Engadget RSS Feed http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2013 AOL Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ <![CDATA[Hands-on with Xi3's 'Piston' modular PC at CES, a kind of 'Steambox']]> http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/08/hands-on-with-xi3s-piston-modular-pc-at-ces/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/08/hands-on-with-xi3s-piston-modular-pc-at-ces/ http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/08/hands-on-with-xi3s-piston-modular-pc-at-ces/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments

Remember when Xi3 announced a Kickstarter project for its modular computers late last year? Well, those machines are here today at CES, thanks in no small part to some lofty backing from Valve. We got a first look at its latest mini-PC, code-named Piston, tonight -- and though a more comprehensive demo is to come, we walked away with some impressions nonetheless. Of course, Valve wouldn't back this system if it didn't have some serious graphics chops. It's optimized to run Valve's Steam platform -- and specifically Big Picture Mode -- and to that end it packs a quad-core AMD APU -- likely from AMD's Fusion series. Most other specs remain vague, though the Piston apparently offers up to 1TB of storage. The package is tiny yet rugged, with an aluminum chassis that's made to resist heat (and that will certainly come in handy during gaming sessions). Xi3 is also touting the system's low energy consumption; it runs on just 40W. And it's somewhat future-proof, too, with a modular motherboard that lets you swap out components when newer tech becomes available. Our hands-on gallery will have to tide you over till we get a full walkthrough at Xi3's booth tomorrow.

Gallery: Xi3 Piston Modular Computer hands-on

Joseph Volpe contributed to this report.

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]]> ces2013gaminghands-onmodular pcModularPcsteamboxvalvexi3xi3 pistonXi3Piston Tue, 08 Jan 2013 01:43:00 -0500 21|20420873 <![CDATA[Xi3 goes the crowdfunding route for future X3A, X7A modular PCs (update: official PR)]]> http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/28/xi3-goes-the-crowdfunding-route-for-future-x3a-x7a-modular-pcs/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/28/xi3-goes-the-crowdfunding-route-for-future-x3a-x7a-modular-pcs/ http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/28/xi3-goes-the-crowdfunding-route-for-future-x3a-x7a-modular-pcs/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Xi3 goes the crowdfunding route for future X3A, X7A modular PCs

Xi3 has been one of the more inventive PC builders in the field, designing its Modular Computers in the belief that small, more upgradable desktops are the way of the future. The company is planning two new systems to further that dream, the X3A and X7A, but it wants our help: it's running a Kickstarter funding drive until October 28th to assist the development and garner some early adopters. Put down $503 or $603 and you'll get the entry-level X3A, a dual-core 1.65GHz (likely AMD E-450-based) PC with 4GB of RAM, a 32GB SSD and either Linux or Windows installed; splurge with $1,103 or more and you'll get the more performance-driven X7A, which jumps to a quad-core chip with a 3.2GHz peak speed, a Windows-loaded 64GB SSD and faster graphics. Assuming Xi3 makes its target, we should see the X3A and X7A arrive in January and February respectively, with Kickstarter supporters beating the larger herd by a week. Even existing owners are accounted for through a Primary I/O Board upgrade, due before the end of this year, that carries more Ethernet and USB 3.0 ports. Crowdfunding is an unusual approach to buying that next PC, without the certainties of shopping at an online store -- but we're also dealing with an unusual PC from the get-go.

Update: Xi3 has put out full details of both the X3A and X7A through an official release three days later, which you'll find after the break. As part of the move, it's slashing the base price of the original X5A design to $499.

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Source: Kickstarter

]]> amdamd e-450amd fusionAmdE-450AmdFusioncomputercomputerscrowdfundingdesktopdesktopse-450ethernetfusionlinuxmodular computermodular pcModularComputerModularPcpcprimary io boardPrimaryIoBoardsffsff pcSffPcsmall form factorSmallFormFactorusb 3.0Usb3.0videowindows 7Windows7x3ax7axi3xi3 modular computerxi3 x3axi3 x7aXi3ModularComputerXi3X3aXi3X7a Fri, 28 Sep 2012 23:59:00 -0400 21|20336741 <![CDATA[ICE Computer shows off Trinity modular tablet concept, aims for Q1 2012 release (video)]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/01/ice-computer-shows-off-trinity-modular-tablet-concept-aims-for/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/01/ice-computer-shows-off-trinity-modular-tablet-concept-aims-for/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/01/ice-computer-shows-off-trinity-modular-tablet-concept-aims-for/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments First the ASUS Padfone, then the CMIT TransPhone, and now a third phone-docking tablet but with a little extra spice. Our latest contender comes from a Taiwan-based startup dubbed ICE Computer, who has just announced its partnership with ECS over its Trinity concept, a mobile display that lets you dock either a PC module or a smartphone (not necessarily an iPhone, let alone an iPhone 5 as reported by some sites; the dummy's just for show and convenience). From our quick chat with ICE product manager Jaryson Wu, we learned that the company's been working on this project for quite some time, though ike ASUS and CMIT, ICE also lacked a working prototype to show us.

So the idea is simple: slide in a PC module or phone of your choice, and you have yourself a fully functioning touchscreen tablet that has an upgradable core -- that's one tick for environmental friendliness, and another tick for potentially more powerful upgrades. But that's not it, as ICE may also throw in USB 3.0 ports, additional internal storage, and even a fan inside the Trinity tablet, but that will depend on the clients' needs. Jaryson indicated that there are no plans to launch products under the startup's own brand, nor is it going to develop its own phone to go with the add-on any time soon -- we'll just have to wait and see what it'll deliver in the first quarter of 2012. Video interview after the break.

[Thanks, @Stagueve]

Gallery: ICE Computer shows off Trinity modular tablet concept, aims for Q1 2012 release (video)

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]]> cellphoneComputexComputex 2011Computex2011ECSfeaturedfeatureshands-onhybrid tabletHybridTabletICEICE ComputerIceComputerinterviewJaryson WuJarysonWumobile phoneMobilePhonemodular computermodular pcmodular tabletModularComputerModularPcModularTabletmodulephoneslatesmartphonestartuptabletvideo Wed, 01 Jun 2011 05:10:00 -0400 21|19954929 <![CDATA[Xi3 modular PC reborn as Chrome OS desktop, promises independence from local storage]]> http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/23/xi3-modular-pc-reborn-as-chrome-desktop-promises-independence-f/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/23/xi3-modular-pc-reborn-as-chrome-desktop-promises-independence-f/ http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/23/xi3-modular-pc-reborn-as-chrome-desktop-promises-independence-f/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments Chromebooks a tad too mobile for you? Sensing the market is at last ready for Google's web-based OS, Xi3 decided to ship the ChromiumPC, an updated version of the modular, Chrome OS-based desktop it trotted out as a concept last year. The computer (also known as the 5 Series) has a processor module and two I/O ones -- a design whose promise is that installing a different operating system should be as easy as swapping out that first board. And, cheekily, the company expects it to go on sale July 4th, a day when Chromium OS owners can "declare their independence from the built-in obsolescence of other computers." Got that, folks? Your mature operating system and local storage are useless. No word yet on pricing, so here's hoping Chrome OS isn't a moot point or anything by the time we find out. Full PR after the break.

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]]> chromeChrome desktopchrome osChromeDesktopChromeOschromiumpccoming soonComingSoondesktopdiygoogle chromeGoogleChromejuly 4thJuly4thmodularmodular desktopmodular pcModularDesktopModularPcXi3Xi3 ChromiumPCxi3 modular computerXi3ChromiumpcXi3ModularComputer Mon, 23 May 2011 12:37:00 -0400 21|19947338 <![CDATA[Design student concocts eco-friendly modular PC]]> http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/09/design-student-concocts-eco-friendly-modular-pc/?utm_medium=feed&utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_campaign=Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/09/design-student-concocts-eco-friendly-modular-pc/ http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/09/design-student-concocts-eco-friendly-modular-pc/?utm_source=Feed_Classic&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Engadget#comments
Certainly, we've seen compartmentalized computing concepts before, but the machine you see above is far beyond a few lines on paper. This modular PC was designed with Mother Earth in mind, and from our view, design graduate Ben Chase should be receiving a copious amount of hugs from trees all around. The sustainable PC runs Windows, consumes just 27-watts of power and has "upgradable components that slide out without the need for tools." According to Mr. Chase, he has crafted a 95% working prototype, and though we doubt any of the big boys have contacted this bloke about taking things mainstream, that probably wouldn't be a bad idea on their part.

Gallery: Design student concocts eco-friendly modular PC

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]]> artben chaseBenChasedesigngreengreen pcGreenPcmodularmodular pcModularPcsustainable Mon, 09 Jun 2008 16:35:00 -0400 21|1219986