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Gigabyte shows off tiny, adorable Brix gaming PC
Steam Box dreamers take note, our buddies at Engadget recently went hands on with Gigabyte's Brix gaming PC. Gigabyte's Brix line, if you haven't heard, crams a whole PC into a case roughly the size of a nice tiramisu (i.e. a cube about 4.5 inches wide). The diminutive machine packs Intel's new Haswell processor and, more importantly, Iris Pro integrated graphics. Connectivity includes 4 USB 3.0 ports, HDMI, Ethernet, Bluetooth 4.0, built-in WiFi and a headphone jack. Engadget tried out Grid 2, which played smoothly in 1080p. The lil' 'puter isn't going to outperform a system with a dedicated GPU, but it sounds impressive nonetheless. The PC has no release date just yet, but it's expected to sell for $500. That comes with a hefty caveat, however: you'll have to provide your own RAM, 2.5-inch hard drive and operating system.
Daily Roundup: Distro Issue 107, iPhone 5c pre-orders, Gold-colored HTC One, and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Gigabyte shows off tiny BRIX gaming PC with Haswell and Iris Pro graphics (hands-on)
While we had an inkling that Gigabyte would be fitting its latest miniature BRIX PCs with Haswell processors, we were pleasantly surprised to learn it had also built a tiny gaming computer with Iris Pro graphics on board. Indeed, the BRIX pocket gaming PC has similar internals to the recently announced Gigabyte BRIX II -- it has an HDMI port, Ethernet, four USB 3.0 slots, Bluetooth 4.0, a Mini display port, built-in WiFi and a headset jack -- but with the added benefit of Intel's latest integrated graphics and the choice of red, yellow or black aluminum housing. We had a chance to play around with a prototype model at the Intel Developer Forum in San Francisco, and we have to say we're impressed. We played a short round of Grid 2 and the race car looked amazing as it roared across a large 1080p TV. While the performance appeared robust enough in our brief hands-on, an Intel rep did warn us it probably won't replace a system with a dedicated high-end GPU (Ed. Note: We've heard from Intel that while Iris Pro won't replace a high-end GPU, it'll match up well with low to mid-range graphics cards). The box itself is an adorable little thing that we felt was compact and light enough to bring to our next gaming party without taking up too much space in the trunk.
Computex 2013: the best of Haswell
Intel used this year's Computex to officially debut Haswell-based Core processors, and it had no shortage of willing launch partners: seemingly everyone had at least one updated PC to reveal. The refinements to battery life and graphics also led to quite a few companies pushing the boundaries, whether it was in cutting-edge screens or exotic form factors. Quite frankly, there was a lot to cope with in several days -- enough so that we're putting the more important Haswell offerings in one convenient roundup. Read on for our look at the desktops, laptops and tablets that launched in sync with Taiwan's premier tech event.
Gigabyte outs three low- to mid-range handsets with dual SIM slots, we go hands-on (video)
Okay, so we didn't quite know what to make of Gigabyte's lamp / Ultrabook hub. But what about its new smartphones? The company is showing off three handsets here at Computex 2013 -- the Maya, Sierra and Simba, in ascending order of impressiveness -- all of which have dual SIM slots, IPS displays, 1GB of RAM and a stock build of Android 4.2. To tell the truth, none of them are exactly high-end (even the top-tier Simba runs just a dual-core Snapdragon 400 processor), but we were impressed by the quality of those IPS screens, which offer wide viewing angles even under harsh lighting. They've all got thick, plastic builds too, but some are at least nicer-feeling than others. The 5-inch Sierra has a slightly metallic finish that could possibly pass for metal at a glance. The 5-inch Simba is done up in a trendy white, but with a glossy, tacky sort of look. And the lowest-end Maya (4.5-inches) is made of plain, drab plastic. Not much to see there. On the inside, as we said, the Simba has a Snapdragon 400 (Krait) SoC, while the other two make do with a 1.2GHz, quad-core processor from MediaTek. As for screen quality. the Maya has QHD resolution whereas the Sierra and Simba step up to HD; either way, no 1080p flagships here. That's about all we have to share at this point -- Gigabyte hasn't announced pricing or availability -- but a company rep did tell us these phones should at the very least be headed to Asia and Eastern Europe. For now, head past the break for a quick video tour.%Gallery-190374%
Gigabyte reveals prices, availability for NVIDIA-equipped U-Series Haswell notebooks
Since not everybody wants to lug an eight pound gaming machine or settle for a lightweight but graphics-challenged notebook, Gigabyte unveiled its U-series at Computex: two notebooks and an ultrabook with discreet NVIDIA graphics and 4th-generation Intel CPUs. The models build on the company's last-gen 14-inch U2442 Ultrabook, which unlike most models in that category, carried GeForce GT640M graphics and a generous supply of ports while still maintaining a respectable 3.3 pound heft. Gigabyte's looking to continue in that vein with the new models, which will all arrive by early August. To see a breakdown on all the pricing and specs, head after the break. %Gallery-190389% %Gallery-190388%
Gigabyte Smart Lamp doubles as an Ultrabook hub, is missing a few ports (hands-on)
Things we expected to see at the world's premier computer show: mainstream notebooks, gaming notebooks, thin notebooks ("pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp"), maybe even a tablet or two. But a desk lamp? Not so much. And yet, that might be the most memorable thing Gigaybte is showing here at Computex. The Smart Lamp is, as you'd expect, a proper light, one you can use on four different brightness settings. But it also doubles as a laptop hub, with a DVD player built into the base, along with a handful of other ports. These include two USB sockets, dual headphone / earphone jacks and an SD reader. It's a neat idea, to be sure -- who doesn't love two-in-one devices - but considering it's supposed to supplement the ports normally found on Ultrabooks, it seems to be missing quite a few big ones. Why not throw in an HDMI port, or some other kind of display output? Ooh, or how about an Ethernet jack? Or a DVD drive that can burn discs in addition to play them? Anyway, you can color us slightly disappointed after having gotten an up-close look, even if the concept itself deserves an 'A' for creativity. No word yet on how much this will cost, when it will go on sale or in which countries it will be available. Until then, check out the walk-through video below -- not that this thing needs much further explanation.%Gallery-190369%
Gigabyte shows four prototype BRIX mini PCs, including models with projectors and wireless charging
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.
Gigabyte PC revamps include game-ready Ultrabooks, AMD A4-based tablet (hands-on)
Gigabyte loves to pull out all the stops at Computex, and this year is no exception: the company just unveiled 11 (mostly) new laptops and tablets. According to a brochure on hand at the computer maker's demo table, the emphasis is chiefly on slimmer portables with both Haswell-era Core processors and some dedicated graphics firepower. The P34G and P35K Ultrablade models are equally 0.83 inches thick, but pack gaming-friendly GeForce GTX 760M (P34G) and 765M (P35K) video. More pedestrian Ultrabooks get a boost as well: both the touchscreen U24T (pictured above) and the non-touch U24F wield a mid-tier GeForce GT 750M. If you don't mind bulkier laptops, the Q2546N, Q2556N, U35F, P27K and P27W scale from the GeForce GT 740M through to the GTX 770M while allowing for more storage and Creative Sound Blaster audio tuning. The tablet updates aren't nearly as extensive. Most of Gigabyte's energy centers on the 10-inch Slate S10A, a spin on the S1082 with an AMD Temash-based A4-1200 processor that delivers up to 14 hours of battery life. Other refreshes are even subtler: the 11.6-inch U21M convertible is similar to the U2142, while the dockable S1185 returns virtually unchanged outside from a new Padbook nickname. Release dates and prices aren't immediately available for any of the new systems, unfortunately, but you can peek at a few of the fresh models in our hands-on photos just below. %Gallery-190058% Zach Honig and Mat Smith contributed to this report.
Gigabyte introduces BRIX, a customizable mini PC powered by Ivy Bridge CPUs
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-189343%
Gigabyte P2742G gaming laptop goes up for sale in UK, priced at £909
Gigabyte unleashed the beast today with a 17.3-inch gaming laptop that's named, awkwardly enough, the P2742G. The system combines a quad-core Core i7 CPU and a GeForce GTX 660M GPU with Windows 8 and a 1080p display. First announced last fall, the P2742G is now available from £909 in the UK via retailers such as Amazon. Likewise, we've spotted similar pre-order prices for US markets in the neighborhood of $1,450. The laptop boasts two storage bays with RAID array support, an optional Blu-ray combo drive and THX TruStudio Pro enhancements. You'll also find a 2-megapixel webcam in the mix, but your color choices are limited to either orange or black. That said, if you're able to grab both, you'll be well-coordinated for when Halloween comes around. In the meantime, you'll find the full spec sheet at the source link.
Gigabyte shows off an extra-tiny desktop PC with a Core i7, April release date
There was a surprise waiting alongside Gigabyte's Windows 8 tablet duo at CES: an exceptionally small desktop. The as yet unnamed mini PC is a minor marvel of engineering that's much smaller than a Mac mini at an 0.3-liter volume (10 fluid ounces), but still manages to cram in a Core i3, i5 or i7 processor. We're also looking at up to 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD for heavy duty tasks. Expansion is about the only sacrifice, as there's just two USB ports, Ethernet and a rather curious choice of two HDMI ports on the pre-production model we saw. Gigabyte didn't have the system ready to test, but it should ship worldwide in April, with a price to be set later.
Hands-on with Gigabyte's S1082 and S1185 Windows 8 tablets (video)
Gigabyte came to CES with a pair of Windows 8 tablets, the S1082 and S1185, in hopes of making a splash in a US market that still tends to associate the company name with PC motherboards. We had the opportunity to try both, and came away intrigued -- there's a handful of touches on each that separate them from the pack. Read after the break for our impressions and video tours.
Gigabyte announces support for Intel Collage in Z77 motherboards, invites you to make a DIY 4K display
Running a PC with a Gigabyte motherboard, dual Thunderbolt ports and four monitors? You might want to consider revising that NVIDIA Surround setup into makeshift 4k display. Gigabyte has announced that it will soon be issuing updates for its Z77 motherboards to include support for Intel Collage technology, allowing users to split a 4k video signal between four HD monitors. Not a bad trick, considering the cost of native 4K displays. Intel's Collage feature is available to any manufacturer interested in implementing it, but Gigabyte is proud to be the first out of the door. All you have to worry about is training yourself to ignore that unsightly monitor bezel.
Gigabyte arrives at CES with two Windows 8 tablets, including an 11.6-inch S1185 with 1080p and Ivy Bridge
Who's afraid of the Windows 8 tablet crush? Not Gigabyte. According to Mobile Geeks, the company has brought a couple of new tablets to Las Vegas -- the S1185 for regular customers and the businessy S1082 -- in the expectation that they'll make a dent despite intense competition. The more interesting S1185 has a few things going for it, including a 1080p 11.6-inch display, a powerful Ivy Bridge processor (which could admittedly make battery life an issue), a magnetic add-on and 'optical finger navigation' -- something we'll investigate further when it comes to hands-on time. Meanwhile, the S1082 follows a similar format but adds cellular connectivity and the option of a 500GB HDD instead of a smaller SSD. That's all we know for now, but we'll try to track these slates down on the show floor shortly.
Gigabyte X11 review: slim and powerful but not without flaws
Gigabyte was certainly feeling brave when it unveiled the £857, 11.6-inch X11 Ultrabook earlier this year. Appearing shortly before the arrival of Windows 8, it straddles two OS life cycles, with a feature set that's more faithful to Windows 7 than to the touch-centric future. Still, with a Core i5 Ivy Bridge CPU, 4GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD, the current holder of the "world's thinnest Ultrabook" title is specced to compete -- and, as you'd imagine, this is a fast and powerful little machine. But has Gigabyte sacrificed compelling features to achieve the X11's extra-skinny frame? Join us after the break to learn if this unit, only available outside US, is worth the import fees.
Gigabyte's U2142 is an 11-inch Windows 8 convertible with a lot to prove
That recent update on Surface Pro give you jitters? Yeah, us too, which is why we fully expect x86 nomads will be looking afresh at the heavier, more established classes of Windows 8 hybrids and convertibles. Gigabyte's latest entry into that crowded arena has just swung by the FCC, raising the likelihood of US availability while also showing off its 11.6-inch, 1,366 x 768 pivoting touchscreen wedded to a 21mm-thick (0.8-inch) chassis with a chiclet keyboard and large touchpad. The U2142 is built to contain a third-gen Intel Core i3 or i5 processor with integrated graphics, alongside up to 256GB of mSATA flash storage and 1TB-worth of HDD -- a double helping that brings its weight to 1.5kg (that's 3.3 pounds, or 50 percent heavier than MSI's 11.6-inch slider). CNET Asia got an early hands-in October and learned that the convertible might retail for around $999, although it's not clear what specs would come for that price, and it's also worth bearing in mind that Gigabyte has yet to garner much of a reputation for build quality -- even if that central hinge does look like something off an anti-aircraft gun.
Gigabyte P2542G gaming laptop hands-on (video)
While we managed to get our hands on Gigabyte's latest graphics card-toting Ultrabook back at CeBIT, we've just finished handling the P2542G (its high-end gaming sibling) at the laptop and motherboard maker's UK launch event. Packing a 15.6-inch 1,920 x 1,080 display, it runs on an Ivy Bridge Core i7-3610QM, with a 2GB NVIDIA GTX 660M card to power PC gaming's latest and greatest. Add in a Blu-ray player and THX-certified dual-woofer sound system and you have the makings of pretty capable beast -- not to mention looking the part with a yellow paint job and dual exhaust vents along the back edge. Read up on our impressions and check out our video hands-on after the break.%Gallery-163222%
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 and 670 round-up: which overclocked card is the one for you?
Happy first-quarter birthday, Kepler. Your reference design is old enough for companies like EVGA, MSI, ASUS, Zotac to push your various clock speeds to the limit, while using custom coolers to avoid meltdown. Arguably the time to upgrade is now and that's why Hot Hardware has done a full-on round-up review, comparing some of the best GTX 680 and GTX 670 packages against each other and against the Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition. If you prefer your morning news fresh and unspoilered, jump straight to the source link below. Or, if you just want the gist of it, click Read More.
Triple-screen gaming setups put under the microscope, deemed an attainable luxury
Can't help salivating over gaming setups with three screens? The Tech Report knows your hunger, and aims to satiate your cravings with a detailed look at the triple-display efforts of Gigabyte's GeForce GTX 680 OC and ASUS' Radeon HD 7970 DirectCU II Top. The high-end GPUs ran Battlefield 3, Arkham City, Rage and a few other games through the wringer -- competing on temperature, game performance, noise level and more -- outputting each title in a glorious extra-wide resolution, with a few quirks on the side. The Tech Report emerged from the gauntlet reluctant to relinquish its additional displays, extolling the trial as the first "next-generation gaming experience" they've had in a while. What's this mean for you? The author sums it up nicely: "In a few short years, surround gaming has gone from being somewhat of an exotic luxury to something far more attainable." If snagging a multi-panel gaming setup is your goal, venture on to the source below where an unabridged, 11-page breakdown awaits.
