Hyte has a Ok-Pop Demon Hunters PC case, and you may’t purchase it
Michael Crider / Foundry
Archetype Origins teamed up with Hyte to make a “Derpy” X50 PC case, that includes the actual stars of Netflix’s Ok-Pop Demon Hunters. Sadly it’s unofficial, so that you most likely received’t see it anyplace however on the commerce present flooring.
Gigabyte’s smaller and (sorta) cheaper exterior GPU makes use of a desktop RTX 5060 Ti
Gigabyte is including to its exterior GPU lineup with a a lot smaller, much less highly effective choice. The Aorus AI Field now is available in an RTX 5060 Ti mannequin. This appears to be like like a a lot smaller and extra transportable machine than the large block that’s the RTX 5090 model, although it nonetheless has a desktop (16GB) card inside. It doubles as a primary USB-C or Thunderbolt hub, because of further USB-C ports on the rear and entrance.
Michael Crider / Foundry
A Gigabyte consultant advised me that the exterior GPU will probably be out there inside a few months, and the corporate is aiming for a worth of round $800-1000 USD. That’s fairly a premium over a 5060 Ti, however nonetheless a pair grand cheaper than the 5090 mannequin.
The Full Nerd — Vegas type
I simply wrapped up my last appointment of CES 2026 and I’M READY TO PODCAST. Tune in reside to The Full Nerd at 5pm Pacific / 8pm Japanese to listen to the PCWorld crew’s impressions of all the most recent and biggest PC tech, reside from Las Vegas! —Brad Chacos
Patriot’s Viper Xtreme 5 Aurum Version is a magnificence and a beast
I’m going to have a deeper dive into Patriot’s reminiscence lineup later, however take a look at this absolute beaut. The Viper Xtreme 5 Aurum Version delivers “the gold normal” in high-performance with blazing-fast 8000/MT/s speeds, binned ICs with hand-tested profiles, and a drop-dead attractive golden plating that really shifts hues relying on the angle and environment, so it appears to be like good in any system. When you wish to reside dangerously, you’ll be able to even see sneak assaults coming in its mirror-like end. Now THAT’s versatility.
Keep tuned for a take a look at a ten,000 MT/s equipment that’s secure as a rock operating Y-Cruncher for hours on finish and an entire lot extra! —Brad Chacos
Now that the mud is settling, these are the merchandise that basically stood out
Foundry
When you haven’t had time to observe all of the bulletins and unveilings from CES, skimming this reside weblog will help catch you up. However if you happen to simply need to reduce to the chase and see a few of the coolest issues that caught our editors’ eyes, take a look at our checklist of the Better of CES 2026: The tech gear and PC improvements that blew us away.
Our counterparts at TechHive compiled a separate article targeted on essentially the most spectacular sensible residence and residential safety merchandise, as effectively. –Katherine Stevenson
What’s subsequent for AMD’s Adrenalin software program?
Adam had an opportunity to talk with Andrej Zdravkovic, Senior Vice President at AMD, about Adrenalin software program options together with FSR “Redstone”, Linux updates, and an upcoming elective AI bundle. Test it out and you should definitely subscribe to PCWorld’s YouTube channel for all the most well liked PC information from CES and past.
Blasts from the previous
What’s outdated could also be new once more: In interviews in Las Vegas, AMD and Nvidia execs hinted that the businesses could revive older chip strains to battle element shortages and skyrocketing PC costs.
Sigh. — Brad Chacos
I noticed a G-Sync Pulsar monitor and OLED has critical competitors
Nvidia didn’t convey any new graphics playing cards to CES 2026, but it surely did introduce a pair of recent applied sciences designed to make your video games look a lot higher: G-Sync Pulsar screens and DLSS 4.5. It’s arduous to seize the upgrades from the present flooring with the way in which cameras work, however I used to be capable of go hands-on with every at Nvidia’s suite and belief me: Seeing means believing for Nvidia’s new DLSS 4.5 and G-Sync Pulsar screens. — Brad Chacos
Donut Lab is constructing a greater battery
One of many sizzling tales popping out of CES is Donut Lab, which claims to have a solid-state battery in manufacturing. Strong state is the Nice White Whale of EV know-how: 0-100% charging in minutes, no fireplace danger, no power loss over time, huge capability.
At CES Unveiled, the corporate was arrange proper subsequent door to an EV sport bike firm which claimed to make use of the know-how.
There’s hypothesis that this might be all some kind of a quasi-hoax, as within the know-how is viable however not scalable or with another limitation.
I don’t know sufficient about it to say a technique or one other. However I can say that the exec I spoke to mentioned Donut had no plans to convey its know-how to laptops on the present time. –Mark Hachman
Plugable helps reduce down backpack litter
That is the Plugable PS-6CC, a subtly sensible peripheral that’s actually nothing greater than an influence strip for telephones, tablets, and even PCs.
This $79.95 machine takes as much as 100W (from a laptop computer charger, say) on the finish of the machine and splits it between no matter units are related. As units replenish, charging charges decelerate. That energy is then redirected to the opposite units on the port.
You could have already got a USB-C charger with a number of ports. However give it some thought: as an alternative of toting a number of chargers, convey one, in addition to a number of cables. By morning, every part will probably be charged and able to go with no bunch of additional weight.
(Disclosure: Plugable provided this energy splitter and the associated cables to PCWorld to judge. Thus far, every part works as supposed!) — Mark Hachman
Y2K is again, proper?
Brad Chacos / Foundry
Take a look at this funky little man! Among the many varied graphics playing cards on show at Nvidia’s suite was Gigabyte’s Aorus RTX 5090 Infinity. It’s received a double flow-through design and an attention grabbing curvy design completely not like most different graphics playing cards on the market. With its huge spherical ends and the darkish, textured center part, it considerably evokes the spirit of yesteryear’s boomboxes. Slap it in your shoulder and celebration prefer it’s 1999, or in your gaming rig and celebration prefer it’s 2026. —Brad Chacos
Brad Chacos / Foundry
Social gathering prefer it’s 1999
Michael Crider / Foundry
AceMagic is displaying off mini PC ideas that can look acquainted to anybody whose start 12 months begins with a 1. These two ideas are deliberate to run on the identical primary specs, going as much as a Ryzen AI HX 470 processor, 64GB of RAM, and 4TB of M.2 storage. There’s no point out of worth, in fact — the reminiscence crunch has everybody terrified to decide to a quantity. -Michael Crider
Godzilla keycaps are right here to demolish your desktop
Michael Crider / Foundry
Godzilla keycaps. And since an enormous monster at all times wants one thing to struggle: Mecha Godzilla keycaps. Formally licensed from Toho, comprised of PBT plastic, and bought for about $80 USD for a full set. These are nice for followers, particularly if you happen to just like the Showa period aesthetic. -Michael Crider
Michael Crider / Foundry
Cellular Ryzen coming to desktop sockets? Not no.
I’m sitting in with Jason Banta, AMD’s vp and basic supervisor of consumer at AMD, and the subject is socketed desktop processors.
A socketed desktop processor signifies that you need to be capable to purchase and set up a alternative, proper? That’s what I used to be considering after I sat down. However cellular chips go on to laptop computer makers.
AMD is for now leaving open the chance that you just’ll be capable to purchase a cellular Ryzen laptop computer half and drop it right into a desktop socket. You’ve by no means been in a position to try this earlier than…however in 2026, who is aware of? -Mark Hachman
AMD
The ten finest laptops of CES 2026
CES technically kicked off on Tuesday, however the PCWorld staff has been operating round for glimpses of the most well liked new tech since Sunday. And truthfully, we visited with a bunch of PC distributors earlier than the vacations for secret in-depth briefings forward of the present. That’s why we’re already capable of pinpoint the ten finest laptops of CES 2026 on day two of the present. From laptops with refined dual-stacked screens, to the return of Dell’s XPS model, to splendidly repairable ThinkPads and fire-breathing gaming laptops, we’ve zeroed in on one of the best of one of the best of present.
Keep tuned within the coming days for roundups of our favourite screens of CES and all of the gear that knocked our socks off in Vegas. We aren’t completed but! -Brad Chacos
A sobering sight
Too busy to see in the event that they have been protesting a particular firm, but it surely’s attention-grabbing to see knowledge privateness handled as a basic drawback to unravel. –Mark Hachman
Mark Hachman / Foundry
That is an idea I can get behind
Farming is huge tech now. A number of the greatest proper to restore regulation wins for customers have come from farmers suing John Deere for locking down their methods with excessive prejudice.
Brad Chacos / Foundry
However I nonetheless wasn’t emotionally ready to see Robocop’s entrance loader* on the Bobcat sales space amongst all the standard tractors and whatnot. I can envision this toiling autonomously within the towering trash fields exterior Cyberpunk 2077’s Night time Metropolis, nary a human in sight. — Brad Chacos
*AKA the Bobcat RogueX3 idea loader.
Brad Chacos / Foundry
Brad Chacos / Foundry
Asus Wi-Fi 8 idea router is a important hit
Michael Crider / Foundry
This Asus Wi-Fi router appears to be like like a 20-sided die. That’s it. That’s all I’ve received.
Okay, not fairly. Asus is displaying off this next-gen Wi-Fi 8 router design at CES 2026, although it’ll be very long time earlier than that spec and {hardware} are prepared for customers. When it does, Asus says that ti may have double the pace and double the protection of present networks, with higher help for dense crowds of individuals and units.
ut I’ve to confess, the Dungeons and Dragons nerd in me loves the thought of putting this factor out in full show, as an alternative of hiding it beneath my desk like my present wifi router. You possibly can even mount it to the wall if you’d like. And sure, it’s able to a mesh community format…if you happen to get two, presumably your wi-fi sign will roll with benefit. -Michael Crider
Simply take a look at these eyes
I could not know a lot about robots, however I do know I wouldn’t tangle a Pacific Rim-sized behemoth whose chest stands 10 ft tall!
Brad Chacos / Foundry
Huge boi greeted guests to the ZEROth robotics in North Corridor, the place I discovered a a lot much less intimidating lil boi. Hey, it’s Wall-E!
Brad Chacos / Foundry
Truly, that is ZEROth’s W1, “a cellular robotic constructed for actual work in actual environments.” This autonomous 28kg tiny man can carry over 110lbs (50kg) of substances for you throughout all types of terrain, together with grass, gravel, slopes, and no matter uneven floor you might want to throw at it, because of these tank treads and large pet canine eyes that function the W1’s sensors.
However I’m simply pumped I received to fulfill Wall-E within the flesh… er, bolts. It’s out there for preorder now for $4,999. — Brad Chacos
‘We have already got a Mars rover at residence’
Brad Chacos / Foundry
Now THIS can be critically useful in a zombie apocalypse. Jackery is understood for its big selection of photo voltaic, energy, and charging applied sciences, however the Jackery Photo voltaic Mars Bot combines all three to super-cool impact — and tremendous sensible impact if you happen to’re working in a area with out dependable electrical energy.
Billed as “a cellular solar-storage bot that finds the solar, expenses itself, and delivers energy wherever you want it,” the autonomous bot did simply that in an lively demo on the ground. A shiny gentle within the nook of the sales space simulated the suns rays and periodically repositioned itself to level at completely different factors of the ground. Jackery’s Photo voltaic Mars Bot recognized the place the sunshine was beaming every time with mosquito-like quickness, then calmly scooted over to the brand new location earlier than settling all the way down to soak in these scrumptious rays.
The swing arm atop the bot has 4 photo voltaic panels that may fold out for max energy draw, and the facet pops open to disclose a bevy of ports to maintain all of your units charged. Think about how baller you’d really feel bringing this alongside for a tenting journey together with your buds! – Brad Chacos
This robotic got here to play
CES 2026’s North Corridor is the place you’ll discover extra superior gear, like sensible metropolis options, enterprise AI tech, and automation — and which means robots. LOTS of superior robots.
I’m only a gamer with a elaborate weblog so I’m not outfitted to let you know whether or not one robotic hand is extra superior than one other, or if these shelf-stacking bots are actually autonomous. However I CAN let you know that I watched Sharpa’s autonomous ping pong bot greater than maintain its personal in a VERY intense match towards a human opponent, because of its ludicrous 0.02s response time.
Brad Chacos / Foundry
It was mesmerizing. Only a few balls made its well past the cybernetic defender, and it additionally managed to maintain the ball religiously in play — typically sneaking photographs previous its meat bucket rival. Simply take a look at the pose on it! Sharpa’s autonomous ping pong bot got here able to win, child, and the gang was going wild. — Brad Chacos
I do not need to reside on this planet anymore
A vendor promoting a pay bathroom lock used AI slop to generate a picture of the Rat Pack strolling via Las Vegas, with Frank Sinatra holding his groin like a toddler who wants to make use of the toilet. It’s simply the worst factor I’ve seen at CES 2026. — Michael Crider
Michael Crider / Foundry
I believe I really like this bizarre controller
Brad Chacos / Foundry
I anticipated to hate GameSir’s Swift Drive controller after I noticed its press launch final week.
Like, I cherished the funkiness of it — a gaming controller with a small pressure suggestions steering wheel plopped lifeless middle?! — however I used to be positive it could really feel like an abomination in my arms.
I used to be completely fallacious.
In a demo, the Swift Drive’s wheel managed to really feel excellent. Twisting the wheel together with your thumbs truly feels good, turning simply however with the exact quantity of pushback to keep away from feeling unfastened. The pressure suggestions additionally impresses, letting you are feeling bumps within the highway (and the ache of flipping your automobile over, I’m ashamed to confess). As a agency believer in specialised sim racing controls, not shoehorned-together controller concepts, I’m genuinely shocked at how pure the Swift Drive feels in my arms. I might need to select on of those up for my Forza adventures when it launches someday in Q2. -Brad Chacos
Transfer over, Tom Cruise. There is a new High Gun on the town.
Talking of simulators (sorry, simply flexing that I GOT TO TOUCH A FREAKING MCLAREN FORMULA 1 CAR) verify this majestic beast out.
Brad Chacos / Foundry
Constructed by Play for Dream and Wrights Brothers Tech, this contemporary fighter cockpit simulator pitches and yaws as you man the cockpit controls, and may be paired with both a VR headset (as proven right here) or a wall of screens for whole High Gun-style immersion. I attempted it and it actually felt like I used to be racing via the skies — an exhilarating sensation. — Brad Chacos
Pinball wizard
Just about every part runs on processors as of late. Working example: Stern Pinball is right here with a full array licensed pinball machines to play on the ground.
Brad Chacos / Foundry
And yeah, that was a blast, however essentially the most intriguing a part of the sales space was a station that exposed the inside workings of Stern’s Star Wars machine (hey, they know their nerdy CES viewers). Take a look at the little board that powers all of the beeps, boops, and flashing lights! — Brad Chacos
Brad Chacos / Foundry
Robotic arms on the prepared
Teradyne Robotics is displaying off an enchanting demo of totally unbiased, articulated robotic arms performing complicated duties, like adjusting a Rubics Dice or wiggling their fingers whereas the arm waves forwards and backwards. It’s the primary time I’ve seen one thing prefer it in particular person and it makes my thoughts boggle a bit, tbh.
Brad Chacos / Foundry
After all, it’s powered by a PC — however not one you or I are probably to purchase. After I talked about I work for PCWorld, the rep enthusiastically grabbed the workstation powering these setups: A single Nvidia Jetson Orin 64GB, which handles real-time picture processing from a paired digital camera to regulate the arms in actual time. After I waved my hand close to the arms they shied away! — Brad Chacos
Timeli private safety: A cool different to pepper spray and cell telephones
I’m not the goal market, but it surely solely takes 10 seconds to grasp why many ladies—or actually, anybody—could need to carry the Timeli private safety machine. The all-in-one handheld {hardware} integrates a flashlight, video digital camera, mobile service, GPS, alarm, and two-way communication to provide its homeowners larger safety and peace-of-mind when strolling via darkish public areas.
With a button-press you’ll be able to activate the flashlight and reside video recording. When you start to really feel uneasy or sense urgent hazard, a second button press–this time the SOS button–prompts an alarm and then you definately hook up with a live-monitoring emergency service, which might see what you see via the digital camera.
At this level, you’ll be able to chat with the dispatcher to debate a response if needed. They know the place you might be because of the built-in GPS. If nothing else, you’ll have somebody to talk with till you are feeling protected.
Jon Phillips/Foundry
First, this can be a nice different to pepper spray, which requires the consumer to actively confront the unhealthy guys, and doesn’t at all times do the job. Second, it’s a fantastic different for girls within the behavior of strolling again to their automobiles on their telephones, simply so somebody will know the place they’re heading and whether or not they’re protected. With Timeli, the consumer can combine that communication with a flashlight, alarm, and video digital camera.
Timeli prices $300, and features a 12-month subscription to the UL-certified safety monitoring dispatch service. After that, you pay $10 a month for the subscription. –Jon Phillips
Bucket checklist merchandise, full
Brad Chacos / Foundry
OMG OMG OMG. I’m an enormous Method 1 (and particularly Lando Norris) fanboy. So are a stunning variety of tech engineers — Method 1 pushes the sting of what’s doable with mechanics, physics, and knowledge, each in actual time and through complicated simulations. Deloitte handles a number of that knowledge processing for McLaren, this 12 months’s Constructors and Driver Championship staff, and so they’ve received the automobile entrance and middle in LVCC’s Central Corridor to flex their championship-winning cred.
I do know a number of GPU engineers who get collectively to compete in ultra-realistic iRacing sims simply to really feel that innovative themselves. Me? I simply bodily touched a McLaren F1 automobile when the attendant was wanting the opposite approach. Let me repeat: OMG OMG OMG —Brad Chacos
Brad Chacos / Foundry
Lollipop Star: Sorta gross. I like it
Is it simply me, or does Lollipop Star seem to be somebody got here up with a intelligent portmanteau, after which reverse-engineered a delivery product? I can’t say this merger of lollipops and pop stars is definitely good, however mad props to the initiative.
So, yeah, it’s an precise lollipop you stick in your mouth. But it surely additionally performs licensed pop music via the identical bone conduction know-how that’s been kicking round audio wearables for years. You stick some standard foam earbuds in your ears, press a button on the lollipop, after which begin sucking away. The Lollipop Star I dared to test-run performed a rap music by Ice Spice – however I bailed on it rapidly as a result of the lollipop itself was insanely candy (11 grams of carbs whole if we’re counting).
I give Lollipop Star a B grade for idea; an A+ for packaging; a C+ for movie star partnerships; a D for audio high quality; and an F for sweet style. But it surely additionally earns an A+ for one the weirdest CES merchandise I’ve ever seen. I didn’t take pleasure in it. However I’ll always remember it! — Jon Phillips
Jon Phillips/Foundry
De-coding the Core Extremely Sequence 3 processors
One of many knots I’ve been attempting to untangle is what the distinction is between the 2 varieties of Core Extremely Sequence 3 (Panther Lake) processors: the “plain” chips, and the higher-performance “H” fashions. They’re listed in our launch article.
My preliminary response was that they’re divided by the thermal design energy, or TDP. However Intel tells me that each core rely and cache dimension are the actual differentiator, and neither attribute is listed within the supplies revealed to the press. I’ve up to date the way to inform the distinction in my separate story on Intel’s Core Extremely Sequence 3 naming scheme. — Mark Hachman
Panther on the prowl
Brad Chacos / Foundry
Panther Lake is stalking the Las Vegas strip mere hours after Intel’s huge Core Extremely Sequence 3 launch. Yow will discover all of the juicy particulars in our Panther Lake reveal protection. — Brad Chacos
A noob’s journey via CES day 1
Enjoyable reality: I’ve been to five+ CES occasions and by no means truly attended CES itself — the massive, glitzy present on the Las Vegas conference middle. Most PC distributors have non-public cubicles arrange in different accommodations throughout the Strip, so I often spend my days darting right here and there, studiously avoiding the mass of humanity across the LVCC. In the present day, the CES present flooring opens for the primary time of 2026 — and I’ll be there. That is our first time doing a CES weblog, so I believed it’d be enjoyable to attempt to chronicle my journey via gigantic TV partitions and autonomous robots right here, so that you guys can be part of me in a noob’s first CES.
The doorways open at 10 a.m. Pacific. First, I want a bathe and a few breakfast. Catch you quickly! — Brad Chacos
Brad rocks out on LiberLive C2 sensible guitar
Sorry, retro gaming followers: PCWorld’s Brad Chacos isn’t shredding on a next-gen Guitar Hero controller. Nope, that’s an actual guitar, albeit an digital one which doesn’t want something so pedestrian as strings.
Michael Crider / Foundry
The LiberLive C2 is the corporate’s second-gen instrument, which replaces strings on the fretboard with buttons to allow you to play the chords while you flick the paddles the place one would usually strum. A mixture of programmable buttons and two force-sensitive magnetic paddles permits you to play the total vary of sound out there on an actual six-string (although purists would possibly assault me for that heresy). You don’t want an amp, both — the collapsible physique contains its personal tweeter and upgraded 3.5-inch woofer audio system.
LiberLive didn’t say when the upgraded mannequin or its accompanying software program and digital instruments can be out. However the worth for the C1 model is $450.
Sandisk proves sensible SSDs do not have to be boring
Sandisk’s new inner drives could also be newly colorless, however the firm’s leaning in on whimsy for its transportable SSDs. On the CES 2026 Pepcom showcase, the corporate was displaying off transportable SSD drives disguised as big Crayola crayons, in addition to FIFA-branded rainbow-esque whistles and transportable drives.
We’ve already reviewed the Crayola SSD stick and located it an okay, high-quality performer however an entire lot of enjoyable. I’d count on no much less from the opposite merchandise however you recognize what? I need ’em anyway. The PC world wants extra shade to interrupt up the endless sea of black and grey — Brad Chacos
Ice ice child
An ice sculpture within the desert??!! One thing one thing international warming one thing one thing. — Brad Chacos
New Intel chips and Snapdragon chips and AMD chips and Nvidia…DLSS
CES doesn’t even formally begin till Tuesday however the information is already coming sizzling and heavy!
We’ve already talked about the launch of Qualcomm’s reasonably priced Snapdragon X2 Plus chips and Intel’s long-awaited “Panther Lake” Core Extremely Sequence 3 launch right here this night. However wait, there’s extra! As a result of it wouldn’t be Vegas with out extra.
Tonight, AMD unveiled the Ryzen 7 9850X3D and new “Strix Halo” AI Max processors for desktops, a brand new AI max mini PC reference design for builders dubbed Ryzen AI Halo, and new Ryzen AI 400 chips for laptops and desktops alike. Whew!
To not be outdone, Nvidia swooped in shortly after. No, we didn’t see the launch of RTX 50 sequence “Tremendous” variants, however don’t be disenchanted. Nvidia’s upgraded DLSS 4.5 tech helps midrange GPUs max out high-end 4K screens with a brand new “Dynamic Multi-Body Era” mode that inserts as much as six AI-generated frames between GPU-rendered frames to maximise visible smoothness as much as and past 240Hz, and picture high quality enhancements for all RTX playing cards. And say goodbye to blurry graphics: Nvidia’s G-Sync Pulsar screens purpose to good movement readability in high-speed 1440p gaming screens. Sure please! — Brad Chacos
Watch AMD and Nvidia’s bulletins reside tonight with us!
Adam Patrick Murray / Foundry
Earlier at this time, Intel leaned arduous into discuss AI (particularly native AI) throughout its CES 2026 keynote—now it stays to be seen if AMD and Nvidia observe. Nvidia in fact gave its major keynote presentation earlier at this time, but it surely’s holding a second stream tonight particularly for consumer-related information.
We must always get a peek of what to anticipate from AMD and Nvidia throughout 2026 in these upcoming shows later at this time. And you’ll catch the streams reside on the PCWorld YouTube channel with commentary and evaluation at these instances:
Will there be any surprising reveals? Time will inform… -Alaina Yee
Meet Panther Lake, the Intel CPU inside your subsequent laptop computer
Intel’s long-awaited Core Extremely Sequence 3 “Panther Lake” processors launched at this time, and their influence will reverberate all through the PC business — particularly laptops. Main pocket book distributors are already unveiling product lineups constructed across the new chips — the primary constructed utilizing Intel’s 18A fabrication know-how — and with a power-per-watt enchancment of 15 %, it’s straightforward to see why. Hit the hyperlink above for the total Intel Panther Lake reveal by my colleague Mark Hachman, the CPU whisperer. — Brad Chacos
4k gaming screens? That is so yesterday
Sorry fellow nerds. Your 4K ultrawide is out of date. Acer and LG are making 5K gaming screens the recent new flex. — Brad Chacos
‘I am not lifeless but’ says Dell XPS
Final 12 months, Dell introduced it was dropping its iconic XPS, Latitude, and Inspiron manufacturers in favor of iPad-esque names like Dell (no extras or superlatives), Dell Professional, and Dell Professional Max. We (and all people else) mentioned that was silly. As a result of it was silly. At CES 2026, Dell admitted its folly… at the least a bit. Whereas the trio of core names nonetheless exists, the Dell XPS is again child!
Hit the hyperlink for full particulars on the delightfully identifiable Dell XPS 14 and 16, powered by Intel’s new Core Extremely Sequence 3 “Panther Lake” processors. — Brad Chacos
Samsung’s Galaxy Guide 6 has Panther Lake and lasts for DAYS
I’m sorry WHAT?! With a “tuned” model of Intel’s new “Panther Lake” Core Extremely Sequence 3 processors inside, Samsung claims its new Galaxy Guide 6 can obtain as much as 30 hours of battery life.
O.
M.
G.
Hit the hyperlink for all of the juicy particulars — together with a take a look at the thermal cooling know-how beneath the hood of this attractive new laptop computer. — Brad Chacos
(Ed notice — An earlier model of this entry said the anticipated battery run time as 40 hours. We remorse the error.)
Asus reveals off the tech contained in the tech at CES
Asus’ CES sales space at all times has a number of enjoyable, geeky demonstrations of the know-how inside their merchandise, and 2026 isn’t any exception. Right here’s a peek on the ultra-slim motherboard inside one in all its Zenbook laptops!
And right here’s a take a look at the Asus ROG Swift OLED PG27UCWM, a brand new high-end gaming monitor that makes use of LG’s contemporary RGB stripe pixel Tandem WOLED show (teased earlier within the weblog!) to enhance textual content readability — a infamous difficulty with OLED screens. I used to be capable of summon the right-click context menu so you’ll be able to see that sure, the know-how certainly improves fringing textual content in comparison with rivals. (I delved deeper into this difficulty in my Corsair Xeneon Flex overview a pair years again).
Lastly, Asus additionally had ridonkulously huge mock-ups of the hot-swappable switches present in its ROG HE mechanical keyboard platform. I attempted mashing them however alas, no springy motion for these demo items.
I received a lot extra footage of cool tech on the sales space, however I’m undecided how a lot of it’s high secret, so keep tuned for extra behind-the-scenes glimpses sooner or later. — Brad Chacos
MSI Professional Max, gaming energy for grown-ups
Michael Crider / Foundry
MSI’s new Professional Max sequence goals to provide you choices for highly effective {hardware}, with out the gamer aesthetics. All-white PC parts, pre-built desktops, and screens have superior specs with sufficient energy for gaming, however with a glance that’s somewhat extra button-down. That 27-inch monitor is a 4K OLED with 120Hz of refresh, and the bigger desktop may be configured with an RTX 5070 Ti. — Michael Crider
Michael Crider / Foundry
CES 2026: Some meeting required
CES doesn’t formally begin till tomorrow, however we’ve been operating everywhere in the Vegas strip for the final two days overlaying tech that couldn’t wait. As typically occurs, some last-minute preparation has spilled over into the pre-show occasions. Strolling via the Venetian assembly rooms doesn’t truly require a tough hat…however perhaps it ought to. — Michael Crider
Michael Crider / Foundry
MSI’s RTX 5090 Lightning Z is the primary 1000W GPU
Throughout a press occasion at this time, MSI revealed the GeForce RTX 5090 LIGHTNING Z — bringing again the legendary model to push GPUs to insane new ranges. How insane? Effectively, an OC (overclocked) Mode pushes the facility limits to a whopping 800 watts, and an Excessive Mode jacks that as much as an completely ludicrous 1000W. Madness. No client GPU has ever pushed this degree of energy.
Seeing as how normal 5090s are going for near $4,000 on the streets as of late, count on this restricted 1,300-unit run, overclocking-focused beast to price greater than your first beater automobile did when it hits the road…someday. MSI’s tagged this with a “constructed to be good” slogan to match the insane 1000W output, in spite of everything. Keep tuned for a deeper article on the positioning quickly! — Brad Chacos
LG’s 5K2K OLED gaming panel made me drool on myself
Round these components I’m generally known as the monitor man. I’m a fiend for quick, lovely, farm-to-table gaming pixels — and at CES 2026, LG is pushing OLED gaming monitor panels to pleasant new frontiers.
I’ll have a full write-up later after I’m capable of finding a spot to crash, however I needed to whet your whistle with this — the world’s first-ever 39-inch 5K2K gaming OLED panel. Sure, “5K2K” as in “waaaaaaaaay greater than 4K.”
This humble iPhone pic doesn’t do the panel justice — it’s gobsmackingly attractive in actual life. I used to be drooling! Keep tuned for a full article later, the place I’ll additionally dive into LG’s new Tandem WOLED know-how, the world’s first OLED panel with a 240Hz RGB stripe pixel construction to enhance textual content readability (a typical gripe with OLEDs), a 720Hz 1440p OLED, and extra. Search for this new 5K2K panel to land in screens from quite a lot of producers someday in Q2. — Brad Chacos
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Plus pushes AI PCs extra mainstream
Qualcomm simply introduced the Snapdragon X2 Plus, a 10-core model of the Snapdragon X2 Elite processor it launched this fall. It’s a fast tweak to the processor structure that has had middling success within the PC house.
The argument continues to be the identical: ship higher efficiency for decrease battery life. The competitors for the Plus is the Intel Core Extremely 7 256H. Thus far, we’re not listening to something when it comes to prospects, nonetheless.
I actually assume that Qualcomm and Snapdragon deserve a seat on the laptop computer desk, however Intel’s Core Extremely sequence simply doesn’t permit a lot respiration room for the Snapdragon: The battery life and efficiency are stellar.
I additionally noticed a number of notebooks constructed across the Snapdragon X2 Elite, the inspiration for the X2 Plus that Qualcomm launched this previous fall: the Asus VivoBook S16, ZenBook A14 and A16, plus the HP Omnibook Extremely and EliteBook X — and an Asus all-in-one. — Mark Hachman
Stress-free Iron Man hugs
Bodyfriend makes wild full-body therapeutic massage chairs. I didn’t have an opportunity to attempt the 733 mannequin on show myself, however hey, when you have like $10,000 burning a gap in your pocket and need some snuggles from Iron Man, this appeared fairly cool. I want I had the chance to climb in but it surely was in sizzling demand! — Brad Chacos
Provec’s killer shades bought me on ‘solid-state electrochromic sun shades’
I’m each an outside aficionado in addition to a diehard “cool shades” man. I actually, actually like what Povec Optics is doing with their new C1 Sun shades.
The C1 could seem like some other pair of sports activities shades, however they’re not: Povec calls these “the world’s first solid-state electrochromic sun shades.” I’m not going to attempt to Google what all which means in terms of sun shades, or the declare’s validity.
However I can let you know this stuff are rad. There’s a touchstrip on the facet of the body. Transfer your finger in direction of the again of your head and the tinting transitions to darker hues; transfer it in direction of the entrance, and issues brighten up, all damned close to instantaneously. You possibly can see the impact within the pictures above and under — these have been the identical pair of demo glasses. They’d be a godsend whereas I’m mountain climbing via the New Hampshire woods, biking across the neighborhood, or zooming my automobile across the topsy-turvy White Mountains.
Since these clearly goal lively varieties, they’re each very light-weight and boast IP65 water resistance, and a single cost (through USB-C) can last as long as 28 days at 4 hours per day.
Provec’s C1 isn’t low-cost at $249, however that’s not an excessive amount of greater than a pleasant high-end pair of shades will set you again anyway. I’m going to hound Provec for a overview pattern as soon as I’m out of Vegas so I can let you recognize if the practicality is as tantalizing because the promise. —Brad Chacos
I hugged an owl and I preferred it
Yo an enormous owl and I wrapped our arms round one another… for trigger!
It’s not solely know-how corporations manning cubicles at CES Unveiled. The US Forest Service and the Nationwide Waste and Recycling Basis are right here, handing out stickers, pamphlets, and free owl hugs to unfold the phrase: Don’t overlook to show your batteries in.
You possibly can’t simply chuck your batteries within the trash, although you do. (C’mon, you recognize you do.) And as a dude whose condominium burned down a number of years again, I’m all about avoiding random blazes. Right here’s what the group’s Battery Security Now web site says:
“Battery fires are occurring extra typically. They’ve destroyed properties, burned down rubbish vehicles and recycling facilities, and—tragically—taken lives. When a facility goes up in flames, trash and recycling companies may be shut down for weeks and even months. The excellent news? Battery fires are straightforward to stop.”
Keep in mind youngsters: Solely YOU can stop battery fires. And if you happen to play your playing cards proper, you’ll even get a hug from an owl sporting garments. (What occurs in Vegas stays in Vegas proper?) — Brad Chacos
This robotic shouldn’t be Wall-E
Michael Crider / Foundry
That is, most decidedly, not Wall-E. It’s a small tank-like robotic with movable, expressive eyes, that’s completely not, in any approach, the Disney-owned mental property, Wall-E. The W1 robotic from Zeroth can allegedly carry as much as 50 kilograms because it follows you round, presumably someplace with out stairs. I used to be not capable of finding data on worth or launch date, or whether or not any legal professionals had me within the crosshairs only for this factor.
A monitor that fixes dyslexia? The Lili Display screen says sure
Mark Hachman / Foundry
Lili is right here at CES 2026, claiming that its Lili Display screen is the primary laptop monitor particularly designed for laptop customers with dyslexia.
It’s a 27-inch, 1440p display with a refresh charge of 75 Hz. The important thing to assuaging dyslexia, in keeping with Lili, is a user-configurable flicker, which the monitor produces together with a user-specified brightness setting. The Lili Display screen will ship in January for $649.
A Reddit thread on the associated Lili Lamp linked to this slightly irate weblog put up (https://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=35144). It appears fairly skeptical of the primary know-how with out naming Lili straight. Mainly, it’s an attention-grabbing product however deserves the total scrutiny of hands-on testing. -Mark Hachman
Dephy Sidekick: Like Deus Ex, however with out implants
You gotta love the wild stuff at CES Unveiled. Like kinda-sorta-bionic ankles!
The Dephy Sidekick straps onto your legs and claims to offer a lift to your strolling effectivity, easing the pressure in your overused calves. Dubbed the world’s first ankle wearable, Dephy says the Sidekick “is light-weight, intuitive, and designed that will help you transfer farther, sooner, and with much less effort.” And it kinda makes you seem like Robocop from the knee down!
Happily, Lifehacker’s Beth Skwarecki (who writes superior health and well being articles) had a pair strapped on after I visited the sales space, so you’ll be able to see the way it appears to be like IRL. They’re chonky, however just like the Cyber Fidget, in a great way — kinda like gunslinger holsters to your calves.
It’s arduous to get a bead on how effectively the Sidekick sidekicks with out attempting them out ourselves, however turning into a cyborg cross-country runner doesn’t come low-cost. Although Dephy explicitly states that is life-style machine, “not a medical machine,” the Starter Pack prices a cool $4,500. The rep I spoke to urged it may present a number of reduction to folks with strolling pains and troubles. I counsel staying tuned for critiques, as a result of if the Sidekick pulls off what it claims (and one other rep identified that Dephy is a part of Nike’s Venture Amplify), bettering your high quality of life could very effectively be definitely worth the money. -Brad Chacos
The Cyber Fidget is tailored for grown up nerds
I’m tooling round CES Unveiled, the place you’ll discover row after row of distributors hawking their wares and displaying off rad product demos. Only a few of those have something to do with PCs — however you’ll at all times discover some deeply attention-grabbing devices to poke and prod.
Working example: The Cyber Fidget.
I used to be lured in by the killer ’80s retro vibes, however discovered myself ensnared by the sheer number of buttons to poke and applications to attempt. You possibly can even make your personal wallpaper in a browser by connecting the Cyber Fidget to a pc! It’s satisfyingly chunky, and grown up nerds (like yours actually) can tinker with the code on this pet too.
The Cyber Fidget web site describes it as “A pocket-sized, machined-aluminum gadget you’ll be able to fidget with and program. Wi-Fi + Bluetooth, OLED show, LEDs, speaker, mic, slider, buttons, and micro‑SD — constructed on ESP32.” Meaning it’s “open and hackable.” Woo!
I’m considering “Signal me up!” as I learn that, particularly after holding it in my very own two arms. When you’re considering the identical, you’ll be capable to again the Cyber Fidget on Kickstarter quickly. -Brad Chacos
Ozlo Sleepbuds: The night-time earbuds you’ve been dreaming of
Why wait to fulfill with a producer in particular person in the event that they’ll ship you their {hardware} two weeks earlier than the present? Ozlo provided to ship me their Sleepbuds prematurely of our CES assembly, and OMFG, these slumber-time earbuds are spectacular.
The Ozlo Sleepbuds could seem like common earbuds, however they’re so low-profile, they’re snug sufficient to put on all evening as a facet sleeper. The concept is to stream a “masking” sound (assume white noise) to drown out far more disruptive seems like loud night breathing or metropolis ruckus.
Jon Phillips/Foundry
I scoffed earlier than attempting them, however they carry out as promised throughout a latest San Francisco rain-and-wind storm that was battering my home windows and skylights. Slept like a child. On my facet. As I at all times do.
You can too stream your favourite content material (podcasts, music, no matter) and the Sleepbuds’ sensors will detect while you’ve fallen asleep, after which change to your masking sound. The {hardware} doesn’t use lively noise cancellation, however I discovered it’s so good at noise suppression, I needed to decrease the quantity to listen to my canine’s “I must exit!” whimpers. You should purchase them now, on-sale, for $274. — Jon Phillips
White Castle²
On the Vegas strip, White Fortress is actually a White Fortress. Again to tech shortly however 🤯 — Brad Chacos
Jensen welcomes the crowds to Las Vegas
CES 2026 hasn’t kicked off but, however the indicators are in every single place — actually. Not gonna lie, seeing a 100 foot-tall digital show of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang smiling benevolently down on the crowds from a huge techno-pedestal, in entrance of high-end Discussion board Outlets devoted to former Roman emperor Julius Caesar, feels a bit on the nostril.
Don’t be shocked if AI is the key theme of the present but once more, and Huang definitely is the kingmaker in that subject. Search for Nvidia’s livestream keynote to go reside at 1p.m. Pacific Time on January 5. –Brad Chacos
