Encounters at CES, the premier global electronics exhibition, often yield surprising connections. PCWorld's Adam Patrick Murray met with Gigabyte's chief executive, Eddie Lin, during the company's exhibit area, where the interview was prearranged for a focused conversation.
Artificial intelligence integration across devices dominated CES 2026, continuing a trend from recent years. Lin enthusiastically promoted Gigabyte's hardware capabilities in this domain, emphasizing the firm's commitment to enhancing gaming through AI advancements. Details on achieving a completely novel user experience remain somewhat vague.
Amid the AI focus, another prominent issue at CES 2026 involves escalating costs driven by surging memory prices. This surge is pushing up expenses for RAM, storage solutions, video cards, and consequently, most laptop and desktop systems.
To address these challenges, Lin introduced the concept of a 'performance matrix,' which evaluates specific component attributes that genuinely boost gaming efficiency. He provided an illustration: comparing 16GB and 32GB RAM configurations revealed just a 1-2% performance variance for gaming purposes.
Lin discussed advancements in motherboard architecture, including rear-mounted connectors to facilitate tidy cable management and aesthetic elements such as wooden finishes. He expressed optimism about OLED technology, predicting that see-through OLED displays could emerge in one to two years, potentially appearing as demonstrators at events like CES 2028.
When questioned about portable gaming devices, Lin acknowledged the growing involvement of Chinese manufacturers in this sector. He stressed the need for unique features, similar to those distinguishing tablets, as the key to standing out in the market.
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With a decade of experience in tech reporting, Michael has covered topics from Apple products to ZTE devices. At PCWorld, he specializes in keyboards, frequently testing new models and customizing mechanical setups or upgrading his workstation during free time. His work has appeared in Android Police, Digital Trends, Wired, Lifehacker, and How-To Geek, including on-site reporting from CES and Mobile World Congress. Residing in Pennsylvania, Michael eagerly anticipates his upcoming kayaking outings.