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Computex 2025 just kicked off, and we're on the ground in Taipei with eyes on all the latest gadgets in the computing world. Unsurprisingly, AI is everywhere, with a general theme of leveling up on the gains made in the last year when it comes to processing power, power efficiency, and next-gen NPUs.
Both Nvidia and AMD announced new GPUs, with the GeForce RTX 5060 series and Radeon RX 9060 XT series, respectively, and Intel teased its new "Panther Lake" series of processors, along with some of the first devices to sport the new chips.
Also: The best laptops of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed
But it's not just laptops and computers in the spotlight. We saw some exciting new gaming handhelds, a split keyboard from Asus, and a competitively priced smart ring from Acer that takes aim at the more expensive models -- the first of its kind from the computing giant.
1. Nvidia's new GeForce RTX 5060 GPU
During Nvidia's keynote speech, CEO Jensen Huang had a few announcements: first, that the company will be laying down roots in Taiwan with its new headquarters in Taipei's Beitou Shilin Science Park. But perhaps more relevant for consumers was the release of the GeForce RTX 5060, its latest competitively priced GPU based on Nvidia's Blackwell architecture.
Also: Nvidia's latest coup: All of Taiwan on its software
Asus' TUF A18 -- the first 18-inch model from the durable, affordable gaming lineup -- features the new RTX 5060 paired with an AMD Ryzen 7 260 processor. This makes it one of the more affordable 18-inch gaming laptops out there with this new level of hardware, armed with a 2.5K, 240 Hz display and a user-upgradeable dual PCIe 4.0 SSD for a competitive starting price of $1,599.
At the complete other end of the spectrum is the new Razer Blade 14, the thinnest and lightest Razer Blade yet at 0.62 inches, armed with Nvidia's new GPU, an AMD Ryzen 9 AI 365, and a 3K OLED display. Despite the more premium hardware, Razer's approach is not to make the most powerful gaming laptop on the market but a sleek device for the office that can moonlight as a gaming laptop after hours.
The Razer Blade 14 wasn't on display at Computex, but its announcement was synced with Nvidia's keynote, starting at $2,699.
2. Asus ROG's split keyboard for gamers
We've seen a handful of split and ergonomic keyboards over the past year, but the gaming-focused Asus ROG Falcata keyboard has an interesting proposition for gamers: why not do away with the whole right side of the board when you really just need the W, A, S and D keys?
The new keyboard is completely wireless, features magnetic switches, and, like any split board, can be arranged in the optimal positioning for your hands. The magnetic switches allow for a very satisfying and responsive feel, with Asus claiming a 100-million-keypress lifespan.
Also: This mechanical keyboard I tested works just as well for work as it does for play
The connector cable that joins the two pieces is a little awkward, in my opinion, but I don't see how else it could be engineered without a second Bluetooth connection. The Falcata will be released in summer 2025, although pricing is not yet available.
3. Acer launches a budget-friendly smart ring
One of the biggest problems with smart rings is their cost, both in terms of the device itself and the dreaded subscription fees. Acer is the latest entrant to the smart ring market with a device that addresses both of those issues: a competitive price point around $199 and no subscription.
The titanium smart ring comes in seven sizes in either black or rose gold, has four days of battery life, and delivers the core health metrics you'd find in competitors' devices such as heart rate, blood oxygen levels and, of course, sleep quality, without a whole lot of extra bells and whistles.
Also: The best smart rings: I tested and found an obvious winner
There will always be a market for more premium smart rings, like the Oura Ring 4 or the Ultrahuman Ring Air, but the more accessible end of the spectrum still has a lot of room for devices around the $200 mark. Personally, I'm looking forward to going hands-on with Acer's FreeSense smart ring when it's available in summer 2025.
4. Gaming handhelds level up
MSI announced its Claw 8 AI+ at CES this year and was one of the best gaming handhelds we tested for its outstanding battery life and 8-inch, 120 Hz display powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 258B processor. At Computex, MSI showed off its next-iteration handheld: the Claw A8 with an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor, a massive 80 Wh battery and up to 24 GB of memory -- slightly less than the 32 GB in the Claw 8 AI+.
The new Claw with the AMD chip also foregoes the neutral beige for more traditional gamer-oriented colors, including a lime green that calls to mind the Game Boy Color from the early 2000s.
Also: I tried MSI's Windows PC handheld - now I'm wondering if gaming laptops should even exist
Continuing with the AMD trend, the new Zotac Zone handheld features a Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor and up to 32 GB of memory on a 7-inch, 120 Hz AMOLED display. Interestingly, it also runs on Linux, utilizing what Zotac calls the "One Launcher" for games, settings and platforms in one place.
The handheld is also unique in that it features dual trackpads right below the joysticks and boasts a built-in front-facing camera and mic for streaming or jumping on comms without the need for a headset. This much-anticipated handheld is currently in development, with no release date yet.
5. Intel teases new 'Panther Lake' processors
Nvidia isn't the only company with new hardware, however. Intel is responding to competitors' performance with its own next generation of chips, dubbed "Panther Lake," focused on improving on the strong power efficiency of its Lunar Lake processors.
Intel demoed its new processors at Computex, positioning them as the successor to its previous generation of Lunar Lake chips with a focus on improving power efficiency and performance even further, appearing in consumer devices in very early 2026.
Some of the first laptops to feature Intel's "Panther Lake" line of processors are coming from MSI, which developed a brand-new lineup of consumer productivity devices specifically for Intel's new chips.
Also: The first laptop to earn our Editor's Choice award is $200 off at Best Buy
These new laptops are a new approach for the manufacturer as the thinnest laptops MSI has ever created, sporting 14- and 16-inch OLED displays, a variety of colorways, and a reported 24-hour battery life. AI is, of course, front and center, with MSI telling me they're designed for AI workloads, of which the new Intel chips will bring more power and performance.
So far, MSI is just calling them "next-gen business and productivity laptops," but more details should be forthcoming, and they should be coming to the US in early 2026, with prices in the mid- to upper-mid range.
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