The Razer Switchblade concept gaming device. (Credit: Damian Koh/CNET Asia)
We spent some time with the Razer Switchblade at the company's Singapore office. For the uninitiated, this tiny notebook-like device was unveiled at CES last month and won CNET's Best of CES People's Voice Award. It is a portable gaming PC with keys that can be customized to suit the application being run at the time. The prototype we saw wasn't able to run games but its keyboard showed how it could display different icons based on the game played.
Size-wise, the Switchblade is really compact. It is essentially a notebook with a 7-inch capacitive touchscreen and would therefore be smaller than your average Netbook. See our image of it with two iPhone 4s for scale.
The two iPhone 4 smartphones are lined up with the left and right edges of the Switchblade. (Credit: Damian Koh/CNET Asia)
Other specifications include a single USB port, HDMI-out and an Intel Atom processor inside. Note that these are not final specs as it is currently in concept phase.
Even though the Switchblade runs on Windows 7, regular games need to be optimized for its small screen and customizable keys. Senior product evangelist Chris Mitchell said this can be easily done as user interface (UI) elements can be hidden in many games. Users can then depend on the customized shortcut keys rather than a clickable onscreen button.
In addition, the company has been speaking with game vendors to explore the possibility of having custom UIs for the Switchblade. According to Mitchell, this should not be difficult to do as it will not require an overhaul, but simply apply tweaks to the UI layers.
A closer view of the customizable keyboard. (Credit: Damian Koh/CNET Asia)
"We will also work with ISVs (independent software vendors) to optimize game performance for the Switchblade," Mitchell added when asked how the device will keep up with PC games' increasingly demanding graphics and processing requirements.
With no availability date and price, will you be able to buy the Switchblade eventually? Mitchell said Razer "wants to do systems and has a vision larger than just peripherals". So, even if the company doesn't release the Switchblade in its current form, we expect to see something that reflects the same concept within the next few years.
Via Cnet
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