It’s a concept that may or may not gain any traction in the market, but a tiny gaming computer was publicized at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show. This 7-inch, netbook-sized device called the Razer Switchblade Gaming Netbook is interesting if not a tad weird.
Razer is a company that specializes in gaming hardware. Hardcore computer gamers may find it unconventional that such a well-respected gaming company would create a small computer on which to play games, though. The typical opinion in terms of computer gaming is “the bigger the better.” The Switchblade seems to throw a wrench into that popular notion.
It turns out the Switchblade isn’t just a regular netbook. The Switchblade’s distinct style is less about the screen and more about something directly below the screen: the keyboard. Netbooks have notoriously tiny keyboards with a fraction of the normal amount of keys, but the Switchblade makes that fact irrelevant by allowing the user to configure the keyboard however he wishes.
The ability to alter the keys is possible with OLED technology. Each key is actually a screen with an LED light beneath it. The keyboard combinations are nearly infinite. So how is this a plus for gamers? Imagine being able to set each key to a game function. Every key could be a quick key, and you could change the key logo to match the function.
On its website, Razer stresses that the Switchblade is still a concept. There isn’t a release date as of yet. As a concept, though, the device runs Windows 7, is Wi-Fi and 3G enabled, and includes the following ports: Mini HDMI, USB 3.0, and general headphone and microphone jacks.