While CES may not have the same connection to gaming that an event like E3 does, there's always been a strong relationship between CES and the games industry, with many major reveals happening there throughout the show's history. It's a place where companies go to debut the next big products to the world, including Alienware, the PC gaming company that just revealed a handheld PC.
Dubbed the Alienware UFO, the handheld PC bears a striking similarity to the Nintendo Switch. It has two detachable controllers on the left and right-hand side, an eight-inch 1200p display in the center, and the same general shape of the Switch, though with a bit sharper outlines conventionally found on pre-built gaming PCs. The handheld features Windows 10 with mouse and keyboard support via the UFO's USB-C port, making it the ultimate on-the-go gaming PC for those that aren't pleased with the likes of Super Mario Odyssey and Breath of the Wild.
Alienware hasn't actually revealed the specs of the UFO, though the system only clocks in at about two pounds, so it's hard to imagine Alienware hiding a 2080 Ti anywhere on the handheld. Still, Alienware is letting users test out Rocket League, F1 2019, and Mortal Kombat 11 at its CES booth, which implies that the system will be able to handle some strenuous games. Of course, it is a prototype, so Alienware likely hasn't finalized the specs yet. Maybe, the company will aim to match the leaked PS5 and Series X specs.
It's interesting to imagine full-on PC games on the go. The smaller display and controllers probably aren't the ideal way for those used to a beefy gaming PC to play games, but it's better than having to lug around a giant laptop just to squeeze in a few rounds of CS:GO. It isn't clear how the console would connect to the internet, though with 5G speeds on the way to major cities, there's a good chance that multiplayer connectivity may not be that big of an issue when the UFO actually releases.
Time will tell if the UFO actually makes it to market, it isn't uncommon for prototype gaming peripherals to disappear completely. However, if it does release, the UFO may be enough to shake up the handheld gaming world, possibly even giving Nintendo a run for its money. However, Alienware's Steam machine did fail, despite some strong support from Gabe Newell, so that may not be the case.
Source: Game Informer