Archivi Blog
Digital Storm Bolt stuffs full-power graphics into a mini gaming desktop, stretches laws of physics
Attempts to create truly small gaming desktops usually involve at least some kind of performance hit. Even HP’s category-bending Firebird, one of the few stand-out examples, had to use toned-down graphics to succeed in a tiny enclosure. Digital Storm might have broken the trend towards sacrifice with its new Bolt desktop: although it’s just 3.6 inches wide and 14 inches tall, the Bolt can cram in as much as a GeForce GTX 680 and will even let gamers upgrade the graphics like they would in a full-size PC. The seemingly logic-defying (if also finger-defying) case still allows room for as much as an overclocked 4.6GHz Core i7, 16GB of RAM and storage options that meld a spinning hard drive with up to two SSDs and a DVD burner. Digital Storm isn’t even setting an absurd base price, but it’s in the cost that we finally see the catch to the miniaturization tricks. The $999 entry-level Bolt carries a modest 3.1GHz Core i3, 8GB of RAM, a 1TB hard drive and GeForce GTX 650 Ti, while it takes a staggering $1,949 to get a fully decked-out Core i7 system with a GTX 680. Those prices might be worthwhile for anyone who has ever strained while lugging a traditional tower to a game tourney.
Apple unveils next-generation iMac with slimmer design and Ivy Bridge, starting at $1,299
Who said Apple’s event was all about the little things? Apple just unveiled its first redesign to its iMac desktop in three years. The new all-in-one makes the widely expected leap to Intel’s Ivy Bridge Core i5 and Core i7 processors, but also represents a much leaner and meaner replacement for the 2009-era template — its edges are just 5mm thick, and it’s constructed with “friction stir welding” as well as a gapless, less reflective display that’s laminated together with the glass. Screen sizes remain the same and include both a 21.5-inch, 1080p model and a 27-inch, 2,560 x 1,400 model — sorry, no Retina displays this year. They share 720p-capable front cameras with dual mics as well as NVIDIA’s GeForce 600-era graphics, up to 32GB of RAM and a panoply of storage options that peak at 3TB of spinning storage, a 768GB SSD or what Apple calls a Fusion Drive that mixes both 128GB of flash with 1TB or 3TB of conventional storage (a hybrid drive, for those of us who’ve seen it before). There’s no optical drive unless you plug in a USB option.
The 21.5-inch model ships in November, and will set you back $1,299 for a 2.7GHz Core i5, 8GB of RAM and a 1TB hard drive; pony up for the 27-inch model at $1,799 and you’ll get a 2.9GHz Core i5 as well as the same memory and storage. Apple’s larger iMac doesn’t ship until December, however, which will give some impulse buyers at least a brief respite.
Shuttle takes quiet nettops down the Cedar Trail, intros XS35V3 and XS35GTA V3
Nettops have slipped a bit out of vogue, but Shuttle is keeping the flame alive for those who like their desktops tiny and hushed. The XS35V3 and XS35GTA V3 have moved on to more contemporary Cedar Trail-era, 2.13GHz Atom D2700 processors that keep the power draw to a fanless 27W, even when everything is churning at full bore. That limit might get tested with the GTA variant, which brings in Radeon HD 7410M graphics for a lift to 3D performance, but neither mini desktop will exactly make the power company beg for mercy. Either is a barebones kit with the laptop-sized hard drive, optical drive and OS left to the buyer — if you don’t get them at the same time, you’ll have only the HDMI, VGA, USB and card reader to keep you company. Europeans are currently the only ones getting a crack, where it costs €172 pre-tax ($214) for the XS35V3 and €233 ($290) to get its faster GTA cousin.
The 2012 MacBook Air vs. the 2011 model: what’s changed?
No, we didn’t get the Retina Macbook Air many of us may have been hoping for, but the Apple ultra-portable did get a significant Ivy Bridge boost, including a pair of USB 3.0 ports. There’s also an option to double the flash storage capacity with a 512GB SSD, along with adding up to 8 gigs of 1600MHz DDR3L RAM and Apple’s new MagSafe 2 connector on the 13-inch Air. Base model pricing remains the same for the 11-incher, at $999 for the bare-bones configuration, while the larger Air will be available starting at $1199 — a $100 drop over its predecessor. All of the new Airs will ship beginning today, but that doesn’t mean it’s upgrade time for you. Click on past the break for our side-by-side comparison and a closer look at what’s new.
Vizio PCs officially launch in June, home theaters look on with envy
The FCC gave us a clue that Vizio’s first-ever PCs would be shipping soon, and the company is now spilling a few beans more directly. Although the official statement is still short on many of the details we’ve been hoping to know, Vizio is promising that the line will launch before June is up. As a refresher, the normally home theater-focused company is planning to go all-out despite being the new kid on the block, going with a trio of mid-size laptops as well as two sizes of all-in-one desktops that rely on Magic Trackpad-like input to draw attention. Mum’s the word on whether or not the 10-inch tablet will be part of the June arrivals, although there’s unconfirmed talk that Walmart will carry at least some of the lineup and trigger some jealousy in the 2012 Vizio TVs across the aisle.
Creative BlasterAxx Bluetooth Speakers With Touch Control
Creative has designed and launched a range of new speakers in the form of the Creative BlasterAxx, which can be powered by a USB 2.0 connection, and can be controlled via Creative Central app for iOS and Android devices or from a computer.
The BlasterAxx speakers are equipped with a patent pending technology, which Creative is keeping quite about at the moment. Together with a touch sensitive control panel on the top, which provides access to five SBX modes including: Surround mode, and Bass mode to name a few.
The Creative BlasterAxx speakers are available in three different sizes SBX 20, SBX 10 and SBX 8, with the tallest SBX 20 being 41cm in height. Creative has also added CrystalVoice technology to reduce noise which uses a dual-microphone setup, together with Bluetooth connectivity to the speakers allowing compatible smartphone and tablets to steam audio directly to the BlasterAxx.
The Creative BlasterAxx speakers will be arriving towards the end of July and will be prices at $199 SBX 20, $149 SBX 10 and$99 SBX 8.
Source: CNET
DICE to require 64-bit OS for some 2013 games, that Windows ME box in the den isn’t cutting it
We’re entering a world of mainstream 64-bit computing — whether we like it or not. Just weeks after Adobe started requiring 64-bit Macs for CS6, DICE’s Rendering Architect Johan Andersson has warned that some of his company’s 2013 games using the Frostbite engine will need the extra bits as a matter of course. In other words, it won’t matter if you have a quad Core i7 gaming PC of death should the software be inadequate; if you’re still running a 32-bit copy of Windows 7 come the new year, you won’t be playing. The developer points to memory as the main culprit, as going 64-bit guarantees full access to 4GB or more of RAM as well as better virtual addressing. Andersson sees it as a prime opportunity to upgrade to Windows 8, although 64-bit Vista and 7 (and presumably OS X, if and when Mac versions exist) will be dandy. Just be prepared to upgrade that Windows XP PC a lot sooner than Microsoft’s 2014 support cutoff if you’re planning to run the next Battlefield or Mirror’s Edge.
Google Chrome 19 Arrives With Live Tabs Syncing Across Smartphones And Computers
Google has this week released its Chrome 19 browser as a stable version, which brings with it a number of great new features, including the ability to now share your live browser tabs across your computer, tablet and smartphone.
Within the video below you can see how easy Google have made the live tab synchronisation feature to use. Enabling you to continue browsing the pages whilst on the move via your smart phone or tablet running Google’s latest Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) operating system.
The live synchronisation of the tabs within Google Chrome, have been available in earlier releases. But if you haven’t yet had a chance to put the new feature through its paces. The latest Google Chrome 19 stable version is automatically being pushed out by Google over the next few days. However the tab synchronisation feature will take a number of weeks to roll out to everyone.
Source: Tech Crunch
Intel knocks ARM’s legacy app dilemma in Windows 8, says it has a ‘big uphill fight’ ahead
Intel has typically kept its cool in responding to Windows 8 on ARM, but that war of words (and chips) just got a little more heated at an investor meeting. CEO Paul Otellini saw his more mobile-oriented competition facing a “big uphill fight” without the presence of legacy Windows app support. That’s a big drawback for corporate buyers that have legions of traditional apps they want to keep running, the executive said. He also used the opportunity to rib ARM over a lack of any existing Windows hardware. There’s certainly no question that Intel has a head start in Windows 8 support, but the remarks do come with a degree of irony. Intel is cutting into ARM’s territory with Atom-based Android phones, and while it won’t have as much of a problem with legacy OS support as ARM will with Windows, Intel has a lot to prove on its own.
NEC’s 13.3-inch LaVie Z Ultrabook weighs just 2.2 pounds, brings lithium-magnesium into your life
Just in case you thought NEC was done with its PC updates this week, the Japanese PC builder has thrown its hat into the Ultrabook ring with a unique contribution of its own. The LaVie Z has a 13.3-inch screen like your garden variety ultralight, but it weighs just 2.2 pounds through a new lithium-magnesium alloy shell about half the weight of the aluminum that some companies love to use. Unfortunately, that weight and the slim frame are about all we know so far: NEC isn’t providing any internal specifications, possibly because it’s waiting on Ultrabook-ready Ivy Bridge chips. Even so, if you’re hanging around Japan and want the lightest possible laptop you can get at a 13-inch screen size, the wait until the planned summer release will feel like an eternity.
Inspirational Workspace: 60 Awesome Setups
We spend most of the day in front of our computers. This is where all the works get done, e-mails get taken care of, and social relationship be made. The truth is that computer has become a staple for nearly every aspect of modern lifestyle, and now people are even adopting multiple devices for higher work proficiencies.
Following previous post showcasing astounding workstation setups, today we bring in 60 more up-to-date and neat examples on how professionals setup their cyber workstation. From them you can draw inspiration on how to dress your workstation in a clean and elegant way, ultimately the key is about comfort, relaxation and focus.
Enjoy and learn from them and of course, feel free to share your ideas or photos of your workstation to us, we don’t mind to see more creative working spaces!
Apple updates Mac mini: Core i5 and i7, Thunderbolt, AMD Radeon HD, no SuperDrive
Need a miniature desktop to match that petite MacBook Air that Apple just refreshed? Well, there’s a Mac for that. The new Mac mini packs an Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, Thunderbolt, AMD Radeon HD graphics, and Mac OS X Lion. Notably absent, however, is that familiar front-facing SuperDrive slot. Starting at $599 with a 2.3GHz Intel Core i5, the new models include Turbo Boost 2.0, letting you crank up the speed to 3.4GHz when using processor-intensive applications. Apple also announced a $999 server version that ships with a Core i7 processor and OS X Lion Server. As with the previous generation, the mini doesn’t sacrifice on connectivity, including gigabit Ethernet, FireWire 800, HDMI, SDXC, audio in and out, Thunderbolt (with support for up to six devices), and four USB 2.0 ports on the rear. There’s also 802.11n WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0. The Mac mini is available for purchase online today, and in Apple retail stores tomorrow.
