Tuesday, January 8th 2013

Razer "Project Fiona" Windows 8 Gaming Platform Named Razer Edge

It's a tablet. It's a PC. It's a console. It's all of the above: a full-feature PC and the most powerful tablet in the world. What's more, it has four modes specially designed for gamers and is able to run all PC games and applications. Razer, the world leader in high-performance gaming hardware, software and systems, today announced it intends to send its highly-acclaimed Project Fiona PC gaming tablet concept into production and retail distribution this year as the "Razer Edge" in North America and Asia Pacific.

The Razer Edge was introduced in January 2012 at CES as Project Fiona-the world's first tablet designed for PC gamers by PC gamers-where it received CNET's "Best of CES 2012" People's Voice Award, Stuff magazine's "Hot Stuff" Award, IGN magazine's "Best of CES" award and Laptop magazine's "Best of CES award."
"When we decided to design a tablet from the ground up, we did it to create a phenomenal experience for mobile gamers. By combining the best of PC and console gaming with Windows 8, we've created a true gaming tablet," says Min-Liang Tan, Razer co-founder, CEO and creative director. "Clearly, the critical acclaim and community support the Razer Edge has enjoyed suggests we hit the mark. Now, we get to celebrate the reality of what was formerly a dream with the audience for which this groundbreaking tablet was made."

The world's first gaming tablet for PC gamers was also designed by PC gamers, as a massive crowdsourcing effort put into place by Razer targeted millions of gamers to determine final specifications for the Edge. Razer let its community (and the PC gaming community as a whole) decide the end-game chipset, weight/thickness, features and even price for the Edge, and hosted the initiative on its social media pages (Go to www.facebook.com/razer and www.twitter.com/cultofrazer for more information).

PC gamers ended up helping to design the most powerful tablet in the world today, the only system of its kind utilizing technology from both Intel and NVIDIA. Powerful 3rd generation Intel Core processors will help ensure even the most advanced, full-fledged PC games will function at full capacity, and NVIDIA GeForce graphics will offer striking visual clarity-a first for tablet gaming and a godsend for the world's 300 million-plus PC gamers.

"Gamers are among the most demanding audience when it comes to processor performance. We're happy to be working with Razer to satisfy those desires by helping build one of the most powerful tablets based on the 3rd gen Intel Core family of products," said Brad Graff, Director of Customer Marketing, Mobile Communications Group at Intel. "The Razer Edge is a testament to what can be achieved with true innovation between industry-leading companies."

By way of a true Windows 8 operating system with Intel architecture, the broadest array of today's most popular PC games will run natively on the Razer Edge without the need to be ported, optimized or developed anew.

That functionality out-of-the-box is prevalent in any of the Razer Edge's modes, as the tablet offers a myriad of form factors. It's a tablet, it's a PC, and it's a console.

The groundbreaking system will be available in two types: a standard Razer Edge and the Razer Edge Pro model. The base model is equipped with an Intel Core i5 processor, NVIDIA GT640M LE GPU, 4 GB of DDR3 RAM, and a 64 GB SSD. The Razer Edge Pro comes replete with an upgraded Intel Core i7 processor, NVIDIA GT640M LE GPU, 8 GB of DDR3 RAM, and a 128 GB or 256 GB SSD.

Both models are available now, with the Razer Edge starting at $999.

The Razer Edge Pro will additionally be offered in a bundle package with a Gamepad Controller in both the 128 GB and 256GB SSD model. Each model is available at a wide-range of retail outlets and online at www.razerzone.com, and includes a USB 3.0 port and supports Bluetooth 4.0.

Four dedicated configurations offer maximum versatility for Razer Edge users: Tablet mode, Keyboard Dock mode, Gamepad Controller mode and Docking Station mode.

Tablet mode avails the Razer Edge with multi-touch capabilities for full Windows 8 applications, movies and music playback, in a traditional tablet form factor.

An optional Keyboard Dock gives the Razer Edge the laptop experience with a traditional keyboard and mouse, supporting a removable 40 Wh battery, so gamers can play their favorite keyboard and mouse reliant PC titles.

An optional Gamepad Controller turns the Razer Edge into a mobile console, offering an immersive, portable gaming experience. A fully programmable dual controller interface with precise analog sticks is unique among all tablets, featuring the ability to play any PC game "out of the box," along with immersive vibration-feedback, so players can "feel" every in-game explosion and recoil.

An extended battery is able to connect with both the Keyboard Dock and Gamepad Controller, and doubles battery life for the Razer Edge.

Finally, the Razer Edge can be docked in the Docking Station as part of home console mode, which serves as a full desktop and charging resource with three USB 2.0 ports, an HDMI 1.4 port, mic-in and stereo-out. Hook-up the Razer Edge to the big screen with multiple gamepad controllers and Razer gear and tag team PC games with your friends for a complete home console experience. It's the most versatile tablet on the planet.


The Razer Edge tablet in its many forms is designed with ultra-precise accelerometers and a highly-sensitive, multi-touch screen. This provides game developers with fertile new ground for engineering game experiences around the hybrid control capabilities. It also ensures current-generation PC games and those optimized for touchscreens run on the tablet. Future games developed for the Razer Edge are expected to take advantage of the integrated gamepad and functionality controls for the touchscreen and accelerometer-based movements.
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25 Comments on Razer "Project Fiona" Windows 8 Gaming Platform Named Razer Edge

#1
de.das.dude
Pro Indian Modder
wouldnt an APU have made more sense? looks like intel is paying good money to razor for developing this.
Posted on Reply
#2
btarunr
Editor & Senior Moderator
de.das.dudewouldnt an APU have made more sense? looks like intel is paying good money to razor for developing this.
Rather use a low-TDP Intel processor with GeForce graphics that is guaranteed to run everything with at least 720p, and the possibility of 1080p (when connected to a TV), than a 100W Trinity APU that can't do those. Can't use a Bobcat/Jaguar based APU as they're too slow.
Posted on Reply
#3
xBruce88x
the GT 640 is actually a pretty decent chip... and at less than 20w not too power hungry either... wonder exactly what model i5 and i7 they're using though.

edit: Best i could find for the cpu... "Intel Core i7 Dual core w/ Hyper Threading Base 1.9GHz / Turbo 3.0GHz"
Posted on Reply
#4
Sasqui
I totally want to get my hands on one.

Price on the Pro version?
Posted on Reply
#7
3870x2
FourstaffThey did all they could to get the price down to $999 though, including offering a 64GB SSD, which should be good enough for an OS and 2 games :laugh:
I guess you wont be installing RAGE on that any time soon.
Posted on Reply
#8
NinkobEi
Welcome to bankruptcy, Razer. Didn't you learn anything from THQ?
Posted on Reply
#9
Fourstaff
NinkobEiWelcome to bankruptcy, Razer. Didn't you learn anything from THQ?
Unlike THQ this is going to sell like hotcakes. The fact that there are enough people buying Razer Blade to warrant a version 2 of it is proof enough. Plus ~$1300 is actually pretty competitive against premium offerings from other manufacturers, priced to cart money into Razer's coffers.
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#10
Batou1986
With a base price of $999 and $200 keyboard this makes a gaming laptop look practical.
Posted on Reply
#11
acerace
NinkobEiWelcome to bankruptcy, Razer. Didn't you learn anything from THQ?
This is Razer dude. They're like Apple in the gaming market.
Posted on Reply
#12
renz496
NinkobEiWelcome to bankruptcy, Razer. Didn't you learn anything from THQ?
why compare razer to THQ? they sell different product. and no one are going to 'pirate' razor mouse :p
Posted on Reply
#14
blibba
xBruce88xthe GT 640 is actually a pretty decent chip... and at less than 20w not too power hungry either... wonder exactly what model i5 and i7 they're using though.

edit: Best i could find for the cpu... "Intel Core i7 Dual core w/ Hyper Threading Base 1.9GHz / Turbo 3.0GHz"
Yes, but the only difference afaik between 640s and 650s is GDDR5. 640s are hopelessly bandwidth starved - I don't understand this decision to not offer a GDDR5 version.
Posted on Reply
#15
3870x2
For the record I voted Yay because in order for PC gaming to survive, we have to move in a different direction, something casuals can use and understand.

I don't have an answer for building PCs though, it might just die out in the end.
Posted on Reply
#16
NinkobEi
3870x2For the record I voted Yay because in order for PC gaming to survive, we have to move in a different direction, something casuals can use and understand.

I don't have an answer for building PCs though, it might just die out in the end.
Why do you think that? PCs are stronger than ever. Especially PC Gaming...
Posted on Reply
#17
Frizz
I think PC gaming is fine as it is because of it's potential for max eye candy full HD goodness for all games, something like this is very niche in taste it won't revolutionize anything because there are already countless handheld devices out there and it comes down to the games in the end. With the Sony Vita, Nintendo 3DS etc. etc. the reason why those devices were so good were because of the games being released for it, we all know that when it comes to PC gaming that if it's limited to anything it'd be the games so I think apart from the hardware, Fiona has a few big ass hurdles to jump.
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#18
MeltingFlame
xBruce88xthe GT 640 is actually a pretty decent chip... and at less than 20w not too power hungry either... wonder exactly what model i5 and i7 they're using though.

edit: Best i could find for the cpu... "Intel Core i7 Dual core w/ Hyper Threading Base 1.9GHz / Turbo 3.0GHz"
Since its a tablet, its gonna require a low TDP i7, so judging by the specs you posted above, its most probably the i7-3517U.
Posted on Reply
#19
twicksisted
I was going to vote "Nay"... but then after thinking about it for a while, if its around the same price as a new ipad... then its pretty damn awesome as its running windows (unfortunately 8 though)... can pretty much do everything i do on my desktop but its portable and can go on holiday, in bed, on public transport... and for what i currently use a pc and samsung galaxy tab for, it will cover both bases when out and about ;)
Posted on Reply
#20
xBruce88x
blibbaYes, but the only difference afaik between 640s and 650s is GDDR5. 640s are hopelessly bandwidth starved - I don't understand this decision to not offer a GDDR5 version.
b/c then it would be a GTX 650 lol.

yea... my 8800Gt has more memory bandwidth
Posted on Reply
#21
Initialised
The Acer Timeline U series have a similar spec and cope with BF3 just fine so the spec looks fine for what it is but price could be a problem if it finds itself competing with £500-700 laptops.
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#22
WithoutWeakness
$1300 for the pro model doesn't seem unreasonable considering that it's the highest performance tablet anyone makes. It does seem unreasonable that the attachment with the 2 side controllers on it is not included in the box and costs an additional $250.
Posted on Reply
#23
Champ
I had planned to buy one when I first heard rumors. Don't know now. I expected more in terms of raw power. GPU mostly
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#24
Prima.Vera
1 sentence: Is everything but is nothing.
'nouf said...
Posted on Reply
#25
Champ
Well, let me restate that. After looking at the video, if that's how it plays, that gpu is strong enuff. I was still expecting more thou. But then the resolution isn't extremely high either, so I guess it all pans out

After watching another vid, I'm curious about OC potential. That should do away with most lag
Posted on Reply
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