BenQ, internationally renowned provider of digital lifestyle devices, today announced the SW320 photographer monitor, a 31.5-inch 4K display with class-leading color performance and High Dynamic Range (HDR) capability. Spanning a wide color gamut covering 99% of Adobe RGB and 100% of sRGB, Rec. 709, and the digital cinema industry's DCI-P3 color space, SW320's true 10-bit IPS panel and advanced 14-bit lookup table (LUT) deliver spectacular color quality with precise ≤2 Delta E values.

"SW320 represents the pinnacle of BenQ color-critical display technology," said Conway Lee, President of BenQ Corporation. "This wide color gamut HDR monitor takes professional imaging to new heights, fulfilling the demanding and exacting requirements of photography enthusiasts."

OWC, a leading zero-emissions Mac and PC technology company, today introduced the OWC Mercury Elite Pro Dual with Thunderbolt 2 Technology. The new Mercury Elite Pro Dual - designed in Austin, TX by the OWC new product development team - offers speeds up to 474 MB/s, capacities up to 20TB, and RAID modes 0 and 1. A newly engineered aluminum enclosure features a larger, quieter fan and an advanced airflow design for drive health and longevity. For professionals who need the additional performance of RAID 0 (two disks working together to create one very fast volume), or the peace of mind provided by RAID 1 (two disks mirrored to create instant redundancy), Mercury Elite Pro Dual with Thunderbolt 2 Technology packs serious connectivity in a versatile package.

"The Mercury Elite Pro Dual has long been a go-to solution for creative professionals who need flexibility without sacrificing performance," said Larry O'Connor, CEO, OWC. "With the addition of Thunderbolt 2 Technology and a new, cooler, quieter design, the Mercury Elite Pro Dual is built to handle demanding workflows, providing peace of mind so you can focus on creating your next masterpiece."

Early 2017, a new wave of socket LGA1151 motherboards based on Intel 200-series chipset will launch, alongside the company's 7th generation Core "Kaby Lake" processors. The lineup will be led by the Z270 Express, targeting performance desktops, and H270 Express, targeting premium commercial desktops. The question on your mind probably is what sets these chipsets apart from the current 100-series Z170 and H170 chipsets. Here are some pointers.

To begin with, motherboards based on Z270 and H270 chipsets are assured to support Core "Kaby Lake" processors, out of the box. The 100-series chipset motherboards inventory with retailers may require BIOS updates, although some of the newer production batches could ship with the latest BIOS that support "Kaby Lake." Secondly, the Z270 and H270 support Intel Optane technology, a new breed of bleeding-edge performance SSDs based on the company's 3D X-point non-volatile memory, which is the very latest in sold-state storage, and purported to be the fastest. The chipets also support Rapid Storage Technology v15.

OWC, a leading zero-emissions Mac and PC technology company, today introduced class-leading 10, 20, 30, and 40TB SSD models for ThunderBay 4 mini RAID. The new high-capacity SSD configurations are powered by the revolutionary SoftRAID engine, which delivers powerful disk-health monitoring, rapid RAID re-builds, and outstanding performance, with transfer speeds up to 1314 MB/s via Thunderbolt 2 connection -- all in a compact aluminum enclosure.

For creative professionals who need extreme performance, but are limited by existing 2TB and 4TB SSD offerings, ThunderBay 4 mini now offers the highest capacity and fastest SSD configurations in its class, with up to 40 TB of high-performance storage to support and accelerate cutting-edge video production workflows.

AKiTiO has introduced its new, Thunderbolt 3-powered external graphics box. Akin to Powercolor's Devil Box ($379), Razer's Core ($499) or ASUS' XG2, the AKiTiO Node is meant to house an external graphics card, delivering true discrete-graphics-class performance to your laptop, AIO or SFF PC. One thing the Node has going for it, though, is pricing: this eGFX Box comes in at only $299. At this price-point, the Node makes away with extra connectors found in some of its competitors, like Ethernet or USB 3.0, keeping it as simple and to-the-point as possible: the only port is for its Thunderbolt 3 connection.

The AKiTiO Node is 428mm long, 145 mm wide and 227 mm high, making it compatible with a variety of dual-slot, full-length AMD and NVIDIA graphics cards (up to 312 mm long, 170 mm high [with power cables] and 44 mm wide), and sports an upgradeable, integrated 400 W SFX PSU, as well as one 120 mm fan for extra cooling capability.

HP Inc. today unveiled its latest generation premium consumer PC line-up for the 2016 holidays. The next generation portfolio features a thinner and lighter convertible with better battery life for portability and a beautifully designed all-in-one to bring amazing sound experiences into the home.

"Premium customers have high expectations around device performance and quality for consuming media and productivity whether at home, work or on the go," said Kevin Frost, vice president and general manager, consumer personal systems, HP Inc. "We are strengthening our leadership in premium with our redesigned PC portfolio to deliver big power in thin and light designs to be even more portable and revolutionize our all-in-one to bring amazing sound into the home."

OWC, a leading zero emissions Mac and PC technology company, today introduced a new version of the Drive Dock with USB 3.1 Gen 1 connectivity. The new Drive Dock offers exceptional performance with speeds up to 434 MB/s, two drive bays (each supporting 2.5 or 3.5-inch drives) and an internal auto-switching power supply for use around the globe, all in an elegant design featuring a silver aluminum enclosure and a matte black top. For anyone with bare drives around the house or office, Drive Dock is the ideal solution for a quick and easy way to access their data, archive files, and perform backups.

"We've been thrilled with how our customers have responded to the OWC Drive Dock with Thunderbolt 2 technology. I've seen how it can transform professional workflows, and it has driven us to make sure that as many people as possible can experience the same benefit," said Larry O'Connor, Founder and CEO of OWC. "I am pleased to introduce the new Drive Dock with USB 3.1 Gen 1 connectivity, giving our customers exceptional performance at a price that is accessible to everyone."

Razer, a world leader in connected devices and software for gamers, today announced the new Razer Blade 14-inch gaming laptop. Striking a perfect balance of power and mobility, the new Blade is designed to be the most portable PC that can play games at maximum settings. Earning a multitude of editors' choice awards from LinusTechTips, PC Magazine, Laptop Mag and more for its performance and portability, the new Razer Blade is now more powerful than ever by way of a next-generation NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 graphics processor.

Designed with the new NVIDIA Pascal architecture, the GPU is three times faster than its predecessor, with a performance increase of more than 40 percent. The result of this enhancement is incredible graphics power that allows users to game at max settings effortlessly while enjoying realistic cinematic experiences with technologies like NVIDIA GameWorks.

GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY Co. Ltd., a leading manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards is proud to announce today, a new collection of GIGABYTE Motherboards that have been certified for Intel's Thunderbolt 3 technology. GIGABYTE is the leader in developing this technology as many devices in the market were created using GIGABYTE Motherboards as the golden sample.

Shortly after its release of the new Designare and ultra gaming motherboards GIGABYTE is announcing that many of these newly released boards have Thunderbolt 3 technology available to the users. Updating the BIOS and a simple software upgrade is all that is required of users to enable this feature. With a 40 Gb/s bandwidth, along with its ability to transmit data, video, audio, and power all in one cable, Thunderbolt technology is highly sought after for its rapid transfer speeds and ability to simplify cables around the computer. Users are able to daisy-chain up to six devices per port with an additional monitor at the end.

QNAP Systems, Inc. today announced the release of its next-generation, high-performance Thunderbolt 2 NAS TVS-x82T series. Available in three different models (TVS-1282T, TVS-882T and TVS-682T) the TVS-x82T series is powered by 6th Generation Intel 14nm multi-core processors that deliver higher system performance for CPU-demanding applications.

Featuring an advanced hardware design based on the concept of tiered storage, application-based partitioning, and network traffic distribution the TVS-x82T series achieves maximized storage efficiency and optimum performance. The TVS-x82T also features a HDMI 2.0 port for a prime viewing experience with smooth 4K 60 fps video transfer and display, while the new VJBOD function allows for maximized storage utilization by using multiple QNAP NAS to expand the storage capacity of the TVS-x82T.

Today at the National Association of Broadcasters Convention, LaCie, the premium brand from Seagate Technology plc, announced the LaCie 12big Thunderbolt 3, a professional 12-bay desktop RAID storage unit. With up to 96TB of capacity, the breakthrough performance of Thunderbolt 3 and RAID 5/6, the LaCie 12big helps video professionals meet the data demands of 4/5/6K cameras.

At up to 96TB, the LaCie 12big boasts a 50 percent higher capacity than any other desktop direct attached storage solution on the market-with a footprint smaller than a tablet. It features Seagate's enterprise-class drives with a five-year limited warranty for extraordinary reliability and data availability to safely store and edit massive amounts of ultra hi-res footage.

HP Inc. today announced a bold evolution and a series of updates to the world's first workstation all-in-one - the new HP Z1 G3 Workstation - combining the simplicity of an All-in-One design with performance typically found in traditional tower workstations.

Built for demanding users, the third generation HP Z1 Workstation is smaller, thinner and lighter delivering screaming performance at a great value.

• 47 percent smaller, 51 percent lighter and 21 percent less expensive than the previous generation.
• 23.6 inch diagonal anti-glare UHD 4K display for the outstanding visual clarity when working on graphic intensive projects.
• Intel Xeon processor options for powerful workstation-class processing technology for the most demanding applications.

GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY Co. Ltd, a leading manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards, is pleased to announce the launch of four new models joining the company's extensive list of Intel Thunderbolt 3 certified devices: the BRIX GB-BSi5T-6200, GB-BSi5HT-6200, GB-BSi7T-6500 and GB-BSi7HT-6500.

Featuring the latest Intel 6th generation Core processors, and now official support for the world's fastest transfer protocol with Thunderbolt 3 over USB Type-C port, these new BRIX enter a new category of their own as a powerfully compact high-end PC.

MSI Computer Corp, a leading manufacturer of computer hardware products and solutions, today announced the availability of the WT72, the world's first professional NVIDIA VR Ready mobile workstation equipped with NVIDIA's newest mobile GPU, the Quadro M5500.

Designed for maximum performance, MSI's WT72 is powered by NVIDIA's Quadro M5500 GPU, Intel's 6th generation Core-i7 and Xeon processors, and up to 64 GB of DDR4 memory. The latest in professional graphics design technology, the Quadro M5500 is the world's fastest mobile GPU, delivering up to 35% performance increase over previous models, with 2,048 cores for optimum speed and power.

MSI Computer Corp, a leading manufacturer of computer hardware products and solutions, announces the availability of the Vortex, a VR-ready, high-performance miniature tower that redefines compact gaming desktops.

The world smallest gaming cylinder, the Vortex measures only 10.5 inches tall but can blast away bigger systems with an unlocked Intel Core i7 6700K processor, up to 64 GB of DDR4 memory, SSDs in Super RAID 4, and dual NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 GPUs in SLI. MSI's newest tower is also engineered for superior upgradability, expandability, and compatibility with a variety of connectors, including Thunderbolt 3 that supports up to 40 GBs of data transfer rate.

Razer, a world leader in connected devices and software for gamers, today announced pricing, availability and compatibility of its 2016 "Best of CES" award-winning Razer Core. The device is the world's first plug-and-play Thunderbolt 3 external graphics enclosure that debuted earlier this year in tandem with the Razer Blade Stealth Ultrabook, itself an official "Best PC" and "People's Choice" CES winner.

"Razer continues to innovate in the laptops category where big systems brands either cannot or will not," says Min-Liang Tan, Razer co-founder and CEO. "This time, in collaboration with industry leaders, we've created the world's first external graphics card solution of its kind, bringing the GPU power of a desktop PC to the latest Razer laptops, such as the Razer Blade Stealth Ultrabook, through a single Thunderbolt 3 connection with plug-and-play convenience."

AMD today announced AMD XConnect technology, making it easier than ever to pair a powerful external Radeon graphics card with a compatible notebook or 2-in-1 using Thunderbolt 3. AMD XConnect technology is a groundbreaking new feature of Radeon Software Crimson Edition 16.3. Traditionally, PC gamers have been faced with the problem of choosing between gaming notebooks, sacrificing portability for gaming performance, or ultrathin notebooks, sacrificing gaming performance for portability.

A lightweight notebook or 2-in-1 with Thunderbolt 3 that is compatible with AMD XConnect technology brings the best of both worlds to life -- conveniently lightweight on its own, but as needed, can easily tap into serious framerates and image quality of a gaming notebook with a powerful external GPU. The connection between the external GPU enclosure configured with Radeon R9 300 Series graphics is made possible over Intel's Thunderbolt 3, and can be connected or disconnected at any time, a first for external GPUs.

The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) today announced it has published version 1.4 of the DisplayPort (DP) audio/video standard. The first major update to DisplayPort since version 1.3 was released in September 2014, DP 1.4 is also the first DP standard to take advantage of VESA's Display Stream Compression (DSC) technology. DSC version 1.2 transport enables up to 3:1 compression ratio and has been deemed, through VESA membership testing, to be visually lossless. Together with other new capabilities, this makes the latest version of DP ideally suited for implementation in high-end electronic products demanding premier sound and image quality.

DisplayPort is a packet-based, extensible protocol for transporting video and audio data. Initially introduced as a new external interface, its flexibility has enabled its adaptation to embedded displays and incorporation into other connectors like the new reversible USB Type-C interface and Thunderbolt. Its Multi-Stream Transport (MST) capability enables high-resolution support of multiple monitors on a single display interface.

Western Digital Corporation, a world leader in storage solutions, today announced the expansion of its award-winning portfolio of performance storage solutions with 8 TB capacity drives for NAS, video surveillance and desktop external applications. Increasingly centralized, rich-content, which continues to grow in popularity among enterprises, small business and consumers alike, is driving demand for greater storage capacities.

Launching throughout the first half of 2016, My Cloud personal storage devices (My Cloud, My Cloud Mirror, My Cloud EX2 Ultra), My Book external hard drives (My Book, My Book for Mac, My Book Duo and My Book Pro), WD Red, WD Red Pro and WD Purple hard drives will all be designed with the new high-capacity configuration. Each storage solution offers purpose-driven engineering and HelioSeal helium-technology with the new 8 TB drives for maximum and efficient performance in the applications for which each model is designed.

AMD is working on a standardized external graphics solution for notebooks. This solution will allow people with ultra-thin notebooks to enjoy the mobility served up by frugal, mainstream hardware; as well as high-end gaming, with the graphics card plugged in at home. It also probably gives AMD greater control over design and cooling solutions. Unlike a mobile GPU that sits inside your notebook, and makes it bulky due to additional cooling and power requirements, an external graphics card sits on your desk, sipping on wall socket power.

AMD's external graphics solution isn't necessarily an AMD-branded piece of hardware, but rather an open specification for notebook vendors to follow. AMD will merely provide the GPUs and software ecosystem that makes the solution truly universal and plug-n-play, with "standardized connectors, cables, drivers, and OS support." Such a graphics card will interface with just any notebook with a high-speed interface (eg: Thunderbolt). Its drivers will make it crunch your games, while sending back output to your notebook's display, over the same connection. This gives you the mobility of an ultra-thin notebook. You should also be able to plug this into your work's boring Dell desktop, or any SFF ITX box. Pictured below is a Razer Core graphics solution embedding a Radeon R9 Nano. Other examples include MSI Gaming Dock and Alienware Graphics Amplifier.

Following a month without any driver releases (the last one being dated December 21), NVIDIA released its latest GeForce drivers. Version 361.75 WHQL drivers are "Game Ready" for Rise of the Tomb Raider, and Tom Clancy's The Division (beta). This includes performance optimization, SLI profiles, and GeForce Experience optimal settings. The drivers also come with early (beta) support for GeForce GTX GPUs installed in external graphics solutions over the Thunderbolt 3 (40 Gb/s) interface. Grab them from the links below.DOWNLOAD: NVIDIA GeForce 361.75 WHQL for Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10 32-bit | Windows 8.1/7 64-bit | Windows 8.1/7 32-bit

GIGABYTE TECHNOLOGY Co. Ltd., a leading manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards, is proud to launch exciting new high-end desktop motherboards and a new lineup of the award-winning GIGABYTE BRIX powered by the 6th Gen. Intel Core processors.

At CES 2016, GIGABYTE will be showing off these groundbreaking products, along with our latest developments in IPC and IoT solutions in the Pacific Ballroom of the Bally's Las Vegas Hotel & Casino. There will be product demonstrations designed by case modders such as Richard Surroz, Marc Molella, and Bob Stewart of BS Mods. Aside from all the product demonstrations there will also be live overclocking on site from GIGABYTE's world renowned overclocker, HiCookie, and demo systems from multiple system integrators such as; Cybertron PC, NCIX, ABS, CyberPowerPC, Network Allies and Digital Storm.

RAIDON announced the ST2-TB dual-bay HDD enclosure with Thunderbolt, with the ability to store up to 16 TB. The ST2-TB built-in with two disk configuration modes: RAID 1 (Safe Mode), RAID 0 (Speed Mode), and JBOD (Two Independent Volumes) for you to choose according to your needs.

In this mode, you can install two disks that have different volumes and use them independently.There is no RAID configuration and without special safety or speed differences. You can also use this mode in apply with other STARDOM modules.

GIGABYTE announced that it's enabling 40 Gb/s Thunderbolt 3 support on select boards that have 20 Gb/s Thunderbolt 2 support, with a mere firmware update. It turns out that the Thunderbolt controllers on the company's Z170X-Gaming G1, Z170X-Gaming GT, and Z170X-Gaming 7 motherboards physically support Thunderbolt 3, but due to a lack of certification, its support was withheld, and bandwidth limited to 20 Gb/s.

What's more, these boards support the Thunderbolt protocol over USB 3.1 type-C, at lowered bandwidth, besides its traditional Thunderbolt/mini-DisplayPort connector at rated bandwidth. This should help with the new generation of Thunderbolt daisy-chaining docks that support USB type-C connections. To get the latest firmware, all you need to do is update your board's BIOS to the latest one on GIGABYTE's website.

Lexar, a leading global brand of flash memory products, today introduced the Lexar Professional 2933x and 1400x XQD 2.0 cards, as well as the Lexar Professional Workflow XR2 (XQD 2.0 USB 3.0 reader) for professional videographers, photographers, and enthusiasts. The Professional 2933x XQD 2.0 is the fastest XQD card on the market today, delivering a dramatically enhanced workflow with the quickest capture and transfer performance available.

Designed for use with the latest generation of high-definition camcorders and high-resolution DSLRs, the new XQD 2.0 cards deliver read transfer speeds up to 2933x (440 MB/s) and 1400x (210 MB/s) respectively, enabling an accelerated workflow that allows users to quickly capture and store stunning, high-quality images and 4K video. These new rugged, high-speed cards support both PCI Express Gen 2 and USB 3.0 interfaces.