Razer Showcases Project Linda to Merge Smartphone and Laptop, Debuts Wireless HyperFlux Mouse at CES 2018

Razer has unveiled Project Linda and HyperFlux technology at CES 2018. Project Linda is a 13.3-inch laptop design that is powered by the Android-based Razer Phone. It is a smartphone and laptop hybrid concept that aims to merge the Android environment with a laptop. Meanwhile, HyperFlux is a truly wireless mouse technology that gets its power from the mouse pad. This technology includes a mouse and a compatible mouse pad so that users do not have to charge the wireless mouse separately.

In Project Linda, a laptop docks the Razer Phone on its body, in the area where a touchpad is usually placed. It does not dock like Samsung's DeX or require a separate adapter. It connects with the press of a button and instantly transforms Project Linda into an Android laptop. The smartphone's Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 SoC and 8GB RAM ensure responsive performance. Clearly, Razer has an exciting new product in Project Linda. Razer co-founder and CEO Min-Liang Tan, says, "Project Linda combines the best of both worlds, bringing a larger screen and physical keyboard to the Android environment, enhancing the experience for gaming and productivity."

The laptop has a 15mm thin unibody CNC aluminium chassis and weighs under 1.25kg including the docked phone.It sports a 13.3-inch Quad HD touchscreen and comes with a built-in keyboard. The 5.7-inch display on the Razer Phone can be used as a touchpad, or as a second screen to access apps and tools. The laptop keyboard also includes the Razer Chroma backlighting that can be personalised with various colour options.

The concept laptop also features a 53.6Whr internal battery that can charge the docked phone to full capacity over three times, Razer says. Inside the laptop is 200GB of storage. In terms of connectivity, Project Linda features a built-in 3.5-millimetre audio jack, a USB Type-A port, a USB Type-C charging port, 720p webcam, and a dual-array microphone. As of now, it is unclear when Project Linda will hit the market.

As for the HyperFlux, it is similar to the Corsair Dark Core RGB mouse and its Corsair MM1000 Qi Wireless Charging Mouse Pad that was also unveiled at CES 2018 this year. While it doesn't use the Qi charging standard, the Razer's solution uses makes the mouse pad to generate a magnetic field that transfers power directly to the mouse instead of charging a battery. Razer claims that the Razer Mamba HyperFlux mouse and the Razer Firefly HyperFlux mouse pad are the world's first such devices that provide power directly to the mouse, eliminating the need for a battery. Razer CEO Tan says, "While other companies have attempted to do wireless charging for mice, they have been unable to achieve true wireless power as their mice still need a battery to be charged. HyperFlux Wireless Power Technology is a game changer in the world of wireless gaming."

The Razer HyperFlux wireless hardware combo will be made available in Q1 2018, and is priced at $249 (roughly Rs. 15,900). The Razer Mamba HyperFlux mouse has an optical sensor capable of 16,000 DPI, and features Razer Chroma customisable lighting, something that finds its way to the Razer Firefly HyperFlux mouse pad as well.