Lenovo Legion Go Gaming Handheld Hands-on: The World of Portable Gaming Revolutionized

Lenovo has made a remarkable stride forward in a world where the fusion of technology’s portability with its performance is rapidly advancing. With confidence, they have unveiled a vision that not only aligns with but also boldly redefines the paradigm. Allow me to introduce the Lenovo Legion Go – a device that flawlessly combines portability, power, and prowess, setting an unprecedented standard in the market.

Designer: Lenovo

Lenovo’s Gaming Revolution is Handheld

Lenovo is widely known for introducing sturdy and reliable laptops for businesses. However, their dedication to creativity continues to remain strong. With its entry into the realm of portable gaming, Lenovo aims to redefine the idea of gaming on the go. Recently, they launched the Legion Go, which is expected to be an exhilarating experience for gamers worldwide.

Design and Feel: Elegance Meets Ergonomics

When you first see the Legion Go, it immediately catches your attention with its impressive appearance. The device has a sleek and polished finish, incorporating both matte and glossy surfaces. The design is ergonomic and particularly noticeable during extended gaming sessions. The grip is comfortable, allowing gamers to stay fully immersed without experiencing any discomfort. Additionally, the rear surface features a subtle texture that ensures a secure hold, preventing the device from slipping during intense gaming moments.

Performance: Gaming Powerhouse in Compact Form

Gamers who want to experience superior image quality and vibrant colors that make their games come to life will find the Lenovo PureSight Gaming Display to be an excellent choice. This display features the latest AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, which delivers remarkable compact processing power, ensuring that gamers can enjoy lag-free gaming.

The Lenovo Legion Go operates on Windows 11 and offers impressive graphics performance, comparable to that of a console. Its large 8.8-inch QHD+ 16:10 Lenovo PureSight gaming display truly brings games to life, providing gamers with an immersive and expansive screen. With up to 500nits brightness and a 97% DCI-P3 color gamut, the display is adjustable to suit different playstyles and situations. It supports various resolutions, ranging from 1600p to 800p, as well as 144Hz and 60Hz refresh rates. The 10-point touch screen allows for natural and intuitive control, such as scrolling, tapping, and swiping. The Legion Go also boasts up to 16GB LPDDR5X (7500Mhz) RAM, which offers power management flexibility for optimal gaming performance and faster loading times, depending on the scenario. It also has up to 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD and a micro-SD slot that supports up to 2TB of extra storage.

During our brief testing period, casual games to more graphics-intensive games felt delightful it was clear that the performance was nothing short of exceptional. Transitions were smooth and seamless, loading times were lightning-fast, and there were absolutely no interruptions during gameplay. One of the standout features was the ability to switch between refresh rates with ease without experiencing any lag or delay whatsoever. Overall, we were thoroughly impressed with the performance of our system when it came to gaming.

Touch and Feel: A Console Experience

Many handhelds struggle with touch controls, but the Legion Go excels in this area. Its touch response is quick, and it flawlessly recognizes multi-touch gestures, distinguishing between intentional swipes and accidental touches. Additionally, its haptic feedback provides a tactile sensation similar to that of traditional console controllers.

Controller Dynamics: More than Just Accessories

The detachable controllers of Legion Go are simply amazing. Their magnetic connection is sturdy yet easy to detach. The buttons are tactile and responsive. Our testing revealed that first-person shooter games felt natural, sports games were easy to play, and strategy games were more engaging than ever.

The implementation of RGB lighting in this particular product is executed with a level of refinement and elegance that is not commonly seen in other similar gaming accessories. The lighting is not excessively flashy or intrusive but rather adds a tasteful touch of visual interest that amplifies the overall gaming experience.

The Lenovo Legion Go is an impressive gaming device that boasts a range of advanced features to ensure optimal responsiveness and accuracy during intense gaming sessions. One of the most notable features of this device is its hall effect joysticks that prevent joystick drift and minimize dead zones, providing a smooth and seamless gaming experience. Additionally, the Lenovo Legion Go comes equipped with an integrated trackpad, a large D-pad, an angled mouse wheel, and a total of 10 mappable shoulder buttons, triggers, and grip buttons, making it a versatile and highly customizable gaming controller.

In terms of aesthetics, the Lenovo Legion Go is a stylish device that features a power button adorned with the iconic Lenovo Legion ‘O’ and RGB lighting that changes colors, indicating the user-selectable fan mode. The joysticks also have customizable RGB rings that add a layer of style and serve as a notification system for controller pairing. Beyond its sleek design, the Lenovo Legion Go is also highly functional. The Legion TrueStrike controllers are detachable, allowing for more playstyle flexibility and enabling FPS mode for quick FPS gaming sessions. In FPS mode, the controllers can be detached from the Lenovo Legion Go body and placed on a surface using the kickstand at the back. The right detached controller can be attached to a controller base that comes with the device via a magnet, and the optical eye at the bottom of the controller provides more precise aiming and control, making it perfect for competitive FPS games, similar to using a mouse.

Overall, the Lenovo Legion Go is a top-of-the-line gaming controller that offers unparalleled responsiveness, accuracy, and flexibility, making it an essential tool for serious gamers.

The Lenovo Legion Glasses: Not Just a Gimmick

For some time now, Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality have been quite popular terms. However, the Lenovo Legion Glasses have made a compelling argument for VR gaming while on the move. After connecting the glasses to the Legion Go, our surroundings were transformed into a gaming paradise. The field of view is extensive, and the experience feels almost as if you’re in a movie theater.

Sound Matters: Enter the Legion E510 Headphones

To truly enhance your visual experience, top-notch audio is a must. That’s where the Lenovo Legion E510 headphones come in. These headphones are expertly designed to capture every auditory detail, from the deepest bass to the clearest highs. Plus, they boast impressive noise isolation capabilities, making them ideal for gaming in loud surroundings.

Software: The Heart of the Experience

The Lenovo Legion Go has many impressive features, but the key connecting element is the Legion Space. This feature is specifically designed for the Lenovo Legion Go and allows users to easily access their game platforms, view locally installed games, and even purchase games through the Legion Game Store, in collaboration with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. With each Lenovo Legion Go, users receive a complimentary 3-month membership that provides access to hundreds of high-quality games. Additionally, the Gamesplanet store offers deep discounts on select games for users with a Lenovo ID.

Legion Space allows all supported game launchers to be grouped together, making it easy for gamers to jump straight into the action. Additionally, users can quickly adjust settings such as resolution, refresh rate, brightness, and more on the fly.

Final Thoughts: A New Era for Portable Gaming

After spending time with the Legion Go, it became evident that this device is more than just a typical handheld. Lenovo has set out to revolutionize the way we perceive portable gaming by integrating power and portability, style and substance, and performance and affordability seamlessly.

To summarize, the Lenovo Legion Go is not only a product but also a declaration. Lenovo is ready to compete and has brought its best to the table. With its impending release, one thing is certain: the landscape of portable gaming will never be the same.

The Lenovo Legion Go will be available on Lenovo.com, Best Buy, Micro Center, and select retail partners from October 2023. Its price will start at $699. The Lenovo Legion Glasses will also be available from October 2023 and will start at $329. Additionally, the Lenovo Legion E510 7.1 RGB Gaming In-Ear Headphones will be available at a starting price of $49.99 in October 2023.

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Minimal, portable writing device is designed to let you disconnect and focus

As someone who writes for a living, the Internet can be my best friend and my worst enemy. Whether I’m writing for work or trying to finish my manuscript, being online is sometimes necessary but also so, so distracting. One minute I’m finishing an article and the next minute I’ve fallen into a blackhole of YouTube and social media. So a writing gadget that can also help me focus and keep me offline would be a pretty useful tool.

Designer: Freewrite

Traveler is basically a sort of laptop that you can use if you want to focus on writing, at least in the initial drafting stage. It cannot connect to any Internet browser or app so you can do away with all those that may distract you. It can still connect online but only so far as to back up what you’re writing on the cloud so you can access it later on for the editing and maybe some of the research parts. It also has no other frills or features so you get a minimalist design and functionality.

It has an e-ink screen that can also help with reducing eye fatigue which is another common problem for when you’re in front of the computer or tablet for long periods of time. And because it’s e-ink, you get a whopping 4-week battery life. It’s also pretty portable since it weighs just 1.6 lbs and the intenal memory is also pretty great as you can store up to 1 million words. The full-size keyboard seems to be pretty fast and highly responsive.

The writing screen seems to be pretty small as it only takes up a small part of the entire screen/cover. So if you’re already suffering from bad eyesight like me, this might be a challenge. But everything else sounds pretty appealing, especially the part where I won’t be distracted by the Internet. Now if only I would stop picking up my phone and scrolling in the guise of “research” while I’m using the Traveler. The idea is to just let you write your first draft and concentrate on the actual writing.

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This innovative modular PC lets you set up workstations that adapt to your needs

Computers are now at the heart and center of our civilization, not only enabling technologies that make our lives more comfortable but also empowering people to turn their creative visions into reality. Despite these seemingly magical capabilities, computers like PCs and Macs remain almost stuck in the past, with forms and designs meant more for manufacturing efficiency than user convenience. Laptops, while portable, lock you forever into the configuration that you purchased, and although desktops offer nearly limitless upgrade potential, you are still left stuck with the box that the computer came in, which is more often than not something that ties you down to your desk. Fortunately, there are innovative and creative minds who won’t settle for anything less, and they have designed an advanced modular system that lets the PC adjust to your needs, whatever and wherever they are, rather than the other way around.

Designer: Khadas Design

Click Here to Buy Now: $928 $1278 ($350 off). Hurry, only 19/90 left! Raised over $270,000.

Khadas Mind – The perfect blend of high-speed computing and exceptional portability.

The Khadas Mind Module PC offers three distinct modes tailored to your specific needs. Opt for ‘Mind Only Mode’ when you need extreme portability, switch to ‘Mind Dock Mode’ for multitasking prowess, or choose ‘Mind Graphics’ when you’re ready to unleash your creativity in design and gaming.

Khadas Mind

At the heart of this groundbreaking computer system is the Khadas Mind itself, a mini PC that already pushes the envelope of its category. At only 0.99lbs (450g) light and with a compact size of 5.7 x 4.1 x 0.7 inches (146x105x20mm), this extra slim box can slip easily inside any bag or even a coat pocket, allowing you to bring your work and entertainment with you anywhere you need to be. Despite that diminutive size, the Kadas Mind is no underdog, powered by a 13th-gen Intel Core i7-1360P processor with Intel Iris Xe graphics, up to 32GB of fast LPDDR5 RAM, and capable of holding up to 4TB of NVMe SSD storage. It has its own set of ports, so all you really need to do is plug in peripherals and a power cable and you’ll be up and running in no time. The built-in 5.55Wh standby battery even lets the Khadas Mind sleep for up to 5 hours without an external power source, allowing you to unplug the mini PC and be on the move in a snap.

Mind Dock

Easy Docking for Minimal Downtime – Simply slot your Mind to the multifunctional base. Mind Dock instantly supplies power and connectivity without the fuss of fiddling with an intricate tangle of cables.

Enhance Mind’s I/O Capabilities – Maximize productivity by effortlessly connecting external devices for monitoring and editing tasks, all facilitated by 8 high-speed I/O ports on the Mind Dock.

Access-friendly Design – Experience enhanced security with Mind Dock’s built-in fingerprint scanner.

Physical volume button for quick adjustments.

While the Khadas Mind is already impressive on its own, it becomes even more powerful once you start combining it with the other modules in this flexible system. Khadas’ patented Mind Link Interface drives this connection between the Khadas Mind and other modules, opening the doors to even more potential and use cases. The Mind Dock, for example, expands the selection of ports so you can connect almost any peripheral or cable you need. The dock even features a fingerprint scanner for added security, a volume dial, built-in AAC speakers, and a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port for a faster and more stable network connection, providing you with a complete desktop PC experience at only a fraction of the size.

Mind Graphics

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060Ti Graphics – Elevate your design and gaming experience by slotting your Mind into Mind Graphics — a dedicated external GPU bay hosting the formidable NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060Ti.

USB4 Supported – Mind Graphics also includes Thunderbolt 3.0 / 4.0 support, so it can be used to turbocharge not only your Mind experience but also your other devices.

The Mind Graphics module, on the other hand, transforms the Khadas Mind from a productivity tool into a creativity powerhouse. Inside the box lies a desktop-grade NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060Ti that not only makes games pop but also brings your creativity to life. Along with the Khadas Mind Link, the Mind Graphics features an electronic switch lock that firmly keeps the two pieces together, preventing accidental disconnections that could ruin your day and throw you off your groove. The graphics box doesn’t skimp on the connectivity ports either, featuring USB-C with USB4 and Thunderbolt 4 support, USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 x3, two HDMI 2.0, 2.5Gbps Ethernet RJ45 ports, and an SD card reader. It also features high-quality, full-range 5W speakers so that you’ll have a complete entertainment and content creation package in a compact box.

Mind xPlay, Mind Talk & Mind Studio

The fun and creativity don’t stop there, thanks to the ingenious modular design of the Khadas Mind. The Mind xPlay, for example, will provide a portable display with a built-in battery, and dock for the Khadas Mind to fit into, letting you work and collaborate with others anywhere. The Mind Talk, on the other hand, upgrades office meetings with its array of microphones and audio hardware specially designed for this setting. Finally, the Mind Studio Display really takes your creative pursuits to the next level with an extra-large touchscreen with support for stylus input. Wherever you are and whatever computing power you need, the Khadas Mind modular workstation will be ready to open your mind to a world of possibilities.

Click Here to Buy Now: $928 $1278 ($350 off). Hurry, only 19/90 left! Raised over $270,000.

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XULU XR1 LITE Mini PC Review: Good Things Can Come in Tiny Packages

PROS:


  • Compact, portable form with a distinctive profile

  • Plenty of connectivity options, including 7 USB ports

  • Upgradable memory and storage

  • Decent performance for its size and price

CONS:


  • Doesn't come with an operating system pre-installed

  • Only one USB-C port

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR'S QUOTE:

The XULU XR1 LITE offers powerful computing in a tiny, memorable box that puts bigger computers to shame.

When people hear the word computer or PC, most will probably think either of laptops or towering desktops (and their Apple equivalents). Of course, computers today come in sorts of forms and sizes, not even counting the powerful slab of metal and glass in your pocket. Long before the Steam Deck popularized the idea of handheld PCs designed specifically for gaming, mini PCs tried to compress as much computing power into significantly smaller boxes compared to the typical desktop PC towers in the market. These boxes, however, have had a reputation for sacrificing power too much for the sake of size, which was an unfortunate consequence of the technical limitations of their time. Fortunately, things have changed a lot for the better, and the new XULU XR1 LITE promises the most powerful computer in a compact size and at an affordable price. So we turn the power on and give its fans a spin to find out just how much it pushes the limits of technology and design in such a small package.

Designer: XULU

Aesthetics

Just like the majority of computers in the early stages of the industry’s history, the design of mini PCs has largely been driven by practical and technical considerations, which is to say they all come in box shapes. Thanks to advancements that have seen many of these components shrink down in size, allowing for not only smaller sizes but also variations in forms. The XULU XR1 LITE doesn’t exactly stray too far from that standard but makes enough changes that make it look more distinctive and memorable.

What you’ll immediately notice is the computer’s small size, probably falling more under “tiny PC” than “mini PC” at this point. It’s small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, though you aren’t going to use it that way, of course. And while you might argue that there are technically much smaller computers like the Raspberry Pi, the XR1 LITE and its siblings are exponentially more powerful than that single-board computer.

This small, compact form is more than just for boasting, though. It means that you won’t have to sacrifice too much desk or shelf space for your new desktop or media server. It also means you can carry it almost anywhere you need it, with the right peripherals, of course. You can easily hide it somewhere if you really need to make it invisible, but you might not want to anyway. Unlike earlier generations of mini PCs, the XULU XR1 is designed to actually stand out and add some visual flair wherever it stands. It’s available in 7 colors, including “normal” black and gray.

It isn’t a straightforward box shape either, with an incline in the front for an informative display panel. The sides are pretty clean except for the XULU branding and a single row of vents at the bottom. The rest of the airflow vents are located at the back and on the top, right above the large cooling fan, away from your direct line of sight. Its design is pretty minimal and it’s actually impressive how they managed to still make it look neat and tidy despite the plethora of ports available.

Ergonomics

You won’t be holding the XULU XR1 LITE in your hands while using it, so the usual ergonomics standards don’t really apply here. You might, however, find yourself carrying it around a lot, whether transferring from one desk or office to another or actually carrying the computer with you wherever you go. At less than half a kilogram, it’s not a difficult feat to pull off, especially when XULU provides a nice hard carry case where you can put not just the tiny PC itself but also the power adapter, HDMI cable, and maybe a foldable keyboard. If you have a large phone, tablet, or portable monitor, you can probably set up a workstation anywhere there’s a power socket available.

Of course, the XULU XR1 isn’t that useful on its own and you’ll have to plug in peripherals, particularly monitors, a keyboard, and a mouse at the very least. Thankfully, the XULU XR1 LITE makes that super easy, not just with the number of available ports but also because of their placement. The most important ports, such as the lone USB-C port, two full-sized USB ports, and a headphone jack, are all located on the front for instant access. The rest, including the HDMI ports, are on the back. This means that peripherals that you will rarely remove can be conveniently hidden from view, while more transient devices have easy access to essential ports.

One small but important part of the tiny PC’s ease of use is access to the computer’s internals. With a simple Allen wrench, you can easily remove the top and back plates when you need to upgrade or replace some parts. Admittedly, you have limited options in this regard, but it’s still a lot more compared to a more closed system like a laptop.

Performance

Just a few years ago, it would have been unimaginable for a computer of this size to do anything beyond browsing, email, and document processing. Today, we have the XULU XR1 LITE, which is capable of doing a lot more than those, including some gaming and content creation. There are three models available in the XULU XR1 line, and while the LITE is clearly the more budget-friendly of the three, it is hardly an underdog in performance.

This particular model is powered by an AMD Ryzen 3 5300U which comes with a Radeon RX Vega 6 graphics. It’s definitely no powerhouse, but it has enough muscle for light to moderate computing tasks of all sorts. There are options for 8 or 16GB of RAM (our review unit came with the lower configuration), and 512GB of SSD storage, both of which are upgradable. You’ll have to set limits, of course, like lowering game settings or limiting Photoshop layers, but most apps will remain usable. And since it’s a normal PC, you can install any application you need, or any operating system for that matter. The XULU XR1 is compatible with Microsoft Windows and Linux distributions, but it comes without any OS installed, leaving that up to the decision and cost of the owner.

One of the biggest appeals of this extra small computer is that, despite its size, it has a nearly complete set of ports for all your computing needs. There are two HDMI ports, both of which are capable of 4K resolutions, one USB-C port, six USB ports (Gen 3 and Gen 2), an Ethernet port, and a good old-fashioned 3.5mm headphone jack. This should fit most of your needs and more, especially when you consider you can have a triple 4K monitor setup thanks to DisplayPort support on that lone USB-C connection. Sadly, there is indeed only a single USB-C port, which is disappointing in an age where almost everything is turning to the universal connector.

The mini PC is powered by a 19V adapter with a typical barrel-type DC plug, again a minor disappointment since it runs the risk of not finding a suitable replacement if the power brick or cord gets damaged. There is a small OLED screen in front of the box that lets you quickly see important stats like temperature, fan speed, and others. Strangely enough, there is no indicator for storage drive activity, not even the typical flashing light on many computers. It’s a very minor nitpick, however, considering all the other features the small but powerful box offers.

Sustainability

The XULU XR1 LITE stands in between desktops and laptops not just in size and portability but also in their flexibility. Laptops are locked systems that offer very few options to change parts while desktops have nearly limitless possibilities. Although you can’t exactly upgrade the CPU and GPU, the XULU XR1 at least easily lets you change the two other most important parts that affect a computer’s overall performance.

The XULU XR1 LITE can support up to 64GB of DDR4 memory and up to 2TB of NVMe SSD storage, which is pretty much the standard for many workstations today. More importantly, getting access to these parts doesn’t require extensive surgery, just four screws to be precise. That’s true whether you want to upgrade or need to replace broken memory, helping extend the life of the computer for years.

Other than that, however, repairing any other part of the XULU XR1 will be a challenge that requires mastery of electronics. Not that the computer is prone to damage, especially given its sturdy metal chassis and adequate cooling system. The only worry you might have is the entry of dust into the box, especially with big vents on all sides. Then again, that is also a consideration for most desktop computers, and the XULU XR1 doesn’t really escape that fate.

Value

The XULU XR1 LITE comes at a rather odd moment in the mini PC market. Intel has just announced the retirement of its NUC mini PC hardware, while Apple just updated its most powerful mini Mac yet, the Mac Mini. Some of the bigger PC brands seem to be stepping back from this market, giving plenty of opportunity for others to take up the cause. But with new products popping up left and right, what value does the XULU XR1 LITE bring to the table?

Simply put, this tiny PC brings the trifecta of performance, portability, and price to computer users of all levels and needs. While there are more powerful options in the market, including the XULU XR1 Pro and Max variants, the $300 price tag on the most basic configuration makes it accessible to anyone looking for a reliable computer with a very small footprint. The fact that you can practically carry it anywhere or that it looks quite stylish on your desk definitely adds to its appeal, helping set it apart from the myriad mini PCs with forgettable faces and unrealistic price tags.

Verdict

Computers have become an important part of our lives, even for those who probably wouldn’t consider themselves proper computer users. This has created a need for products that can meet not only varied use cases but also varied lifestyles and tastes. Not everyone will be OK with a towering box on or below their desks, and some might also be dissatisfied with a portable yet locked-down laptop. The XULU XR1 LITE offers a cozy middle ground, but one that doesn’t sacrifice too much to get there.

Armed with capable hardware, a near-exhaustive selection of ports, and a charming, small form, this tiny PC brings a new face to the market that tries to appeal to all classes of users, especially budget-conscious buyers. It’s far from perfect, of course, and there are places where XULU clearly cut corners to reach that sweet price, but these are the small compromises some might be willing to make to get their hands on a computer that can meet their computing needs and last them for a very long time.

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World’s first high-end submersible PC is a power-packed steampunk machine for gaming: Watch Now

YouTube channel DIY Perks is no stranger to the world of amazing builds that are practical and aesthetically stunning. For his latest creation Matthew Perks, pushes the envelope of artistry and engineering, making a submersible PC that’s loaded with the latest and greatest PC components.

The steampunk influence of the build not only keeps the innards at optimum temperature but also looks stunning. Of course, the whole thing needs to be waterproof to the last drop to keep water from getting inside the housing, and damaging the thousands of dollars’ worth of computer equipment!

Designer: Matthew Perks (DIY Perks)

This is not an average DIY that anyone can think of making over the weekend. In fact, it required a lot of skill and know-how about putting metal components together, calculating the waterproofing capabilities of the rig, and experience handling electric hardware in close proximity to water. Matthew knows what’s he doing in this demanding DIY, and in the end, he manages to create a stunning submersible PC that’s capable of running any complex 3D renders or gaming titles at it!

It all starts with building the watertight acrylic cylinder that creates a see-through shield for the mounted hardware and then goes on to creating the cooling frame. The latter is filled with distilled water since Matthew doesn’t want any chemical coolants to accidentally seep into the delicate aquatic ecosystem of the pond he’ll test this machine in.

Once both are done, the next step is to install the PC hardware into the space-constricted vertical frame and sort out the cooling frame assembly. To keep the inside waterproof from the water pressure, the seasoned DIYer opts for custom gaskets, rather than going for the regular ones. The most important step is to reinforce the top cap section with watertight components.

Finally, the DIY is complete and it’s time to test the underwater PC submerged in the backyard pond. A 50-meter optical thunderbolt cable is connected to the Asus Zenbook Pro 14 Duo OLED at the other end on dry land. As soon as the power button is pressed, the PC comes to life, lighting up the steampunk machine underwater. The surrounding water helps in keeping the hardware cool and during the one-hour testing phase, Matthew is surprised by the efficacy of the cooling system (maximum recorded temperature 20.8 degree Celsius) even when the system churns out over 800 Watts!

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How this multifunctional mini PC can be a laptop, a desktop, or a gaming console as needed

The events of the past three years have proven how much we’ve become dependent on computers, from doing our work, accomplishing homework, or just chilling out after a tiring day. Computers, however, come in different shapes and sizes, depending on what they’re used for. Laptops are great for portability but are hampered by their size when it comes to raw power. On the other hand, desktops and consoles can do almost everything except let you use them away from a wall socket. There’s no one size fits all, which sometimes results in a nightmare trying to manage different machines in different places and contexts. Having a single computer to rule them all is perhaps a computer user’s dream, but this intriguing mini-computer design is trying to make those dreams come true by offering a single machine that can meet all those needs without too many compromises.

Designer: Khadas

Mini PCs have existed for quite a while, popularized by the likes of the Apple Mac Mini and Intel’s now-retired NUC line. But while they do come in a more compact form that lets you move them around and bring them with you almost anywhere, they actually also bring the worst of both laptops and desktops. They’re fairly limited in terms of hardware performance and you still need to connect it to peripherals like a screen or keyboard and mouse to be useful.

At first glance, the Khadas Mind is just like any other mini PC, albeit one that comes in a very slim package. On its own, it’s already quite powerful and useful, with the basic assortment of ports to connect a display and other peripherals to accomplish common computing tasks. What makes it notable, however, is where you can use the computer, thanks to a trio of devices that transform the mini PC into a computer for any and every occasion.

The equally slim Mind Dock, for example, expands the number and types of connections available, so you can have more displays, more storage, and more devices as your work requires. The boxy Mind Graphics, on the other hand, brings in the big guns when it comes to graphics power, turning the small computer into a gaming box or a content creation machine. The Mind xPlay is a portable display with a detachable keyboard and built-in battery, allowing you to use the same computer literally anywhere.

There are still some caveats to this otherwise multifunctional design, primarily in how you need to buy into the whole ecosystem to really make the magic happen. Although the technology behind it is an industry standard, the connector that the mini PC uses is proprietary, so you can only use it with the accessories that you have to buy separately from the same brand. Khadas Mind is also currently not yet available for purchase, so there’s no clue yet how much this flexibility and freedom will cost you, not to mention the other pieces you need to truly have a PC you can use anywhere.

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This Portable PC comes with a dedicated backpack, houses powerful battery and detachable speakers too!

Laptops have become a name synonymous with portability and ease of use. The dynamics of using a PC have been radically changed ever since these portable machines came into existence. You can carry them easily, work anywhere you desire to, or hook them up to an external display for a dedicated workstation setup.

While the laptops are getting slimmer and lighter, the workstations have no strings attached when we talk of size constraints. On top of that laptops do have limitations when it comes to installing beefy GPU or dedicated cooling solutions. For geeks who like to have a powerful machine always by their side – whether back home on their desk or on the go, this is just what’s ideal. Yes, you heard that right, a full-blown PC (not a laptop) you can carry along without much fuzz.

Designer: Andrey Avgust

This concept is something straight out of a geek’s Metaverse where computing power is no more dependent on the hardware limitations one must deal with. It’s all centered around a framed backpack with dedicated slots to house the PC and CPU proposed in the concept. It opens fully from the back to fit the rig sturdily. The total weight of the backpack comes to be around 13 kg, including a 7kg 5000mAh battery, 4kg case and 2kg weight of the backpack itself. Quite a load to haul around, but nerds will do anything for the freedom they get with the accessory.

The waterproof plastic case shields the costly hardware from the elements and the aluminum frame and leather straps distribute the weight well. Obviously, you’ll need to store other stuff than the PC, so there’s a dedicated space to keep the mouse and keyboard. The designer is mindful enough to include an internal speaker as a part of the battery case and can be removed for portable play too.

Christened Mini ITX portable workstation, the rig comprises an integrated 24″ display that holds on a battery block and gets a quick-release plexiglass cap. Passive cooling is done with a big bent copper heat pipe. The motherboard and graphics card are attached to the case via smaller heat pipes for the cooling to be performed in passive mode. Active cooling is taken care of with the two fans on either side. A 600W DC-ATX Power Supply and 600W AC-DC adapter are located inside the computer case, so one need not worry about the power supply.

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This DIY transparent computer and table is the geeky, Iron Man-esque device of your dreams

If you’ve ever dreamed of having a computer set up like what you see in the movies where the users are extremely rich and also scientifically brilliant (think Tony Stark in the Marvel movies), your dream can actually come true. Well, that is, if you are also brilliant enough and rich enough to afford a custom-built gaming PC that looks like both a museum piece and also right at home in your man or woman cave.

Designer: Kumag 1989

This thing that the Reddit user has built is not just a computer but is actually an entire desk to complete the stunning setup that is every gaming geek’s dream. There is a custom-made glass table to house the entire thing that is also lit to give it an even more of expensive look. There is also enough room to ventilate the thing since you need to protect the high-end parts that make up the entire thing. You can also add an artificial plant and other stuff to decorate it, in case you’re not yet satisfied with how it looks.

Specs-wise, it is of course dripping with the latest in high-end parts. It is powered by an Intel 1190K CPU with a Z590 Aorus Pro AX motherboard and an Asus Rog Thor 850W. It has the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 which is one of the most high-performing graphics card out there. It also doesn’t skimp over the audio as it has both the Logitech G560 gaming speakers and the Devialet Phantom I 108db speakers.

The glass desk is transparent so you can show off the speakers and other components as well as the other decorations inside. The one who custom built this is obviously an Iron Man fan not just because of how the entire thing looks but since there is a light-up Iron Man helmet added.

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Gaming Box gives a whole new interpretation to portable gaming

Inspired by the Nintendo Switch’s success, there has been a rise in devices with somewhat similar designs running different gaming platforms. There’s Valve’s Steam Deck for PCs, of course, but there are also gaming handhelds running Android instead. Even computer accessory maker Logitech is getting its game on with a cloud-centric collaboration with gaming giant Tencent. Despite varying designs and sizes, the basic format of these portable gaming devices is the same. There’s a large screen in the middle flanked by the two halves of a typical gaming controller. That, however, isn’t the only way to design a portable gaming device, and this concept design tries to think outside the box to put gaming back inside the box in a slightly different way.

Designer: Eli Lan

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There’s definitely a good reason why these portable gaming devices are designed this way. Gamepad controls are easier to use without the support of a desk or any surface, unlike keyboards and mice, and they offer better haptics and tactile feedback compared to just a touch screen. That’s not to say it’s the perfect design or that there are no other possible forms a portable gaming computer can take.

At its simplest, the Gaming Box design concept is pretty much a mini PC with a screen on top. Mini computers, which include the likes of the Apple Mac Mini, have become more ubiquitous these past years. They come in a variety of designs, and some are portable, not just in form but also in operation. The one thing they all have in common is that they need to be connected to a monitor, at the very least, to actually be usable.

This gaming twist on that design puts an end to that problem and puts a screen on the top, or rather the front, of the box. Unlike typical mini PCs that lie on their larger face, the Gaming Box is designed to stand on one of its thinner edges. It’s a more precarious position, admittedly, but it’s the only way you’ll be able to view the screen anyway.

There are also other and probably bigger issues with this design. The display seems large enough, at least when compared to other objects around it, but its square aspect ratio doesn’t really conform to any of the conventions used in gaming and even in videos. There are no controls to speak of, either, so it’s presumed to be using a touch screen. You can attach or connect controllers, of course, but that won’t make it convenient for playing on the go, which isn’t its primary use case anyway.

In truth, the Gaming Box is probably better as a Media Box, allowing owners to enjoy videos or maybe even social media anywhere inside the house. It is more like a home console or gaming PC that you can move around inside the same space rather than something you’d use outside, so it complements rather than replaces designs like the Steam Deck.

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Someone managed to fit an entire Raspberry Pi computer inside the body of a cassette

This isn’t a throwback. If nothing, it’s actually a throw-forward. Designed to show how far we’ve come in a span of 4 decades, this cassette has a fully-functioning Raspberry Pi computer inside it running a ZX Spectrum emulator inside it. Hacked together by Stuart Brand, the cassette pays tribute to his first-ever computer, the ZX Spectrum. The ZX Spectrum was an 8-bit personal home computer developed by Sinclair Research. Ironically enough, Stuart would write programs on the ZX Spectrum and store them on cassette tapes. 40 years later, the entire ZX Spectrum computer can practically fit inside the same cassette’s plastic body, with a few minor adjustments made to allow the parts and ports to line up perfectly.

Designer: Stuart Brand

Making use of his time between jobs, Brand decided to head down to his garage and brush up on his tinkering and coding skills. “I wouldn’t have had a clue how to build any of this stuff before lockdown,” he said. “It goes to prove that you never know what you’re capable of until you give it a go.”

Faced with a space constraint, Stuart chose the Raspberry Pi Zero W for the project. “Cassette shells make for a great form factor,” he said, “I started with a plain black spare cassette shell and used a small hand file and side cutters to remove the plastic supports in preparation for fitting the heatsink.” The heatsink (shown at the top of the article) was created from scratch too, using a sheet of scrap metal and a bandsaw to fashion the crude shape of the metal heatsink. A Dremel, needle files, and fine-grit sandpaper were used to finesse the shape.

The 5mm interior of the cassette meant Stuart had to hack together his solution. To ensure that the PCB of the Raspberry Pi Zero W didn’t end up peeking out through the cassette’s two holes, he ended up carving out a portion of the PCB, ensuring the illusion was complete. Thankfully, this didn’t affect the functionality of his computer. “I lost some GPIO ports, but it was well worth it to get the tape looking right.” Stuart then cleverly used the top and the bottom of the cassette to house his ports, allowing you to easily connect cables to the device and get it working. That required a bit of cutting and sanding too, although it didn’t do anything to the cassette’s front profile, leaving it looking exactly the way it should. In fact, to complete his build, Stuart even printed labels that he would then stick on top of the cassette! He now uses his ZX Spectrum Pi Cassette as a ‘pick up and play’ device whenever he fancies “a quick bash at some old school gaming.”

Sadly, though, there aren’t any schematics for others to build their own ZX Spectrum Pi Cassettes. Describing himself as a haphazard tinkerer with little electronics experience, Stuart went into the project headfirst, with little planning or detailing, and with the entire process effectively mapped out in his head. “I don’t have any schematics to share,” he apologizes, “and never measure anything.” His only standing advice to people looking to emulate his build is to “leave far more room for cables than you think you’ll need.”

Stuart’s build was featured in this month’s official Raspberry Pi magazine MagPi issue 116.

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