Hasta La Gadget!

We’ve always thought that Xi3’s Modular Computer was a downright brilliant design, but up until now, we’ve had no real understanding of how it would be exploited. Here at CES, the company has answered that very question, and answered it well. The new Z3RO is little more than a dumb terminal, but if you’re considering a second household PC for the most mundane of tasks, it just might be the solution you’re looking for. You’ll need one of the firm’s Modular Computers to start, and from there you can connect up to three Z3RO terminals. Each one is equipped with a VGA port, USB sockets and audio jacks; once it’s connected to the mothership (read: the Modular Computer), each Z3RO taps into its 2.0GHz computer and creates an entirely new instance on whatever monitor it’s connected to. It’s generally meant for small businesses and libraries, but we’re certain the educational world could benefit from the setup as well. It’s expected to hit mass production at the end of March, but we’re told that it’s available today for an undisclosed amount in limited quantities. If you’re interested in doing the math, a single Modular Computer along with three Z3ROs will net you a per-seat price of $350. A shot of the rear awaits you after the break.

Continue reading Xi3’s Z3RO terminal connects with Modular Computer, kills the need for another PC

Xi3’s Z3RO terminal connects with Modular Computer, kills the need for another PC originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 17:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Straighten up and salute the Big Bang Marshal, MSI’s attempt at redefining the term “overkill.” This XL-ATX board packs a total of eight PCI Express lanes (though it only has the bandwidth to simultaneously feed four x16s or eight x8s — relevant if you’re crazy enough to think about using more than four GPUs), three separate BIOS chips, extra 8-pin and 6-pin 12V power intakes, and a thoroughly excessive set of power regulation components. The less extremely minded among you will appreciate having a full array of eight USB 3.0 ports on the back, though we can’t get over the measly four DIMM slots on offer. Word is that features might change before the Marshal goes to market in the first quarter of next year, so let’s hope more room for your RAM sticks is among the tweaks between now and then.

Continue reading MSI reveals mad Sandy Bridge motherboard with eight PCIe slots, eight USB 3.0 ports, and three BIOS chips

MSI reveals mad Sandy Bridge motherboard with eight PCIe slots, eight USB 3.0 ports, and three BIOS chips originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 06:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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“What’s this thing? It looks pretty cool. What pretty icons! Can I touch them? I can, really?” Etc. That basically describes our infantile thought process when we stumbled across the DreamScreen 400 (not to be confused with the DreamScreen photo frame line), a new all-in-one desktop from HP, but suddenly it all became clear: this thing is built for the Indian market, and us chubby Americans will have to keep on dreaming. Still, it’s an interesting thought experiment. HP has long sought to differentiate itself in its Windows-based offerings, and even at times abandoned its first OS love with its Mobile Internet Edition Ubuntu-based netbooks and now its upcoming webOS tablets. The DreamScreen 400, which runs some flavor of Linux with an extensive, touch-friendly HP skin on top, sort of demonstrates an alternate reality where HP decided to pursue Linux in the consumer desktop space — Microsoft be damned. Of course, this is also an actual reality: you should be able to buy this 18.5-inch desktop in India for Rs. 19,999 (about $450) in India right around nowish, and we’ll see where HP takes this software from here.

[Thanks, Chris J.]

Continue reading HP’s DreamScreen 400 is the touchscreen Linux desktop you’ll never own

HP’s DreamScreen 400 is the touchscreen Linux desktop you’ll never own originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Dec 2010 20:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mmm, overclocking. If you’ve been looking to treat yourself this holiday season, there’s hardly a better way than with a shiny new gaming PC. Better still, a shiny new gaming PC with a liquid-chilled processor… one that just so happens to be warrantied with a 4.6GHz clock speed. Digital Storm’s Hailstorm desktop is now available with a so-called Sub-Zero cooling system, which is described as a series of TEC peltier coolers that work in conjunction with other high-end liquid cooling components to keep Intel’s Core i7-980X from boiling over. On the high-end rig, you’ll also get 6GB of DDR3 memory, a trio of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580 (1.5GB) GPUs, a 1200-watt power supply and a bank-breaking $6,903 price tag. Cost-conscious consumers can opt for two lesser systems, with a $4,390 build being equipped with a Core i7-950 and the $3,899 unit creeping by with only a single GTX 460 GPU. But hey, what’s a few grand among friends? Promo vid is after the break.

Continue reading Digital Storm’s liquid-chilled gaming PC includes 4.6GHz Core i7-980X, equally chilling price

Digital Storm’s liquid-chilled gaming PC includes 4.6GHz Core i7-980X, equally chilling price originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Nov 2010 07:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yep, that thing is a computer, and while it probably won’t be your next computer, it’s definitely an interesting one. Made by hardware startup Xi3, the aluminum case (yes, it’s available in more than just that orange mocha frappuccino color) houses three separate boards — one holds the AMD Athlon 64 processor and 2GB of DDR2 RAM, another the power / video card, and the last the input / outputs. As you may have guessed, the 20 watt modular system is meant to be tinkered with, and in addition to those internal boards, it has only two sides, eight screws, and that colorful chassis; the company will sell additional modules on its site. So, how much will that little thing set ya back? Obviously, it’s customizable, but the base model, which includes a 1.8GHz AMD Athlon 64 processor, 2GB of RAM, and 8GB of flash storage rings up at $850. That’s pricey considering it doesn’t include a Windows OS, but Xi3 told us that it’s primarily aiming this thing at the embedded market and cloud computing customers. Still, that doesn’t mean you couldn’t configure it with a larger hard drive, install your OS of choice, and find a home for the little guy on your desk. It’s available now at the source link, but before heading over there you’ll want to check out some pictures of the Xi3’s internals in the gallery below and then journey past the break for the full press release.

Continue reading Xi3 Modular Computer is one cool-looking desktop in a cube

Xi3 Modular Computer is one cool-looking desktop in a cube originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Nov 2010 02:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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