Project Fiona, the prototype portable gaming device that wowed CES attendees last year, is back yet again. This time around, however, it’s being showcased as a real product known as the Razer Edge that can be yours later this quarter for under a grand.
Razer is billing the 10.1-inch, sub 2-pound machine as the world’s first tablet designed exclusively for high-end gaming with a base model and a performance-boosted Pro model in the pipeline. The former will ship with an Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB of system memory, a 64GB solid state drive and a discrete Nvidia GT640M LE GPU.
The Pro edition will come with an Intel Core i7 chip, 8GB of RAM and either a 128GB or 256GB SSD. The GPU will remain the same between the two models, we’re told. Furthermore, both versions will carry a USB 3.0 port, Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity and run a full version of Windows 8. The latter means that games can be run on the system just as they would any other Windows PC without the need for porting or optimizing.
Aside from being a serious gaming tablet in terms of hardware specifications, Razer is also giving gamers multiple options when it comes to how they want to interact with the Edge. There’s tablet mode which is pretty self-explanatory; Keyboard Dock mode which essentially turns the Edge into a notebook so you can use a keyboard and mouse; Gamepad Controller mode which is the configuration you’ve mostly likely seen it in with controls on either side of the tablet and Docking Station mode which effectively turns the Edge into a home console.
Look for the Razer Edge to hit retail sometime this quarter starting at $999 for the base model with no accessories. Pricing for the Pro version with the 128GB SSD is $1,299 while the i7 with a 256GB SSD will set you back $1,449.
