Developments from CES 2024: The Rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI PCs), Innovations in Displays, and The War on Cables.
Every time you think the computer industry has run out of ideas, it comes back with some new ones. CES 2024 offered a solid look at where things are headed. The AI train is leading the way, of course, but we also saw some notable developments for gamers and fresh approaches to laptops. It's a great time for computer users, and these emerging trends help prove it:
- AI PCs (and excessive marketing for artificial intelligence)
With Intel announcing the “era of AI PCs” at CES, manufacturers are rushing to highlight the AI aspect of their latest laptops. But consumers need to be smart about what’s actually new and useful here.
On Intel's side, the main component is the 14th- generation Core Ultra NPU , which can handle AI tasks using less power than a dedicated GPU.
See also: Intel: Arrow Lake and Lunar Lake processors will be released in the second half of 2024
(Computer systems have often supplemented the central processing unit (CPU) with special-purpose accelerators for specialized tasks, known as coprocessors. Important hardware units for applications that include graphics cards for graphics, sound cards, graphics processing units (GPUs), and digital signal processors. In the 2010s, with the rise of deep learning and artificial intelligence workloads, specialized hardware units were developed or adapted from existing products to accelerate these tasks, called NPUs.)
Some Windows AI features will require an NPU, including the Windows Studio Effects package that adds background blur and user tracking via the camera. Some PC makers are also finding their own uses for it. For example, HP showed how its Omen Transcend 14 can perform video streaming tasks using the NPU, freeing up the GPU for actual gaming.
See also: Ayaneo's new mini PC is retro and looks like an old-school NES
Be aware, though, that high-end GPUs remain better for AI tasks in general, and popular cloud-based AI apps, like ChatGPTand Copilot on Windows, don't use any of the processing power on the device at all. Even some features that vendors tout as AI-based, like Acer's noise canceling, are just new versions of existing ones.
See also: Nvidia dominates AI PCs with new generation of chips
- Amazing Displays Get Even Better
If 2023 was the year of more accessible OLED displays, 2024 is about upgrading their performance.
LG , for example, has unveiled a 27- inch OLED display with a 1440p resolution and a 480Hz refresh rate , as has Asus (which uses the same LG panel). Both are the fastest OLED displays yet, and not far off what we've seen on the LCD side. Meanwhile, Samsung is increasing refresh rates on its QD-OLED panels, as seen in the Odyssey G8 (4K, 240Hz) and Odyssey G6 (1440p, 360Hz).
See also: Hisense Announces ULED and ULED X Series at CES2024
And if you're looking for extreme ultrawides, Acer is joining the fray with Z57 Mini-LED curved display , which essentially puts two 4K side by side on a 57- inch screen. It will offer some expected competition to Odyssey Neo G95C , which was unveiled at CES last year.
Those looking for high-quality gaming monitors in 2024 will have plenty of options.
See also: Acer Predator X34 X: OLED Gaming Monitor with 240 Hz
- The War on Cables Continues
While hardware manufacturers began paving the way for wireless desktop builds last year, 2024 is the year the war on cables gains significant momentum.
At CES, Asus introduced a new concept called BTF, which officially stands for “Back to the Future,” but technically refers to placing cables and power connections behind the motherboard. BTF motherboards will also have an additional 600W PCIe connector , allowing compatible graphics cards to be connected without cables . Cooler Master, Corsair, Inwin, Lian Li, Phanteks, Silverstone, and Thermaltake say they will make compatible cases under the “ BTF Alliance ” name.
See also: The Evolution of Ballie: Samsung Unveils the Robot of the Future at CES 2024
MSI has also found a partner for its own Project Zero motherboard , which lacks Asus' dedicated PCIe connector but otherwise uses similar reverse-placement techniques to keep data cables and power connections out of sight. Maingear plans to go cable-free on its Zero Drop and NV9 Zero Concept models, which are expected to ship this quarter.
- Laptop manufacturers are getting curious
Even the best laptops these days are pretty boring, so it's nice to see computer manufacturers showing a penchant for experimentation as they try to stand out.
See also: Alienware: Its new Gaming Laptops are Innovating
Take the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus, whose 14-inch touch panel boots to Android when you unplug it. At the same time, the laptop's base can continue to run Windows while connected to an external display. Many laptops claim to be 2-in-1s, but what's really two computers in one device. Lenovo also introduced a "Magic Bay" concept for the ThinkBook 13X and ThinkBook 16P, allowing users to attach various accessories to a magnetic port on top of the display. (The additional small display accessory looks particularly appealing.)
See also: Razer upgrades Blades: new chips, new screens and a little artificial intelligence
Asus used CES to indulge its wild side as well, announcing a dual-OLED portable monitor, as well as a dual-OLED laptop. It's similar to the Lenovo Yoga 9i from last year, but it features a full keyboard and trackpad deck, along with a lower price tag of $1,500. Sooner or later, one of these ideas will stick.
Source: pcworld
