CES - Gaming

LAS VEGAS--Lenovo just demonstrated a sharp-looking, powerful new home entertainment-oriented all-in-one PC for us, and while it wasn't the most seamless presentation we've ever seen, the IdeaCentre B520 has potential. The 23.6-inch B520 comes with Intel Sandy Bridge Core i5 and Core i7 CPUs, as well the option for multiple Nvidia graphics chips, a Blu-ray drive, and HDMI output and input, among other specs.

But unlike the Acer Aspire Z5673, Lenovo is actually bringing its Nvidia 3D Vision-capable all-in-one to the U.S. We watched a few movies and played some games on the IdeaCentre B520 during … Read more

LAS VEGAS--Adding to the parade of new desktops with Sandy Bridge CPUs, Dell announced that its new XPS 8300 and an Alienware Aurora system will be getting Intel's new CPUs.

Details are scarce at the moment, at least until we can find a minute to get over to Dell's booth, but for now, Dell's PR blog has some specs for the Alienware system (scroll down to the bottom of the page).

We'll stop in with Dell in a little while to check out the new systems, but the basics include Sandy Bridge Core i5 and Core … Read more

LAS VEGAS--Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime stopped by the CNET stage early this morning to give us first access to the brand-new Nintendo 3DS portable gaming system scheduled to hit stores this March.

We were really impressed with the overall design of the device, and the 3D effect is certainly eye-popping the instant it's picked up. Fils-Aime explained that the 3DS is a "game changer" in terms of how people consume 3D content.

We were then treated to a quick 3D demo of Pilotwings, which really showed of the effectiveness of the 3D slider. Gamers will … Read more

LAS VEGAS--If there's one name everyone knows for high-end gaming PCs, it's Alienware. The Dell sub-brand offers the latest components, imaginative designs, and often prices to match.

For CES 2011, Alienware has a new version of its 17-inch M17x laptop. It's called the M17x R3 (we assume it's the third revision of the M17x), and it has several GPU options, such as the 1.5GB GDDR5 Nvidia GeForce GTX 460M, the 1GB GDDR5 AMD Radeon HD 6870M, and the 2GB GDDR5 AMD Radeon HD 6970M.

Besides HDMI-out, it also supports HDMI-in, which means you can hook … Read more

LAS VEGAS--Every year at CES, there are the concept devices and out-on-a-limb concepts that inevitably grab headlines and rapt attention. The Razer Switchblade, announced today, is certainly one of these.

Described as a way to bring desktop PC gaming to a portable form factor, the concept device comes from Razer, a company known for making mice and computer peripherals. And yet, the Switchblade is a full Netbook of sorts, an actual PC product, albeit not one that's set for production yet.

The Switchblade is Intel Atom-based, with a touch screen and a dynamic tactile keyboard that adjusts its layout … Read more

Xbox 360 and Kinect owners will soon be able to enjoy easy new ways to wave their way through movies and music.

Microsoft this evening announced a spring software upgrade that will let Kinect owners use hand gestures and spoken commands to watch videos streamed through Netflix and the Hulu Plus monthly subscription service, effectively upping the stakes in the rivalry with Sony's Blu-ray-equipped PlayStation 3.

You'll be able to watch these "controller-free in the living room, the biggest screen in your home," Ron Forbes of Microsoft's interactive entertainment division told the audience at the … Read more

LAS VEGAS--Earlier today we heard about Fling, Ten One Design's latest attempt at giving the iPad a legitimate input device for gaming. Its tiny suction cups stick on to the surface of the iPad, giving you the closest thing to an actual button we've seen yet on an iPad.

A few hours later we're hearing about a much more traditional take on the situation, ThinkGeek's JoyStick-IT. The Joystick-IT accessory appears to work the same way as Fling, allowing users to center an actual chrome joystick wherever they see fit.

These two items are the first of … Read more

Chipmaker Nvidia was giddy about the possibilities of mobile and 3D technologies--two big topics this year at CES 2011--in its keynote address by President and CEO Jen-Hsun Huang at the trade show this afternoon. Among the new additions are its Tegra 2 processor for mobile devices, in-car displays in BMW and Tesla vehicles, and a 3D content-sharing site called 3DVisionLive.

Nvidia's keynote came just hours after rival Intel took the stage to unveil a lineup of desktop and laptop CPUs powered by its new line of "Sandy Bridge" processors, which do not require a separate graphics chip. … Read more

Editor's note: This live event has concluded, but as expected, it was focused on mobile technology with demos of Nvidia's new Tegra 2 mobile chip and the introduction of the LG Optimus 2X. For a brief rundown of what was announced, check out our summary post here. You can also replay our live blog in the Cover It Live module below.

LAS VEGAS--Chipmaker Nvidia, best known for its PC graphics cards, may be looking to get into mobile.

That's the word on the street as the PC graphics chipmaker gets ready for the big Consumer Electronics Show … Read more