CRAVE

THE BEST GEAR FROM THIS YEAR'S SUPER TECH SHOW

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Samsung ViewFinity S9

$TBC From www.samsung.com

Apple's Studio Display is an excellent monitor, but Samsung reckons it can do better with its ViewFinity S9. Right from the off, it's clear that Samsung is aiming squarely at Apple.

The ViewFinity comes with a 27-inch 5K panel that hits 99% of the P3 gamut. There's a built-in color calibration tool, a matte coating to ensure optimal viewing, plus DisplayPort, USB-C and Thunderbolt 4 ports. There's also a detachable 4K webcam for pixel-perfect video calls.

Samsung's new monitor gets zero points for design originality (you may have noticed that the S9 looks eerily similar to the Studio Display), but that's probably of little concern when it packs in so many impressive features. We'll have to wait for pricing to see if this alternative is truly competitive with the Studio Display.

Razer Project Carol

$TBC From www.razer.com

Razer's Project Carol takes headrest functionality to an extreme. We've never seen a cushion quite like this.

Project Carol includes both built-in surround sound and haptic feedback, presumably to help make you even more immersed in whatever game you're playing or movie you're watching. Razer says it does this without annoying cables or additional software setup, and the headrest is entirely battery powered.

The haptics are provided by Razer's HyperSense tech, which has been seen before in the company's gaming headsets. It converts audio signals into vibrations, so when you get deafened by an explosion you also feel it vibrating across your skin. Time will tell how comfortable that is!

OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock

$399 From www.owc.com