Hasta La Gadget!

CyberpowerPC has come up with their all new Zeus Mini SFF (small form factor) series of PCs, where there will be eight different pre-built models for you to choose from. As long as you have a budget that suits that particular model, you’re good to go. Depending on the model that you pick, it will cost anywhere from $599 all the way to $1,479, and will pack a choice of either AMD or Intel processing power which should be able to rival any full-size desktop PC.

Choices, choices. Life is full of them, and with the new Zeus Mini SFF PCs, it will be between a choice of three AMD’s Kaveri A-series processor models (Zeus Mini-A), or five different 4th Generation Intel Core processor models (Zeus Mini-I) which will begin from a Core i5-4440 all the way to a blazing fast Core i7-4770K at 3.50GHz. All of the processors in the Zeus Mini series have been mounted to a Mini ITX motherboard that come packed with the latest AMD and Intel chipset, ensuring that you will also be able to enjoy the latest technologies such as 802.11ac Wi-Fi connectivity and PCI Express 3.0 among others. Both of the processor options will include multi-core support and dual-channel DDR3 gaming performance, sporting a minimum of 8GB memory (RAM) which can be further expanded all the way to 16GBs.

Do not be fooled by the relatively small size of the Zeus Mini SFF PC, it is still capable of supporting full-size dual GPU video cards (!) in order to make sure that whatever game you intend to play will be able to be done in full graphical glory. You can choose between the following options – AMD Radeon R7 and R9 series for Zeus Mini-A models, while Intel-featured models will comprise of the Intel HD 4600 GPU or NVIDIA’s GeForce GTX Series graphics with Kepler GPU architecture.

As for storage, fret not – the Zeus Mini would deliver ample storage space from 500GB to 2TB SATA III 7200RPM hard drives, alongside an 8X Slim DVD/RW optical drive that is available on all models. If you’re going to pick up a SFF PC this year to complement your living room entertainment options, the Zeus Mini SFF does make plenty of sense – financially and from a gaming perspective.

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[ CyberpowerPC introduces Zeus Mini SFF series copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

With the release of HP’s next-generation workstations in the HP Z230 Tower and SFF, the company brings a combination of compact bodies and energy efficient constructs to keep them current in today’s business environment. The HP Z230 comes in two main configurations, both of them with a set of possible configurations therein. Both units are being pushed at the same time as a series of Z Displays that’ll compliment their next-generation abilities.

The HP SFF (Small Form Factor) works with a body that’s a full 57% smaller than the Tower that shares its name. You’ve got a single 3.5-inch internal bay here, 1x 2.5-inch bay to keep it company inside, and a single internal/external 3.5-inch bay to boot. And just in case you need another, you’ve also got a single external Half-Height 5.25-inch bay as well. Expansion slots on this machine include 1 PCIe Gen3 x16, 1 PCIe Gen2 x4 slot/x16 connector, 1 PCIe Gen2 x1 slot/x4 connector, and 1 PCIe Gen2 x1 slot, the whole lot of the Low Profile.

With the Tower you’ll get six available drive bays, one of which is a versatile 2.5-inch HD bay for high speed solid state drive integration, along with optional external slim ODD bay. This optional bay allows rather easy installation of SSD Hard Drives for quick-changes and expansion. Expansion on this machine includes 1 PCIe Gen3 x16, 1 PCIe Gen2 x4 slot/x16 connector, 1 PCIe Gen2 x1 slot/x4 connector, 1 PCIe Gen2 x1 slot, and 1 PCI 32-bit.

Both of these devices work with 2x USB 3.0 ports up front alongside at least one USB 2.0 port and a headphone out. The Tower adds a single microphone in and a second USB 2.0 Charging Data Port. Both machines have 2 USB 3.0 ports on their back, 4 USB 2.0, and a variety of Display Ports – they’ve both got 1x USB 3.0 inside, these joined by 3 USB 2.0 ports under the hood as well.

The Tower in this family rings in at 15.7 x 6.7 x 17.4 in (39.93 x 17.04 x 44.25 cm) while the SFF is just 3.95 x 13.3 x 15.0 in (10.5 x 33.83 x 38.15 cm). Both work with Intel’s newest Xeon processor E3-1200 v3 family with choices for either 2D or 3D graphics. These units start at $999 USD for quad-core configurations and are expected to be available worldwide inside August of this year.

HP Z230 Tower and SFF Workstation designed for expansion is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2013, SlashGear. All right reserved.

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

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Source: Engadget Chinese (translated)

There was a surprise waiting alongside Gigabyte’s Windows 8 tablet duo at CES: an exceptionally small desktop. The as yet unnamed mini PC is a minor marvel of engineering that’s much smaller than a Mac mini at an 0.3-liter volume (10 fluid ounces), but still manages to cram in a Core i3, i5 or i7 processor. We’re also looking at up to 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD for heavy duty tasks. Expansion is about the only sacrifice, as there’s just two USB ports, Ethernet and a rather curious choice of two HDMI ports on the pre-production model we saw. Gigabyte didn’t have the system ready to test, but it should ship worldwide in April, with a price to be set later.

Filed under: Desktops

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Source: Engadget Chinese (translated)

Xi3 has been one of the more inventive PC builders in the field, designing its Modular Computers in the belief that small, more upgradable desktops are the way of the future. The company is planning two new systems to further that dream, the X3A and X7A, but it wants our help: it’s running a Kickstarter funding drive until October 28th to assist the development and garner some early adopters. Put down $503 or $603 and you’ll get the entry-level X3A, a dual-core 1.65GHz (likely AMD E-450-based) PC with 4GB of RAM, a 32GB SSD and either Linux or Windows installed; splurge with $1,103 or more and you’ll get the more performance-driven X7A, which jumps to a quad-core chip with a 3.2GHz peak speed, a Windows-loaded 64GB SSD and faster graphics. Assuming Xi3 makes its target, we should see the X3A and X7A arrive in January and February respectively, with Kickstarter supporters beating the larger herd by a week. Even existing owners are accounted for through a Primary I/O Board upgrade, due before the end of this year, that carries more Ethernet and USB 3.0 ports. Crowdfunding is an unusual approach to buying that next PC, without the certainties of shopping at an online store — but we’re also dealing with an unusual PC from the get-go.

Continue reading Xi3 goes the crowdfunding route for future X3A, X7A modular PCs (video)

Filed under: Desktops

Xi3 goes the crowdfunding route for future X3A, X7A modular PCs (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Sep 2012 23:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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