PlayStation 5: Play Has No Limits

From $449.99

The new, slim PlayStation 5 and slim Digital Edition PS5 sells like hotcakes, with its powerful CPU and GPU using AMD's technology, and a super-speedy SSD to store games on. It's also the only place to play games like Spiderman: 2.

What We Like:

• New, slim PlayStation 5 consoles are up to 30% smaller, saving you space on your TV cabinet
• Removable Blu-Ray drive can make the Digital Edition into a disc version
• The only home console with a dedicated VR headset

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So you’ve finally got your hands on a PlayStation 5? Ok, maybe that’s a bit of hyperbole, as the PS5 has been on the market for four whole years, but not everyone was willing to pay secondary market prices.

Plus, Sony recently refreshed the whole lineup, with slimmer PlayStation 5 models with a removable Blu-Ray disc drive.

They still come in Digital Edition and standard versions, but now you can add the drive to the Digital version if you later decide you want the drive.

But even if you just acquired one or its been sitting on your entertainment center shelf for a few years, there are some must-have accessories for the PlayStation 5 that you really shouldn’t go without.

From chargers to controllers, headsets and extra memory, it’s time to upgrade that PS5 from out-of-the-box to awesome box.

Best PS5 Accessories for 2024

Best Controller

Sony PS5 DualSense Wireless Controller

From $49.00

The Sony DualSense controller for PS5 is also one of the best mobile gaming controllers on the market, thanks to its Bluetooth connectivity. It's also got a more natural thumbstick arrangement and a more sculpted design.

What We Like:

• Symmetrical thumbsticks because your hands aren't different sizes
• Ergonomic shape that suits some hand shapes better
• Bluetooth connectivity and in-built rechargeable battery
• Immersive haptic feedback on triggers and main body of controller

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KnowTechie is supported by its audience, so if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale.

01/25/2024 01:23 am GMT

This is the top item on many a list for a good reason. You need a controller to play the games, and that controller is the DualSense PS5 Controller.

While the PS5 comes with one of these in the box, that’s only acceptable if you have no friends. We’re not here to judge, but if you have a second pair of hands, you’ll need a second controller.

This controller is next-gen awesome, as the haptics fully engage you in the worlds your characters inhabit.

Toss in some adaptive triggers that provide different levels of resistance based on in-game situations, and a build in secondary speaker, and you’ve got a physical connection to your games.

The Sony DualSense PS5 controller is a must-have for any PlayStation gamer.

Best Charging Station

Playstation DualSense Wireless Charging Station

$29.99

The DualSense Wireless Charging Station keeps up to two controllers topped up while you're not gaming, with a design that looks like a mini PS5. It also keeps your PS5's USB ports free for other uses.

What We Like:

• Charge up to two DualSense controllers without needing to plug them into your console
• Drop your controller onto the dock to get it charging, lift it up whenever you want to play
• Also keeps your controllers stored when not in use

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01/23/2024 04:57 pm GMT

DualSense controllers work better when charged, so the PlayStation DualSense wireless Charging Station is probably the best bet.

With a charging stand, you don’t have to clog your PlayStation’s USB ports. You can just click-in your controllers, and watch them glow yellow until they glow blue. Then they don’t glow. That means they are charged.

It’s recommended that you purchase official Sony chargers for official Sony controllers, but if you have a 3rd party controller, a 3rd party charging station will work just fine.

The end result is your PlayStation DualSense wireless Charging Station will eliminate wasting batteries and time so that you can keep on gaming.

Best Headset

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Headset

$349.99 $296.91

Upgrade your gaming audio with the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro, featuring Hi-Fi quality drivers and 360-degree Spatial Audio, which is compatible with Tempest 3D Audio on the PS5 console. You also get active noise cancelation, and hot-swap batteries to get even more gaming time in.

What We Like:

• Hi-Fi quality drivers for great gaming immersion
• Dedicated gaming DAC for quality sound
• Hot-swap batteries so you can extend your gaming sessions

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01/24/2024 02:50 pm GMT

The Sony Pulse 3D Wireless Headset is fine if you want to stick with Sony stuff, but the SteelSeries Arctis Nova headset is for true gamers.

With Hi-Fi drivers, active noise cancellation, and a ClearCast Gen 2 Mic, this headset is powerful. But really, it’s the 360° spatial audio that really sets this particular headset apart from the rest.

Here’s something you’ll love: you can hot-swap a second battery that’s kept charged in the base unit until needed.

That means you don’t have to stop gaming and risk waking the family when the charge runs out. Just swap the battery, slam the charging cable into the used one and keep going.

Ultimately, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Gaming Headset is for that next-level sense immersion.

Best Subscription

PlayStation $30 Plus – Wallet Funds [Digital Code]

$30.00

With PlayStation Plus now having three subscription tiers, the best way to gift a PlayStation gamer is with Wallet Funds so they can choose the tier they want. Plus, it can get to them instantly which is always the best way.

What We Like:

• $30 of instantly redeemable credit for the PlayStation Store to use on games or Plus

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01/24/2024 02:36 pm GMT

How we access games has changed over the years, and the PlayStation Plus service understands that. It’s a subscription tier that offers different levels of exclusives, new-ish games, classic games, and cloud storage.

It’s a subscription, but a better deal than buying one game at a time. PlayStation Plus is an essential service if you play more games than you want to buy.

The cheapest plan is PlayStation Plus Essential, and it’s the same as the old PS Plus service. It costs $9.99 per month or $79.99 for 12 months.

The Extra tier is the next step, offering up to 400 downloadable PS4 and PS5 games. This is $14.99 per month, or $134.99 per year.

Then there is Premium, offering downloads of nearly the entire PS library or cloud streaming for the rest. This is $17.99 per month, or $159.99 per year.

Best External Drive

Avolusion Pro-5X Series 8TB External Drive for PS5

$105.88

With the PlayStation 5's limited internal storage, you might want a place to offload those huge game files while you play something else. So you're not downloading from the internet all the time, put them on this 8TB drive from Avolusion and save your internet for other uses.

What We Like:

• 8TB of storage for temporarily offloading your PS5 games
• Designed to compliment the PS5's look
• USB 3.0 for speedy transfer speeds

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01/24/2024 01:56 pm GMT

If you give a mouse a cookie… then you’ll need the Avolusion PRO-5X Series 8TB External Gaming Hard Drive. Well, you’ll need it if you subscribe to PlayStation Plus for sure.

Because the PlayStation itself has limited storage, you’ll need extra storage. 8TB should do it, even if youhave to move games back and forth between your PS5 and this hard drive.

Honestly, it’s the closest you’ll get to owning a physical copy of a game, without purchasing a physical copy of a game.

The Avolusion PRO-5X Series 8TB External Gaming Hard Drive uses USB 3.0, so those game transfers will take as long as it takes you to finish that taco. Plus, you can play PS4 games that are installed on it.

Best Virtual Reality

PlayStation VR2 (PSVR2)

$549.00

PlayStation is the only console maker to embrace VR gaming, and the VR2 headset is ready to transport you into the virtual game worlds PlayStation can think up. Enjoy titles like Horizon Call of the Mountain in eye-popping immersion at up to 120Hz and you'll wonder why other consoles don't get on board.

What We Like:

• 4K HDR display to show off impressive gaming visuals
• Eye-tracking and tracking cameras for positional accuracy
• Haptic feedback on the headset and the two controllers for better immersion

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01/24/2024 01:56 pm GMT

You can look at the PlayStation VR2 headset either as its own gaming device or as accessory. Since it needs a PS5 to work, it’s probably an accessory. Regardless, it’s a great way to expand your gameplay out of reality and into virtual reality.

With some of the same features as the DualSense controller, such as haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, it also adds finger touch detection and 3D audio to fully immerse your brain.

Virtual worlds can be a bit scary, but from Horizon Call of the Mountain to Iron Man VR to the hundreds of other games available, the PlayStation VR2 headset will certainly expand your gaming universe.

Best Camera

PlayStation HD Camera, Black

$59.99 $57.00

Add the official PlayStation HD Camera to your PlayStation 5, and you'll be set to livestreaming your gameplay to any supported streaming site. Plus, it looks like your console and captures a 1080p Full-HD image.

What We Like:

• 1080p capture with background-removal tools so you get virtual greenscreen on your PS5
• Looks like your PS5, just smaller
• Built-in stand for either on top or below your TV

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01/24/2024 01:50 pm GMT

If you are into streaming, and you have ahem the assets to put yourself on camera with your streams, then you’ll need a PlayStation HD Camera.

It’s a full HD camera with dual wide-angle lenses so you can easily record or stream your twisted face as you deal with angry gods in God of War: Ragnarok or die incessantly in Ghost of Tsushima.

There are plenty of other 3rd party cameras available, but the PlayStation HD Camera takes advantage of built-in PS5 tools like background removal, and that’s worth the price of admission.

Best Mobile Accessory

Backbone One Mobile Gaming Controller - PS Edition

$99.99

Use your smartphone as a PS Remote Play screen by adding the Backbone One controller, which comes in USB-C and Lightning port versions depending on your phone's needs. It adds physical controls to turn your phone into a PS Portal-like device for on-the-go gaming.

What We Like:

• Use PS Remote Play from the comfort of your smartphone
• Comes in USB-C and Lightning port versions
• Gives you a centralized dashboard for all your mobile gaming
• No batteries needed

Check Availability of Lightning Version Check Availability of USB-C Version

01/24/2024 01:46 pm GMT

The Nintendo Switch is popular because you can take it on the go, which the Backbone One mobile gaming controller offers PS5 gamers.

It’s a portable controller that works with your phone in place of your PS5 and a monitor. It uses the PS Remote Play service, so you can play on the go with your iPhone.

While the controller isn’t a full DualSense replacement in the way of features, it does have responsive analog triggers, tactile buttons, and clickable thumbsticks.

You can also connect a headset through a 3.5mm headphone jack. Backbone One mobile gaming controller is your solution for PS5 gaming on the go.

Best Racing Wheel

Thrustmaster T300 RS - Gran Turismo Edition

$449.99

To get the most immersive driving game experience, a sim racing wheel and pedals are paramount. This set is made by Thrustmaster, one of the biggest names in sim gear, and will have you doing victory laps in no time.

What We Like:

• Designed in collaboration with Gran Turismo for the best in-game experience
• GT-style wheel and three adjustable metal pedals
• Works with PS5, PS4, and PC

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01/24/2024 01:36 pm GMT

The Thrustmaster T300 RS sounds like something it’s not, it’s a steering wheel and pedals. Get your mind out of the gutter.

If the top of your gaming library includes games such as Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged, Wreckfest, F1 23, or Gran Turismo 7, then you’ll want to take the next logical step and stop using your thumbs to drive.

With three adjustable metal pedals and a detachable racing GT style wheel, this racing set was developed in collaboration with Gran Turismo.

And if the Thrustmaster T300 RS isn’t enough to up your racing game, there’s a gear shifter available as well.

Best Fighting Stick

HORI PlayStation 5 Fighting Stick Alpha for PS5

$229.99 $204.68

We don't know about you, but playing fighting games with a joypad just doesn't hit the same. Bring the arcade home with this officially licensed Street Fighter 6 fightstick from HORI, featuring tournament-ready buttons and joystick to smash out some hadoukens.

What We Like:

• 18 free downloadable hi-res images of SF6 characters to print out and customize the transparent faceplate with
• Solid build for stability when on your lap or desk
• HORI's proprietary Hayabusa buttons and joystick for tournament-ready toughness

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01/24/2024 01:30 pm GMT

Conversely, if fighting games like Street Fighter 6 are more your speed, then the HORI PlayStation 5 fighting stick controller might spark your guts a bit more than a racing wheel.

This is a high-end tournament-ready fight stick officially licensed by Sony. You can customize the top panel with 18 free downloadable hi-res images of Street Fighter 6 characters.

Features include high-speed buttons, a touchpad, tournament lock, a 10ft cable, and on-board audio and mic controls. All these features in the HORI PlayStation 5 fighting stick help you keep your hands and mind engaged in the fight.

Best Remote

Playstation Media Remote

$29.99

Make your PlayStation 5 into a media streaming powerhouse by adding the Media Remote, which gives you all the controls you need without having to remember which button is which on your DualSense. Plus, you can let your controllers recharge while you kick back and watch some movies.

What We Like:

• Control all of your streaming media while still staying in your PS5 dashboard
• Let your DualSense controller recharge while you stream videos
• Classic styling to match your PS5

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01/24/2024 01:26 pm GMT

Your new PlayStation 5 isn’t just for fighting and driving, it’s for watching things too. Control all your streaming services with the PlayStation media remote.

It’s got all the classic features of any other television remote control, but specifically tuned to your PlayStation.

And it helps keep your DualSense controllers charged and ready for play, instead of serving as a TV remote. That’s what the PlayStation media remote is for.

Best Stand

PS5 / PS5 Slim Stand and Cooling Station with Charging

$38.99

This stand from Oivo doesn't just give you space to store game boxes, the Media Remote, two DualSense controllers, and external storage. It also gives your PS5 some much-needed fresh air thanks to a couple of fans and more USB ports to access and charge peripherals.

What We Like:

• Fan-assisted cooling for your PlayStation 5
• Two charging stands for DualSense controllers
• Storage slots for your other accessories like the Media Remote, external drives, or physical game boxes

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01/24/2024 01:20 pm GMT

And wow, we’ve compiled quite the collection of accessories, so you better get a PS5 stand and cooling station to store them all.

This bad boy has a turbo fan to keep your PS5 running cool, two charging stands for your DualSense controllers, slots for your external drive and media remote, space for physical games, and a headset hook.

Additionally, the fan has three levels, and there is a 3-port USB hub. LED indicators let you know when things are charged.

If you want a clean, organized PS5 workstation, then the PS5 Stand and Cooling Station is an essential buy.

Best Controller Adaptation

MoKo Keyboard for PS5 Controller

$28.95 $26.95

Voice chat isn't everyone's favorite, and trying to enter chat messages on the PS5 with the virtual keyboard is difficult and slow. Speed up the process with this Bluetooth keyboard from MoKo, which slots onto the DualSense so you have a QWERTY keyboard at your thumbtips.

What We Like:

• QWERTY keyboard for faster chatting
• Avoid voice chat because it's universally terrible, while being able to chat to teammates
• Fits perfectly onto the DualSense
• 100 hour battery life between charges

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01/24/2024 12:46 pm GMT

The MoKo Keyboard for PS5 controllers is specifically designed to integrate into your PS5 controller so you can chitter chatter with your thumbs instead of your mouth.

If you are a smash talker and often get banned from Roblox for calling people “losers” then a keyboard probably appeals to you.

With a green backlight and audio jack, the keyboard keeps you chatting and in the game without saying a word. It’s made of silicone, so your thumbs won’t get fatigued over long gaming and smash talk sessions.

The MoKo Keyboard is a great addition if you spend a lot of time online, but don’t want to say much with your mouth.

Best SSD

Western Digital 2TB Officially Licensed SSD for PS5 Consoles

$229.99 $179.99

The PlayStation 5 comes with about 660 GB of storage once you account for formatting and the operating system, which isn't much when you consider AAA games can take up 120 GB or more. Add another 2TB of storage by slotting this SSD into the expansion port and enjoy having more games installed.

What We Like:

• 2TB of storage, giving your PS5 three times as much total storage capacity for the latest games
• Already has a heatsink applied so it stays cool while gaming or transferring game data
• Up to 7,300MB/s of transfer speed

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01/24/2024 12:39 pm GMT

Did you know that you can open up your PS5 and install an SSD drive like the Western Digital 2TB NVMe SSD and Sony is totally cool with it?

Unlike Apple, Sony encourages gamers to mod out their PlayStation, which is basically a PC anyway. So while you’re installing a heatsink, you can toss in this internal SSD.

The Western Digital 2TB SSD is one of the best SSDs for the PlayStation 5, and transfers files at speeds up to 7,300MB/s, which is a bit better than any external drive.

Of course, you have to be willing to open up your PS5 if you want to go this route.

Best Heatsink

Archgon PS5 Heatsink for M.2 NVMe SSDs

$25.00

If you're worried about temperatures while adding a second storage SSD to your PlayStation 5, this heatsink from Archgon will keep it running at optimal temperatures while providing some physical security.

What We Like:

• Designed for the PS5 to fit in the secondary SSD slot perfectly
• Can cool up to 25C to keep the SSD running at optimal temperatures
• Fits any M.2 SSD that is compatible with the PS5

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01/24/2024 12:27 pm GMT

While nothing close to a full gaming PC, PS5s can tend to run hot, and the Archgon PS5 Heatsink alleviates that heat.

It’s worth mentioning this is only necessary if you’ve added a second SSD to your PS5. It’s also unnecessary if you bought the Western Digital drive above, as that already has a heatsink.

This heatsink has up to a 77F (25C) cooling effect and is installed inside your PS5 to dissipate hot air. This is not an accessory for everyone, but hardcore, long-hour gamers will appreciate the drop in internal temp.

During heat tests, the Archgon PS5 Heatsink came in most handy when constantly transferring games from an external drive to the internal drive. Stay cool gamers.

Best Capture Card

AverMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 USB Capture Card

$299.99 $269.99

The AverMedia Live Gamer Ultra 2.1 USB capture card is the best capture card for any aspiring livestreamer. It can capture 4K60 content with 4K144 passthrough thanks to the HDMI 2.1 ports, so you don't have to sacrifice your game's quality to stream.

Quick Verdict:

Pros:

• First HDMI 2.1 capture card
• Capture 4K60 content or 4K30 with HDR
• Use 4K144 pass-through for the latest consoles

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KnowTechie is supported by its audience, so if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale.

01/24/2024 01:00 pm GMT

The PlayStation 5 has HDMI 2.1 output to your TV or monitor, so using a capture card that also supports that format makes sense.

That means purchasing an AverMedia device, as they’re the first on the market with an HDMI 2.1-capable capture card.

This USB-C-powered capture card can pass through 4K 144Hz, so it’s perfect for the 4K120 that the PlayStation 5 can output. The 3.5mm jack also means you can easily pipe in your party chat.

That enables capture of 4K at 60FPS (or 30FPS with HDR), making your YouTube videos look crisper than ever. This is the first card with variable refresh rate pass-through support, so your gaming won’t suffer while you record.

Best Grips

KontrolFreek Performance Grips for Playstation 5

$14.99

Keep your DualSense controller in pristine condition while adding a nice cushioned coat of grip with these stick-on performance grips from KontrolFreek. They might not make you into a MLG gamer but you'll feel like one.

What We Like:

• Adds comfort and protection to your DualSense controller
• Easy to apply and to take back off again
• Will last for a long time

Check Availability

01/24/2024 12:27 pm GMT

If you are a long-time gamer you know that the physical aspects of your controllers break down over time, which is where KontrolFreek Performance Grips come in.

Your body oils, Cheetos dust, and spittle wear down the shell on your controller, leaving them slippery and smooth.

These are expensive controllers, so keeping them working well as long as possible is essential to saving money and gaming hard.

KontrolFreek Performance Grips protect the body of your controller with anti-slip material, keeping your DualSense controller working just a bit longer.

And you’ll probably want some thumbstick extenders, which make the DualSense sticks easier to use for precision aiming, while protecting the tops.

Things to consider before buying PlayStation 5 accessories

There are a lot of accessories available for your PlayStation 5. It’s hard to imagine gaming without some of them, especially controllers and charging stands. Well, headsets and external drives, too.

The point is, you don’t have to get every single accessory. It’s all based on your needs. There are three things you should consider before buying any accessory.

1. Does this accessory improve my gaming experience?

Between fight sticks and racing setups, there are a few accessories available to enhance your gaming experience. That is, if it needs enhancement.

Casual gamers likely will find a different value in these items than hardcore fight or race fans. So buy what fits your gaming style, not just whatever is available.

2. Do I want to open my PS5?

Specific accessories, such as heatsinks and internal fans or drives, require you to open your PS5. This alteration is only for some; if you lack the experience or are anxious about opening it up, you probably don’t need it.

3. Physical or downloaded?

Buying certain accessories depends on whether you prefer physical games or downloaded games. Don’t buy an external hard drive or SSD drive if you only buy physical copies.

Or search for a different cooling stand if you only download games. Remember, just because the accessory exists doesn’t mean you absolutely have to have it, even if you don’t need it.

Final thoughts on the best PlayStation 5 accessories of 2024

There are many levels of gamer, from casual to hardcore and everything in between. Some accessories are better for the hardcore, while the casual gamer might enjoy the less-is-more approach (but still open to some external storage).

When purchasing PS5 accessories, read a few reviews and recommendations because there’s a lot of junk out there. Ultimately, whatever accessory enhances your gaming experience is the accessory you need.

PlayStation 5: Play Has No Limits

From $449.99

The new, slim PlayStation 5 and slim Digital Edition PS5 sells like hotcakes, with its powerful CPU and GPU using AMD's technology, and a super-speedy SSD to store games on. It's also the only place to play games like Spiderman: 2.

Check Availability

KnowTechie is supported by its audience, so if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• The best SSDs to expand your PlayStation 5 storage
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The post Best PlayStation 5 accessories (2024) appeared first on KnowTechie.

Now, it turns out another company is following its lead, but not quite officially. The famed handheld maker, Ayaneo, has announced its Next Lite handheld that will be running HoloISO, a Steam OS clone. 

What is Ayaneo’s Next Lite? 

At the moment, we don’t know much about Ayaneo’s Next Lite handheld except for a few intricate details revealed by the company itself. 

According to Ayaneo, the Next Lite will offer a 7-inch 800p display, which resembles the Steam Deck. However, its 47Wh battery is fairly larger than Valve’s machine. 

There are also Hall effect analog sticks and X-axis linear motors for haptic feedback.

The Ayaneo Next Lite images have revealed a few things, like the handheld will have two USB-C ports and a 3.5mm port as well. 

However, Ayaneo’s device lacks the trackpads we have seen on the OG Steam Deck. 

Unfortunately, we have no information on the rest of the specs, like the RAM and storage.

There are so many handheld PCs, so why does Ayaneo’s Next Lite stand out? 

While it’s true that there are several capable handheld gaming PCs available in the market. At CES 2024 itself we saw a new one, as the MSI Claw was announced. 

But nearly all of them use Microsoft Windows as their operating system. Steam Deck was the only one that stood out for doing something different, and now, Ayaneo is following the lead. 

HoloISO is not quite Steam OS, though. It’s a Steam OS clone made to run on non-Valve hardware, which gets close to the official version. While it will have some upsides, an official Steam OS build would have been perfect.

The user experience is probably the biggest upside. HoloISO brings Steam OS’ special UI that is adopted for both touch and control inputs. However, Windows is finicky at best with a controller and touchscreen.

That said, another good reason to use Steam OS over Windows OS is the cost. OEMs need to pay a licensing fee to use Windows OS on their products, which adds up to the total cost of the product. 

In theory, there’s no such hassle with Valve’s Linux-based platform, so it comes cheaper. Probably why Ayaneo says you can install Windows on the Next Lite yourself.

Steam OS has a quick-resume feature, which may or may not work on this handheld. While Windows devices like the ROG Ally get the functionality, it is not as robust as Valve’s. 

There are benefits to running Windows, though. Windows has a vast library of games, provides easier access to third-party app stores, you can sideload games and has wider support for anti-cheat software used in various multiplayer games.

Unfortunately, Ayaneo hasn’t provided the Next Lite pricing details and only said the device will be “cost-effective.”

However, it is best not to expect a $400 pricing like the Steam Deck. Ayaneo usually prices its PC-based handhelds starting between $900 to $1,000.

While it will be the company’s first product with a new OS, expecting a $400 price tag would be too much.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Review Roundup: PlayStation Portal – brace for buyer’s remorse
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• RedMagic 9 Pro launches globally, now available to purchase
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The post Ayaneo’s new handheld PC will run a Steam OS clone, HoloISO appeared first on KnowTechie.

ASUS has announced the new 2024 additions to the ROG Zephyrus and Strix lines. While the company has announced several gaming laptops, a few caught our eyes due to their outstanding hardware and features.

ASUS brings OLED displays to the ROG Zephyrus G series laptops

Let’s start the list with ASUS ROG Zephyrus models, especially with the ROG Zephyrus G14. This year’s Zephyrus G14 comes with a 3K OLED panel with a 120HZ refresh rate. 

Meanwhile, there’s also ROG Zephyrus G16 with a 2.5K resolution OLED and 240Hz refresh rate. Both laptops offer G-Sync support and sport a 16:10 aspect ratio.

Under the hood, the top-end ROG Zephyrus G14 packs an AMD Ryzen 8000 series CPU and a GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, accompanied by up to 32GB of RAM and a 1TB M2 SSD.

Meanwhile, the top-end ROG Zephyrus G16 laptop carries an Intel Core Ultra 9-185H CPU and a GeForce RTX 4090 GPU, and also an RTX 4080 configuration. 

In terms of the built quality, both ROG Zephyrus G laptops boast an aluminum chassis. The speakers are 25% larger than their predecessors. 

The company was able to keep them slim and lightweight, with the G14 weighing 1.5 kilograms and measuring 1.59 centimeters thick, while its bigger brother, the G16, weighs 1.85 kilograms and measures 1.49 centimeters in thickness.

Now, without skipping any beat, ASUS has priced the ROG Zephyrus G14 at £1,899.99 ($2,423) in the UK, while the ROG Zephyrus G16 starts at £2,299.99 ($2,933).

ROG Strix 18 also gets the mini-LED goodness

Besides the ROG Zephyrus G, the Taiwanese company has also introduced multiple ROG Strix gaming notebooks.

The ROG Strix SCAR 18 stands out among them with its 18-inch mini-LED screen. It’s a first for a ROG series laptop. 

According to ASUS, all new Strix series laptops will offer an Intel Core i9-14900HX processor, up to 64GB of RAM, and up to a 4TB SSD. Both SCAR 16 and 18 will offer an RTX 4090 GPU. 

The ROG Strix laptops are already available with a starting price of £3,999.99 ($5,100) in the UK.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Lenovo launches a color-changing laptop, and more at CES 2024
• MSI Claw launched: First gaming handheld with Intel Core Ultra chip
• NVIDIA launches GeForce RTX 40 Super GPUs at CES 2024
• ASUS ROG Phone 8 launches with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, muted design

The post ASUS debuts ROG laptops with OLED and mini-LED at CES 2024 appeared first on KnowTechie.

The Taiwanese company has now revealed its latest iteration, the ASUS ROG Phone 8 series, as promised. With the ROG Phone 8 series, ASUS likely intends to deliver the mainstream Android flagship experience.

In terms of design, the latest iteration is a far cry from the previous generations. Although you still get the capacitive shoulder triggers, the company has ditched the cooling vent and the typical gaming-oriented design we have seen on previous devices.

So, this time, with the ASUS ROG Phone 8 series, we have a bit toned-down and slimmer design, more like the mainstream smartphones, and it lines up with the leaked renders we’ve seen.

Also, for the very first time, an ROG phone is rated IP68, probably because there are no cooling vents. The company has also added wireless charging. 

So, it is clear that ASUS doesn’t want to limit the series to only gaming-focused customers, and is going all out this time. 

That said, it’s not like ASUS has skipped out on all the cool gaming features. Besides the capacitive triggers, you are also getting an enhanced cooling system and RGB logo on the back, and while it may be optional, let’s not forget the AeroActive Cooler X fan.

ASUS ROG Phone 8 specs

The ASUS ROG Phone 8 is a high-end Android phone, and the hardware reflects the same. 

The ROG Phone 8 and its variants are all powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, paired with an enhanced cooling system. 

At the front, you get a 6.78-inch FHD+ OLED screen with a 165Hz refresh rate, 2,500 nits of peak brightness, and 1,600 nits HBM.

ASUS is also offering a plethora of features, including Microsoft Phone Link support, Snapdragon Seamless support with future X Elite laptops, and Dirac Virtuo spatial audio support.

ASUS ROG Phone 8 also has AI support and has upped its game. You can expect features like AI noise cancelation and AI Semantic Search for more flexible system search capabilities. 

There are also multiple AI-based gaming features. In addition, AI-generated wallpapers will come through a future update.

A 5,500mAh battery is powering the handset, down from last year’s 6,000mAh, which is undoubtedly an effect of slimming down the ROG phone.

Additionally, ASUS has included a 3.5mm port, Bluetooth 5.3 support, Wi-Fi 7-ready support, and a second, side-mounted USB-C port. 

Unfortunately, the device lacks eSIM support, a staple among ASUS competitors for years.

There’s a flagship-grade camera too!

ROG Phones have always lagged behind its competitors in terms of the camera experience. However, with the ASUS ROG Phone 8, the company is trying to change that. 

The ROG Phone 8 sports the brand’s most ambitious effort yet with the handset’s cameras. For the very first time, an ROG phone is carrying a 32MP 3x telephoto camera.

ASUS is also marketing the device’s promising 10x “Hyper Clarity Zoom” and up to 30x digital zoom.

Besides the very first telephoto lens, the new ROG Phone sports a 50MP IMX890 primary camera, featuring the gimbal stabilization tech we saw on the Zenfone 10. There’s also a 13MP ultrawide camera with a free-form lens.

Lastly, a 32MP camera is available at the front for selfies with a wider 90-degree field of view.

ASUS ROG Phone 8 colors, pricing & availability

ASUS’s latest ROG Phone 8 series consists of the vanilla ROG Phone 8, the ROG Phone 8 Pro, and the ROG Phone Pro Edition.

While the standard ROG Phone 8 is available in two colorways – Rebel Grey and Phantom Black, the ROG Phone 8 Pro and 8 Pro Edition are available only in Phantom Black colorway.

ASUS has confirmed the ROG Phone 8 comes with a $1,099.99 (€1,099.99 / £949.99) price tag for the 12GB/256GB model. However, the phone has a pre-order price of $999.99.

If you want higher RAM and storage configurations, the ROG Phone 8 Pro with 16GB RAM and 512GB internal storage is available for $1,199.99 (€1,199.99 / £1,099.99).

Meanwhile, the top-end ROG Phone 8 Pro Edition with 24GB of RAM,1TB of storage, and an included AeroActive Cooler X fan is available at $1,499.99 (€1,499.99 / £1,299.99).

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Editors’ Recommendations:

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The post ASUS ROG Phone 8 launches with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, muted design appeared first on KnowTechie.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 Super series cards

Based on the announcement, the flagship RTX 4080 Super is leading the series and apparently is capable of running fully ray-traced games in 4K resolution. 

According to NVIDIA, the new card is two times faster than the RTX 3080 Ti with DLSS and 1.4X faster without frame generation technology.

Behind the RTX 4080 Super is its less powerful sibling, the RTX 4070 Ti Super. Nvidia has positioned this card for 1440p/144Hz gaming. 

The 4070 Ti Super offers 16GB of memory and a 256-bit bus, and the company claims a 1.6X performance boost over its predecessor, the RTX 3070 Ti.

With DLSS 3.0 enabled, you can expect a 2.5X performance boost. 

The last one in the series is the RTX 4070 Super. The company didn’t share too many details regarding this card but said it is faster than the RTX 3090 without using DLSS.

However, you can still expect a 1.5X performance boost with the DLSS 3.0 enabled. 

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 Super pricing and availability 

NVIDIA didn’t shy away from mentioning the price and availability of the announced GeForce RTX 40 Super series. 

The RTX 4070 Super will be available at $599 from January 17, while the RTX 4070 Ti Super will be available from January 24 with a price tag of $799.

Meanwhile, the top-end RTX 4080 Super will be available from January 31 at $999. 

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• MSI Claw launched: First gaming handheld with Intel Core Ultra chip
• New Discord update reportedly slows down Nvidia graphics cards
• New Intel Core 14th Gen desktop CPUs can clock up to 6GHz
• Nvidia GeForce Now will cost more come November 2023, but not in the US

The post NVIDIA launches GeForce RTX 40 Super GPUs at CES 2024 appeared first on KnowTechie.

While MSI teased the handheld device days before, the official announcement for the MSI Claw A1M came earlier today at the CES 2024 event. While there is an abundance of handheld gaming PCs in the market, this is the Taiwanese company’s first attempt. 

The best part is that Claw A1M is the first of its kind to be powered by an Intel Meteor Lake chip.

MSI Claw seems to have a sub-par battery life

The MSI Claw A1M carries an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor under the hood, allowing the small handheld to use the chip maker’s XeSS technology.

Intel’s XeSS technology employs AI upscaling to increase frames per second (FPS) on your games.

The rest of the specs are also pretty impressive. The display is said to be a 7-inch 1080p screen with a 120Hz refresh rate – a step higher than Steam Deck OLED’s 1280×800 screen. 

However, MSI hasn’t mentioned whether Claw A1M can dock like the Steam Deck or reach up to 4K resolution at 120Hz or 8K at 60Hz when docked.

The device is, of course, running Windows 11, paired with 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, Intel Arc Graphics, storage slot, speakers, USB-C port, and microSD card reader. 

In terms of the battery, the MSI Claw A1M doesn’t offer anything groundbreaking. According to the company, the handheld offers a 53Whr battery, offering around two hours of gameplay time under full load. 

In contrast, Steam Deck OLED‘s 50Whr battery delivers around 3-12 hours of gameplay time. 

Unfortunately, MSI hasn’t provided Claw A1M’s pricing or availability. We will update our article as soon as we receive any info. 

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

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• New Intel Core 14th Gen desktop CPUs can clock up to 6GHz
• RedMagic 9 Pro launches globally, now available to purchase
• A 13-year-old finally does the impossible, beats Tetris

The post MSI Claw launched: First gaming handheld with Intel Core Ultra chip appeared first on KnowTechie.

Yup, picture your favorite gaming console… as a toaster. Welcome to 2024, folks.

This isn’t your everyday toaster that makes crispy bread. The Xbox Series S toaster is a whole new level of kitchen gadgetry.

It’s designed to handle all sorts of breakfast goodies like bagels, frozen waffles, or even those fancy artisan loaves you might find at your local bakery.

Xbox Series S toaster

5.0

$39.99

The Xbox Series S Toaster is a one-of-a-kind kitchen gadget inspired by the gaming console. Handling various bread types, featuring a countdown timer, and imprinting the iconic Xbox logo, it's a quirky addition to your breakfast routine.

What We Like:

• Absolutely! Here are the key takeaways for the Unique Design: Inspired by the Xbox Series S console, this toaster adds a playful gaming touch to your kitchen.
• Versatile Toasting: Handles various bread types, from bagels to artisan loaves, ensuring a perfect toast every time.
• Countdown Timer: Offers precise control with a countdown timer, preventing burnt or underdone slices.
• Xbox Logo Imprint: Adds a fun, branded touch to your toast with the iconic Xbox sphere logo.
• Compact and Stylish: Fits seamlessly into any gaming setup or kitchen space, adding a sleek and modern vibe.

Check Availability

01/25/2024 01:12 am GMT

Xbox Series S toaster imprints the iconic Xbox logo on your toast

But what makes this toaster stand out in the breakfast battlefield?

How about your toast imprinted with the iconic Xbox logo? Well, dream no more. With this toaster, your breakfast gets a cool upgrade – Xbox style.

The magic doesn’t stop there. This toaster isn’t just about style. This toaster has some great features.

For example, there’s a defrost button to rescue your frozen goodies straight from the Xbox Series X fridge. Yes, you didn’t hear wrong; Xbox also makes a mini fridge.

There’s also a countdown timer to tell you exactly when your toast is ready – no more burnt edges or underdone slices.

It also has an anti-jam function; it’s easy to clean and keeps the outside cool to the touch. Breakfast dilemmas? Solved.

Think of it as a gaming console disguised as a kitchen appliance. It’s compact and sleek.

Whether you’re in a bustling dorm room, an office space, or your gaming den at home, this toaster adds a touch of gaming flair to your daily routine.

So, if you’re ready to level up your breakfast game and show off your Xbox pride in a whole new way, the Xbox Series S toaster might be your ticket to breakfast bliss.

Because, hey, who wouldn’t want their toast imprinted with a bit of gaming nostalgia?

Where to buy the Xbox Series S toaster

The Xbox Series S toaster is currently only available on the Walmart website for $39.99.

Xbox Series S toaster

5.0

$39.99

The Xbox Series S Toaster is a one-of-a-kind kitchen gadget inspired by the gaming console. Handling various bread types, featuring a countdown timer, and imprinting the iconic Xbox logo, it's a quirky addition to your breakfast routine.

Check Availability

01/25/2024 01:12 am GMT

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

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• How to get free Xbox Live in 3 simple steps

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Get toasted with Microsoft’s new Xbox Series S toaster appeared first on KnowTechie.

Following that, the handheld has leaked. It will be called MSI Claw, and come with an Intel Meteor Lake chip. It will go up against ASUS ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go, as well as the Steam Deck OLED.

The company had posted a quick trailer that only showed the flashes of the new device in a dark setting, and not too many details were visible. The video also accompanies the following words,

“A whole new breed of MSI dragon is coming. Get a grip and stay tuned. #MSIxCES2024 #RGB #Gaming.”  

The teaser didn’t explicitly say it, but from the various shots in the video, it is clear that the Taiwanese company is teasing the reveal of its gaming handheld, which will be unveiled during CES 2024, which is just around the corner – from January 9 to January 12 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

MSI’s jumping into the ring with its first gaming handheld

The official teaser only showed the MSI Dragon logo, on the device somewhere – probably on the back. And there’s also RGB lighting around the joysticks, similar to the ASUS ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go.  

In addition, the post received a reply from Intel Gaming, which indicates the Taiwanese gaming laptop and peripheral maker might use Intel’s Meteor Lake CPUs to power its console. However, the rest of the details were still under wraps.  

That was until, just hours ago, X user @wxno (spotted by VideoCardz) posted an image of MSI’s teased gaming handheld, which delivers a far clearer look at the device. 

We also have some more details about the specifications. The device will apparently get Core Ultra 7 155H, which has 16 cores and 22 threads, with 6 P-Cores, 8 E-Cores, and 2 LP-cores.

The graphics will be handled by Intel’s Arc Alchemist architecture which will have 8 Xe-Cores that will go up to 2.25 GHz. The CPU has a TDP of 28W, and goes up to 115W on Max Turbo. There is also mention of 32GB of memory.

Either way, there’s nothing more to share. So, just stay tuned for MSI’s announcement during CES 2024 next week, when the company will unveil its first gaming handheld.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro official renders leak ahead of launch
• New Intel Core 14th Gen desktop CPUs can clock up to 6GHz
• RedMagic 9 Pro launches globally, now available to purchase
• A 13-year-old finally does the impossible, beats Tetris

The post MSI’s new gaming handheld leaks following social media teaser appeared first on KnowTechie.

However, before the launch, a leak revealed a few images of the ROG Phone 8 Pro, providing high-res insight into the upcoming flagship gaming handset. 

The leaked images come from the folks at MySmartPrice, showcasing ASUS’s upcoming flagship gaming phone in all its glory. 

ROG Phone 8 Pro get the Zephyrus-like AniMe Matrix on the back

According to the outlet, the ROG Phone 8 Pro looks very similar to the standard ROG Phone 8 with some minor tweaks. 

A previous leak has already revealed high-quality renders of the standard ROG Phone 8, boasting a square design with slightly rounded corners and a brand-new camera bump housing three sensors.

In addition, the renders showcased colorful RGB lights on the back – a common tweak for gaming Android phones. 

However, the ROG Phone 8 Pro’s design is mostly the same as its standard sibling except for the back RGB lights. 

Instead, the ROG Phone 8 Pro sports special LED dots, which are not colorful, but you can program them. It is somewhat similar to the AniMe Matrix display we have seen on the ASUS Zephyrus laptops.

The rest of the device is also very similar, boasting a flat display with a centralized selfie camera and slimmer bezels. 

The handset sports the power button and volume rockers on the right, while a USB-C port is featured on the left side. At the bottom, you will find another USB-C port, a SIM tray, a headphone jack, and a speaker grille.

ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro expected specs

In addition, the outlet has dished out a complete spec sheet of the ROG Phone 8 Pro. According to it, ASUS’s next “Pro” gaming handset is expected to sport a 6.78-inch FHD+ Flexible AMOLED display manufactured by Samsung.

The display also offers a 165Hz refresh rate, HDR10 support, LTPO tech, and other features.

ASUS ROG Phone 8 series is already confirmed to feature Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC under the hood. The ROG Phone 8 Pro could also offer 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM along with 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage.

While the outlet hasn’t revealed the precise camera specs, it said the “Pro” ROG Phone 8 could house a 50MP Sony IMX890 primary sensor.

Paired with it will be a 13MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 32MP camera featuring 3X optical zoom in the camera bump. A 32MP sensor will take care of the selfies and live streaming.

The Pro gaming handset is expected to be powered by a 5,500mAh battery sporting 65W fast charging technology.

In addition, the device will reportedly sport an IP68 dust and water resistance rating and come with ROG UI powered by Android 14 out of the box.

In terms of launch projections, ROG Phone 8 series’s January 8 CES launch is likely. However, MySmartPrice has also mentioned a 16th January launch in China, so we’re not sure how that will work.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• ASUS ROG Phone 8 Ultimate shows up on Geekbench
• A 13-year-old finally does the impossible, beats Tetris
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The post ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro official renders leak ahead of launch appeared first on KnowTechie.

Now, ‘beating’ Tetris isn’t like beating other games. There’s no final boss and no credits. Instead, Blue Scuti played the game so perfectly for so long that it forced a kill screen that crashed the game.

According to Engadget, this happens when the game speeds up so much that the software can’t keep up.

Blue Scuti, the 13-year-old streamer, not only beat the classic game of Tetris on NES but also broke three world records in the process, reports Polygon.

Blue Scuti’s achievement is a testament to his dedication and skill, and he has dedicated it to his late father, who passed away recently.

But this achievement is more than just a personal victory for Blue Scuti. It’s a triumph for humanity in the ongoing battle between man and machine, not unlike John Henry’s legendary race against the steam-powered hammer.

Until now, the only ‘entity’ to have forced a kill screen on NES Tetris was an AI program called StackRabbit. So, score one for the humans!

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The post A 13-year-old finally does the impossible, beats Tetris appeared first on KnowTechie.