Hasta La Gadget!

Xi3 Modular Computers have come up with a couple of new machines, and they are the X7A and X3A Modular Computers which were designed from the ground up to function as computers for the post-PC era. Both of these machines were disclosed by the company via a Kickstarter project launched by Xi3 just three days ago, where folks who were interested were able to place pre-orders now for X7A Modular Computers and X3A Modular Computers. Not only that, if you backed up your interest with some much needed money, you will be on the receiving end of the new Xi3 Modular Computer up to a fortnight before prior to general availability, while earning the right to pick up future Xi3 products with an early delivery status.

The X7A Modular Computer targets gamers, engineers and power users with its Xi3 chassis which measures a mere 4.27” x 3.656” x 3.656”, subsisting on just 40 watts of power, while carrying a quad-core 64-bit, x86-based 32nm processor running at up to 3.2GHz underneath the hood accompanied by up to 8GB RAM, a 64GB to 1TB SSD, a trio of display ports, four eSATAp 3.0 ports, four USB 3.0 ports, four USB 2.0 ports, an 1Gb Ethernet port, and three audio ports. I know, crazy, right? [Press Release]

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Automated jigsaw puzzle solver, Dell Vostro 3360, 3460 and 3560,

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak recently touched down in Australia to give a speech at the QUT Business Leaders’ Forum – on the same day the iPhone 5 released in the country, no less. While he was there, Australia’s 9 News reports that he took some time to look to the future and consider the technology we’ll be enjoying in 40 years. It turns out that he’s excited for the AI era to arrive in force, talking about all of the advancements we’ll have made in just a few decades’ time.

“In 40 years we will have computers that are conscious, that have feelings, that have a personality,” Woz said. “A computer is going to be your best friend. You’ll talk to it. It’s going to look at your face and know your expression. It’s going to know your heart and soul better than anything in the world.” While that does sound a little bit creepy, having computers with a personality of their own is also somewhat exciting at the same time. Woz clarifies that some humans might be replaced by machines and that we might have to restructure society as a result, and paints a rather lonely picture for iPhone users of the future.

In 40 years, provided Apple keeps up with the yearly iPhone releases, we’ll be on the iPhone 45. That’s a strange enough though all on its own, but Woz says that “It’s going to know me so good I won’t want you humans.” Whether that’s a good or bad thing is up for debate. The upside to all of this, however, is that it will be keeping technology companies on their toes. Woz says that technology will be progressing so quickly that manufacturers will need to act fast and get in on the ground floor if they want to be responsible for changing the way we use computers and smartphones.

While it’s very exciting to consider where technology will be in 40 years from now, it’s also a bit alarming to think that we’ll eventually be relying on technology even more than we do today. Woz is definitely onto something when he says that artificial intelligence is the next big thing in technology, though. What do you think of all of this? Are computers that have personalities and know us “better than anything in the world” a good thing?

Woz on iPhone in 40 years: “I won’t want you humans” is written by Eric Abent & originally posted on SlashGear.
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Looking to save some coin on your tech purchases? Of course you are! In this round-up, we’ll run down a list of the freshest frugal buys, hand-picked with the help of the folks at Slickdeals. You’ll want to act fast, though, as many of these offerings won’t stick around long.

Still need to make some improvements to a machine you’ve got lying around after last week’s group of component offerings? If so, here’s another handful of discounted tech ready to meet your eager mouse clicks. For those not looking to alter their current setup, a 30-inch HP display gets quite the handsome price reduction as well. Don’t get too comfortable, because these bad boys will be gone before you know it. Head on past the break to get started but just remember to include the requisite rebate forms should you need ’em.

Continue reading Slickdeals’ best in tech for September 17th: 30-inch HP monitor, motherboard combo and SSDs

Filed under: Displays, Misc, Storage

Slickdeals’ best in tech for September 17th: 30-inch HP monitor, motherboard combo and SSDs originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 13:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Atari games redesigned in HTML 5 may bring back a flood of nostalgia, but they leave out a key part of the gaming experience: the classic hardware. Hard Drives Northwest filled that void by gutting a limited number of authentic Atari 2600s and stuffing them with modern PC components. Packing a Core i7 3.4GHz processor, the retro console now boasts 22,857 times more processing power than it did in its heyday, according to Microsoft’s calculations — more than enough oomph to handle the recent remakes. Other internals include 8GB of RAM, a 120GB SSD and a Radeon HD 6570 graphics card with 1GB of video memory. With support for USB 3.0 and 2.0, eSATA, DisplayPort, DVI and HDMI, the system is well stocked on the connectivity front. Finally, the signature of Atari founder Nolan Bushnell acts as the cherry atop the faux wood grain-toting package. While the souped-up machines aren’t up for sale, a pair of them are slated for a giveaway. Glamour shots and the full set of specs await you at the source.

Filed under: Desktops, Gaming

Atari 2600s get PC innards, 22,857 times more processing power originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Sep 2012 18:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Whenever there’s a new video card or processor, Maingear is almost always on the scene with an upgrade — sometimes within seconds of its hardware partners. A plan to use NVIDIA’s new GeForce GTX 650 and 660 graphics chips from day one proves that rule in style, although Maingear is going the distance with some incentives beyond just shiny parts. Along with making the mid-tier GeForce technology an option for every desktop, the PC builder is offering special GTX 650 and 660 versions of its F131 and Potenza gaming rigs that knock as much as $150 off the price. The base prices of $949 for the limited-run Potenza and $1,199 for the F131 keep either system in serious gamer territory and preclude us from calling them tremendous bargains. Nonetheless, it’s difficult to grouse very loudly: it’s not often that a price drop and a hardware upgrade walk hand in hand.

Filed under: Desktops, Gaming

Maingear outfits desktops with GeForce GTX 650 and 660, drops prices to lure us in originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Sep 2012 09:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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