Tag: CES 2019

For gamers who want to see a preview of the best hardware and software advances in PC gaming to watch out for in 2019, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas is a great place to kick off the new year. Microsoft’s device partners were on hand this week showing off innovative notebooks, eye-popping visual styling, and slick in-game features that will provide powerful platforms for our full line of PC games. As CES comes to a close, you can’t help but be in awe of all that was unveiled this week. Three major trends emerged promising a stellar year in gameplay for both casual and hardcore PC gamers:

• Thinner and lighter gaming laptops with better graphics: Slim, stylish notebooks with powerful gaming features let you travel to gaming meetups without missing a beat.
• Devices that combine the power of productivity and gaming in a device: From business apps to graphic design and video creation tools, these machines work as hard as they play.
• Cutting-edge gaming technology with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX GPUs that brings DirectX Raytracing to your device: Enjoy incredible realism on a growing selection of gaming notebooks.

More Power, Better Graphics in Thinner PCs

While some PC gamers prefer to set up shop with powerful desktop rigs with customizable LED lights and visible cooling components, laptops are packing more portable gaming power these days in thinner and lighter forms. At CES 2019, partners showcased a variety of new, slim notebooks that make it easier to take your favorite games everywhere. Play at home or on long flights, or get together with friends for multiplayer action.

• ASUS showed off the ROG Mothership (GZ700) and ROG Zephyrus S (GX701) gaming laptops.
  • ROG Mothership sports a reimagined design that stands tall to draw more air into its advanced cooling system, housed in a finely machined aluminum chassis that frames a jaw-dropping 17.3” FHD IPS-level 144Hz/3ms with G-Sync technology display, powered by the latest NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics and Intel 8^th Gen Core i9 processor. It comes with Hyperdrive Extreme that uses ASUS-exclusive technology to combine up to three NVMe PCle 3.0×4 SSDs for the world’s fastest RAID 0 storage in a gaming laptop.
  • ROG Zephyrus S GX701 is a 17-inch gaming laptop with a PANTONE validated super-narrow bezel 17” display with a 144Hz refresh rate and 3ms GTG response time, that’s only 18.7 mm thin (less than an inch), and the only one in its product category with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 with Max-Q Design that combines GPU, thermal design and software to deliver powerful performance in an incredibly slim notebook.
• Dell showcased the thinnest and lightest Alienware 17-inch gaming notebook, the new Alienware m17, along with the recently announced Alienware m15, for gamers on the go who want a light, thin device for easy mobility. At just 5.79 pounds for the m17 and 4.76 pounds for the m15, both laptops feature the latest NVIDIA GeForce RTX 20 Series GPUs, which deliver advanced gaming features including real-time raytracing, artificial intelligence, and programmable shading.
• HP has taken the popular OMEN 15 Laptop to the next level. First announced in May 2018, the Omen 15 features single-panel access for storage and memory and a variety of ports, allowing easy expansion and hardware customization on top of the laptop’s amazing speed and performance. Enhanced editions presented at CES add NVIDIA’s newest mobile graphics cards for immersive gameplay along with easy mobility.

• iBUYPOWER launched the next evolution of esports focused Small Form Factor PCs. Revolt 3 combines form and function into a competition-grade system with dual-sided tempered glass windows and a unique layout mean that every piece of your PC’s performance is on display. Revolt 3’s chassis is designed to expand to fit larger hardware and larger cooling options. Need space for an extra-long video card and thick radiator? Revolt 3 can extend up to 40mm to accommodate.
• The MSI GS75 Stealth breaks the stereotype of the bulky, heavy gaming laptop with an 8^th Gen Intel Core i9 Processor and GeForce RTX 2080 GPU in a 2.2 kg thin bezel chassis. The immersive 17.3-inch 144Hz IPS-level display provides gamers with a panoramic view of the playing field, while the GeForce RTX 2080 ensures you’re gaming at the highest-quality settings.

Modern Features to Integrate Productivity and Gaming in One Device

Windows 10 gaming PCs have always delivered the high performance, realistic visuals, authentic sound, precise control, and high-quality streaming that gamers covet. But sometimes you just have to get a little work done. A new array of gaming laptops bring together powerful capabilities for video editing, graphic design, content creation, and business productivity, along with the speed and versatility to carry you through immersive multiplayer environments. Now you can move seamlessly from paying the bills to playing the newest titles.

• Acer unveiled two new gaming notebooks: the Predator Triton 900 and the Predator Triton 500. Both combine new, functional designs with powerful internals that rival gaming desktops while enabling powerful productivity.
  • The 0.94-inch thin Predator Triton 900 is a fully convertible 2-in-1 that features four usage modes, a 17-inch touchscreen, and a trackpad beside the keyboard for natural hand placement. With the new NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 GPU, an Xbox wireless receiver, and Waves Maxx technology for hyper-realistic 3D audio, the Predator Triton 900 pulls no punches in delivering a best-in-class gaming experience.
  • At just 0.70 inches thin and 4.1 pounds, the 15-inch Predator Triton 500 can easily be slipped in a backpack or briefcase. The “weight” is the only thing light about it: Powered on, it’s a gaming superhero, with up to eight hours of battery life.

• The Corsair One Pro i180 delivers massive performance in a compact size for content creators, from game designers to video editors and beyond. Developed in partnership with Intel and clad in a 2 mm thin, aircraft-grade, bead-blasted aluminum gunmetal housing, the CORSAIR ONE PRO delivers incredible, 24-thread performance at speeds up to 4.5GHz, and GeForce RTX 2080 Ti GPU for cutting-edge graphics and real-time raytracing. It easily handles today’s most demanding applications, from video encoding to photo editing to rendering 3D graphics and more.
• Gigabyte announced the new AERO 15 and AORUS, some of the first Windows 10 laptops to feature Microsoft AI capabilities – giving gamers a dynamically optimized experience. Whether they are gaming or simply editing, gamers will experience the perfect CPU, GPU, fan, keyboard and sound setting configurations optimized based on their usage patterns. The Cool n Quiet app leverages Microsoft AI to dynamically distribute power based on how a the laptop is being used, dynamically reducing the heat and noise and shifting workloads depending on the scenario.
• The New Lenovo Legion Y740 and Y540 laptops are more powerful than ever and engineered to handle the toughest technical challenges while retaining a clean aesthetic that looks just as great in a living room as it does in a conference room with their discreet designs. Available with up to the latest NVIDIA GeForce RTX GPUs, Intel Core processors and Windows 10 Home, these laptops offer blazing-fast gaming speeds to play the latest releases, edit photos and videos, binge-watch shows, or multitask.

• MSI showcased the high-performance, good-looking PS63 Modern with its streamlined, portable design and powerful performance on multitasking and graphics rendering. Its 15.6-inch IPS-level display and 1.65 kg heft make it ideal for anyone who wants the freedom to take an idea outdoors and discover a new realm of creativity.
• Razer recently presented the new Razer Blade Stealth 13, redesigned with a high-grade aluminum unibody frame to deliver increased performance in a compact chassis with up to 13 hours of battery life. Now available with NVIDIA graphics and up to 4k resolution with thin side bexels that are over 60 percent thinner than the previous version for a visually stunning, edge-to-edge picture.

Raytracing Comes to Life

The Windows 10 October 2018 Update includes native support for DirectX Ray Tracing when coupled with NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX GPUs. DirectX Raytracing delivers a level of realism that traditional rasterization can’t provide, such as reflections, shadows, and ambient occlusion. The result is an in-game environment that’s richer and more compelling than ever before. CES 2019 attendees got a first look at new PC gaming rigs that feature NVIDIA’s new GeForce RTX 20-Series GPUs, which bring raytracing to life in eagerly anticipated new games like EA’s Battlefield V.

• CyberPowerPC presented its latest line of Syber Tracer III gaming laptops powered by the new NVIDIA GeForce RTX 20-Series Graphics, offering gamers the performance of a high-end desktop system on a 15-inch or 17-inch mobile gaming powerhouse.
• Raytracing is also a powerful new feature on lighter, thinner devices including the Alienware m17 and Alienware m15 mentioned above, and on productivity powerhouses including the Corsair One Pro i180.

• Origin PC introduced new EVO series laptops, the EVO16-S and EVO17-S, which feature new thin and light designs with powerful hardware inside. Thanks to NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics, up to an RTX 2080 GPU with Max-Q design, the EVO series lets you play games with real-time ray tracing technology enabled.

These are just some of the new products bringing thin and light devices, powerful productivity, and advanced raytracing to gamers in 2019. Check back on Xbox Wire frequently to keep up with the latest PC gaming product releases and news.

Microsoft and our partner ecosystem are delivering intelligent cloud and intelligent edge solutions that help customers manage their digital lives and achieve more. We’re also supporting businesses by providing the platforms, devices and solutions that power a new era of productivity, creativity, simplicity and security.

At CES we showcased partner solutions and innovation across the intelligent edge including: modern PCs, connected computing devices, powerful gaming PCs, exciting IoT retail experiences and new Azure Sphere modules and starter kits that will help ensure security for billions of connected devices. Our partners are bringing the edge to life, and it’s amazing to see so many examples of that on display here at CES.

Modern PC experiences

We think of the personal computer as the ultimate intelligent edge – it’s the device that has transformed the world of creativity and productivity, and help us get more done. The level of innovation we’re continuing to see in the PC space is fueling new scenarios, breakthrough levels of performance and new cloud-connected experiences.

Modern PCs are sleek, fast, secure and durable, and have long battery life, offering beautiful designs across all price points. Premium PCs like the HP Spectre Folio and the LG Gram 17″ provide elegant designs with amazing battery life, are great to use and have the latest and greatest features – showcasing the best that Windows 10 has to offer.

There are sleek, mid-range, long-lasting 2-in-1s like the Lenovo Yoga C630 WOS (Windows on Snapdragon) or thin and light such as the Acer Swift 7 that can slip right into your bag.

We also see a growing number of highly affordable laptops that are secure, easy to use online or offline, and are great options for work or play. To see them in action, check out the ASUS Vivobook 14/15 X412/512 or the Dell Inspiron 5482 2-in-1 or Samsung Notebook Flash.

Treat yourself to all the power and performance you want and expect from Windows, at the price that’s right for you.

Connectivity everywhere

Another area where we’re seeing PC innovation is in the connected computing space. These devices will change your expectations of a PC, as they are always securely connected, and provide all-day battery life to help you be even more productive.

Where LTE was once “nice to have,” more and more users are seeing the benefits of being always connected to what is important to them, both at home and at work. The investments Microsoft and partners like Intel and Qualcomm are making in connected computing are transforming work and life, and we firmly believe that fast, affordable and ubiquitous cellular connectivity, driven by LTE and now 5G, will become core to the way people work across devices.

Check out the Lenovo Yoga C630 WOS (Windows on Snapdragon) or the HP Spectre X360 13″ to learn more.

Power of PC gaming

Windows 10 is the biggest PC gaming platform out there – and we’re adding new features that bring immersive gaming to life in incredible new ways. Our partners are driving innovation by leveraging these new Windows features and releasing new powerful gaming rigs, with the latest silicon, graphics and performance enhancements for the gaming community.

With Windows 10, you get the latest in gaming innovations, including support for HDR screens and 4K, and now DirectX Raytracing – which gives graphics better lighting, shadows and reflections. It’s a whole new visual experience that you can only get on Windows 10 gaming rigs.

Windows 10 also has Game bar, which lets you record, broadcast and customize your gameplay. It’s the one-stop shop that allows you to control individual audio settings, take screen recordings, and instantly stream live gameplay to Mixer. No additional software is required.

At CES, partners including ASUS, Acer, Dell and Lenovo announced gaming PCs featuring the new Nvidia RTX 20 Series chips, which enable raytracing. This amazing advancement in silicon takes immersive gaming to a whole new level, thanks to the power of Windows 10.

Also, partners including ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo and MSI are bringing thin and light PCs traditionally targeted at gamers to new audiences, such as creators who also benefit from powerful processors and incredible graphics, allowing them to build large design or video files seamlessly.

Check out Xbox Wire for the latest on the new gaming PCs announced at CES.

Internet of Things

IoT is another area where we’re seeing innovation throughout the ecosystem with partners bringing new intelligent edge and intelligent cloud solutions to meet customer’s needs. IoT is transforming the way businesses operate – helping them increase operational efficiency, reduce cost, improve customer experiences and digitally transform their products and services. Consumers are also using connected IoT solutions in new ways. Fitness, connected home, shopping, finance, and so many more areas in which industry is delivering new IoT-based devices and experiences that help customers seamlessly stay connected and be more productive.

Microsoft is excited to partner with the broadest set of IoT ecosystem partners – hardware manufacturers, solution providers and aggregators – to supply a diverse portfolio of IoT solutions to businesses and customers across industries and scenarios. Below are a few that we’re showcasing at CES.

Retail solutions

Global retail trends point to an enormous IoT growth motion with 70 percent of retailers planning to invest in IoT by 2021. We are seeing these investments improving the retailer’s own operations, creating new customer interactions, both in-store and online, as well as transforming personalized shopping experiences.

For example, this holiday I didn’t have to wait in any lines to buy gifts. I used an app on my mobile phone, like SKIP’s frictionless shopping solution which we are showcasing at CES this year.   With SKIP, a shopper can enter the store, scan any item they pick up along their shopping journey and simply exit the store. The charges will be automatically billed to the shopper’s SKIP account. This type of simplified mobile checkout solution helps retailers enhance customer experiences and lets retail employees focus on more important things.

It’s not just the in-store experience that’s changing. We are also showcasing Mobiliya’s Asset Tracking and Monitoring solution which leverages low-cost IoT sensors using RFID, sonar and Bluetooth technologies to track assets both indoor and outdoor. This solution improves operational efficiencies, increases visibility and enhances supply chain management for both retailers and their suppliers.

We are also demonstrating Genetec’s Retail Sense Video Analytics solution. Powered by Microsoft Azure, Genetec’s solution enables retailers to use their existing camera systems to layer on this analytics solution to track key retailer metrics such as: customer counting, dwell-time and heatmapping, directional analysis, and occupancy. Using this data, store operators can make adjustments to displays and fixtures, store staffing schedules and much more in improving their overall in-store shopping experience.

Connected cars in the year ahead

The auto industry is also innovating on the intelligent edge. Several of our auto partners including ZF, LG Electronics (LGE) and the BMW Group announced new Azure and Microsoft AI solutions this week.

Securing connected devices

It’s clear at CES that everyone is making IoT devices and solutions available – everything from household appliances and health monitors, to cars, toys and industrial equipment. Because these devices can be cloud-powered or run without connectivity, a holistic security approach must be taken, from hardware to software and the cloud. For instance, Hampton Products International, makers of the ARRAY By Hampton family of connected devices, has selected the Microsoft Azure IoT cloud platform to power its next-generation smart devices and future IoT product development. Avnet, AI-Link and Seeed are making it easier for customers to develop secure, connected microcontroller-unit (MCU) devices by making an Azure Sphere starter kit and Azure Sphere modules available. This will help secure the billions of MCU-powered devices that ship every year, helping make the devices we put in our homes more secure. To learn more about partners who have announced new connected devices and solutions, check out The Azure IoT blog by Sam George.