For those who love tech, the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is the highlight of the year. CES 2024 did not disappoint as we stopped by and checked out as many of the gaming-related displays we could. As usual, there were dozens of products that caught our eye, but we were mainly interested in products that will be hitting the market this year.
Below, you’ll find our picks of the best products we’re looking forward to getting our hands on, as well as a gallery of over 145 pictures from the show floor.
5. MSI LED Crystal Film Screen
One of the best parts of building your own PC is the ability to customize it just the way you like it. In our gallery below, you’ll see that both Samsung and LG showcased transparent displays at CES 2024. MSI’s LED Crystal Film Screen adopts this concept, allowing PC gamers to further personalize their rig. MSI gave us a short demo on changing the display via a mobile app, showcasing scenes like a fireplace and a scene with swimming fish. No word yet on if or when MSI’s LED Crystal Film Screen will become available, but it’s probable that we’ll see more of this technology from various manufacturers in the near future. It seems only a matter of time before a universal application becomes available, enabling everyone to take their PC cases to an entirely new level.
4. ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDP Monitor
Although I’m not planning to replace my Alienware AW3423DW as my primary gaming monitor, the ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDP did catch my attention. This 32-inch flat display stands out because it can switch between 4K at 240Hz and 1080p at 480Hz with just the push of a button. Unfortunately, ASUS was unable to demonstrate this feature live at CES 2024, but they did showcase a video to illustrate the effect. The PG32UCDP features a third-generation WOLED with an MLA panel and an anti-glare finish, as you can tell by the photos. The monitor’s peak brightness is rated at 1300 nits and it also supports HDR10. ASUS anticipates a launch in the second half of 2024. While it’s touted as the world’s first dual-mode OLED gaming monitor, LG is also set to release its own version. Personally, for a 32-inch display, I’d be more interested by the ability to switch between 1440p and 4K at the push of a button, though I understand the appeal of 1080p at 480Hz for FPS gamers.
3. MSI Claw
As detailed in my earlier writeup, the MSI Claw is essentially a rebranded version of the ASUS ROG Ally, with the key difference being its Intel hardware, as opposed to AMD. That doesn’t stop me from being excited about another competitor in the handheld PC gaming space. I believe that increased competition in the market is needed, especially as I’m a big fan of the format and really enjoy gaming on my Steam Deck OLED. Having extensively used the ASUS ROG Ally, I feel that certain improvements are necessary before a Windows handheld can match the polish of the Steam Deck OLED. While the MSI Claw might not feature these enhancements, it will be interesting to see how MSI manages software updates and whether ASUS makes strides in enhancing the Armoury Crate experience.
2. ASUS Zenbook Duo
ASUS may not be the first to offer a dual-screen laptop, but it has reimagined the concept with the new Zenbook Duo. Featuring two 14-inch OLED touchscreens, the full laptop keyboard, including a trackpad, can be magnetically attached on top of the second screen to create a traditional, single-screen laptop experience. This design offers four different modes for the ASUS Zenbook Duo: stacking the screens on top of each other, positioning the screens sideways, using tent mode for dual viewing, or the traditional laptop style with the keyboard atop the bottom display. ASUS demonstrated that both screens can lay flat; however, the device doesn’t fold 360 degrees to enable a tablet mode. Upon removal, the keyboard connects to the device via Bluetooth. I was able to spend a few minutes testing out the device and I did find the keyboard surprisingly comfortable to use, despite how thin it is. Pricing will largely determine just how viable the new Zenbook Duo is and at CES 2024, ASUS had nothing to announce just yet. However, it is expected to start shipping before the end of the first quarter.
1. Lenovo ThinkBook Plus G5 Hybrid
At first glance, it may seem like a typical Lenovo ThinkBook laptop, but it’s much more than that. For me, this was the most exciting device I encountered at CES 2024, that is actually launching this year (summer 2024). It’s called the ThinkBook Plus G5 Hybrid, and what makes it unique is the tablet’s ability to detach from the keyboard and function independently as an Android device. Users can also seamlessly alternate between Windows and Android at the push of a button. It features a 14-inch, 2.8K OLED screen that houses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chip, while the base has an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor. This design means the base can continue to function as a standalone windows PC, when connected to a monitor, even with the tablet display removed.
I spent considerable time with the device and was impressed by how quickly it switched between Windows and Android. While the tablet is relatively lightweight and slim, its 14-inch size is quite large. I’m particularly excited about this device because it means I no longer need a separate tablet and laptop when traveling. I can play my Android mobile games on the tablet, while having a functional laptop for work. I’m really looking forward to spending more time testing out the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus G5 Hybrid later this year.
CES 2024 Mega Gallery
