Razer’s Project Fiona: A Tablet for PC Gamers - simsthicalin

Razer–generally known for its gaming peripherals–is working happening a tablet called Project Fiona. Let's just Indian file this under "wholly unhoped."

The troupe's aim is to bring PC gaming to an exclusively new and decidedly different spring factor. This is Razer's second fling in the PC play space. Worst year we caught wind of the Razer Blade, a gaming laptop that was designed to marry functioning and portability in a slippy shell. Project Fiona is composed to be decidedly different–a bold simply cautious step into the dizzying pill securities industry.

Suchlike the Flick knife prototype I saw at CES last year, Project Fiona's raison d'être is to get people talking–and to work with developers to gauge the feasibility of so much an undertaking.

I was skeptical more or less the Switchblade. As a dyed-in-the-wool PC gamer and MMO partizan, the very idea of playing something equal World of Warcraft connected a netbook keyboard is laughable–even if the keys are cagey.

Razer's Project Fiona prototype

Later, that Switchblade concept evolved into the Razer Blade: A proper play laptop that shuffled the excellent slashing keyboard idea onto a corner of the shell, and left the traditionalistic typing surface alone.

New Concept Makes Good sense

Razer aims to adopt the same approach with Project Fiona–hence the codification name, instead of a proper nickname. But where the Switchblade left me disorganised, Fiona makes a tantalizing amount of money of sense.

Maiden, the hardware: Details are scant, largely because the epitome exists in something of a nebulous state. When I spoke with Razer CEO Min-Liang Bronze late last week I was told that Fiona volition be packing a Core-i7 English ivy Bridge CPU, a 1280-by-800 pixel solvent, and will support Windows 8.

The gimmick will have a multi-meet screen, THX-certified speakers, force feedback hold up (with vibration motors in those controller arms), front- and rear-facing cameras, and a battery life akin to what you might expect from an Ultrabook, though we should likely lop an minute operating room two off for a focus along gaming.

Project Fiona from the side

The target damage for Project Fiona hardware is under $1000, but preceptor't get excited just still. This is only a concept–the rest of the specs aren't set in stone, I've no word on what eccentric of display the Fiona will be using (and that's subject to change), and level the invention isn't inevitably finalized. Afterward all, the Switchblade started life sentence as an infelicitous netbook, and blossomed into a spacious desktop replacement laptop computer.

For the detractors: yes, you'Re true. This leave not be a platform for your MMOs, or your scheme games. But the key point to remember is that the soothe game developers have already done most of the legwork.

We lament shoddy ports and menu systems that are clearly designed for a gamepad, instead of the obviously superior keyboard and mouse. But the design ethos that's crept into PC gaming all over the last few years is Fiona's good beautify.

You'll be hard ironed to find a modern PC game that doesn't livelihood gamepads–the Xbox 360 control will connect directly to your Personal computer with little effort. That gives Razer a massive library of titles right out of the gate.

Touchscreen Benefits

And then there's the touch screen. Like it or not, touch is comely an increasingly important part of the ultramodern computing experience. Windows 8 only makes the issue that much more pressing, with an port wholly designed around you acquiring your hands on with your PC.

Calm down, this isn't a bad thing. Our mice and keyboards aren't going anywhere (Razer wants to sell you those, too). Touch simply gives U.S.A more options and–where gambling is concerned–Thomas More ways to spend our always-loved unloosen time.

This is where developers come in. We see a great deal of All-in-Ones here at PCWorld, with the occasional gaming-focused machine equal the Lenovo IdeaCentre B520. But while it packs a touchscreen (and a 3D showing), your finger-affable options are largely limited to ports of mobile titles wish Angry Birds. You'll be reach for your keyboard and sneak for most of your gaming needs.

Razer's Gamble

Lenovo IdeaCentre A720

That's departure to have to exchange. Yesterday I got some hands on meter with the upcoming Lenovo IdeaCentre A720, an imposing beast of a simple machine that's built for speed, and has an quick, 27-inch screen that can lie entirely savourless, offering up something ilk a touch-hold over. It's just screaming out for a board game, or a allude-centric strategy brave.

As more touchscreen-equipped PCs find their way into our homes, it stands to reason that developers will see the light. And I'm ready to bet you'll be firm pressed to find a PC that's not an Totally-in-One in the next few years.

Razer is display its cards early, but it's a risk the company is hoping will liquidate. The logic is sound, and while the final cartesian product will finally reckon on its performance, information technology's an idea whose metre has come.

I'll start some hands happening time with Visualize Fiona later now, as it's on the CES show floor with a couple of games on display. I'm optimistic, albeit cautious. It's a strange offer, and however in the nebulous concept phase, but as far as I'm concerned, anything that lets me play Terraria on the go is a step in the right direction.

For more blogs, stories, photos, and video from the nation's largest consumer electronics show, check proscribed PCWorld's complete coverage of CES 2012.