Skip to main content
Tech Radar TechRadar the technology experts
RSS
Asia
flag of Singapore
Singapore
Europe
flag of Danmark
Danmark
flag of Suomi
Suomi
flag of Norge
Norge
flag of Sverige
Sverige
flag of UK
UK
flag of Italia
Italia
flag of Nederland
Nederland
flag of België (Nederlands)
België (Nederlands)
flag of France
France
flag of Deutschland
Deutschland
flag of España
España
North America
flag of US (English)
US (English)
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of México
México
Australasia
flag of Australia
Australia
flag of New Zealand
New Zealand
  • Phones
  • Computing
  • TVs
  • Streaming
  • Health
  • Audio
  • Cameras
  • More
    • Home
    • News
    • Best
    • Reviews
    • Opinion
    • How to
    • Versus
    • Deals
    • Coupons
Tech Radar Pro
Tech Radar Gaming
Trending
  • iPhone 15 Pro Max review
  • iPhone 15 review
  • TechRadar Choice Awards
  • iPhone 15 Pro hands on
  • Apple Watch 9
  • Wordle hints
  • Best VPN

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  1. Computing
  2. Computing Components

5 brilliant modular gadgets that aren't the LG G5

News
By Kane Fulton
published 24 February 2016

All of the mod, none of the cons

Introduction

Introduction

Stealing whatever thunder Google's Project Ara had left, the LG G5 has been grabbing headlines over at MWC 2016 on the back of its modular functionality.

By sliding out a cartridge-like base, the smartphone lets you bolt add-ons to the smartphone - such as a battery grip with physical camera controls and a Hi-Fi audio module.

If like us you've suddenly rediscovered your modular mojo, here are five devices from the world of computing that took a similarly configurable approach. How Lego can you go?

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
1. Mad Catz Cyborg STRIKE 7

1. Mad Catz Cyborg STRIKE 7

Before mechanical keyboards enjoyed their (still ongoing) resurrection, gaming keyboards with LCD screens and more macro buttons than you could shake a stick at were cool. (Logitech's G15 was a personal favourite of mine.)

Taking a similar approach while throwing a dollop of modularity into the mix, the Mad Catz Strike 7 was unveiled in 2012 as a highly customizable gaming keyboard. It was something of a Frankenstein unit, complete with seven removable modules including a top-mounted LCD display, numeric keypad, 24-button macro strip and palm and wrist rests.

Undoubtedly ambitious and sporting RGB-backlit keys long before your gaming accessories lit up like a Christmas tree, the Strike 7 took the "less is more" attitude and reversed it. Gnarly.

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
2. Lenovo ThinkVision X24 Pro

2. Lenovo ThinkVision X24 Pro

Monitors have one main job, which is probably why it took so long for a modular model to arrive. Lenovo's ThinkVision X24 Pro from CES 2016 claims to be more future-proofed than most by allowing you to swap out accessories and adapt it to your needs.

Clipping on a WiGig bar, for example, removes the need for a laptop docking station as the display's contents can be beamed wirelessly onto the X24's display. The monitor can also be configured with a wireless charging stand for juicing up your smartphone by resting it on the base.

Lenovo unveiled the X24 alongside the ThinkCentre TIO II, an all-in-one without a rear-positioned mounting rack that lets you slide in one of Lenovo's Tiny PCs, swapping it out for an updated model once it becomes outdated.

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
3. Acer Revo Build

3. Acer Revo Build

Shown off at IFA 2015, the Acer Revo Build aims to make building a PC as easy as clipping together Lego bricks. The NUC-sized modular PC, which houses the CPU in a 1 litre chassis with a 125 x 125mm footprint, can be extended using "blocks" that attach using a magnetic pin design.

By stacking blocks to add functionality such as wireless charging, graphics, audio or a projector, the Revo Build promises to let anyone upgrade their PC without having to fiddle around with a screwdriver.

Stacked together, a fairly well-configured unit is still much smaller than the average-sized desktop PC, making Acer's mini marvel a suitable option for hooking up to a living room TV for use as a media center.

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
4. Roccat Nyth

4. Roccat Nyth

Gaming mice are surprisingly customisable considering their titchy size. The best gaming mouse out there for MMOs, Roccat's Nyth took the concept of modular side buttons one step further than most. Its 33-button mouse can be popped out with the press of a button and rearranged in any configuration to suit the game you're playing.

Leaving them in, for example, would let you trigger any number of commands or spells with a thumb press; in a first-person shooter, you might only want two buttons for triggering a melee action or zooming in using iron sights. I'd like to see Roccat go one step further and equip the Nyth's successor with customizable weights to make it the most modular mouse around.

  • Rocket Nyth mouse flaunts 3D printable parts
Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
5. Surface Pro 2

5. Surface Pro 2

Microsoft's idea of clipping on alternate keyboard covers for the Surface Pro 2 was a neat one, but it never took off - most likely because the additional cost wasn't worth the limited functionality. The tablet was offered with a DJ cover with pressure-sensitive buttons including 16 programmable pads for triggering instruments and sounds, in addition to sliders for modifying volume and transitions.

Like Surface keyboard covers, it was super thin, which gave it only a marginally more tactile feel than tapping on the tablet's glass display. The concept of swappable keyboard bases has, ahem, re-surfaced with the Surface Book, so Microsoft hasn't completely abandoned the modular approach.

In fact, according to a patent filed by the company last summer, Microsoft has floated the idea of a modular Surface All-in-One PC that features swappable components including a screen, battery, processor memory, storage, speakers, graphics card and networking components.

Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
Kane Fulton
Kane Fulton
Social Links Navigation
Kane has been fascinated by the endless possibilities of computers since first getting his hands on an Amiga 500+ back in 1991. These days he mostly lives in realm of VR, where he's working his way into the world Paddleball rankings in Rec Room.
TOPICS
Lenovo
Acer
More about computing components
A stylized Intel Core processor in a futuristic motherboard

Intel claims its CPUs will match Apple's silicon performance by 2024, but I have my doubts

An RX 7800 XT vs 4070 Ti against a two tone background

7800 XT vs 4070 Ti: how well AMD's latest stack up against Nvidia's powerhouse

Latest
Profile and detail shots of the JBL Quantum 360P wireless gaming headset

JBL Quantum 360P review - a capable but not complete mid-ranger

See more latest ►
Most Popular
McAfee launches new AI-powered tool to fight back against phishing scams

By Chiara CastroSeptember 20, 2023

AWS upgrades its Apple Mac stack for extra cloud power

By Craig HaleSeptember 20, 2023

Uh oh, the new Nintendo Switch trailer for Mortal Kombat 1 showed a Steam achievement

By Demi WilliamsSeptember 20, 2023

You can own a custom Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty GeForce RTX 4090, but you’ll have to win it

By Catherine LewisSeptember 20, 2023

Amazon's big device event 2023 live recap: Alexa goes all ChatGPT, new Echo Show and Hub, Fire TV TV, and more

By Matt BoltonSeptember 20, 2023

iPhone repairers slam Apple for making the iPhone 14 harder to fix

By Darren AllanSeptember 20, 2023

Clorox warns of potential shortages following cyberattack

By Sead FadilpašićSeptember 20, 2023

OWC unveils 64TB mobile storage server — it’s a SSD NAS complete with padded carry case

By Desire AthowSeptember 20, 2023

TransUnion's data stolen in major data breach

By Sead FadilpašićSeptember 20, 2023

1Password brings passkey support to Mobile

By Lewis MaddisonSeptember 20, 2023

DJI Mini 4 Pro gets launch teaser – here’s what we expect to see

By Timothy ColemanSeptember 20, 2023

  1. Apple iPhone 15 Pro on light green background with don't miss text overlay
    1
    Even I'm impressed with Verizon's iPhone 15 Pro deal - here's how to get it for free
  2. 2
    I swapped my LG C2 OLED TV for the LG G3, and it's the best upgrade I've ever made
  3. 3
    6 Netflix crime dramas with 100% on Rotten Tomatoes you need to investigate
  4. 4
    Netflix's new slasher comedy could be this year's surprise horror delight, based on the trailer
  5. 5
    I'm a photographer and will be skipping the iPhone 15 Pro Max – here's why
  1. A still from Netflix's crime drama Little Women
    1
    6 Netflix crime dramas with 100% on Rotten Tomatoes you need to investigate
  2. 2
    Netflix's next big movie is a crime thriller with 98% on Rotten Tomatoes
  3. 3
    The iPhone 15 Pro has a discreet iPhone 14 feature that makes repairs much cheaper
  4. 4
    I tried all 6 new AirPods Pro 2 features and if you don’t update to iOS 17, you’re missing out
  5. 5
    I'm a photographer and will be skipping the iPhone 15 Pro Max – here's why

TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Web notifications
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.