Computex is probably the most important PC present of the yr, yearly. Just take a look at the identify! Taiwan’s commerce present is the place laptop distributors massive and small unveil their newest, best gear forward of the essential again to highschool and vacation buying seasons. If CES is the place the business showcases its imaginative and prescient for the longer term, Computex keeps it real.

Product cycles for the world’s largest chip distributors made this Computex really feel considerably muted. Intel and AMD skipped keynotes all collectively, whereas Nvidia spent two hours speaking about AI relatively than video games. With no new CPUs or GPUs on faucet, the standard barrage of contemporary PCs packing new tech slowed to a trickle this yr, as the subsequent technology already arrived earlier this yr.

But that hole additionally offered contemporary alternatives. With laptops and chips taking a backseat, progressive peripherals flourished at Computex 2023, bolstered by thrilling new software program that guarantees to allow you to do much more with {hardware}.

Which reveals bought us deeply, personally excited? This is the perfect {hardware} and software program of Computex 2023. Giddy up.

Corsair iCue Link

There’s a particular development in PC constructing this yr, one thing we’re calling the War on Cables. And whereas we’re nonetheless months away (at the least) from new motherboards, instances, and even graphics cards designed to get cables tucked away out of your central tower construct, Corsair’s cooling resolution ought to be out this summer season. The iCue Link system permits you to daisy chain a number of followers, AIO coolers, and even coolant reservoirs alongside a single cable line.

The system can handle disparate cooling and lighting duties from its central hub, all accessible in Windows by way of the iCue software program. I really like the best way that a number of adjoining followers don’t even want cables, they simply snap along with electrical contacts like LEGO blocks. The solely draw back is that it’s a proprietary system, so that you’ll have to go all-in on Corsair-branded {hardware} to see the profit. —Michael Crider

Fractal Design Terra case

Hot off the heels of profitable The Full Nerd award for Best Case of 2022, Fractal Design follows up the favored North with Terra.

Terra is the corporate’s latest small kind issue case, coming in at 10.4 liters and sporting the identical Scandinavian design options and wooden grain accent that made the North so drool inducing. This sandwich-style case options anodized aluminum, gall wing doorways, and configuration choices that permits for distinctive mixes of {hardware} configurations. It’s an ideal combine of fashion and performance and is well the subsequent SFF case I’m going to construct in. —Adam Patrick Murray

Acer Swift Edge 16

Acer

Acer’s Swift Edge 16 refresh was some of the attention-grabbing laptop computer bulletins at a Computex that was…mild on laptop computer bulletins. No matter: The newest Swift Edge 16 squeezes a 120Hz 3200×2000 OLED show right into a chassis that’s in some way even lighter than final yr’s mannequin, and with a AI-enhanced AMD Ryzen 7 7840U, besides.

Yes, it’s only a tad thicker relying on the way you take a look at it. But which means a deeper keyboard (growing from 1.0 to 1.3mm of key journey) and higher cooling, too. It all implies a extra comfy, extra highly effective laptop computer — and did we point out that at $1,299, it’s cheaper, too? —Mark Hachman

Frore’s solid-state AirJet cooling will get actual

I’m deeply intrigued by the War on Cables that Mike talked about above, however for me, the only most fun a part of Computex 2023 is Frore Systems’ radical “solid-state” AirJet cooling know-how lastly getting actual. (That’s what occurs at Computex, bear in mind!)

We’ve been following AirJet from the leap, covering the initial reveal, digging deeper at CES 2023, and even going on a Frore Systems lab tour. The magic of AirJet is a mix of unique supplies, geometry, and physics: The 2.8mm chip has cavities within the prime filled with vibrating membranes, which blast cool air throughout the warmth spreader beneath, cooling down a CPU or different element. Despite the miniscule dimensions, it might probably ship particular person air particles whooshing over the warmth spreader at as much as 200 kilometers per hour, letting PC distributors cool compact elements far more successfully than ever earlier than.

And boy does it. AirJet began displaying up in precise merchandise at Computex 2023. First, Zotac’s previously passively cooled PI430AJ Pico mini-PC embraced AirJet to improve from a two-core Atom processor to an Intel Core i3 with eight effectivity cores. That’s a monumental leap in efficiency. Gordon additionally bought an opportunity to see a Sabrent Rocket SSD operating in a Thunderbolt enclosure to see the distinction AirJet’s energetic cooling can present versus conventional passive designs.

Watch it in motion within the movies above, however spoiler alert: AirJet is among the most fun PC know-how I’ve seen in years. —Brad Chacos

Nvidia ACE for Games

Nvidia’s Avatar Cloud Engine (ACE) for Games provides us what seems like one way forward for PC gaming—and it’s an odd one that won’t come to cross. That’s not as a result of it’s not potential: ACE envisions a future the place NPCs are literally AIs, with pure language interactions powered by the cloud and/or your GPU. Imagine moving into a protracted debate with a generic RPG service provider concerning the deserves of lagers versus stouts, and also you get the concept. 

That means, conceptually, that that service provider would possibly know all the pieces there’s to know concerning the world, together with the sport’s main twists and turns. Or not. Or perhaps only a piece of gossip that can advance the story. Narratively, AI characters might lavatory down the primary story or utterly undermine it, which means that recreation designers might merely refuse to make use of ACE. But if AIs enter society, they’ll finally make their manner into gaming. ACE may very well be the best way. —Mark Hachman

Mobile Pixels Geminos 

Mobile Pixels

I wasn’t ready to re-imagine the tried-and-true, side-by-side dual-monitor setup, however the Mobile Pixels Geminos has me doing simply that. And this stacked pair of 24-inch 1080p shows makes a robust case for itself.  

There’s the ergonomic benefit of getting each screens lifeless heart in your subject of view. (Both top and angle of the screens are adjustable by way of the stand’s hinged and sliding mechanism.) There’s the space-saving facet, for crowded desks. And there’s the excessive versatility enabled by all of the extras: a built-in webcam and mic, a 10-in-1 dock, each USB-C and HDMI inputs, and compatibility with Windows, macOS, and recreation consoles, so you may even have every display screen related to a separate machine.  

It’s a considerate design that takes into consideration many widespread use instances. All issues thought of, it’s not that costly both. Mobile Pixels has the Geminos listed on its web site for $629.99. —Katherine Stevenson

Azza Sanctum 810 case

AZZA

I’m tremendous pumped about Azza’s funky new PC cases, particularly the Sanctum 810. It form of appears like a futuristic terrarium at first look as a result of its glass panels. The sq. construct and angled prime piece set it aside from extra traditional-looking instances as effectively.

The unorthodox design is intentional, because it’s meant to carry bigger elements and water-cooling methods. There’s even fairly a little bit of house for cable administration. The entrance followers are additionally positioned in a manner that permits airflow by means of a mesh cowl, which helps preserve all the pieces good and funky. If you’re severe about displaying off your PC and have the house for it, the Sanctum 810 appears mighty tremendous. —Ashley Biancuzzo

Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 keyboard

Asus

By the time you end saying “Asus ROG Strix Scope II 96 keyboard” you might effectively be capable of purchase one. Despite the lengthy identify, Asus’s first 96 % ROG wi-fi gaming keyboard packs in some very spiffy options.

The keyboard’s ROG PBT doubleshot keycaps and comfortable cozy wrist relaxation sound very interesting, however the primary jam for many avid gamers would be the hot-swappable, mechanical ROG NX Snow Switches. ROG’s newest mechanical switches use new composite supplies on the highest and backside change housings to dampen sound. But in addition they have factory-applied lubrication for clean linear keystrokes and “thocky” acoustics.

But the true draw for me is the keyboard’s Tri-Mode connectivity with ROG Omni Receiver. I’m hoping the latter will imply I can neglect worrying about USB passthrough. While the Tri-Mode connectivity provides you three connection varieties—2.4GHz RF wi-fi, Bluetooth (as much as three units concurrently) and a USB connection—the ROG Omni Receiver lets you join three units wirelessly utilizing a single USB dongle and “without compromising performance.”

The keyboard structure appears promising too, providing all of the performance of a full-sized keyboard, however with bonuses like rad hotkeys preprogrammed for Xbox Game Bar and recording. —Dominic Bayley

MSI MAG A850GL energy provide (and its yellow 12VHPWR cables)

It’s the easy issues in life that all the time amaze you. MSI’s reply to what’s broadly believed to be the foundation of melting GPU cables last year was a bit of shade. With the corporate’s new 850-watt MAG A850GL energy provide, the corporate has changed the 12VHPWR connection tips to a bright yellow.

That little splash of shade works as a visible indicator to let PC avid gamers know if the cable has labored free or probably was not absolutely inserted. While some folks nonetheless resist the 12VHPWR cable, the ship as sailed, and the MSI MAG A850GL’s easy yellow cables might go a great distance towards serving to folks keep away from issues.

Cooler Master Motion 1 haptic gaming chair

Say good day to a brand new frontier for immersive gaming. Motion 1, a “haptic engine gaming chair” collaboration between Cooler Master and D-Box, goals to get your complete physique within the recreation.

It makes use of greater than 65,000 haptic results corresponding to actions, waves, vibrations, and textures. All of those supposedly mix to simulate the leisure you’re experiencing on display screen. And simply in case you’re involved about ergonomics, the Motion 1 consists of magnetic lumbar help and a headrest as effectively. So at the least it can save you your precise physique even when your in-game physique will get pulverized within the digital world.

The chair is already up for pre-order on Cooler Master’s CMODX web site retailing for $2,229.00. That’s greater than the Herman Miller Aeron ergonomic wonder-chair so that you’ll want to actually be invested within the haptic know-how to justify the expense. But on the finish of the day gaming is about having enjoyable, and a chair that makes the expertise extra immersive appears like a hell of a whole lot of enjoyable. —Sam Singleton

PC elements in precise colours!

Thermaltake

For the longest time, PC elements have been restricted in shade. You’ll see a lot of black, and typically (however not all the time) some white and silver as effectively. Computer instances get extra selection, with occasional choices in wild shades like blue or crimson. (Ahem.) Inside the case? It may be work to seek out sufficient worthy elements to do an all-white construct, a lot much less one with enjoyable shade accents.

But at Computex 2023, distributors are branching out, and it’s fantastic. We noticed a number of instances sporting mid-century trendy hues, with Thermaltake even offering matching AIO coolers. Think pale turquoise, matcha inexperienced, forest inexperienced, and pastel pink—shades that may actually pop in opposition to a white construct, or add a delicate taste to a black one. (A darkish forest inexperienced AIO in an in any other case all-black PC? Yes, please.) Fingers crossed that this turns into a long-lasting development—and one which brings much more colours into play. —Alaina Yee

Cooler Master Qube 500 Flatpack

Cooler Master

Adult Lego is widespread, and for good cause—assembling a package right into a full merchandise may be stress-free. Cooler Master is capturing that very same vibe with its Qube 500 Flatpack case, which comes deconstructed. You put it collectively your self.

The novelty of the design is compelling, particularly since this absolutely modular case is easy but versatile in each configuration and aesthetics. This 33L mini-tower can match loads of {hardware} inside—an E-ATX motherboard, a CPU cooler as much as 172mm in top, a GPU so long as 365mm, a 280mm radiator, and as much as three 3.5-inch drives. Not all the pieces will match on the identical time, after all, however so much will.

You also can swap the included panels for different colours, and the choices embody a number of enjoyable shades. There’s a vivid yellow (aka “Bumblebee”), after which three dessert-colored pastel hues (mint, pink, and cream). With this combine of excellent appears and sensible design, the Qube 500 might go a great distance in recognition, particularly with the corporate’s encouragement of 3D-printed equipment. If it kicks off a brand new development when it launches on September 15, I gained’t be stunned. —Alaina Yee

Cooler Master Sneaker X

Cooler Master

I imply, it’s all the pieces it is advisable home a high-end gaming rig however it looks like a gigantic sneaker. What else must be mentioned? (Maybe that it’ll be $5,999 when it launches in July.) —Brad Chacos