If you think Razer is obsessed with Chroma, then perhaps you have not seen ASUS ROG products. ASUS ROG has put RGB in everything this CES 2019, including entry-level ROG Strix AIO cooler, ROG Zenith Extreme Alpha and Rampage VI Extreme Omega motherboards, and more. Those weren’t even the craziest product to sport RGB lighting the Taiwanese computer maker had brought to CES last week; ASUS obsession with RGB extends to, wait for it… a backpack and a gaming chair. Folks, this is how ASUS is excessive with RGB lighting.
Anywho, the backpack in question is ROG Ranger BP3703. It features an illuminated ROG logo and slash to “improve visibility for cyclists and anyone else who needs to be seen in the dark.” This is no kids’ backpack, btw. It is kinda of high-tech. It does not just light up; it has ambient light sensor that will automatically adjusts the brightness to match the environment it is in. That’s not all. You can customize the colors, effects with an Android app, and also saving up to seven profiles.
Lighting does not stop on the exterior. The main interior is lighted to, so you don’t need retrieve your things in the dark. Didn’t I say this ain’t no kids’ bag? A USB power pack provides the power required by the lighting and it has a RFID-blocking pocket to prevent skimming when important things like cards and wallets are stashed inside. The ROG Ranger BP3703 will come onto the market later this year with and yet to be announced pricing.
Next up is the ROG Chariot Gaming Chair that is, of course, lighted too. Lighting for this racing seat-inspired gaming chair is a tad subtle though. Light is limited to a small section of the chair’s back rest over your shoulders (known as “illuminated infinity mirror”) and around the back, in a form of the ROG logo. Other features include ergonomic seat with memory foam headrest and lumbar pillow, fully adjustable armrests that keeps your arms in “keyboard manning position,” a 4-level gas lift for quick and easy height adjustments, and finally, a reclining back that lets you lean back and perhaps, take a nap from your gaming session. ASUS said the the ROG Chariot will ship in Q2.
Other gadgets announced are as follows:
ASUS ROG Strix XG438Q Gaming Monitor
ROG Strix XG438Q is a large 43-inch 4K gaming monitor that boasts 120 Hz refresh rate, FreeSync 2 HDR technology, supports 10-bit image processing, intelligent modulated backlight brightness, and ASUS’ GameFast Input Technology. ROG Strix XG438Q is said to be available “in coming months” with additional details and pricing to be announced closer to the release date.
ASUS ROG Strix AIO Cooler
Entry-level ROG Strix AIO cooler is an affordable cooler based on the same Asetek technology as the ROG Ryuo with 16 addressable LEDs in subtle, but no less beautiful bright and even glow. ROG Strix AIO comes in choice of 120 mm and 240 mm radiators and features ASUS’ wing-blade design that puts out 81 CFM at 2,500 RPM without creating a ding. No words on availability and pricing.
ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AC2900 WiFi Router
ROG Rapture GT-AC2900 is a dual-band wireless router that offers an Aura Sync-compatible glow and touts four antennas (3 external, 1 internal), Adaptive QoS, free access to Gamers Private Network, and a special mode optimized for NVIDIA GeForce Now cloud gaming service for streaming games at up to 1080p and 60 fps. The price for ROG Rapture GT-AC2900 is not known at this point, but it should be announced soon as its scheduled availability is “early 2019.”
ASUS ROG Matrix GeForce RTX 2080 Ti GPU
ROG Matrix GeForce RTX 2080 Ti is a GPU based on the NVIDIA’s fastest consumer GPU to date, but with a 2 years-in-the-making, first completely self-contained liquid cooler for graphics cards. It packs fans, radiator, pump, and all required plumbing into just three slots, so you there’s no need for external radiator or custom loop. It looks like it will glow too! The first shipments of the ROG Matrix GeForce RTX 2080 Ti is expected to happen sometime in February, but pricing remains TBC.
ASUS ROG Zenith Extreme Alpha and Rampage VI Extreme Omega
ROG Zenith Extreme Alpha and Rampage VI Extreme Omega are identical EATX motherboards board, but based on AMD X399 and Intel X299 platforms. Key features include PCIe slots for multi-GPU configs, NVMe slots for SSD RAID arrays, integrated heat sinks for no less than 3 M.2 SSDs, support for up to 128 GB RAM across eight slots, LiveDash OLED display, exquisite aluminum armor, Node connector for external devices, and loads of I/Os. And oh, it is lighted too. Like, obviously, right? ROG Zenith Extreme Alpha and Rampage VI Extreme Omega will hit the market starting Q1 2019, but as for the pricing, it is remains to be confirmed.
ASUS ROG Strix Carry Mouse
ROG Strix Carry Mouse is a diminutive mouse designed for mobile use that weighs in at mere 120g, but with features you found on full-size gaming mouse, including Pixart sensor, DPI switch for on-the-fly sensitivity change, swappable Omron switches, support both 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth LE, and over 200 hours of run time from a pair of AA batteries. Availability and pricing are not known at this point.
ASUS ROG Strix CTRL Gaming Keyboard
ROG Strix CTRL is a gaming keyboard with full size layout but in a compact frame and it features an enlarge and stabilized left CTRL key, Cherry MX RGB switch, media shortcuts on function row, and a new feature for F12 known as Stealth that, when pressed, automatically mutes audio and hides open applications. Availability and pricing are not known at this point.
ASUS ROG Gaming Keycap Set
ROG Gaming Keycap Set lets you swap out the stock keycaps with a set of silver WASD keycaps that not enhances the aesthetic of your keyboard but also adds practical functionality. It replaces the QWERASD keys with textured caps, so you’d be able to find them without looking and the grainy surface offers extra grip that will minimize the chance of your fingers slipping off the keys. The set also replaces the Esc key with a super sleek aluminum housing key with a diamond-cut ROG eye. Compatible with standard Cherry MX switches. Coming to you next month, in February.
ASUS ROG PINK LTD
ROG PINK LTD is a series of gaming peripherals that is, well, splashed in pink. With the ROG PINK LTD, ASUS brings warm pink and cool grey to the predominantly black finish gaming hardware. This limited edition colorway is available on special versions of the ROG Strix Flare Keyboard, ROG Strix Fusion 300 headset, ROG Gladius II Origin mouse, and ROG Stealth desk mate. ROG PINK LTD line of peripherals is slated to hit the market in March with prices to be advised.
All images courtesy of ASUS.
