Razer’s Official Stores on Lazada and Shopee. There are no additional colour options currently other than black, unlike the original Huntsman Mini which offers a Mercury colour option. It is an Crhoma RGB keyboard with PBT caps though, so you can take advantage of those features. It will set you back MYR 669, which is at least MYR 150 more than the original Huntsman Mini (Linear) keyboard. More information on the Razer Huntsman Mini Analog can be found on their website.
Pokémon Day commemorates the initial release of the, now, multimillion-dollar franchise. This year’s Pokémon Day was a little special with the unveiling of the next generation: Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
The two new games mark the franchise’s 9th entry in its mainstream games. More significantly, it’s the first mainstream game to adopt an open-world adventure format. Before this, mainstream games had strict, linear gameplay that guided players from one town to another advancing the game’s plot. However, this changed with Pokémon Sword and Shield with small open world areas known as “wild areas”. Following this, Pokémon Legends Arceus advanced the franchise further into open-world gameplay. However, Scarlet and Violet will be the first to do it in a mainstream game.
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will take players to a brand-new region inspired by the real-world Iberian region which consists of Spain and Portugal. The Pokémon Company hasn’t yet revealed the name of the region. However, early game footage shows a vast, open-world with buildings and landmarks inspired by the Spanish and Portuguese. Together with these landmarks, we’re also treated to some familiar faces including Pikachu, Psyduck, Lucario, Stonjurner and Larvitar.
Meet Sprigatito, Fuecoco & Quaxly
However, the hallmark of any new generation announcement is the three “starter” Pokémon. Players will choose between them as they start their journeys. The ninth generation of mainstream games sees three new Pokémon: Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly. While they still follow the Grass-Fire-Water type triangle, the new starters give us a little insight into the style of the new series.
Source: Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Official Website/The Pokémon Company
Sprigatito is a new cat Pokémon and the grass starter for the region. The official description lists it as the “Grass Cat Pokémon”. It’s the second feline starter in the franchise so far; the previous one being Litten of the Alolan region.
Fuecoco is a new crocodile inspired Pokémon and is the fire starter for the region as the name suggests. The new “Fire Croc Pokémon” is also the second crocodile starter in the franchise after Totodile in the Johto region.
Source: The Pokémon Company
Quaxly, on the other hand, is the first duck starter Pokémon to date and is the water starter Pokémon of the new region.
That’s about all the information we have so far about the ninth generation Pokémon games. However, we can expect more information in the coming months as the game is slated to release on the Nintendo Switch later in 2022. Yep – that’s right, this year.
CES 2022 (Consumer Electronics Show) earlier in the year graced us with many very exciting, very interesting devices. It is also sort of a confirmation that Intel’s 12th Generation mobile CPUs are coming hot. The question we left CES with was “when are they coming?”. ASUS answered first with their ROG Zephyrus M16 and Strix G series gaming laptops.
ROG Zephyrus M16
ASUS ROG’s Zephyrus gaming laptop line-up has been the brand’s pride and joy in pushing what is possible with gaming laptops. They introduce some of the most compact large format gaming laptops available to the gaming notebook market. For 2022, they have a new one for Malaysia.
While the Zephyrus S series laptops have been an elusive one to Malaysia, the Zephyrus M series have been a popular choice for the market. The new one for 2022 is promised to be even better. The improvements go beyond just popping a 12th Generation Intel processor and updated NVIDIA GeForce RTX GPUs into the notebook.
Source: ASUS
Of course, we must start with those. The ROG Zephyrus M16 packs a respectable 12th Generation Intel Core i9-12900H with a monstrous 14-cores to work with. Six performance cores on the CPU ensures that any heavy workload you need to work on with the ROG Zephyrus M16 gets chewed quickly and efficiently. You can pair that powerful CPU with an equally impressive NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti (up to) for maximum attack on all the current AAA game titles. For even more performance on your games, MUX switch ensures that your games and applications get the best performance directly from the GPU when they need to.
To do the powerful hardware justice, up to 32GB (16GB + 16GB) of DDR5 RAM configuration is available on offer. For storage, you get up to 2TB in NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD storage. There will be an extra 4th generation PCIe slot for your perusal too, in case 2TB is not enough for all your games.
The most visible update form the older Zephyrus M16 is its new display with ultra-thin bezels all around. You still get a 720p resolution webcam with IR blaster for Windows Hello, which is rather remarkable considering the bezel size. The narrow bezels contain a high-resolution 16-inch display that projects WQXGA resolution (2,560 by 1,600) at 16:10 aspect ratio. It is also Pantone validate and covers up to 100% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut, which means you get highly accurate and vivid colours. With Dolby Vision HDR, movies and games will look extra crisp and details pop. It is a gaming display still, so it needs to be fast at 165Hz.
Like the Zephyrus that came before it, the ROG Zephyrus M16 can be charged via a USB Type-C PD charger that is also included in the box. That is not enough power to get your games up to speed though, you will need the proprietary charger for the laptop if you want to get the most out of the Zephyrus M16. There will be no HDMI 2.1 implemented here though, just a regular HDMI 2.0b port. You do get WiFi 6E capabilities on the laptop though. While WiFi 6E is not a standard offering in Malaysia just yet, it is good to know that your laptop will take it on as soon as the technology becomes available.
To top it all off, the Windows 11 laptop packs four speakers for maximum immersive experience without the need of additional external hardware. Two of the speakers are 2W dual-force woofers equipped with Smart Amp Technology to ensure deep, detailed low-end frequency delivery. The other two are 2W tweeters for crisp and clean mid and trebles.
Source: ASUSSource: ASUSSource: ASUSSource: ASUS
ROG Strix G Series (G15 & G17)
The ROG Zephyrus M16, as impressive as they are, could be a little rich. While you want a do-it-all laptop, the Zephyrus M16 might still be a little out of reach with prices starting from MYR 8,099. You can consider the ROG Strix G series that starts from MYR 5,399 in that case.
You can choose between a 15-inch display (G15) or a 17-inch display (G17) for the Strix. Underneath the iconic shell is a brand-new AMD Ryzen 6000 series mobile CPU with Zen 3+ architecture, a minor update from the highly acclaimed Zen 3 architecture that should mean more performance out of the processors. Specifically, you get an AMD Ryzen 7 6800H mobile CPU with eight high-performance cores with up to 4.7GHz of clock speed (boost). The mobile CPU comes with an integrated AMD Radeon graphics. But integrated GPU is never enough for gaming and high-performance computing. You get to pick up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 GPU for when you need the extra performance in gaming. Of course, MUX switch comes to the Strix G series of laptops.
Source: ASUS
Memory wise there are a few configurations you can choose from with the ROG Strix G series. You can spec your G15 with up to 16GB of DDR5 on-board RAM with an additional slot for upgrade, in combination with up to 1TB of 4th Generation PCIe NVMe SSD also with an additional slot for an extra SSD. The G17 gets a 16GB RAM configuration in combination with up to a 1TB SSD.
Just as we mentioned earlier, you get to choose between to work with a 15.6-inch display or a 17.3-inch display with the Strix G series. For the smaller G15 variant, you can opt for a very speedy 300Hz 3ms response time Full HD IPS display that also boasts up to 100% in sRGB colour gamut coverage. Or you can go for a faster display from the G17’s Full HD display at 360Hz. The 17.3-inch display from the G17 boasts only 62.5% coverage of the sRGB colour gamut though.
No matter the choice of display size though, the ROG Strix G series comes with WiFi 6E as standard. Like its predecessors as well, the new 2022 variants of the ROG Strix G series can be charged via its USB Type-C port using an included PD charger in the box. Again, you want to use the proprietary charger when you want to get the most out of the laptop.
Source: ASUSSource: ASUSSource: ASUSSource: ASUSSource: ASUSSource: ASUSSource: ASUS
Prices and Availability
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 will be available March 2022 onward in two configurations. One comes with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti GPU at MYR 11,499. The other configuration is also the most powerful one with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti at MYR 16,499. There will be a more budget conscious option available with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 GPU available in April onward for MYR 8,099.
The ROG Strix G series, as mentioned, will be available in two sizes – 15-inch and 17-inch. The Strix G15 will be available March 2022 onward. For now, only the G15 with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 GPU, 8GB RAM + 512GB storage will be available for MYR 5,399. There is a special edition Electro Pink variant of the G15 available as well for MYR 5,599. The Strix G15 with NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 3060, 16GB RAM + 1TB storage will be available on a later date alongside the Strix G17. There are no confirmed pricing for those yet too.
For more information on the ROG Zephyrus M16 and ROG Strix G series for 2022, you can visit ASUS’ ROG website.
Two years ago in 2020, Google and Valve made a small but significant decision that would bring Chrome OS to the next level. With the introduction of Intel’s 10th generation Core processors, Google says that they are working on bringing Steam on the platform. If you have not known what Steam is yet, they are the largest game library in the known world. When we say game library, they are also an online game store that brought about the revolution of how we play and buy games today. Instead of buying physical copies, Steam brought about the age of digital copies of games; meaning you do not need CDs or DVDs to run your games anymore. That is why plenty of new notebooks and even pre-built PCs does not come with a disk tray anymore.
The announcement was made two years ago though, and we have not seen a single hint of Steam coming to Chrome OS since then. Until 9to5 Google uncovered something, that is. Apparently, things have already been swinging for quite some time now in the works of bringing Steam to Chrome OS and the latest development update came in January 2022. A developer commented on the processes they are working on and a sort of expected timeline for the project.
According to 9to5 Google the changelog that they were going through has introduced a list of supposedly supported Chromebooks and some minimum requirements. Of course, the Chromebooks listed are not named outrightly. From the codenames they have, it can be determined which Chromebooks are supposed to be getting Steam support. Most of them for now comes from Acer and ASUS.
Lindar – Unknown/unreleased Chromebook from Lenovo
The minimum requirement listed on the changelog also mentions that the Chromebook needs to have at least an 11th Generation Intel Core i5 processor and more than 7GB of RAM. So far, the specs reserved for Steam on Chromebooks are higher-end Chromebooks. But this is also a form of good news for Chrome OS fans.
With the introduction of Steam on top of Chrome OS also means that there will be a new breed of gamers that plays games on Chrome OS. NVIDIA is already working closely with Google and MediaTek to be more present in the development of and for Chrome OS. They are also working on a discrete GPU for Chrome OS, albeit for very specific use cases, for some time now. At the same time, the list of supported hardware is still expanding. There are already evidence showing that even AMD’s newer chips might be on the support list soon. A few of Google’s Chrome OS partners have also revealed that they are working on RGB versions of their Chromebooks. Would we see Steam pre-installed or supported by then? We do not know, only time will tell. But we are looking forward.
After months of growing legal battles and losing some of its top talents, Activision Blizzard may be getting a much-needed break. Microsoft is sweeping in to acquire the game developer for a whopping USD$68.7 billion. The acquisition will make Microsoft the third biggest gaming company behind Tencent and Sony.
Activision Blizzard’s acquisition will give Microsoft access to IPs from Blizzard, Activision and King studios. This includes titles like Diablo, StarCraft, Warcraft and Overwatch in Blizzard’s portfolio; Candy Crush in King’s portfolio; and Call of Duty, Destiny and more in Activision’s portfolio. These game IPs are apparently making their way to XBOX’s GamePass sometime after the acquisition has been finalised.
Source: Activision Blizzard
While the acquisition may seem like a big win, it may not be in the best interest of gamers as we’ve already seen Microsoft use acquisitions to bolster its exclusive games catalogue. Most recently, the company acquired ZeniMax which owns popular game studio Bethesda. In the wake of that acquisition, Bethesda has already announced that the latest instalment of one of its most popular IPs, Elder Scrolls VI, will be exclusive to XBOX. While it’s still too early to say if games like Diablo and Overwatch will be exclusive to Microsoft, it is something that gamers should be wary of.
In addition to this, the acquisition of Activision Blizzard isn’t addressing the underlying issues which have been plaguing the company. In fact, in its announcement, Activision Blizzard has confirmed that embattled CEO, Bobby Kotik, will continue as the CEO for now. Activision Blizzard has had a tumultuous 2021 plagued with workplace issues that have come to light thanks to multiple lawsuits.
However, Microsoft’s new CEO of Gaming, Phil Spencer, mentions in his email to employees, “Microsoft is committed to our journey for inclusion in every aspect of gaming, among both employees and players. We deeply value individual studio cultures. We also believe that creative success and autonomy go hand-in-hand with treating every person with dignity and respect. We hold all teams, and all leaders, to this commitment.”. Hopefully, this holds true when it comes to dealing with their latest acquisition’s colourful state beyond the close of the acquisition. Beyond the acquisition, Activision Blizzard will be reporting to Phil Spencer which leaves many of the concerns raised by both gamers and Activision Blizzard’s developers at his doorstep.
Source: Activision Blizzard
That aside, Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard is a huge development in the gaming industry as a whole. It could be the jolt the industry needed to push it forward to adapt to a newer approach to gaming experiences including VR. In fact, in their statements, Microsoft’s leadership has indicated that their vision of the now trending, “metaverse”, is one that is populated by creative content that can be consumed at any time.
Microsoft’s acquisition comes at a crucial point in the development of some of Activision Blizzard’s most anticipated titles including the much anticipated Diablo IV and Overwatch 2 and Diablo’s foray into mobile, Diablo Immortal. Having had such a tumultuous year, the games are in need of an infusion of quality leadership and talent.
The new acquisition is pending the approval of regulators and the shareholders of both companies. Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard is expected to close by the end of Microsoft’s fiscal year in June 2023.
Intel only recently announced their latest 12th Generation processors. These processors bring improved performance and better battery life. MSI is banking on the “Metaverse” as it moves forward with a new redesigned logo, slimmer, more powerful laptops and feature-packed offerings. The new lineup takes advantage of the latest and greatest from Intel and also NVIDIA.
In addition to bringing the latest from Intel and NVIDIA, MSI is also bringing a few new upgrades of its own. The company is introducing a new cooling technology they call “Phase Change Liquid Metal Pad” which has better thermal conductivity thanks to its change in state. According to MSI, as temperatures hit 58°C (136° F), the Liquid Metal Pad liquefies which allows it to fill the gaps between the CPU and thermal block providing better cooling. In fact, MSI is attributing a 10% increase in overall performance to its new cooling technology. This feature is making its way to most, if not all of MSI’s “Meta Ready” Laptops.
A Gamer in Plain Sight: MSI Stealth GS77/66
It seems that more and more people are looking for a laptop that can seamlessly blend into their work and play. The MSI Stealth GS series is built to do just that. MSI has bolstered the durability of the Stealth with better more robust materials. They’ve also shifted the hinges towards the centre of the laptop for better stability and sturdiness. It also comes with a 50% larger trackpad and larger keycaps for better productivity. The Stealth will also feature a physical camera lock allowing you to deactivate the webcam when not in use.
The Stealth will come with configurations supporting up to the Intel Core i9 and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Laptop GPU. It also comes with support for DDR5 RAM and Thunderbolt 4. It comes with options supporting 4K and UHD displays with up to 360 Hz refresh rates. It also comes with 6 speakers for a more immersive sound experience. Connectivity-wise, the MSI Stealth GS77/66 comes with support for WiFi 6E and also comes built-in with Intel’s Killer AX1675 and E3100 controllers.
Maxing out performance with the MSI Raider GE
MSI’s Raider GE is made to be a powerhouse gaming experience. Like the Raiders of the past, the new one comes with configurations to empower gaming without limits. This year, it comes with configurations supporting up to the Intel Core i9 and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080Ti Laptop GPU. This is complemented by MSI’s own OverBoost technology which allows users to get every drop of performance from their laptop. It delivers up to 220 watts of power to unlocked unrivalled performance.
Similar to the Stealth GS, the Raider GE will come with support for DDR5 RAM and PCIe Gen4 SSDs. It comes with MSI’s new cooling technology and also supports multidisplay setups. The Raider is also one of the only laptops on the market to sport a 1080p webcam. Like it’s sibling it comes equipped with high refresh rate displays sporting up to QHD resolutions. It also has the Intel Killer E3100 ethernet and Intel Killer AX1675 WiFi controllers.
Putting Power In the Hands of Creators
MSI is also imbuing the Creator Z16 and Z16P with a boost in power. The latter is getting an extra 20% boost in performance thanks to the new Vapour Chamber Cooler which cools better and decreases the temperature further. In addition to this, the Creator Z laptops will be also be getting pen touch support.
Empowering Every Gamer
In addition to the two hero gaming laptops, MSI is also updating its other lineups including the MSI Crosshair 15, the MSI Pulse GL76/77, the MSI Katana and the MSI Sword. These laptops will be coming with Intel’s 12th Generation processors and also configurations supporting up to NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 3070Ti Laptop GPU. They will also support DDR5 RAM and PCIe Gen4 storage.
