Computer Systems News - Page 25

Zotac is set to unveil a new wave of hardware at CES 2017, complete with its high-end ZBOX mini PC powered by Intel's newest seventh generation processors.

The ZBOX CI549 mini PC will merge ultra portability with impressive performance thanks to its onboard new Kaby Lake CPU from Intel. The processor will be passively cooled, and the ZBOX will feature multiple Thunderbolt 3 ports for blistering fast USB 3.1 10Gbps transfers, fast-charging and DisplayPort over Type-C capabilities for improved video performance.

"We believe the future of computing should be flexible," says Tony Wong, CEO, ZOTAC International. "Our next generation of computing products enables users to get the best of mobile and stationary experience."

GIGABYTE is going on the offensive with its Gaming GT PC, a new SFF gaming PC that rocks some ridiculously delicious specifications - normally found in a high-end desktop gaming PC.

We're looking at Intel's Core i7-6700K processor, a GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1080 G1 Gaming graphics card, 32GB of DDR RAM, a 240GB PCIe-based SSD, 1TB mechanical HDD (2.5-inch 7200RPM), plenty of connectivity (Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.1 Type-C, 5 x USB 3.0, and 1 x USB 3.1 Type-A).

All of this fits into a chassis that is barely bigger than the PS3 console, with an automated exhaust system that AnandTech reports "opens up exhaust flippers at the top of the computer when it needs to cool down the components". The site continues: "The chassis can accommodate any double wide graphics card with a maximum size of 280 mm in length and 41 mm in depth, but nothing too custom with regards heat pipes and backplates because the space is constrained".

There's 7 hours left on an absolutely stellar deal that's taking place on Amazon, with a CYBERPOWERPC Oculus Ready GXiVR8020A Gaming Desktop & Oculus Rift Virtual Reality Headset Bundle that costs $999.

Not bad, right? Except it's bundled with an Oculus Rift - which costs $599 on its own. Inside, we have:

But, the star of the show here is the Oculus Rift, bundled for $999 is an incredible price. I personally recommend the HTC Vive, but at this price... you just can't complain. If you've got the money, pull the trigger on this PC now!

HP has just unveiled its new mini PC that features workstation-class hardware, with the new Z2 Mini packing an Intel Xeon CPU, NVIDIA Quadro mobile M620 graphics, and M.2 SSD - which all fits into a 2.3-inch-high case, that HP says is "90 percent smaller than a traditional business-class tower".

With the maxed out configuration, HP's new Z2 Mini is twice as powerful as any competing mini PC on the market, and will work with six displays in its stock form. HP is aiming for CAD, design, graphics and 3D users - but gamers shouldn't be swayed away from it, either.

HP's new Z2 Mini is 63% quieter than their own business-class mini PCs, thanks to the company deploying a custom cooling system. HP explains that the engineering of the Z2 Mini as "the octagon form of the Z2 Mini is the most uniquely designed workstation in HP's 35 years of workstation history".

Microsoft is really innovating in a big way lately, surpassing Apple's hype-o-meter which seems to have been watered down over the years, but the new Surface Studio from Microsoft is ready to blow people away.

Even with its high price, the Surface Studio is selling out all over the place, even up to the high-end $4000 model. For $2999, you get a quad-core CPU, dedicated GPU and decent storage - but for those who want speed, the $4000 model rocks a faster processor, better GPU, and more RAM. If you've forgotten the specs, here's what Surface Studio features:

Surface Studio specs:

Microsoft today revealed the Surface Studio, an ultra-thin transforming all-in-one aimed at transforming your desk into a fully-fledged workstation studio.

As we reported, Microsoft's new transforming all-in-one is called the Surface Studio, and is aimed at 3D artists and businesspeople who need a sleek, versatile and powerful PC.

The Surface Studio is incredibly thin and flexible, and sports a forge aluminum body. Apart from its power, the all-in-one's selling point is its unique transforming display, which can mold into a number of different form factors including a traditional PC setup to a slanted artist's canvas or even completely flat like a tablet. The Surface Studio is stationary, however, unlike the Surface Book.

ZOTAC held its 10-year anniversary event in Hong Kong over the last 24 hours, where it unveiled a new graphics card that it collaborated with Thermaltake on: the new ZOTAC GeForce GTX 1080 ArcticStorm Thermaltake 10 Year Anniversary Edition graphics card. It comes watercooled with Thermaltake powering the cooling side, and ZOTAC's custom PCB and high overclock goodness we've come to love about their cards.

Well, the exciting new 10-year anniversary celebration included the new ZOTAC Magnus EN1080 10 Year Anniversary Edition mini-PC, which features NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 1080 inside - not bad for something the size of a BRIX or NUC, huh? The rest of the specifications are just as good, delivering desktop gaming PC power inside of something much smaller. The entire system will draw up to 180W, which means this is a portable gaming and productivity powerhouse.

The entire Magnus EN1080 10 Year Anniversary Edition is completely liquid cooled, with ZOTAC's engineers pulling off some magic on the Magnus EN1080 with a "specially designed liquid cooling thermal system" that cools both the CPU and the GPU.

Microsoft is set to reveal its new all-in-one Surface desktop PC tomorrow, and now there's evidence it could be called "Surface Studio."

Microsoft is holding a major Windows 10 press event tomorrow, and the major consensus from the tech press believes Microsoft will unveil a unique Surface-branded "iMac-killer" desktop PC at the event. Official details are slim, but its believed the Surface all-in-one is powered by Windows 10 and can be used as a detachable tablet or docked as a desktop PC. ZDNet says the Surface is codenamed "Cardinal," and can "turn your desk into a studio."

Speaking of a "studio," that might actually be the name of the device: Surface Studio, to be more exact. Trademark attorney Brian Conroy dug up some compelling evidence of a Slovenian trademark filing which also listed the Surface Laptop, Surface Dial, and Paint 3D--the latter of which could be for 3D artists, with the Dial being similar to Wacom's Express Remote, as per Microsoft's agreement with Wacom to release "dual protocol pens."

Apple has sent out media events to the press for an upcoming event on October 27 at Apple's campus in Cupertino, where it teases "Hello Again" for its upcoming Mac-focused event.

What should we expect? Apple should tease its new MacBook products, including the purported MacBook Pro with its fancy new OLED touchbar, and more. Apple will most likely push for its removal of ports on its devices, with a new MacBook Pro featuring just USB-C, and no traditional USB ports on it, which really would change everything - but will it be for the better?

Apple will also most likely unveil a new MacBook Air, which should see it sans USB-A ports and shift into the arms of USB-C, while inside we're sure to see improved hardware. Lastly, the desktop side of things should see a new Mac Pro unveiling that could be a surprise, and with Microsoft rumored to be preparing an all-in-one desktop PC with a new Surface, Apple could trump them with a new AIO Mac desktop next week.

Samsung might be going through tumultuous times with the halting of sales on its explosive Galaxy Note 7 smartphone, but their PC division has just teased the new ArtPC Pulse, a new "cylindrical desktop PC" available on Amazon for pre-order, reports PCWorld.

The new ArtPC Pulse is 10.7 inches tall, with Samsung designing it with a full metal body and circular lighting - and it looks beyond slick. Amazon's listing teases removable expandable modules, with an optional 1TB HDD available separately.

Samsung will reportedly have the starting price on the ArtPC Pulse at $1199, rocking a 6th-gen Intel Core i5 processor, 256GB SSD, 8GB of RAM, an AMD Radeon RX 460 graphics card, and USB Type-C and HDMI connectivity. The full specs: