Intel adds more power to its 8th-generation NUC mini-PCs

Posted on 16/08/2018 by Engadget RSS Feed

So far, Intel's biggest NUC news of the year is its Hades Canyon mini-gaming PC with AMD RX Vega graphics. If you don't need something quite so powerful and costly, however, Intel just rolled out some other 8th-generation NUCs. Rather than using 15 w...

HP’s tiny Xeon-powered PC puts the Mac Mini to shame

Posted on 15/11/2016 by Engadget RSS Feed

HP has unveiled the Z2 Mini, a mini PC that packs workstation-class parts, including an Intel Xeon CPU, NVIDIA Quadro mobile M620 graphics and M.2 SSD tech. By using powerful notebook-sized parts, it squeezed that power into a 2.3-inch-high case that...

SolidRun’s $45 CuBox-i mini PC runs both Linux and Android

Posted on 04/09/2013 by Timothy J. Seppala

Mini computers exist thanks in no small part to Moore's Law, but one running Linux and Jelly Bean is pretty unique. Developer SolidRun isn't new to the tiny PC scene, but since it released the original CuBox in 2011, it's stayed relatively quiet. That silence breaks with the four CuBox-i models that are up for pre-order right now. The 2-inch cube computers range in price from the $44.99 CuBox-i1 base model to a fully kitted out $119.99 CuBox-i4Pro. That $120 gets you a quad-core processor with each core running at 1 GHz, 2GB of DDR3 RAM, built-in WiFI and Bluetooth (a spec sheet with all features across all models is after the break). Regardless of price, each model features SATA support, HDMI 1.4 and optical audio ports, which could make a CuBox-i running the latest version of XBMC the perfect workaround to a bulky HTPC.

Filed under: Desktops, Home Entertainment

Comments

Via: Liliputing

Source: SolidRun

ASUS’ new ViVoPC mini PC can take up to 16GB of RAM, your choice of Intel CPU

Posted on 13/06/2013 by Edgar Alvarez

It's only been a few days since we first laid eyes on that newly introduced ASUS ViVoPC, but the Taiwanese company kept details short back at Computex, leaving us with the desire to learn a little more about the device. The good news is ASUS has just posted a spec sheet on its website, which lets us (and you) know that its mini PC will have a number of customizable options. Aside from being 802.11ac- and Windows 8-ready, the diminutive ViVoPC can be loaded with an Intel processor (presumably a shiny new Haswell), a maximum of 16GB RAM and your preference of either a HDD or SSD. There are also two USB 3.0 and four USB 2.0 ports, HDMI, VGA, Ethernet and integrated speakers, which ASUS is dubbing SonicMaster. Mum's the word on pricing and availability, but we'll let you know as soon as we come across those specifics.

Gallery: ASUS ViVoPC

Filed under: Desktops, ASUS

Comments

Source: ASUS

Gigabyte shows four prototype BRIX mini PCs, including models with projectors and wireless charging

Posted on 04/06/2013 by Jon Fingas

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

Comments

Source: Engadget Chinese (translated)

Gigabyte introduces BRIX, a customizable mini PC powered by Ivy Bridge CPUs

Posted on 24/05/2013 by Edgar Alvarez

The mini PC market isn't exactly a crowded one, but it's never a bad thing to have options. Well, if you're into the idea of adding an ultra-compact to your setup, Gigabyte's just announced its highly customizable BRIX. The palm-sized PC appears to be the very same one we saw back at this year's CES, but it's now taken on a more polished, ready-to-hit-shelves look. Gigabyte's providing interested parties the ability to load this itty-bitty thing with a vast selection of Ivy Bridge chips (Core i3, i5 and i7), plus their own SSD / RAM combo and operating system of choice. Ports-wise, there are two USB 3.0 sockets, HDMI and a Mini DisplayPort -- Gigabyte notes it can power up to two displays simultaneously. Naturally, the cost depends on the specs you choose, and the company only goes as far as to say that the BRIX covers "a range" of price points.

Gallery: Gigabyte BRIX press shots

Filed under: Desktops, Misc

Comments

Via: Fareastgizmos

Source: Gigabyte

Xi3 starts Piston pre-orders: buy an early Steambox for under $1,000

Posted on 10/03/2013 by Jon Fingas

While Xi3's Piston may only be a Steambox through its software optimization, that still leaves us with a milestone on our hands now that the system is available for pre-orders: it's the first Valve-blessed PC on sale. If you're willing to set aside just under $1,000 ($900 during SXSW), you can claim a Big Picture-friendly mini PC with an embedded, 3.2GHz version of AMD's quad-core A10 in addition to 8GB of RAM and a 128GB solid-state drive. There's no mention of the conventional spinning storage referenced at CES. Expansion is limited to larger-capacity SSDs, although that's not surprising when the entire computer is smaller than a GeForce GTX Titan. The real jolt will be the launch timing. Xi3 won't have Pistons shipping until around the holidays, which could leave some of us hunting for less-than-official (if considerably larger) substitutes for the full Steam experience.

Filed under: Desktops, Gaming

Comments

Via: Joystiq

Source: Xi3

Raspberry Pi $25 camera hardware finalized, won’t be available for ‘at least a month’

Posted on 06/02/2013 by Jamie Rigg

The budget board makers over at the Raspberry Pi Foundation are clearly having a busy week, first launching the Model A in Europe, and now reporting that development of the camera add-on for the miniature computers has been completed. Well, the hardware has been finalized, at least, although it hasn't been "tuned" quite yet (picture quality still needs improvement), and the drivers aren't fully ready. The camera PCB measures around 25 x 20 x 9mm, and hosts a 5-megapixel, fixed-focus sensor that can shoot 2592 x 1944 stills and 1080p video at 30 fps. Aligning with the low cost of the main boards, it'll set you back $25, but won't be available for "at least a month." Don't just sit there twiddling your thumbs, though. Start brainstorming all the cool projects you can work on once you put an eye on that Pi.

Filed under: Desktops, Cameras, Misc, Peripherals

Comments

Via: Wired

Source: Raspberry Pi

Raspberry Pi Model A hits Europe with $25 price tag, expected worldwide soon

Posted on 04/02/2013 by Zach Honig

Looking for a slimmed-down Raspberry Pi with a single USB port, 256MB of RAM, no Ethernet and one-third the power consumption of a Model B board? You're probably in the market for Model A -- a $25 alternative designed for use in battery or solar-powered devices like remote sensors, WiFi repeaters, robots and so on. Europeans currently have exclusive access to the cheaper Raspberry Pi flavor, which according to an Adafruit test consumes only 100 mAh of juice (compared to about 300 mAh for the Model B, due to Ethernet power requirements). Beginning today, hobbyists can get their fix directly from RS Components and Element 14, with pricing fixed around £19, including VAT. According to the manufacturer's blog post, Model A exclusivity will be short-lived, with the device coming to the rest of the world "very soon." If you're based across the pond, however, you can hit up our source links to place your order now.

Filed under: Desktops

Comments

Source: RS Components, Element14, Raspberry Pi

The Android Mini PC RK3066 is the MK802’s younger, smarter, cheaper brother, we go hands on

Posted on 12/01/2013 by James Trew

When the MK802 Android mini PC landed in our laps, it caused more than a ripple of interest. Since then, a swathe of "pendroids" have found their way to market, and the initial waves have died down. While we were at CES, however, we bumped into the man behind the MK802, and he happened to have a new, updated iteration of the Android mini PC. Best of all, he was kind enough to give us one to spend some time with. The specifications speak for themselves, and this time around we're looking at a dual-core 1.6GHz Cortex A9, 1GB of RAM, 4GB of built-in flash (and a microSD slot), WiFi in b/g/n flavors, DLNA support and Bluetooth, all running on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. There's also a micro-USB, full-size USB, female HDMI port and 3.5mm audio out.

For anyone who has used one of these types of devices, the two standout features mentioned above should be the audio jack, and the addition of Bluetooth. Why? Because this expands the potential functionality of the device manyfold. Beforehand, the lack of Bluetooth made adding peripherals -- such as a mouse of keyboard -- either difficult, or impractical. However, with Bluetooth, setting up this device to be somewhat useful just got a lot easier. Likewise, with the dedicated audio out, now you can work with sound when the display you are connecting it to (a monitor for example) doesn't have speakers. Read on after the break to hear more of our impressions.

Gallery: Android Mini PC RK3066 hands-on