Hasta La Gadget!

Sure, it may not look too different on the outside (save for that Mini DisplayPort jack and copious USB 2.0 slots), but the Mac mini is all… newish. Two variations of the tiny desktop just hit the doorstep here, and we’re going to be putting them into a few use cases to see how much they sweat, but until that goes down, check out the unboxing and hands-on pics below!

Filed under: Desktops

Apple Mac mini (GeForce 9400M) unboxing and hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 10:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’ve already seen this one up close but, if you just can’t get enough of Viliv’s new S5 MID, you can now get a guided tour of the complete unboxing process (including the rare treat of boxes within boxes) courtesy of the folks at UMPC Fever. Of course, they’ve also offered up a few impressions of the device itself as well, and while much is lost in translation, they do seem to be generally impressed with it and, in particular, the array of controls and function keys that complement that haptic-enhanced touchscreen. Head on past the break for the video, and hit up the link below for a closer look.

Continue reading Viliv S5 MID gets unboxed on video

Filed under: Handhelds

Viliv S5 MID gets unboxed on video originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Feb 2009 07:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Razer’s Carcharias headset is yet another audio-related diversion for the input peripheral company, and as with its mighty impressive Mako 2.1 sound system, this here headset was remarkably solid. Originally announced at CES this year, this gaming headset is a multi-functional tool that works first and foremost as a two-way communication device for gamers who love to yap while fragging. Secondly, it can double as a really, really decent set of cans. The flip-down microphone can easily fold up and out of the way, and considering just how light these are, they can be worn for hours on end (trust us, we tried) without any sort of ear pain and unusual pressure on your dome.

The lengthy braided cable was slick, the in-line remote was a thoughtful touch and the headband was amongst the most comfortable we’ve had the pleasure of coming into contact with at this price point. When speaking with Razer CEO Robert Krakoff, he confessed that these were specifically designed to be worn comfortably for upwards of 10 hours, and we believe it. He also noted that customers were clamoring for deeper bass response in its headphone products, and yet again, it delivered in bringing the low-end to these cans. Not once did we feel the bass was magnified out of proportion, and while it’s obviously designed to let gamers feel the “booms,” we thoroughly enjoyed how it handled good ole rock ‘n roll.

All in all, we’re comfortable recommending these to PC gamers who could also use a new pair of headphones for music alone. At $79.99, these are solid enough to last you for quite some time, and the superior comfort level here is really what sets it apart. Razer may not be the first name that comes to mind when you think audio, but these are definitely worth a listen.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Audio

Razer Carcharias headset: unboxing and impressions originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HP was nice enough to send us a prototype Firebird 802 gaming rig, and while we haven’t had a chance to fire it up and start sucking at Crysis quite yet, we thought we’d throw up a quick unboxing for you. It’s pretty slick stuff, all around — the box has big plastic latches that pop open, and the machine itself is held in by swing-out cardboard panels, giving everything that “top-secret missile codes” feel you’d expect from a gaming PC. The Firebird itself looks just as nice in our living room as it did at CES, but there are some sad surprises here — the super-heavy external power brick has a troublesomely lame connector, and the included wireless keyboard is pretty simply crap — the slightest downward pressure basically bends it in half. Plus, we’re not at all sure why the mouse and keyboard require a plug-in USB dongle — why not just build the receiver into the gigantic chassis? We’re guessing the lameness of these two is why HP also sent along a Gaming Keyboard and Laser Gaming Mouse with our tester — we’ll have those two unboxed along with our in-depth Firebird impressions a little later. For now, hit up the gallery for the full unboxing!

Filed under: Desktops

HP Firebird 802 unboxing and hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 15:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pantech’s Matrix PRO is certainly an interesting update on the original Pantech Duo, and although we’re not super-intrigued by a handset that can’t be updated to Windows Mobile 6.5, we’re not going to let that get in the way of some unboxing good times — and they must be good, because PocketNow’s Brandon Miniman sounds delighted in this video. We won’t hold you back — it’s after the break.

Continue reading Pantech Matrix PRO unboxed on video

Filed under: Cellphones

Pantech Matrix PRO unboxed on video originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Feb 2009 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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