The world of PC gaming is steadily changing, leaving the confines of desks with large computer systems behind. Almost half of PC gamers are playing at locations other than a desk. PC maker, Lenovo, recognizes that this shift is coming at the same time virtual reality technology is set to take off. In response, the company revealed two new gaming systems—the IdeaCentre Y710 Cube and AIO (All-In-One) Y910—at Gamescom this year. Both computers are designed with high portability in mind but don’t sacrifice performance. In fact, they come in versions that can power high-end VR headsets such as the Oculus Rift or HTC Vive, making portable solutions for virtual reality experiences possible.

Lenovo’s Y710 Cube is a small-form system that has a built-in carrying handle, can be hooked up to 4K display, and is the first PC to support Microsoft’s new Xbox Wireless platform, which can support up to 8 wireless devices (such as Xbox One controllers) at once without additional adapters. Meanwhile, the AIO Y910 includes a 27-inch QHD monitor, two 5W Harman Kardon speakers with 7.1-channel Dolby Audio, and a depth-sensing Intel RealSense 3D Camera, so gamers can interact using hand gestures and facial expressions.

Will Fu, director of gaming business at Lenovo’s PC and smart device business group, spoke to [a]listdaily about how the two compact, yet powerful, gaming systems cater to the changing PC gaming audience.

According to Lenovo’s 2015 global research study, based on 1800 respondents in Germany, the US and mainland China, about 47 percent of PC gamers are playing beyond the confines of a desk. About 53 percent still game at a desk, so it’s still the most popular location, but 28 percent prefer to play from the couch. “With almost a third of gamers heading to the living room to game, we felt the IdeaCentre Y710 Cube (that supports up to eight Xbox One controllers simultaneously) was a great alternative to traditional mid-tower gaming PCs for gaming sessions with friends,” Fu said.

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When asked how else the PC gaming audience has changed, Fu responded: “PCs are increasingly relevant today, driven by societal and technological trends including the emergence of video game streaming, virtual reality and augmented reality as a means of enhancing and expanding interactive entertainment. Despite intense competition in PC gaming, we see strong opportunity to innovate in the gaming sector now.

“From the desk to couch, to even in bed, each player has distinct preferences in how and where they game. So we built the IdeaCentre Y710 Cube and IdeaCentre AIO Y910 as unique form factors that save on space for home, yet are portable enough to be carried to the office or a friend’s house. These are great gaming PCs for serious players who want top-of-the-line performance without sacrificing design, space or portability.”

With the emphasis on portability, we asked how the two systems fit in with Lenovo’s high-end gaming notebooks. “The all-in-one portable desktop can form and fit conveniently in places where a bulkier PC can’t,” said Fu. “Built entirely within a 27-inch Quad High Definition (2560×1440) borderless display, it cuts down on the sprawling hardware and cables that clutter traditional towers—without cutting down on game performance. However, having a PC with a streamlined, space-saving chassis can be a huge asset when moving your rig between rooms or transporting it. This need led us to craft many of our newest PCs—including the IdeaCentre Y700, IdeaCentre Y710 Cube with a comfortable carrying handle, IdeaCentre AIO Y910 and IdeaPad Y910—for quick and easy mobility and setup anywhere around the house and beyond.”

How do the systems fit in with Lenovo’s less portable gaming PCs? “We’re committed to providing gamers with the best performance in unique, space-saving form factors,” Fu explained. “Our two new systems also have a distinctive designer look and the capacity to take a player effortlessly from workday to gameplay, all on one device.

“For example, the new easy-to-carry, VR-ready IdeaCentre Y710 Cube PC lets you take your highest settings virtually anywhere, from the living room to the bedroom. The slim, compact, VR-ready IdeaCentre AIO Y910 desktop gives demanding players the most powerful gaming experiences in a size that fits nearly any battle station. Meanwhile, our premium VR-ready IdeaCentre Y900 and Y700 desktops also offer a wide range of choice in a sleek, edgy design for busy gamers who demand hassle-free performance with Windows 10 and powerful Intel processors, but want the option to upgrade in the future.”

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Fu also discussed the significance of having the Y710 be the first gaming PC to support the Xbox Wireless platform. “When we set out to create the IdeaCentre Y710 Cube, we really wanted to push the limits of what people expect a gaming PC to be. One of the biggest opportunities we saw was with console gamers. By leveraging the new Xbox Wireless platform, we offer console gamers the chance to seamlessly transfer from a console gaming experience to high-performance PC gaming experience while keeping console control over their gameplay.”

However, Lenovo isn’t the only one to recognize the changing needs of PC gamers. Other PC makers are “future-proofing” their gaming systems with adapters such as the Alienware Graphics Amplifier and the Razer Core, which both allow full-sized graphics cards such as the powerful Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 to be installed onto compact computers as secondary video cards. When asked whether Lenovo considered a similar direction, Fu said: “In our mission to create the most immersive gaming experiences, we certainly don’t rule out exploring future-proofing features too.”

With Lenovo offering more portable solutions for virtual reality, we asked Fu his thoughts on how the technology would impact PC gaming. “I believe VR has massive potential to make an impact on PC gaming, as gamers continue to seek more real and authentic experiences,” he said. “More developers are beginning to create better looking and more sophisticated games, which is why we’re seeing VR getting off the ground. As a result of this, PC hardware has to get ready for substantive VR gaming too. That’s why Lenovo is working to bring these intense and authentic experiences to gamers with our latest IdeaCentre Y710 Cube and IdeaCentre AIO Y910.

“The biggest challenge VR needs to overcome right now is accessibility. Although a lot of PCs can play today’s top gaming releases, they’re not necessarily able to handle the next generation of VR entertainment. We’re working to change that in partnership with Oculus to design, test, and optimize our top-of-the-line Y series gaming PCs to meet the technical standards Oculus recommends. This helps ensure that gamers can experience VR’s greatest capabilities at the high quality they demand.”