Skip to main content
TechRadar TechRadar the technology experts
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
RSS
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Phones
    • Popular Phone Brands
      • iPhone
      • Samsung Galaxy
      • Google Pixel
      • Nothing
      • Motorola
      • OnePlus
      • Xiaomi
      • Honor
      • Oppo
      • Huawei
    • Operating Systems
      • Android
      • iOS
    • More from Phones
      • Network Carriers
      • Phone Accessories
      • Phone Reviews
      • Phone Buying Guides
      • Phone Deals
      • Phone News
  • Computing
    • Laptops
      • Chromebooks
      • MacBooks
      • Windows Laptops
      • Gaming Laptops
    • PCs
      • Desktop PCs
      • Macs
      • Gaming PCs
    • Software
      • Windows
      • macOS
    • Components
      • CPUs
      • GPUs
      • Storage
      • Nvidia
      • Intel
    • Internet
      • Websites & Apps
      • Wi-Fi & Broadband
      • Social Media
      • Wordle
    • Security
      • Antivirus
      • Cyber Security
    • Tablets
      • eReaders
      • iPad
    • VR & AR
    • Peripherals
      • Monitors
      • Keyboards
      • Webcams
      • Mice
    • Popular Computing Brands
      • Dell
      • HP
      • Lenovo
      • Acer
    • More from Computing
      • Computing Reviews
      • Computing Buying Guides
      • Computing Deals
      • Computing News
  • AI
    • AI Platforms & Assistants
    • OpenAI
    • ChatGPT
    • Gemini
    • Apple Intelligence
    • Claude
  • TVs
    • TV Insights
      • TV Reviews
      • TV Buying Guides
      • TV Deals
      • TV News
    • More for your TV
      • Home Theatre
      • Soundbars
      • Streaming Devices
      • Projectors
      • Blu-ray
  • Streaming
    • Entertainment
    • Netflix
    • Prime Video
    • Disney+
    • Apple TV+
    • HBO Max
    • Hulu
    • Paramount+
    • How to Watch
  • Fitness
    • Fitness
      • Smartwatches
      • Fitness Trackers
      • Exercise Equipment
      • Fitness Headphones
      • Fitness Apps
      • Smart Rings
    • Watch Brands
      • Apple Watch
      • Fitbit
      • Garmin
      • Google Pixel Watch
      • Samsung Galaxy Watch
    • Wellbeing
      • Sleep
      • Oral Health
    • More from Fitness
      • Fitness News
      • Fitness Reviews
      • Fitness Buying Guides
      • Fitness Deals
  • Audio
    • Headphones
      • Earbuds & AirPods
      • Wireless Headphones
    • Speakers
      • Wireless Speakers
      • Sonos
    • Hi-Fi
      • Turntables
      • Portable Players
      • DACs
    • Audio Streaming
      • Spotify
      • Apple Music
    • More from Audio
      • Audio News
      • Audio Reviews
      • Audio Buying Guides
      • Audio Deals
  • VPN
    • VPN Services
    • VPN Security
    • ExpressVPN
    • NordVPN
  • Cameras
    • Camera Types
      • Mirrorless
      • DSLRs
      • Compact
      • Action
      • Video
      • Drones
      • 360 Cameras
      • Dash Cams
    • Camera Brands
      • Canon
      • DJI
      • Fujifilm
      • Nikon
      • GoPro
      • Insta360
    • More from Cameras
      • Camera Accessories
      • Camera Lenses
      • Camera Reviews
      • Camera Buying Guides
      • Camera Deals
      • Camera News
      • Photography
  • Home
    • Smart Home
      • Home Security
      • Smart Speakers
      • Smart Lights
      • Smart Scales
      • Smart Thermostats
      • Amazon Echo
    • Small Appliances
      • Air Fryers
      • Air Quality
      • Coffee Machines
      • Hair Care
      • Vacuums
      • Robot Vacuums
    • Home Brands
      • Dyson
      • Philips Hue
      • Ring
      • Shark
      • Ninja
    • More from Home
      • Home Reviews
      • Home Buying Guides
      • Home Deals
      • Home News
  • EVs
  • Browse
    • By Type
      • News
      • Best
      • Reviews
      • Deals
      • Versus
      • How To
      • Opinion
      • Coupons
    • Popular Brands
      • Samsung
      • Sony
      • Microsoft
      • Apple
Tech Radar Pro Tech Radar Gaming
  • Phones
    • View Phones
      • iPhone
      • Samsung Galaxy
      • Google Pixel
      • Nothing
      • Motorola
      • OnePlus
      • Xiaomi
      • Honor
      • Oppo
      • Huawei
      • Android
      • iOS
      • Network Carriers
      • Phone Accessories
      • Phone Reviews
      • Phone Buying Guides
      • Phone Deals
      • Phone News
  • Computing
    • View Computing
    • Laptops
      • View Laptops
      • Chromebooks
      • MacBooks
      • Windows Laptops
      • Gaming Laptops
      • Desktop PCs
      • Macs
      • Gaming PCs
    • Software
      • View Software
      • Windows
      • macOS
    • Components
      • View Components
      • CPUs
      • GPUs
      • Storage
      • Nvidia
      • Intel
    • Internet
      • View Internet
      • Websites & Apps
      • Wi-Fi & Broadband
      • Social Media
      • Wordle
    • Security
      • View Security
      • Antivirus
      • Cyber Security
    • Tablets
      • View Tablets
      • eReaders
      • iPad
    • VR & AR
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Monitors
      • Keyboards
      • Webcams
      • Mice
      • Dell
      • HP
      • Lenovo
      • Acer
      • Computing Reviews
      • Computing Buying Guides
      • Computing Deals
      • Computing News
  • AI
    • View AI
    • AI Platforms & Assistants
    • OpenAI
    • ChatGPT
    • Gemini
    • Apple Intelligence
    • Claude
  • TVs
    • View TVs
      • TV Reviews
      • TV Buying Guides
      • TV Deals
      • TV News
      • Home Theatre
      • Soundbars
      • Streaming Devices
      • Projectors
      • Blu-ray
  • Streaming
    • View Streaming
    • Entertainment
    • Netflix
    • Prime Video
    • Disney+
    • Apple TV+
    • HBO Max
    • Hulu
    • Paramount+
    • How to Watch
  • Fitness
    • View Fitness
      • Smartwatches
      • Fitness Trackers
      • Exercise Equipment
      • Fitness Headphones
      • Fitness Apps
      • Smart Rings
      • Apple Watch
      • Fitbit
      • Garmin
      • Google Pixel Watch
      • Samsung Galaxy Watch
      • Sleep
      • Oral Health
      • Fitness News
      • Fitness Reviews
      • Fitness Buying Guides
      • Fitness Deals
  • Audio
    • View Audio
    • Headphones
      • View Headphones
      • Earbuds & AirPods
      • Wireless Headphones
    • Speakers
      • View Speakers
      • Wireless Speakers
      • Sonos
    • Hi-Fi
      • View Hi-Fi
      • Turntables
      • Portable Players
      • DACs
    • Audio Streaming
      • View Audio Streaming
      • Spotify
      • Apple Music
      • Audio News
      • Audio Reviews
      • Audio Buying Guides
      • Audio Deals
  • VPN
    • View VPN
    • VPN Services
    • VPN Security
    • ExpressVPN
    • NordVPN
  • Cameras
    • View Cameras
      • Mirrorless
      • DSLRs
      • Compact
      • Action
      • Video
      • Drones
      • 360 Cameras
      • Dash Cams
      • Canon
      • DJI
      • Fujifilm
      • Nikon
      • GoPro
      • Insta360
      • Camera Accessories
      • Camera Lenses
      • Camera Reviews
      • Camera Buying Guides
      • Camera Deals
      • Camera News
      • Photography
  • Home
    • View Home
    • Smart Home
      • View Smart Home
      • Home Security
      • Smart Speakers
      • Smart Lights
      • Smart Scales
      • Smart Thermostats
      • Amazon Echo
    • Small Appliances
      • View Small Appliances
      • Air Fryers
      • Air Quality
      • Coffee Machines
      • Hair Care
      • Vacuums
      • Robot Vacuums
      • Dyson
      • Philips Hue
      • Ring
      • Shark
      • Ninja
      • Home Reviews
      • Home Buying Guides
      • Home Deals
      • Home News
  • EVs
  • Browse
    • View Browse
      • News
      • Best
      • Reviews
      • Deals
      • Versus
      • How To
      • Opinion
      • Coupons
      • Samsung
      • Sony
      • Microsoft
      • Apple
Tech Radar Pro Tech Radar Gaming
Trending
  • Best VPN
  • Back to school
  • Best laptop
  • ChatGPT
  • Nintendo Switch 2
  • NYT Wordle today
  • Best web hosting
Don't miss these
The Lenovo Legion Pro 7 gaming laptop on display at Gamescom 2025.
Gaming Laptops Best gaming laptops of Gamescom 2025 - top picks from MSI, Samsung and more
Prime Day PC Deals
Pro I've shortlisted a lucky 13 PCs from Amazon Prime Day offers: grab yourself a PC from as little as $108 before stocks run low
The Mac mini, one of the best computers, against a blue techradar background
Desktop PCs The best computer 2025
Home theater with projection screen showing Kaleidescape interface
Home Theater Welcome to TechRadar’s Home Theater Week 2025
Corsair ONE i600
Pro This is probably the most beautiful workstation PC you will see in 2025
A triptych image featuring will.i.am holding the LG xboom Grab, the Samsung QN90F and the MSI Vector A18 HX A9W.
Tech 5 sensational tech reviews of the week: Samsung's blazing bright, glare-free TV and MSI's desktop-defeating gaming laptop
Colourful Smart 900 mini PC
Pro 12th mini workstation PC with AMD's flagship AI CPU announced - but I don't understand why Dell, Asus, and MSI haven't released one yet
Beelink EQi13 Pro
Pro It's 2025 and this bargain-priced mini PC still uses USB 2.0 ports - and foolishly doesn't label them as such
Colorful SMART 900 AI Mini PC
Pro No, Dell didn't launch an Alienware mini PC - but this Ryzen AI Max+ 395-powered PC looks a lot like one and it can even read SD 4.0 cards
Geekom Mini PC AX8 Pro Review
Pro Best mini PC of 2025
Beelink mini PC manufacturing
Pro Nearly 2 million people watched this spellbinding video of a mini PC being built from a slab of aluminium to a complete computer
A Nintendo Switch 2 next to hands holding the Sigma BF and a B&O Bluetooth speaker sitting on a table
Tech The best tech of 2025 so far – the 17 finest gadgets we've tested this year
Abee AI Station
Pro Chinese vendor launches liquid-cooled mini PC powered by AMD's most powerful AI processor, with a built-in 400W PSU
The Apple Mac Mini, top pick for best business computer, against a two tone background
Pro Best business computers 2025: Expert picks for professionals
MINISFORUM 790S7 Mini Gaming PC on a blue background next to a TechRadar badge reading 'Big Savings'
Pro A challenge for creators and gamers - can anyone beat this PC deal that's still going for under $900? I covered Prime Day and nothing comes close
  1. Tech Events

The 5 coolest desktops at IFA 2018

News
By Bill Thomas published 31 August 2018

Big power gets play in Berlin

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

Introduction

Introduction

At IFA 2018, we’ve seen all kinds of bizarre and amazing pieces of technology shown off to prospective consumers – everything from new smartphones, 8K televisions to smart dishwashers. But, what we’re interested in here is the amazing new desktop PCs shown off by Acer and Lenovo. The best gaming PCs are about to get a lot more interesting.

We can’t wait to get our hands on the PCs that will be running all the best PC games of 2019 and beyond, and we got a sneak peek this week. 

So, with all the hype around the Nvidia RTX 2080, we thought it’d be a great time to take a look at some of the desktops that are going to be featuring all the new PC components. From compact PCs that’ll feel at home in your living room to massive workstations with multiple CPUs, let’s dive in. 

  • IFA 2018 is Europe's biggest tech show. The TechRadar team is in Berlin to bring you all the breaking news and hands-on first impressions of new phones, watches and other tech as they're announced.  
Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
1. Lenovo Legion C730

1. Lenovo Legion C730

We’re going to start things off small here – literally. The Lenovo Legion C730 is a small form-factor gaming PC that you’ll be able to put next to your TV without having it stick out too much. It does have a pretty gamer-y aesthetic, but it looks slick enough.

What’s more interesting is the horsepower that Lenovo shoved inside this thing. Sure, you can just configure this thing with a simple Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060, but where it’s really going to shine is in its maximum configuration, with Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 or 2080  graphics – you can have ray tracing in your living room.

We’re going to get our hands on this bite sized PC this November, and the refresh will start off at €1,999 (about $2,330, £1,790, AU$3,200) for the RTX 2070 configuration and €2,699 (about $3,140, £2,420, AU$4,330) for the higher-end RTX 2080 configuration. When you consider the 8th-gen processors and copious amounts of RAM, we think that’s a pretty good price.

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
2. Acer Predator Orion

2. Acer Predator Orion

At IFA 2018, Acer announced a refresh for its entire Predator Orion lineup. The Acer Predator Orion 3000, 5000 and 9000 are all getting updated with the latest high-end parts. The 9000, especially, is going to be capable of some insane performance – you can kit it out with dual Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti graphics cards, 128GB of RAM and an Intel Core i9 processor. This configuration will absolutely destroy your wallet, but hey, we won’t judge.

Acer will be keeping all of this high end hardware cool with its own IceTunnel 2.0 cooling solution, which combines liquid cooling and air cooling which drives heat away from the center of the case. Good thing, too, because this desktop stands to get toasty.

The lesser two configurations are nothing to shake a stick at either, though. No matter what you decide to go for, the Acer Predator Orion is going to be able to cover all of your gaming bases for a very long time. We don’t know what the pricing looks like for these Orion desktops, but we put our money on them being quite expensive.

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
3. Lenovo Legion T730

3. Lenovo Legion T730

Back at E3 2018, Lenovo hinted that its refreshed Legion desktops would contain the next generation of Nvidia graphics. What we didn’t know, was that it’d be among the first gaming PCs to feature these RTX-enabled cards. 

Not only does this desktop look cool as heck, but it’s going to be able to pack a ton of power at a pretty reasonable price. The pricing is similar to the Lenovo Legion C730 included earlier in this list: it’ll start at €1,999 (about $2,330, £1,790, AU$3,200) for the RTX 2070 configuration, with the 2080 option coming in at €2,699 (about $3,140, £2,420, AU$4,330).

The Lenovo Legion T730, apart from the graphics cards, will be available with up to 32GB of RAM, an Intel Core i7-8700K and a 512GB SSD with dual 2TB HDDs. It’ll launch in November 2018.

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
4. Acer Predator X

4. Acer Predator X

After IFA 2018, no one will be able to utter the word ‘excess’ without thinking of the Acer Predator X. This thing isn’t content with just having a typical high-end setup. No, the Acer Predator X is going to have two processors. Not just any processor either, these are full on server or workstation Intel Xeon chips – this goes far beyond just gaming.

Regardless of what Xeon chips are included here, it’s going to generate a ton of heat, which is probably why Acer’s IceTunnel 2.0 system will be included here. Acer hasn’t finalized the configurations, but it’s pretty much impossible to think of a single situation where the Predator X won’t cost a fortune – and that’s not to mention what your power bill will look like.  

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
5. Acer Predator Thronos

5. Acer Predator Thronos

The Acer Predator Thronos isn’t technically a desktop, but more like a crazy gaming throne that not only will contain your desktop, but up to three of the best gaming monitors. We felt the need to include this insane gaming bubble on this list because it fits the bill of insane PC gaming. 

Not only is it a gaming chair, with room for all your tech, but it's completely motorized, with a roof, footrests and even a cup holder. If you’re a serious gamer with deep pockets, you’re going to want to check the Acer Predator Thronos out. 

As is the trend that you’ve likely noticed with the other Acer products on this list, we have no idea how much this thing is going to cost or when (if?) this chair will make it to market. However, chances are that it’s not going to be cheap – but isn’t it worth it to have your own private gaming bubble that kind of looks like it can roll around?

Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
TOPICS
Acer Lenovo
Bill Thomas
Bill Thomas
Social Links Navigation

Bill Thomas (Twitter) is TechRadar's computing editor. They are fat, queer and extremely online. Computers are the devil, but they just happen to be a satanist. If you need to know anything about computing components, PC gaming or the best laptop on the market, don't be afraid to drop them a line on Twitter or through email.

Read more
The Lenovo Legion Pro 7 gaming laptop on display at Gamescom 2025.
Best gaming laptops of Gamescom 2025 - top picks from MSI, Samsung and more
Prime Day PC Deals
I've shortlisted a lucky 13 PCs from Amazon Prime Day offers: grab yourself a PC from as little as $108 before stocks run low
The Mac mini, one of the best computers, against a blue techradar background
The best computer 2025
Home theater with projection screen showing Kaleidescape interface
Welcome to TechRadar’s Home Theater Week 2025
Corsair ONE i600
This is probably the most beautiful workstation PC you will see in 2025
A triptych image featuring will.i.am holding the LG xboom Grab, the Samsung QN90F and the MSI Vector A18 HX A9W.
5 sensational tech reviews of the week: Samsung's blazing bright, glare-free TV and MSI's desktop-defeating gaming laptop
Latest in Tech Events
A gold-outlined diamond with the words 'TechRadar Choice Awards 2025' floats above a deep blue background with gold lines running through it
The deadline for nominations for the TechRadar Choice Awards 2025 has been extended – don't miss out on helping your favorite tech to win!
A mockup of iOS 26 on a phone next to the Apple WWDC 2025 logo and a woman wearing AirPods
WWDC 2025 as it happened: all the iOS 26, MacOS Tahoe, and iPadOS news, with live video from Apple Park
A cartoon character generated by Google Veo 3, next to a phone showing Gemini Live, next to a woman using Google's Virtual Try On feature
12 super-useful new tools from Google I/O 2025 you can actually try right now
The best tech of MWC 2025 examples, including the Nothing Phone 3a Pro, the Nubia Flip 2, and the Lenovo Solar PC
MWC 2025: catch up on all the innovative, smart and strange consumer tech we saw
A hand holding an iPad, an iPhone SE sitting on a table, and a MacBook sitting on a red cushion
Apple event rumors – here’s when we could see the iPhone SE 4, MacBook Air M4 and more
A delegate enjoying the experience of ISE
Discover the future of tech in beautiful Barcelona
Latest in News
Apple CarPlay Ultra ADAS
Don’t have a pile of cash? Don’t worry: you may soon be able to get an affordable car with Apple CarPlay Ultra
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) REVIEW
Apple just declared three MacBooks are now obsolete – here’s what that means and why you need to upgrade more than ever
IPVanish VPN running on a Macbook Pro
IPVanish lets you bring your browsing to the cloud, directly from its desktop apps
An L-mount alongside the rear of an L-mount lens, with graphic merging the two together
Praise be – Viltrox joins L-mount, bringing its incredible cheap lenses to Leica, Panasonic, Sigma cameras and more
A padlock icon next to a person working on a laptop.
Hackers are using fake Zoom or Microsoft Teams invites to spy on all your workplace activity
Professor Flitwick holds a speaker up to his mouth
HBO’s Harry Potter TV show reveals Warwick Davis return as Professor Flitwick, and I no longer get why we’re bothering
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. 1
    'Cronos: The New Dawn is a bit about togetherness and humanity' – Lead Writer Grzegorz Like on the themes underpinning Bloober Team’s latest foray into horror
  2. 2
    Don’t have a pile of cash? Don’t worry: you may soon be able to get an affordable car with Apple CarPlay Ultra
  3. 3
    Considering a camera for your Nintendo Switch 2? You might want to think again
  4. 4
    I reviewed Nanoleaf's first rope light, and there are 4 good reasons to skip it – fortunately, I’ve got the perfect alternative
  5. 5
    This Eizo 4K creative monitor has something that no other rival offers - an unmatched 5-year limited warranty

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.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...