If you are unable to attend CES 2024, Consumer Electronics Show 2024, fear not, as we are here to provide you with a CES 2024 Preview of HP, HyperX, and Poly’s top announcements, releases, and more that spoke to us on the showroom floor.
A fellow tech nerd myself, I lavish in the evolution of hardware in both computing power and consumer hobby particularly in the gaming space. HP’s line of brand ownership always has a variety of releases to share prior to CES yearly, so let’s dive in.
HP:
Amongst various refreshes of previous years’ laptop and computer products, HP had a few particularly unique items to display.
Foldable Computer/Tablet/Laptop:
If you are familiar with OLED technology, then you understand the flexibility of the screen, thus bringing about a world of new technology innovations revolving around bendable displays.
The brand new HP foldable takes business class to a new prestige with one of the most original computing products to date. Switch between a 17” full-screen computer, a laptop, or a full tablet by simply moving around the included magnetic keyboard.
The keyboard acts as a Smart Cover for your display, altering the functionality of your screen and device. You also have the option to partially cover the bottom half of the device, leaving space for a touchscreen taskbar. Fully customize this part of the screen with different built-in tiling and layouts. Also, the device claims to have up to 12 hours, depending on the case. The computer also includes a digital, wireless charging, and magnetic stylus.
Unfortunately, this device is for the high-class entrepreneurs at a cost of $5,000. It’s a bold move from HP, and it really seems like a product to simply boast and advertise for clout. It doesn’t seem like it will sell well, but maybe it doesn’t need to sell to be a conversation piece for HP.
HP430 Bluetooth Number Pad:
In a world of PC customization and the ever-increasing complexity of computing, people need simplicity and convenience. Also, in an on-the-go world, products have gotten smaller and jam-packed with features.
Regarding these points, keyboards, as they change and grow with the times, we see a variety of size options from full-sized boards, 60-80% sized boards, and even foldable portable boards for travel.
If you ask me, I HATE small keyboards that remove the number pad, as I’ve gotten used to typing numbers this way.
Long behold the portable, customizable Bluetooth number pad from HP. A fully universal, multi-OS number pad that has up to 9 customizable keys. Choose your own set of macro presets for Excel spreadsheets or your favorite Photoshop actions right on the pad.
The keypad also provides fun stickers to remember your key functionality, along with the easy removal of keycaps if you change your workflow.
It’s a fairly simple product in theory, but for those who enjoy smaller profile hardware, we can still enjoy the ease of use of larger products with this fully mobile keyboard add-on.
AI-based Intel Ultra Cores (NPU):
A final mention for HP’s tech showcase, we see next-gen, Intel-based AI computing power with the addition of NPU cores. Specific cores optimized for AI visual processing, especially in the rise of video editing, these chips go a long way on business-oriented machines without powerful discrete graphics processing units.
I had the pleasure of watching, via the task manager, these processing cores in action, as they were specifically turned on when running intense masking effects using AI in open-source video editing applications.
This will most likely be the start of future computer architecture as AI grows in complexity, power, and practical use application.
HyperX:
Clutch Tanto Mini Controller –
The world of bite-sized hardware grows with this cute yet stylish portable, pocket-sized Xbox/PC gaming controller. Unfortunately, it is wired, but nonetheless, this controller does not go unappreciated.
Times have changed, and portable gaming is more important than ever, but who knew we needed a controller that could fit in our pockets?
It’s the little details that stand out to me, and with cloud gaming platforms like NVIDIA GeForce Now, a controller that takes up little real estate in your bag or pocket can bring a better gaming experience anywhere on your phone, tablet, or laptop.
The controller also features a 3.5mm headset or mic jack to add to the convenience factor, especially if you are still rocking wired earbuds.
I can see tiny controllers as a whole new line of marketable hardware in the next decade, so keep an eye out for the mobile gaming uprising. It’s only a matter of time.
HyperX has much more to show, as always, including their newest keyboard line, the Alloy Rise 75 or 100, Gaming Keyboard with more customization options than ever. To start, you can purchase multiple badge packs for the right side to replace the HyperX logo already there. Add color or flare for whatever you feel, and don’t forget to match your colors to the replaceable front cover plate. Simply lift the keyboard front cover off to replace it with multiple color options, such as blue or white, to suit your fancy.
HyperX also allows you to change the entire switch set with add-on kits if you don’t like the kit switches on the Alloy Rise. You can choose between Tactile Blue or Linear Red. One can also change out all of your keys for pudding caps a transparent base to see full RGB illumination throughout the keyboard.
To close out HyperX, we see new runs of their beloved and one-of-a-kind HX3D keycaps. These new sets include the Werewolf, Nymph, and Valkyrie. They continue to spice up this collection, and over time, HyperX will really hold its own identity in the gamer customization space.
Omen:
31.5” Omen Transcend OLED 240hz 4K Display –
Although the Omen announcements were a bit slim, they still had a showstopper at the show. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to see a working demo of the product, as it was non-functional, but it still caught my attention.
The Transcend Monitor has more than just a seemingly high-quality display, and don’t let me leave out that the screen has built-in cooling to reduce burn-in over time. This unit has multi-PC functionality, which is great for a streamer with a streaming PC and a gaming PC. You can seamlessly link two computers together through USB connections and the ability to power a device with 140W power out of USB-C. The monitor goes great with a laptop as well, especially the new OMEN 14” Transcend laptop, including Intel Ultra with AI cores.
The Transcend can also do picture-in-picture without destroying your gaming flow. Easily swap between controlling your PC and gaming with a seamless 2-1 monitor structure.
Lastly, the monitor hosts a full speaker system with the inclusion of dedicated tweeters and a subwoofer. Again, I wasn’t able to really test any of these claims out, but it sounds nice in theory. HP also did not disclose any pricing information either at this time. Keep an eye out for pricing updates.
Closing out the Show:
In the end, the show was a bit slimmer than I expected, so I sought out to find the most unique product news for each brand. Between tiny controllers, expansion on customization, and hopefully a new amazing upper-class display, it was still a pleasure to see development in the PC experience tailored to the consumer.
Also, always pay big attention to the streaming culture and the options to show off unique gear that stands out on camera. The HyperX Alloy Rise is a good example of this, being the most customizable device at the show, other than the HP430 number pad.
If you aren’t going to CES 2024, and care about HP news, hopefully this gave you some clarity to their presentations.
