This ridiculous laptop is the portable Batman command center you've always dreamed of
There's only one thing I can always consistently look forward to at CES: Razer's crazy concept devices. This year's no different.
At CES 2017, the gaming brand announced Project Valerie, the world's first laptop with three built-in 4K displays that automatically deploy and retract into a "compact" 12-pound notebook design.
It's absolutely nuts.
Why the hell would anyone want such a monstrosity? Its 1.5-inch thick aluminum design and hefty weight alone defeats all portability. For Razer, that's the wrong question. The right question is, why the hell not?
In building Project Valerie, the company sought to build the most minimal, most organized triple-screen computer available for the power user -- whether that's a hardcore gamer who wants to have more pixels for widescreen gaming or the workaholic who needs more real estate for charts and spreadsheets and feeds.
In total, the three 17.3-inch IGZO screens with Nvidia G-Sync video technology provide 12K resolution. You won't find an all-in-one laptop with more pixels than Project Valerie.
The computer's based off Razer's flagship Blade Pro laptop. And while the company isn't talking dirty specs (because it's just a concept device), we do know it's powered by a beastly Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 graphics card, which is VR-ready. Going off the Blade Pro, we wouldn't be surprised if we found an Intel Core i7 and up to 32GB of RAM in Project Valerie.
And of course, the concept laptop comes with Razer's Chroma mechanical keyboard, which are configurable to light up in 16.8 million different colors, and support different custom profiles for apps and games. The two extra displays also have under-glow lighting.
"Multi-monitor desktop set-ups are becoming more necessary for professionals, creators, and gamers," says Min-Liang Tan, Razer co-founder and CEO. "For the first time, we’ve engineered a solution that users can take with them. Project Valerie promises all of the functionality of three screens and none of the hassle."
In the past, the gaming brand company has used CES to show off new concepts like the Switchblade, a handheld with adaptable display keys; Project Christine, a modular PC with easily-swappable components (no tools or technical skills required); and Project Fiona, a monster tablet with controller handles, which went to become the Edge Pro. Project Valerie takes the scrappy startup's ridiculous ideas and pushes it into the stratosphere.
Who on earth needs a laptop with three displays? Nobody, really. But after trying out Razer's Project Valerie concept laptop and its triple screen setup, I'm kind of sold on the idea, even if it's absolutely ridiculous.
At first glance, Project Valerie looks really silly. Laptops should be getting thinner and lighter while performance increases, not going in reverse and bulking up into 12-pound behemoths.
It's also important to keep in mind that Project Valerie is only just a concept device, and as such, Razer's not even sure if it'll ever become a final consumer product.
That's not to say it doesn't stand a snowball's chance in hell at being released. In the past, Razer has turned its concept devices (i.e. the Project Fiona concept eventually morphed into the Blade Edge Pro gaming tablet).
Right now, Project Valerie is more of a proof-of-concept. That doesn't make it any less desirable, though.
Raymond Wong is Mashable's Senior Tech Correspondent. He reviews gadgets and tech toys and analyzes the tech industry. Raymond's also a bit of a camera geek, gamer, and fine chocolate lover. Before arriving at Mashable, he was the Deputy Editor of NBC Universal's tech publication DVICE. His writing has appeared on G4TV, BGR, Yahoo and Ubergizmo, to name a few. You can follow Raymond on Twitter @raywongy or Instagram @sourlemons.
