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Razer Switchblade - the future of mobile gaming?
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Post by
Rhod
Switchblade Website
Razer just released some information on it's newest, most interesting project yet.
This is a mobile gaming platform similar to a laptop, but tailored specifically to gaming. A very interesting concept, at the least. I know it's something I'm excited about (I love new innovations in technology, as I'm sure most of you do as well), but who thinks it'll be worth it? Although there's no pricing system for either the unit or the 3G (and probably 4G) it can be equipped with, I'm sure it won't be cheap.
For people who don't wish to follow above link:
- Mini, handheld PC for gaming
- Keyboard changes using
tiny LCD screen
(it's actually one big screen) to fit the exact game your playing automatically
- Is equipped with 3G internet, as well as WiFi
- Touchscreen
Post by
Hyperspacerebel
Pros:
Mobility
Cons:
Never going to be as powerful as a desktop.
Never going to control as well as a full keyboard and mouse.
Going to be a lot more expensive.
I don't think mobility is worth even a tenth of what you're losing.
Post by
tuckmuck203
Pros:
Mobility
Cons:
Never going to be as powerful as a desktop.
Never going to control as well as a full keyboard and mouse.
Going to be a lot more expensive.
I don't think mobility is worth even a tenth of what you're losing.
Yes, but I don't think you're taking into account what it means. If you bought this, you wouldn't be replacing your computer, you would be buying it so that you cold play WoW or something else on the move.
I can think of dozens of instances when I'd love one of those. I can't pay attention to one thing unless I'm multitasking. Such as, when I'm in chemistry, I'll being doing pentrix, reading, or listening to music. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to even pass the class.
Not to mention that if I had this, I could have my xbox visualizer up on my HD tv blasting music through my bose speakers, playing WoW, and be reading xkcd/ctr alt delete/ insert-other-webcomic-here.
Post by
Rhod
While I completely agree with your points Hyper, they are rendered somewhat invalid as the Switchblade isn't meant to be a desktop replacement, or even a laptop replacement.
More of a handheld console in PC mode. That's just the way I think of it.
Post by
Varaconn
It sets a good precedence as well. The first in a branch of devices is rarely a huge success/without flaws. However, by getting it out there and gauging interest, it gives the developers a chance to find the mistakes, meanwhile constantly improving on the performance of the device. I don't play PC games near enough to justify this, but I think it's a really cool idea.
Post by
Hyperspacerebel
I never implied it was a desktop replacement either. But the facts still stand point to a system that cannot properly emulate the pc. A gameboy or a PSP works because the game are built for the system.
Post by
tuckmuck203
I never implied it was a desktop replacement either. But the facts still stand point to a system that cannot properly emulate the pc. A gameboy or a PSP works because the game are built for the system.
Yes, but you can build a system around a game as well. Look at dance dance revolution.
Post by
Hyperspacerebel
Yes, but you can build a system around a game as well. Look at dance dance revolution.
I'm not sure what you're trying to imply. PC games are made to be played on a PC. Anything that does not properly emulate (be it graphically, with regards to input method, or whatever) a PC will not properly play the game. The only solution is to make new games for this new system, in which case you're not "mobilizing pc gaming" anymore, but just creating a new kind of hand-held gaming system.
Post by
Varaconn
It won't emulate it perfectly, but you wouldn't be playing these games
at all
on the go otherwise, right? I guess the point is just to give you the option to take them with you, even if it's somewhat limited in functionality. I can check my e-mail on my iPhone. It doesn't have all the functions I use to manage my mail on a regular basis, but it still allows me to see and respond to anything I get when I don't have computer access at the time.
Post by
Hyperspacerebel
It won't emulate it perfectly, but you wouldn't be playing these games
at all
on the go otherwise, right? I guess the point is just to give you the option to take them with you, even if it's somewhat limited in functionality. I can check my e-mail on my iPhone. It doesn't have all the functions I use to manage my mail on a regular basis, but it still allows me to see and respond to anything I get when I don't have computer access at the time.
I guarantee there is no market for a $1000 dollar WoW mail checker. The market that a "mobile pc gaming unit" would work in is competitive online gaming. However, the limitations inherent in the system, make competitive gaming near impossible. For casual gaming, there are already cheaper, more functioning systems with game specifically made for mobile gaming.
Post by
Varaconn
Never mentioned anything about checking your mail in WoW, but anyways. If it were a reasonable price, I would consider it, especially for a game like WoW, for things like doing dailies on the bus to work, or farming, maybe checking my auctions, etc. If it was made affordable and functional enough that you could perform basic, pick up and play elements, then of course there could be a market for it.
Post by
Hyperspacerebel
If it was made affordable and functional enough that you could perform basic, pick up and play elements, then of course there could be a market for it.
If, if, if.
This
piece of hardware, as presented, is neither. I never said that there cannot be a mobile system to successfully emulate the PC; but unless they're going to do something more than a netbook with a fancy keyboard, nothing much is being offered.
Post by
Varaconn
It's just a concept. You could discuss what would improve it, or what you would like to see featured, instead of simply saying it's useless and will never happen.
Post by
Hyperspacerebel
It's just a concept. You could discuss what would improve it, or what you would like to see featured, instead of simply saying it's useless and will never happen.
I'm not "discussing" just because I don't agree with you?
I don't care if it's just a concept. From what has been presented, I'm not impressed, and I think I have very clearly laid out in a detailed fashion exactly what I think is at fault and why. If that's not discussion, I don't know what is.
Post by
327953
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
Monday
wrong.... technology changes very fast.
Except that a desktop, by virtue of being stationary, allows you to fit more hardware in there.
Post by
Hyperspacerebel
Pros:
Never going to be as powerful as a desktop.
.
wrong.... technology changes very fast.
it's a great concept, and it'll change the way we see gaming if it does succeed in the beginning.
So does desktop technology. You can always fit more in a desk top. Always.
Post by
hellshadow
I find a few flaws in this here gaming system:
First off, this advertised mobility would come at the cost of horrible controls, in the sense that there is no way to use one of Razer's hyper-efficient gaming mice without standing still. And if we can't use mice, we would all be keyboard-turning, which would be an odd transition for someone who is used to a traditional mouse.
Second, back to gameplay issues, something that small cannot have amazing graphics capabilities, especially seeing as there is probably a lot of software involved with the recognition of applications on the keyboard. Obviously, no one likes to play on low settings, and this would obviously be another hit to the possible market.
Third, I must say...
OHMAIGAWD! MOBILE COMPOOTARS! NEVAR SEEN THOSE! NOW IF THEY COULD ONLY USE A WEB BROWSER AND OTHER APPLICATIONS! Oh, wait...
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