Tag: #OLED

Dell Reimagines Commercial PCs with New Sleek and Powerful Designs

Dell Technologies introduces a transformed commercial portfolio spanning Dell Pro notebooks, Dell Pro Precision workstations, desktops, monitors and client peripherals.

Thinner, lighter, and more powerful, the new lineup brings a bold, refined design language to commercial devices—prioritizing sleeker silhouettes, premium materials and modern details that elevate everyday productivity. With advances in cooling, power efficiency and support for on-device AI, the portfolio delivers improved performance and long battery life in more portable form factors, enabling a consistent, elevated experience for everyone from frontline workers to senior executives.

Why it matters

Users want sleek, powerful devices. IT needs security, manageability, and budget discipline. Dell’s reimagined commercial portfolio delivers both. Advanced engineering—modular architecture, improved thermals, AI-ready silicon—allows thinner, lighter designs that maintain enterprise-grade performance and control. Organizations can now deploy modern hardware that professionals prefer without compromising on the standards IT demands.

Dell Pro notebooks: Thinner. Lighter. More powerful.

The all-new Dell Pro notebook lineup delivers the performance business users need for everyday productivity: running multiple applications simultaneously; real-time collaboration on video calls or whiteboards; manipulating large datasets and using AI assistants. Available with the latest Intel Core™ Ultra Series 3 and AMD Ryzen™ AI 400 processor options, users have powerful on-device AI, long battery life and Copilot+ PC experiences. Dell’s new modular design approach shrinks the motherboard to create room for larger fans and better thermals, packs more energy into smaller batteries and supports a wider range of silicon options within the same chassis. This flexibility gives organizations more configuration options within the design and faster responsiveness in a dynamic silicon market, even in supply-constrained environments. Additional Intel Core Series 3 systems will be introduced at a later date.

The Dell Pro notebooks include Dell Pro Premium, designed for executives and customer-facing managers who are frequently on-the-go. which sets a new standard for executive-class notebooks. Up to 7% thinner than the previous generation in a sleek form factor, the 14-inch laptop features a lightweight magnesium alloy chassis finished in magnetite. The Tandem OLED display option provides exceptional color and contrast, and the 8MP HDR camera offers remarkable video call quality. As the lightest Dell Pro laptop, Dell Pro Premium sets a new standard for executive-class notebooks.

Dell Pro 7 is built for consultants and sales professionals who refuse to choose between portability and capability. Combining versatility with design, these are the thinnest 13- and 14-inch commercial laptops and 2-in-1s in their class. Now up to 18% thinner than the previous generation Dell Pro 7 features an elegant aluminum chassis with the performance to handle demanding business applications. The sleek edge-to-edge Gorilla Glass touchscreen with up to 500-nit display provides a beautiful viewing experience on the 2-in-1s—whether working on a client presentation at an office or in a cramped airline seat. With premium options for an elevated experience—such as OLED displays, up to 8MP cameras and battery-saving mini-LED backlight keyboard technology—customers can customize the experience to fit their user needs.

Dell Pro 5 offers the most scalable performance in its class. Organizations can configure these systems across a selection of Intel and AMD processor options, display choices, and memory and storage configurations to match their specific workflow requirements and IT standards. Available in 14- and 16-inch sizes, Dell Pro 5 is up to 12% thinner than the previous generation and up to 21% thinner than competing designs, providing mobility for users like financial analysts and project managers, while maintaining performance needed for business-critical applications. Brighter 400- and 500-nit displays with up to OLED improve visibility in any working environment, while the large 70Wh battery delivers extended runtime for long work sessions.

Dell Pro 3 delivers reliable business computing for administrative assistants or support specialists handling core productivity tasks—email, web applications, document creation and video conferencing—at maximum value. Starting at just 2.89 pounds in 14- and 16-inch form factors, the new metallic topcoat gives a smooth and scratch-resistant finish, and sleek and tapered profile provides a modern appearance. With WWAN, Wi-Fi 7, 400- and 500-nit display options, and long battery life, Dell Pro 3 packs notable features in a highly portable device.

Dell Pro 5 Micro Desktop: Compact and Powerful

Dell Pro’s growing desktop family adds the new Dell Pro 5 Micro, delivering desktop-class performance in an ultra-compact form factor designed for space-constrained environments. With integrated Type-C connectivity up to 100W power delivery-in, the Micro can be powered directly from a USB-C monitor, such as a Dell Pro P Monitor, minimizing cord clutter. As Dell’s first Copilot+ PC mainstream desktop, it delivers 50 TOPS NPU for low-power acceleration of AI workloads and supports memory speeds up to 7200 MT/s for smoother multitasking. The rest of the Dell Pro desktop family continues to ship this year.

Dell Pro Precision Workstations: Power Meets Refinement

Dell brings back Precision—now Dell Pro Precision—with industry-leading workstations designed for professionals who demand exceptional performance. As the global leader in workstations,[xii] Dell Pro Precision continues the same design-forward thinking while delivering greater capabilities for AI workloads, complex simulations and advanced rendering.

Dell Pro Precision 5S debuts as an entry point to the family, built for power users who need more than a business notebook can provide—engineers handling light CAD modeling, content creators doing video editing and designers working in graphic applications. Starting at 3.1 pounds, it’s Dell’s thinnest and lightest workstation ever [xiii] and features a sleek three-sided aluminum design, providing a polished, robust build. Available with 14‑ and 16‑inch display options and Intel® Core™ Ultra Series 3 featuring integrated Intel Arc™ Pro graphics with up to 12 Xe or AMD Ryzen™ AI 400 processors with AMD Radeon™ PRO graphics, it delivers high performance for business and industry applications in an ultra‑mobile form factor. The large integrated graphics engine and shared memory complex enable additional edge inferencing capabilities for AI workloads. ISV-certified and equipped with up to 64GB of 8533MT/s LPCAMM2 memory, it offers a cost-effective price point for bringing workstation capabilities to a broader range of users..

Dell Pro Precision 5 and 7 series mobile workstations with NVIDIA RTXTM Pro Blackwell Generation GPUs, announced at GTC, deliver workstation-class power in thinner, sleeker designs for advanced creation, rendering and accelerating AI workflows. Plus, the all-new designed Dell Pro Precision 9 T2/T4/T6 desktops power the most demanding workloads—3D CAD, complex AI development and simulations—with up to 15 PCIe slots accommodating up to five NVIDIA RTXTM Pro Blackwell Generation 300W GPUs.

Across the Portfolio: Built for IT

At the core, Dell continues to offer the world’s most secure and manageable commercial AI PCs,[xiv] simplifying IT management and helping product data from evolving threats. New quantum-resistant upgrades help protect BIOS and the root of trust against future cryptographic threats, while Halcyon on-the-box now makes Dell the only commercial PCs equipped for ransomware resilience. Dell’s standardized BIOS across silicon partners allows IT teams to deploy multiple processor types under a single image, while the industry-first cloud-based Intel vPro provisioning solution provides remote, zero-touch fleet deployment.

Modular designs and the use of recycled, renewable and low-emissions materials support customers’ sustainability ambitions and extend PC longevity. As the first PC manufacturer to introduce modular USB-C ports in commercial PCs, Dell now brings modular components, including USB-C ports, mainboards and customer replaceable batteries, to Dell Pro notebooks and select Dell Pro Precision mobile workstations. Dell also has the widest portfolio of commercial PCs with 100% recycled cobalt batteries.

Dell Pro P Monitors and Peripherals: Designed for How People Actually Work

Most professionals do not have dedicated desks anymore. They hot-desk, work remotely and jump between conference rooms. Dell’s expanded Pro P monitors and accessories lineup are designed for that reason.

Dell Pro P 34 USB-C Hub Conferencing Monitor, certified for Microsoft Teams and Zoom, turns any workspace into a virtual meeting-ready setup. Its Sony Starvis 5MP HDR camera delivers professional-grade clarity even in low light conditions, while AI auto-framing keeps users centered on-screen. Dual beamforming AI noise cancellation microphones cut user background noise for distraction-free conversations and a mechanical privacy shutter plus Windows Hello sign-in add security.

Dell Pro P 27 USB-C Hub Monitor is for users who do not require built-in conferencing features but want reliable performance. It offers an FHD IPS panel with up to 120Hz refresh rate and supports up to four monitors daisy chained. Silent Firmware Update completes updates up to 90% faster and runs silently during idle state, eliminating reboots, alerts and any disruptions to employee productivity.

All Dell Pro P Monitors are TÜV Rheinland 4-star certified for eye comfort, made with up to 95% post-consumer recycled plastic and meet ENERGY STAR®, EPEAT Gold and latest TCO Certified Edge standards.

 

New peripherals complete the setup:

  • Dell Pro 5 Wired Fingerprint ESS Mouse provides advanced, hardware-level protection through Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS) for Windows Hello authentication, making it more secure against malicious attacks. This mouse is a fast, convenient and secure alternative to long complex passwords.
  • Dell Pro 7 Slim Keyboard and Mouse are a full-size keyboard and mouse combo that deliver quiet keys, silent clicks, precise tracking and industry-leading battery life up to 48 months on the keyboard, 36 months on the mouse.[xxii]
  • Dell Pro 7 Rechargeable Compact Keyboard and Mouse combine a compact design with supercapacitor technology for exceptional battery life. A quick five-second charge delivers a day of use, while a full charge in under five minutes powers the keyboard for up to three months and the world’s lightest non-Lithium-ion rechargeable mouse for up to 1.5 months.

Together, these systems form a cohesive commercial portfolio for modern hybrid work with on-device AI.

Rob Bruckner, president, Client Solutions Group, Dell Technologies: “At CES, we showed what’s possible when consumer design and innovation come together. Today, we’re proving we can scale that same strategy across our entire commercial portfolio – and do it fast. IT leaders can deploy sleek and modern devices users actually want to use at every level of the organization, along with improved performance, without sacrificing the manageability, security or value they demand.”

Pat Moorhead, CEO, founder and chief analyst, Moorhead Insights & Strategy “Enterprise buyers are navigating a major PC refresh cycle with rising demands for security, manageability and workload flexibility. As CIOs prioritize long-term value, they are focusing on systems that align to specific workloads, offer silicon choice and can be deployed consistently across distributed environments. Supply chain volatility and longer planning cycles are also driving interest in platforms that reduce procurement risk while maintaining standardization. Dell’s engineering and design updates across its commercial PC portfolio deliver on these dynamics, combining multiple silicon options with enterprise-grade security and manageability to give buyers greater flexibility as they plan and standardize their endpoint environments.”

 

 

Availability

  • Dell Pro 14 Premium will be available on March 31.
  • Dell Pro 3 14/16, Dell Pro 5 14/16 and Dell Pro 7 13/14 notebooks will be available in May.
  • Dell Pro 5 Micro will be available on March 31.
  • Dell Pro Precision 7 14/16 with Intel integrated graphics will be available on March 31.
  • Dell Pro Precision 5 Series 14/16 and 7 Series 14/16 mobile workstations with NVIDIA RTXTM PRO Blackwell Generation GPUs will be available in May.
  • Dell Pro Precision 5S mobile workstations will be available in May.
  • Dell Pro Precision 9 T2/T4/T6 will be available in May.
  • Dell Pro P 34/27/24 USB-C Hub Conferencing Monitor (P3426WEB/P2726DEB/ P2426HEB) and Pro P 34/27/24 USB-C Hub Webcam Monitor (P3426WEV, P2726DEV, P2426HEV) are now available for sale globally.
  • Dell Pro P 27/24 USB-C Hub Monitor (P2726HE, P2426HE) and Dell Pro P 24 16:10 USB-C Hub Monitor (P2426E) are now available for sale globally.
  • Dell Pro 7 Slim Keyboard and Mouse (KM726) are now available for sale globally (launch dates vary by region).
  • Dell Pro 5 Wired Fingerprint ESS Mouse (MS526C) is now available for sale in North America (launch dates vary by region).
  • Dell Pro 7 Rechargeable Compact Keyboard and Mouse (KM746) will be available starting April 16 in North America (launch dates vary by region).

DELL TECHNOLOGIES AT CES 2026: XPS Returns, Alienware Expands and UltraSharp Monitors

Dell Technologies announces a strategic expansion of its consumer and gaming portfolio. The company reintroduces the iconic XPS laptops with reimagined designs across new form factors and price points, expands its Alienware line to reach more gamers and launches two industry-leading UltraSharp monitors.

Jeff Clarke, Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer, Dell Technologies: “We’re getting back to our roots with a renewed focus on consumer and gaming. XPS is back, better than ever, with a complete redesign that delivers exceptional craftsmanship in our thinnest, lightest form factors yet. We’re also bringing XPS 13 back as our most accessible XPS ever. In gaming, we’re building on recent momentum and effectively doubling Alienware’s notebook lineup. These moves are about broadening our portfolio and expanding our coverage so we can reach more customers with the best products at every price point.”

XPS Returns with Complete Redesign

Dell is bringing back XPS with a streamlined design. For the first time, the iconic XPS logo appears on the laptop cover, signalling its return. The new XPS 14 and XPS 16 feature a sleek design crafted from CNC- machined aluminium, refined interfaces, stunning displays, and optimized performance. These devices have the best battery life in the industry, delivering up to 27 hours of Netflix streaming or 40+ hours with local video playback.

These are Dell’s thinnest laptops, measuring just 14.6mm. The XPS 14 weighs roughly three pounds – more than half a pound lighter than the previous generation – and the XPS 16 comes in at 3.6 pounds, almost a full pound lighter than its predecessor. Available with tandem OLED display options and Intel® Core™ Ultra Series 3 processors and built-in Intel® Arc graphics featuring 12 Xe cores, the new XPS line delivers impressive visuals with the perfect balance of portability and performance.

Later this year, Dell will expand the XPS portfolio with new products across different price points and form factors, including the return of the XPS 13, expected to be the thinnest and lightest XPS laptop ever, offered at the most accessible XPS price yet.

HP at CES 2026 HyperX and OMEN Unite to Power the Future of Play

HP Inc. is redefining how gamers play, create, and perform with the debut of its most advanced gaming products yet, and the introduction of a new era for its gaming brand.

HyperX and OMEN are officially coming together under one master gaming brand: HyperX. HyperX now delivers an end-to-end experience that combines decades of innovation in gaming PCs, displays, peripherals, and software. This milestone underscores HP’s commitment to pushing performance, personalization, and creativity forward for all gamers.

“Gamers deserve a seamless experience that matches their passion, from the systems that power their worlds to the gear
that connects them,” said Josephine Tan, Senior Vice President and Division President of Personal Systems Gaming
Solutions at HP Inc. “As we bring OMEN and HyperX together, we’re continuing to push the boundaries of gaming
innovation, delivering performance, personalization and experiences that help every player reach their full potential.” hp.com

HyperX and OMEN Unite to Power the Future of Play HyperX debuts new laptop and monitor, delivering breakthrough
performance, personalization, and immersion for gamers everywhere.

A New Era of Play
HyperX OMEN MAX 16: Maximum Gaming Power
Gamers want a laptop that never limits their play. They need power to run any game smoothly with high frame rates and
fast load times, lightning-fast keyboard responsiveness where every millisecond matters, and a system that stays cool and
consistent under maximum load.

When power, cooling, input speed and display quality work together, the laptop does more than run games. It helps players react faster, stay immersed, and play at their best. The HyperX OMEN MAX 16 is built for players who demand uncompromising performance and ushers in a new era of performance.

• Next-generation hardware delivers up to 300W Total Platform Power,ii an additional 50W and 20% increase
versus the previous generation, powered by new Intel® Core Ultra 200HX series processors and next-gen AMD
Ryzen ™ AI processors, and up to the NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5090 Laptop GPU1 for lightning-fast, smooth, and
immersive gameplay making it the world’s most powerful gaming laptop with fully internal cooling

• Keep cool under pressure with a redesigned OMEN Tempest Cooling Pro system – featuring a third fan and Fan Cleaner technology that improves cooling efficiency automatically – keeping performance steady even during
intense sessions.

• Player-focused design like an industry-leading high-polling rate keyboardiii that delivers up to 4x faster keyboard polling rateiv compared to previous generations; the keyboard also offers full-size arrow keys and captivating
lighting effects customizable through OMEN Light Studio.

• See every frame clearly on up to a 16-inch OLED 240Hz1 WQXGA 500-nit display delivering sharp and responsive visuals for competitive play.

• OMEN AI redefines FPS optimization with a personalized, one-click solution tailored to each game, adjusting operating system settings, hardware settings, and game settings – eliminating the need for endless
troubleshooting.

HyperX OMEN OLED 34: Pure Visual Brilliance
The HyperX OMEN OLED 34 raises the bar in display innovation, engineered for gamers and creators to deliver
enhanced clarity, speed, and color accuracy powered by next-generation V-stripe QD-OLED panel technology.

• Experience better picture and less text fringing on the next generation V-Stripe QD-OLED panel, with 21:9 WQHD, 360Hz refresh rate, and 0.03ms response time for next level immersive performance.

• Achieve more and create freely with HyperX ProLuma, professional-grade color precision, 100W USB-C power delivery, and a built-in KVM switch for seamless multitasking.

• Make it your own with a fully customizable 3D-printable headphone hook.

• Stay protected with HyperX OLED CoreProtect and three-year limited warranty ensures the longevity of your monitor keeping you in the game without the worry of burn-in.

HyperX Clutch Tachi: Fast Wins Made Easy
The HyperX Clutch Tachi is HP’s first Xbox licensed arcade controller, delivering precision and style with a premium
leverless design.

• Enjoy lightning-fast inputs with Magnetic Switches with TMR sensors.
• Personalize your playstyle by adjusting button mapping, rapid trigger, and actuation in NGENUITY software.

Create aftermarket mods by 3D printing button shapes or unique artwork for the top plate.
HyperX OMEN MAX 16 HyperX OMEN OLED 34 HyperX Clutch Tachi

The New Edge of Player Performance
HyperX & Neurable
HyperX is partnering with Neurable to develop a gaming headset outfitted with neurotechnology. This industry-first gaming
technology demonstrates how AI and neuroscience can work together to help players improve their focus and accuracy
by interpreting brain activity in real time.

Pricing and Availabilityv
• The HyperX OMEN MAX 16 is expected to be available on HP.com in the Spring. Pricing will be provided closer to
availability.

• The OMEN OLED 34 is expected to be available on HP.com in the Spring. Pricing will be provided closer to
availability.

• The HyperX Clutch Tachi is expected to available on HP.com in the Spring. Pricing will be provided closer to
availability.

For more information about HP at CES 2026 and additional HP news at the show, please visit the HP Press Center or
HP.com.

Edifier announces S880DB MKII – “Precision Tuned. Performance Driven.”

Edifier, a global leader in premium audio technology, proudly announces the launch of the S880DB MKII—a fully upgraded successor to the acclaimed S880DB, featuring enhanced acoustic performance, redesigned circuitry and a modernized user experience.

The S880DB MKII features a completely upgraded driver system for a richer, more precise listening experience. The tweeter has been enhanced with a 1.25-inch titanium dome—up from 1 inch—and now includes a larger 25mm voice coil and neodymium magnets. These improvements deliver crystal-clear, transparent highs with greater accuracy and detail. Complementing this is a redesigned 3.75-inch mid-bass driver, which improves mid-range clarity and extends low-frequency response down to 50Hz. The result is a more solid, balanced soundstage that brings every nuance to life.

High-Quality Sound Performance
At the heart of the S880DB MKII are high-performance chipsets from Texas Instruments and the powerful XMOS XU216 processor, enabling advanced digital audio processing with precision and efficiency. This upgraded architecture supports high-resolution audio playback at 24-bit/96kHz, ensuring crystal-clear sound with ultra-low distortion. Together, these core components provide exceptional signal processing and audio fidelity, delivering a premium listening experience worthy of true Hi-Fi standards.

Hi-Res Audio Certified
The S880DB MKII meets and exceeds Hi-Res Audio certification standards, delivering uncompromising sound quality. Its digital interfaces support resolutions up to 24-bit/192kHz, while the Texas Instruments analog front end operates at 24-bit/96kHz, ensuring ultra-precise signal handling and exceptional clarity across the entire frequency range.

Hi-Res Audio Wireless Certified
Equipped with a Bluetooth 5.3 receiver, the S880DB MKII supports the LDAC codec with transmission rates of up to 990kbps—enabling high-resolution wireless audio streaming at up to 24-bit/96kHz. This ensures audiophile-grade sound quality over Bluetooth from compatible Android devices (Android 8.0 and above), combining convenience with uncompromising performance.

Enhanced Bass Capability
The S880DB MKII features a dedicated SUB OUT port, allowing you to connect an external subwoofer for even deeper, more powerful bass response. This added flexibility lets you expand your sound system and enjoy a fuller, more immersive low-end performance—perfect for music, movies and gaming.

User-Friendly Controls & Smart Connectivity
Controlling your audio experience is simple and intuitive with the S880DB MKII. Use the newly designed rechargeable 2.4GHz remote control or the onboard speaker knobs for quick access to playback and volume. The integrated OLED display with auto-dimming ensures clear, real-time feedback without distracting glare. For deeper customization and convenience, the speaker is fully compatible with the EDIFIER ConneX app, allowing you to fine-tune settings and manage inputs directly from your smartphone.

Price & Availability:

The Edifier S880DB MKII is available at £335.59 from: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FCFYSZSY

See our Edifier reviews

Dell launches new Pro Max laptops with AI features in Ireland

Dell Technologies has today announced the launch and availability of its next generation of flagship laptops, now rebranded under the new Dell Premium line. The range marks a new chapter in Dell’s premium offering, replacing the XPS brand while retaining its hallmark craftsmanship, performance, and design. The new line includes the Dell 14 Premium and Dell 16 Premium and are positioned as the company’s lead offering for users seeking high-performance, future-ready devices. The laptops are now available in Ireland.

Built on Intel® Core™ Ultra 200H series processors, the Dell Premium range delivers significant gains in both performance and battery life. The 14.5-inch and 16.3-inch screens offer increased display real estate without expanding the devices’ footprint, while OLED options with 4K resolution and 120Hz refresh rates provide enhanced visual quality. The range also includes features such as EyeSafe® technology for reduced blue light exposure and Liquid Crystal Polymer fan blades designed for more efficient, quiet cooling.

Kevin Terwilliger, Vice-President and General Manager of the PC Product Management Group, Dell Technologies said: “We’re in a dynamic era where technology serves as both the tool and the canvas for ideas and innovation. Built for the power users, engineers, creators and AI developers transforming industries, these AI PCs not only handle the most demanding AI workflows but set the standard for performance and creativity.

“Reliability, configurability, and performance aren’t just features—they’re the foundation. We know professionals need tools they can count on to tackle their most critical and impactful workloads, and that’s what we deliver.”

Early benchmarks show up to 33% improved performance for general use and up to 21% faster speeds for lighter creative workloads. The 14-inch model offers up to 20 hours of streaming battery life, with the 16-inch version extending to 27 hours using energy-efficient 2K displays. Both laptops support memory speeds up to 8400MHz, while advanced multithreading improves performance for heavier workflows such as video editing or content processing.

The Dell 16 Premium can be configured with up to Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 processors and offers 45W sustained CPU power. An optional NVIDIA RTX 50 Series GPU delivers AI-enhanced graphics and DLSS 4 for accelerated image rendering, while Thunderbolt 5 connectivity (optional) supports transfer speeds up to 120Gbps and multi-monitor setups with up to four 8K displays.

The smaller Dell 14 Premium model includes integrated graphics with 29% faster processing, and optional RTX 4050 GPU for enhanced creative performance. Both models support Wi-Fi 7 for improved network speed and responsiveness.

Build quality and materials used by Dell remain a key focus, with both devices featuring CNC-machined aluminium, Gorilla Glass 3, and a streamlined edge-to-edge design. Sustainability measures have also been expanded, with the range meeting ENERGY STAR 9.0, EPEAT Gold Climate+, and integrating recycled aluminium and plastics in both construction and packaging.

All devices ship with Windows 11 and include Copilot on Windows, Microsoft’s integrated AI assistant. The release comes ahead of the October 2025 end-of-support date for Windows 10, as businesses and consumers here in Ireland prepare to upgrade to more secure and modern platforms.

Pricing and Availability

  • Dell 14 Premium starting at €1,899.00 is now available
  • Dell 16 Premium starting at €1,998.99 is now available

Xencelabs launches portable Pen Display 16 – Industry First 16-Inch 4K OLED Pen Display for digital artists

Xencelabs, the global provider of digital drawing solutions and new choice for creative professionals, today announces the Xencelabs Pen Display 16, its new pen-on-screen solution for creative content professionals in media and entertainment, industrial and graphic design, and others. The Xencelabs Pen Display 16’s footprint, quality build, value-added features, and attractive pricing also make it an ideal choice for educators and students in art and design programs, from animation and game development to 3D design and visual effects.

Inspiration is Everywhere. Create Where, When and How You Want

Designed with portability and convenience in mind, the Xencelabs Pen Display 16 will go wherever you want to take it. Slim at just .47 inches (12mm) and very light, 2.67 lbs (1.21kg), the profile and weight allow the device to be easily transported or conveniently placed on a desk.  “The Xencelabs Pen Display 16 is easily transported between work and home,” says Michael Thompson, Head of Product for Xencelabs. “If home is where you work, the display can go wherever creativity takes you – your favorite café or to a client presentation. For users who might have limited desk space or would like to add a conveniently sized pen display to their workflow, look no further than the Xencelabs Pen Display 16. It is the ideal multi-tasking companion to a primary display or work setting where multiple displays are being used,” continues Thompson. Virtual Tablet, an innovative, time-saving feature within the Xencelabs driver, enables users to control multiple displays with the Xencelabs pen. Xencelabs’ new pen display is also ideally suited for educational purposes. Faculty, students and IT personnel will appreciate the limited desk space the unit occupies, as well as the robust styling, easy set up and intuitive driver. Additionally, the product would fit extremely well with student loaner programs, whereby students would be allowed to take the Xencelabs Pen Display 16 from classroom to home and back for assignments, exams, or other projects.

The Xencelabs Pen Display 16 will connect to any compatible PC, Mac or Linux laptop device via a single USB-C to USB-C cable. A 10-bit hub is included for those wanting to or required to connect through HDMI or Display Port. Naturally, Xencelabs provides all the necessary cables in the box.

The Xencelabs Mobile Easel is a stand designed for portability. It ships with the Xencelabs Pen Display 16 and provides two drawing angles, 18.3° and 32° respectively. Flexibility is one of the hallmarks of the Xencelabs Pen Display 16 and the number of ways you can use the device is a testament to Xencelabs’ product design philosophy.

This coming summer, the Xencelabs Desktop Easel will be available as an optional purchase. The stand provides a wide range of tilt angles as well as rotation. The Desktop Easel provides a standard VESA mount for attaching to articulating arms. In keeping with the focus on mobility, the Desktop Easel has a quick release mechanism to enable artists to switch between desktop operation and mobile environments. No screwdrivers or other tools are needed. Xencelabs also includes a smartly designed protective carrying case that can house the Xencelabs Pen Display 16, accessories, cabling, and the user’s laptop.

OLED Display for Stunning Image Quality

By offering a 4K OLED pen display, Xencelabs is answering the call from creative users wanting the colours from their drawings and paintings to be more vivid and realistic. “Pen Display color continues to be of major importance to creatives,” says Thompson. “After working with dozens of artists, we chose an OLED display to deliver remarkable vibrance, brightness and contrast levels. The OLED display also provides an absence of visual artifacts such as backlight bleeding and blooming pixels. Most importantly, the Xencelabs Pen Display 16’s OLED design provides near perfect black levels and artists delight in the devices ability to create lifelike colours against a true black background.”

In addition, the Xencelabs Pen Display 16’s edge-to-edge, super-AG etched glass surface offers a seamless and natural drawing experience that feels just like a real pen on paper or paintbrush on canvas. Artists working in studio or classroom environments with high amounts of ambient light will appreciate the pen display’s uncanny ability to reduce glare. Supporting up to 1.07 billion colors, the pen display features five factory-calibrated colour spaces: Adobe® RGB (98%), P3-DCS (98%), sRGB (99%), Rec 2020 and Rec 709. The display’s aluminium back housing ensures rapid heat dissipation without any disruptive fan noise.

Fluid, Accurate, Responsive Pen Performance

The Xencelabs Pen Display 16 comes with two pressure-sensitive pens to meet with the ergonomic or style needs of the artist. The 3-Button pen has a wider barrel with three customisable buttons for placing commonly used keyboard shortcuts directly on the pen. The Thin Pen is for those who are looking for the feel and effects produced by a real pencil or thinner brush. It has two buttons for convenient customisation. Both pens come with a pressure-sensitive eraser. “Our pens are designed to the highest standards and digitally replicate the natural feel and feedback one would get using a real pen or brush,” states Thompson. “Incredibly responsive and smooth pen pressure curves are easily adjusted with the Xencelabs driver to align with various drawing styles.”

Quick Keys, other Accessories

Quick Keys, Xencelabs’ hand-held remote for creating software application specific shortcuts to boost productivity, ships with the Xencelabs Pen Display 16 Bundle. This super user-friendly device provides five customisable groups of eight keys for a total of 40 shortcuts per application. Each of the eight keys have an OLED display that shows the user-defined name of the shortcut. Additionally, the Quick Keys colour-coded dial delivers up to four customised application tasks such as zoom, rotate, pan, and brush size. Quick Keys works up to 53 hours on a single charge.

Two Options for Artists and Designers

Xencelabs is offering two options to customers – the Xencelabs Pen Display 16 Bundle and the Xencelabs Pen Display 16 Essentials. The Bundle comes with the Pen Display 16, Mobile Easel stand, two pens, cables, driver, Quick Keys, and protective carrying case. Customers will receive other valuable items, including an elegantly designed and functional pen case that contains the pens, extra nibs (standard and felt), nib remover and Quick Keys dongle. A drawing glove and screen cleaning cloth round out Xencelabs’ incredible Xencelabs Pen Display 16 Bundle for digital content creators who are serious about the tools they use for art and design.

The Essentials is a wonderful option for those who are on-the-go and know they will be connecting the display to their laptop via the single USB-C to USB-C cable and do not require all the items that ship in the Bundle version. The budget-friendly Xencelabs Pen Display 16 Essentials, ideal for schools and individuals alike, ships with the Pen Display 16, two pens and elegant pen case, single USB-C to USB-C cable, carrying case, drawing glove and cleaning cloth. Accessories for the Xencelabs Pen Display 16, such as the Quick Keys, cables, and stand, are available to purchase separately on the Xencelabs eStore.

See Jason Chatfield’s, past President of the National Cartoonists Society and professional cartoonist/illustrator, review of the Xencelabs Pen Display 16 here.

Pricing and Availability

The Xencelabs Pen Display 16 Bundle (£1199 – MSRP) is available now and Xencelabs Pen Display 16 Essentials (£969 – MSRP) will be available at the end of May at the Xencelabs eStore, Amazon and local Distribution.

ViewSonic Launches into OLED Gaming with the XG272-2K-OLED Monitor

ViewSonic Corp a leading global provider of visual solutions, introduces its first OLED gaming monitor, the XG272-2K-OLED. Engineered for gamers seeking ultimate immersion, this 27-inch monitor’s OLED panel delivers exceptionally vivid colors and stark contrasts. With its Blur Busters Verified certification, the monitor combines a rapid 240Hz refresh rate and an up to 0.01ms pixel response time to ensure crisp visuals and ultra-responsive gameplay in fast-paced gaming scenarios. The monitor’s sleek, ergonomic design elevates the aesthetics of any gaming setup with its white finish and smooth contours.

“ViewSonic recognizes gamers’ surging interest for OLED displays, driven by their superior color performance and faster response time,” said Oscar Lin, General Manager of the Monitor Business Unit at ViewSonic. “With the launch of the XG272-2K-OLED, we’re bringing gamers impeccable visuals and speed, thanks to OLED technology, and ensuring exceptional clarity with the Blur Busters Verified certification. We are committed to delivering innovative and high-quality products that exceed the expectations of our gaming community.”

Rich Colors Meets Rapid Response

Leveraging OLED panel technology, the XG272-2K-OLED delivers exceptional color accuracy, enhanced brightness, and a superior contrast ratio, bringing video games to life with vivid visuals and wide viewing angles. The adoption of OLED display not only enriches the visual experience but also achieves an up to 0.01ms pixel response time, enabling users to react in an instant and gain a competitive edge.

Sustaining a rapid 240Hz refresh rate, the XG272-2K-OLED is Blur Busters Verified and features AMD FreeSync Premium and NVIDIA G-Sync Compatible support. These combine to effectively minimize image blurring, ghosting, tearing, and stuttering. The blend of high-speed performance with superior visuals ensures smooth, clear, and low-latency gameplay, enabling swift reflexes in fast-paced games, resulting in deeply immersive gaming experiences where each frame is rendered with precision and clarity.

Striking Design with Convenient Remote

The XG272-2K-OLED monitor blends style, functionality, and versatility in its design. The radiant white finish of the monitor is complemented by the customizable RGB lighting, creating a captivating ambiance perfect for gaming. Ergonomics are central to the monitor’s design, with its height-adjustable stand and the ability to tilt, swivel, and pivot the screen for a comfortable and personalized gaming experience.

Additionally, the monitor comes with a wireless remote controller, conveniently nestled in the stand base, which ensures seamless play through effortless menu navigation and game mode selection. Coupled with extensive connectivity options—including dual HDMI 2.1 ports, DisplayPort 1.4, USB-C with 15w charging, and various USB-A and USB-B ports—that guarantee broad compatibility with PCs and consoles, it facilitates smooth switching between gaming devices.

The product will be available in Europe from the end of April, with specific timing and pricing varying by country. For the most current information, please visit the ViewSonic website.

CRKD announces new Powered Up Nitro Deck+ for Nintendo Switch & OLED Switch Consoles

CRKD, the new premium collectible brand behind the award-winning Nitr Deck and the recently announced NEO, announced today the Nitro Deck+, an all-new addition to the Nitro Deck range bringing more features, more innovation, and more power to Switch gamers everywhere.
An ingenious all-in-one controller solution for Nintendo Switch and OLED switch consoles, Nitro Deck delivers zero stick drift and offers a feature-rich, precise way to enjoy Switch gaming in handheld mode. Featuring the same comfortable footprint as the original Nitro Deck, the Nitro Deck+ introduces a raft of new features, designed to make Switch gaming better than ever.
Proudly announced today as part of the IGN™ FanFest event, the Nitro Deck+ is the result of extensive community feedback following the release of the original Nitro Deck.
Nitro Deck+ features enhanced ergonomics, adjusting the placement of the right thumbstick, and allowing gamers to play in a more intuitive symmetrical fashion. The Nitro Deck+ can now connect directly to a TV with no need for an external dock! Featuring an integrated USB-C output and complete with an included USB-C to HDMI adaptor, gamers can switch between handheld and TV play without ever needing to remove their Switch console from Nitro Deck+, a quick, slick solution with no need to compromise!
On the front of the Nitro Deck+ to either side of the thumbsticks, two new ‘Sidekick’ buttons have been added, delivering even more customization options. Designed to work in conjunction with the new symmetrical thumbstick configuration, the Sidekick buttons are pre-programmed to replicate the A and B action button commands, allowing for super-fast operation. Replicating the most commonly used action buttons, facilitating speedier reaction times, and when used in combination with the additional re-mappable back buttons that are now mapped to X, Y, A, B out the box, the Nitro Deck+ allows gamers to play faster, score higher and elevate their handheld experience.
The new easy eject system allows for simple removal of the Switch console from the Nitro Deck+ allowing gamers to safely remove their console with no need to touch or add stress to the screen while removing.
Nitro Deck+ has also received an upgraded, adjustable rumble system, delivering more immersion and intense vibration which can be adjusted to suit the gamers’ preference. In addition, Bluetooth® has also been added to the Nitro Deck+, to allow for easy communication to the CRKD App for firmware updates. In the future, the App will include a full suite of customization options including button programming, adjustable trigger sensitivity, and more. The Nitro Deck + can connect via its defaulted USB-C wired connection or via Bluetooth when the switch is inserted into the deck.
The Nitro Deck+ adds these new features without removing any of what made the original Nitro Deck such a beloved product. The full list of features present on Nitro Deck+ include:
  • Ergonomically Built with All-New Thumbstick Placement
  • Zero Stick Drift Made Possible Via Hall-Effect Sensors
  • HDMI Output for TV Play (Play While Docked)
  • Re-mappable Back Buttons
  • Programmable Sidekick Buttons
  • Adjustable Trigger Sensitivity
  • Low Latency Response (direct connection via USB-C)
  • Bluetooth Connection (To update firmware via app)
  • Swappable Stick Tops
  • Adjustable Vibration Feedback
  • Gyro Compatible for Motion Control Games
  • No Deadzone Mode
  • Turbo Mode (Add Turbo Functionality to any Action or Trigger Button)
  • Pass-through Charging Feature
  • Use as an Extra Controller
  • Easy Eject System
  • Integrated Display Stand
  • Connects to the CRKD Companion App (True Collection System)
Commenting on the announcement of the Nitro Deck+, Jack Guinchard, Global Brand Manager for CRKD said, “The Nitro Deck marked our first product release which was warmly received by both gamer and critic. We were taken aback with the positive response, and actively welcomed feedback from our CRKD community to guide us in how the Nitro Deck should evolve. The Nitro Deck+ is a direct response to the feedback we gathered, and we can’t wait to see how gamers respond. Continuing, Jack commented, “At CRKD we’re committed to bringing gamers high-quality, disruptive products that elevate both the gaming and collectible experience. We can’t wait to continue to surprise the community as we build the range further in the months and years to come.”
The Nitro Deck+ is now available for pre-order, available in two colors: Clear Black and Clear White. Both will retail for: $69.99 / €79.99 / £69.99 with early pre-orders expected to begin shipping from late April 2024. Secure yours today at: https://go.crkd.gg/ndplus

Lighting technology pioneer Audi fields next-generation OLED technology. #AUDI #Motoring #Tech #OLED

In June 2020, the next generation of a lighting technology premiered in the Audi Q5: digital OLED technology. With organic light-emitting diodes (so-called OLEDs), Audi was a pioneer as far back as 2016. Now digitalisation is ringing in a new age. This technology promises to improve road safety and is the first to allow for personalisation of the tail light signature.

Dr. Werner Thomas, OLED technology project manager at Audi, explains: “Headlight technology has seen a rapid evolution at Audi in recent decades. In addition, we have been decisively driving the development of rear-lighting systems.”  In the latest milestone achievement, the brand is now the first car manufacturer to digitise the tail lights.

Why does Audi focus on OLED technology?

OLED light sources are panel radiators – unlike point light sources such as LEDs using semiconductor crystals. There are many benefits of OLEDs including their light being extremely homogeneous. It is infinitely dimmable and achieves very high contrast. It can be split into segments. These segments are individually controllable and can develop diverse levels of brightness, with minimal gaps between the segments. The lighting unit does not require any reflectors, optical fibers or similar optics. This makes OLED units very efficient, lightweight and flat, which considerably increases design freedom.

An OLED lighting element is just one millimetre thin, while conventional LED solutions require much greater installed depths of 20 to 30 millimetres. The energy requirement of an OLED is once again significantly lower than that of LED optics if the latter are to achieve similar homogeneity. Audi’s OLED technology made its production debut in the tail light of the Audi TT RS* in 2016. Up to now, Audi models using OLED lighting technology have had up to four individually controllable, complex lighting segments that could be used for an individual, defined lighting design.

What benefits do Audi’s new digital OLEDs offer?

The larger number of individually controllable segments can now be randomly activated, with continuous variability of brightness. In the Q5, three tiles of six units each, in other words 18 segments per lamp, are currently used. The high precision and great variability offer light designers a wealth of opportunities, using just one type of hardware. Q5 customers opting for digital OLED technology have a choice of three signatures in the tail lights when purchasing their car. In the “dynamic” Audi drive select mode, the lamps additionally switch to another signature. Moreover, animation effects such as coming-home/leaving-home lighting scenarios can be implemented, plus the dynamic flashing light has been integrated in the new lamp units as well.

How exactly do digital OLEDs differ from established OLED technology?

“Up to now, we have been using OLED segmentation with the Audi TT RS* and A8 for designing signature lighting. This has changed with the Q5,” says OLED technology project manager Dr. Werner Thomas. “Here the tail lights turn into a kind of display on the outer shell, which will provide us with ample opportunities and prospects in terms of design, personalisation, communication and safety going forward.” Thus, the year 2020 marks the threshold of a new age: a pure medium for signal functions is now additionally becoming a medium for displaying diverse types of content.

 

How do digital OLED lamps improve road safety?

In the new Q5, Audi has implemented a proximity detection feature for the versions using digital OLED tail lights. When another road user approaches a stationary Q5 from the rear within less than two metres, all the OLED segments light up. When the Q5 starts to move, it returns to the original light signature. This is just an initial example of the Q5’s car-to-x communication with its surroundings. Subject to legislative approval, predefined warning symbols are conceivable in the future as well. The development and approval of the first dynamic turn signals is a good example of Audi’s effective engagement in collaborating with approval authorities.

The developers present potential technologies and then adapt them as needed – which facilitates the homologation and approval of new ideas and concepts. Audi also shaped the developments around the digital OLEDs in advance in a way that made legislative approval possible for the Q5 in spite of differences in tail light design. Thus, the roads are becoming safer with lighting technology from Audi.

How will the development in this area continue?

Going forward, clearly more segments per tail light are conceivable, allowing for even greater personalisation of signature lighting. For instance, predefined symbols might be displayed to provide other road users with early warnings of hazards such as slippery roads or the tail ends of traffic jams.