Jun 04
Jun 03
Gigabyte shows four prototype BRIX mini PCs, including models with projectors and wireless charging
Posted in: Today's Chili
Gigabyte said that we’d have at least a few BRIX mini PCs to choose from. At Computex, however, it’s showing four new prototypes that could lead to a much larger catalog. Two of them are run-of-the-mill designs with AMD Kabini and Intel Haswell processors — nice enough, but more evolution than revolution. The other two are decidedly more exotic, though. One includes a wireless charging pad to charge a smartphone in a pinch, while the other carries a pico projector for on-the-spot presentations. Although Gigabyte hasn’t mentioned whether or not these BRIX models will reach production, we’d wager that the conservative systems are more likely to reach our desks.
Filed under: Desktops, AMD, Intel
Source: Engadget Chinese (translated)
Jun 03
On the eve of this year’s Computex international computer and technology fair, ASUS announced two desktop PCs with an optional component that can save both themselves and other gadgets. Both the upcoming G10 and M51 computers will support the ASUS Power Pack, an optional 6,000 mAh external battery pack that doubles as the computers’ UPS.
The Power Pack is the black device jutting out of the G10′s expansion bay in the image above. You can take the entire thing out and use it to charge mobile devices on the go via its 2 USB ports, then dock it back to recharge it. But as I mentioned above, while it’s docked it also pulls double duty as an uninterruptible power supply or a UPS. When power to the G10 or M51 is cut off, the Power Pack can keep those two desktop PCs alive for up to 30 minutes. That’s more than enough to save your files and shut down the PCs. Here’s a video from Engadget’s Zach Honig:
You can read ASUS’ press release to find out a bit more about both PCs. But I bet some of you are already busy thinking of ways to hack an external battery to your PCs.
[via Engadget]
Jun 03
ASUS‘ Computex 2013 appearance hasn’t all been flashy tablets and glass-clad ultrabooks; the company also had a new tower PC, though even with the G10 it couldn’t resist a little flourish or two. The seriously-styled tower not only accommodates Intel’s 4th-gen Haswell processors but a battery backup system, which can serve as a temporary uninterrupted power supply (UPS) just in case your electricity goes out while you’re in the midst of crunching some important data.
ASUS claims the UPS will run for at least twenty seconds, though it all depends on load; it could in fact run for longer. That should be enough to iron out any momentary glitches in the power supply, though it doesn’t really give much time to save everything and safely shut down as you would with a traditional UPS.
As for the more typical components, there’s 8GB of RAM and a combination of 1TB of traditional HDD storage with a 128GB SSD for the more commonly-requested files. Graphics are courtesy of NVIDIA’s GeForce GTX 650, which can output via HDMI, DVI-D, or VGA. Other connectivity includes the usual clutch of USB 3.0 and USB 2.0, and there’s a DVD burner and a multi-format memory card reader up front.
To go with the Desktop PC G10, ASUS has a new display, too. The PA279Q was actually pushed out into the wild a couple of days ago, complete with a 27-inch, 2560 x 1,440 WQHD AH-IPS panel and 178-degree viewing angles. ASUS sets it up at the factory for 99-percent of the Adobe Wide Gamut RGB colors, as well as 100-percent of sRGB.
Brightness is 350cd/m2, and there’s a monitor hood supplied in the box for those moments when you really need to see colors accurately. Connectivity includes DisplayPort, HDMI, and dual-link DVI-D, with support for two inputs active and on-screen simultaneously (either picture-in-picture or split-screen), along with daisy-chaining DisplayPort across up to three panels. An SD card reader and 6-port USB 3.0 hub round of the main specs.
No word on pricing for either the G10 PC or the PA279Q display, though ASUS says the computer will go on sale sometime in the second half of this year.
ASUS Desktop PC G10 hides integrated UPS for power protection is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Jun 03
Lest you think ASUS‘ Computex 2013 range is all tablets and glossy ultrabooks, never fear: the company also has some new desktop PCs, kicking off with the Mac mini-rivaling VivoPC and its matching hybrid VivoMouse controller. Angling for a spot under your TV, the ASUS VivoPC is a compact Windows-powered media center, while the VivoMouse tries to take on the duties of a mouse, a touchpad, and a remote control all in one.
ASUS hasn’t fully detailed the VivoPC’s specifications yet, though an Intel processor inside seems more than likely. It’s also been designed with upgrade potential in mind, not something you could normally say about a SFF computer of this scale: lift off the lid, and you can pull out the hard-drive and RAM for replacement. There’s a standard SATA 6GB/s connector inside.
Connectivity, meanwhile, includes WiFi a/b/g/n/ac, an SD card reader, two USB 3.0 ports, four USB 2.0 ports, and HDMI. There’s also an optical digital audio output, a legacy VGA port, wired ethernet, and audio in/out. ASUS is pretty keen on its use of SonicMaster audio, too, and is positioning the VivoPC as an ideal hub for squirting music and video wirelessly around the home.
The whole thing stands 56mm tall, and ASUS says it takes up less of a footprint than an A4 sheet of paper (that’s under 8.3 x 11.7 inches).
ASUS VivoPC:
You’ll need something to control all that from your couch, of course, and that’s where the ASUS VivoMouse waddles in. The round-faced peripheral slaps a touchpad on top of a standard mouse, which means you can fondle and stroke it around the screen as well as use Windows 8 gestures.
There’s also remote control functionality, for playing/pausing and skipping through content you’re watching on the media center. It’s wireless, of course, though like the VivoPC there’s no word on how much it will cost when it reaches store shelves in Q3 2013.
ASUS VivoMouse:
ASUS VivoPC and VivoMouse make a high-design play for your living room is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Jun 01
Origin PC makes a point of embracing game-friendly technology as soon as it arrives, and you’d better believe it’s welcoming Haswell-based processors with open arms: virtually all of its computer line is making the jump to the faster Intel hardware. The raw CPU power is the main highlight for the Chronos, Genesis and Millennium desktops, while those buying the larger EON15-S and EON17-S laptops get a few additional treats. Origin PC is adopting NVIDIA’s GeForce GTX 765M, 770M and 780M graphics for the portables’ mainstream editions. It’s also letting the truly storage-addicted run two simultaneous RAID configurations if their laptop has four drives. The Haswell upgrades bump EON15S-S and EON17-S prices by about two Benjamins to $1,722 and $1,784 respectively, but players who just have to stay current can pay the premium today.
Filed under: Desktops, Gaming, Laptops, NVIDIA
Source: Origin PC
Jun 01
Today the Intel 4th Generation processor wave begins to creep up once again with ASUS letting it be known that they’ve got three machines that’ll run this “Haswell” generation initially. The first of these is a single black and standard-looking M51 desktop PC – standard looking on the outside, that is – inside it’s got a bit more of a punch. Then there’s the ET2301 and ET2702, slim form-factor all-in-one PCs as well.
The stark black floor-standing desktop PC you see before you is the ASUS M51, working with a matte finish combined with a textured fascia that makes for a fingerprint-less appearance. Up top is an ASUS Wireless Charger tray so your Qi-standard wireless charging smartphones (like the Nexus 4 or any of various Nokia Lumia devices) can charge with ease.
Inside is an ASUS Universal Storage Module using an industry-standard interface up in a front drive bay – USM compatible portable hard drives can be swapped in and out with native SATA connections. Inside is also ASUS Smart Cooling system working with automatic fan speed control – not unlike that which we’ve seen recently in NVIDIA’s 700-series graphics card releases. This machine is ready to roll with either NVIDIA or AMD discrete 3D graphics as well as ASUS SonicMaster audio technology.
The ET2301 and ET2702 work with 23-inch and 27-inch widescreen displays, the larger working with 10-point multi-touch touchscreen technology while the smaller works with 5-point multi-touch. The ASUS ET2702′s 27-inch display works with ultra-high 2560 x 1440 resolution, while the ET2301′s 23-inch display works with Full HD 1920 x 1080. Touchscreen abilities are optional on both of these models.
The ET2702 features the option of Intel Thunderbolt ports and can act as a second screen for your notebook computer. Connecting a notebook with HDMI and USB cables to the ET2702 allows access to display, speakers, and USB peripherals. The ET2301 and the ET2702 work with 178-degree viewing angles as well.
Both all-in-one models work with ASUS SonicMaster technology as the M51 does, while they’re both also available with an optional desktop subwoofer for bass performance as well. And of course, most important of all, each of these models will be available with 4th generation Intel Core processors. Pricing and release dates have not yet been made public.
ASUS Haswell launch begins with all-in-ones and an M51 is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Jun 01
This week the folks at Double Fine have announced that they are – once again – taking to Kickstarter to fund an upcoming gaming venture. This time around, it’s a game by the name of Massive Chalice, and they’re pushing forth a world in which turn-based tactics meet “feudal fantasy”, making what they call a “lovechild” of the two elements – this game will eventually be appearing on Windows, Mac, and Linux machines.
Once this game is under way, it’ll be powered by Double Fine’s in-house 3D Buddha Engine. This means that once they’ve raised the cash they need to move forward – and by the looks of it, it wont be long – Double Fine will have a big opportunity to once again make an in-house hit. Nothing like inspiring people to buy your game with funding project they put their own cash into.
ABOVE: A conceptual map made for “Massive Chalice” in pre-production.
The game is, as the folks at Double Fine say, inspired by games such as Final Fantasy Tactics and X-COM – this along with the game Fire Emblem rounding out some classic turn-based tactical strategy games that they intent Massive Chalice to join. This place in the gaming universe is one that’s long-lasting: playing games from many years ago that were made in this genre continue to be a challenge, the best of them continuing to be cult-classics due to their intricate gameplay.
But why does Double Fine need a Kickstarter to make this game a reality?
“Last year, you Kickstarted Double Fine Adventure, shattering records and bringing video games to the Kickstarter spotlight! Now known as Broken Age, that game is in full production and is already a beautiful and unique experience—but the Broken Age team only represents a third of our multi-game studio.
Double Fine’s goal is for all our teams to remain independent and responsible directly to their players. Kickstarting MASSIVE CHALICE allows us to maintain a pure creative vision, put out updates on our own schedule, respond to feedback without roadblocks, and release it all DRM-free.” – Double Fine
Again, the campaign behind this game is already at $620,447 of its $725,000 USD goal with 26 days left to go, so it’s not as if this Kickstarter wont be a successful one. It’s just a matter of time before the next push begins. Now we’ll see if the creators of Iron Brigade, Psychonauts, and Brutal Legend can create another successful video game title.
Double Fine’s “Massive Chalice” video game campaign gains steam is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
May 31
There’s no question that the Surface RT comes into its own with a keyboard cover; we can’t imagine using the tablet unadorned. Microsoft can’t, either, as it’s launching a promo that gives the covers away. Americans and Canadians who buy the Windows RT slate between now and the end of June can get either the Touch Cover or the Type Cover for free, no matter which color they fancy. Surface Pro customers are out of luck, but it’s hard to dispute the value for prospective Surface RT owners — the deal amounts to at least a $100 discount on the touch PC’s real-world price.
Update: To be clear, this promo has been running in other countries; it’s just now debuting in North America, however.
Filed under: Tablets, Microsoft
Via: CNET
Source: Microsoft Store
May 31
Acer will soon release an Intel Haswell 3GHz, Core-i5-powered all-in-one that cuts Windows out of the PC picture altogether by running Android, according to an un-sourced rumor from CNET. The PC maker has already dipped its toes into the Android AiO waters with the 21.5-inch ARM-powered Smart Display DA220HQL (shown above), but if the rumor pans out, it would mark the first Intel powered AiO we’ve seen from anyone packing Google’s mobile OS. The lack of a license fee to Microsoft means the unit would cost around $400, and thanks to Android’s lower hardware needs, would come with a mere 1GB RAM and 8GB ROM at a minimum. If true — and that’s a huge “if” — it makes some sense considering Acer’s desire to avoid Microsoft’s Windows RT OS at all costs, but we’re not sure how an Android-based tablet with pricier Intel underpinnings would go down with the public.
Source: CNET
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