Category: Computer

Years ago ASUS made the transition from being just a motherboard company to a notebook manufacturer. These days I’m getting the distinct impression ASUS would like to be much more than just a notebook company. It has been building everything from displays to routers for quite a while now, but ASUS is definitely ramping up its focus on all things peripheral to motherboards and systems.

At Computex we got a glimpse of two ASUS displays, one that brings integrated Intel Wireless Display (WiDi) technology (pictured above) and one that integrates touch. Although I wouldn’t rely on WiDi as a primary interface for my display due to latency, it does make it easier to temporarily “connect” another machine to your display.

The touch enabled model is obviously aimed at Windows 8 and I expect to see more touch enabled desktop monitors as Windows 8 officially launches. I don’t know that touch alone is a compelling feature for Windows 8, but it seems like it’s going to quickly become a requirement as it really is a more convenient way to interact with the Metro UI.

from AnandTech

From one year to the next, we see many of the same characters make an appearance at the same trade shows — this week, it’s Taipei’s Computex, and today, we’re back to visit ICE Computer. What last year was known as “Trinity” and hadn’t progressed beyond the mock-up stage has returned for 2012 as xPC — a working prototype of the company’s modular computer concept. Internet Communication Entertainment, abbreviated as ICE, envisions xPC being the only computer you’ll need. The device itself is barely larger than a smartphone, and would contain either an Intel, AMD or Tegra chipset, 2 gigs of RAM, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, a 1.3- or 2-megapixel webcam and a 32 or 64GB SSD — all in a package that weighs in at approximately 50 grams. The sample we saw today was so light that we first mistook it for a plastic shell, yet it powered a typical desktop setup, complete with a monitor (HDTV), keyboard and mouse.

The current prototype doesn’t include a cooling infrastructure, so it was limited to a low-power 1.5GHz Intel Atom CPU for the time being. All of the company’s various enclosures will feature built-in fans, however, opening the concept up to a variety of configurations. The xPC doesn’t function on its own — instead, you dock it within a variety of accessories, such as the xDock, which would sit permanently on a desk or in a home theater cabinet and includes HDMI input and output, speakers, a pair of USB 2.0 ports, one USB 3.0 port, Ethernet, SATA and several other connectors. The xTop is the portable variant, offering many of the same connectivity options, but on a smaller scale. Finally, there’s the xPad, which brings 9.7- or 10.1-inch touchscreen control to the xPC in a tablet form-factor, yet still includes a bevy of connectivity, along with a webcam and battery.

There’s also an xPhone (think PadFone) concept, that packs all of the xPC’s functionality into a device that doubles as a smartphone — the California-based company didn’t have any mock-ups to speak of there, however. ICE expects to ship the xPC and xDock by the end of this year, with the computer module itself ranging in price from $100 to $250 depending on how you opt to configure it. The xPad could ship late this year or sometime in early 2013, with pricing to be announced. For now, the xPhone remains a concept, without any functional prototypes or even a mock-up to speak of. ICE representatives suggested that the company may partner with a smartphone manufacturer to develop that last component, so we have no idea if or when that may come to market. All in all, it’s a solid (and, thanks to PadFone, proven) concept — you can get a closer look in our hands-on after the break.

 

from Engadget

Visiting the MSI booth today at Computex was rather exciting – they were showing off two rather interesting GPU fan technologies, alongside their portable Thunderbolt GPU device, GUS.

The first is a new GPU fan design, for users who want either increased GPU cooling, or increased VRM cooling.  Initially being a small sized GPU, a user can add a second fan on top of the first, to increase the airflow blowing directly onto the main part of the cooler above the GPU:

This cooler can expand if a user has a long enough case, and the second fan can be moved to the edge of the cooler, providing more cooling along that side of the GPU.

This extra fan is limited to 40% RPM due to the controller being used.  MSI tell us that there are plans to make this fan fully adjustable.

Also of interest to us is the introduction of the ‘dust-free’ methods MSI are bring to their main user line of enthusiast SKUs.  At startup, the fans on the GPU will spin in the reverse direction for 30 seconds in an attempt to draw dust out of the GPU (but dump it into the case).  After 30 seconds, the fans will spin back the other way to produce the desired cooling effect.  MSI say this has come about due to the Asian market, where pollution can cause dust buildup in cases and coolers.

GUS is what part of the world has been waiting for – an external GPU housing.  Data transfer comes through a Thunderbolt cable to provide 10 Gbps bandwidth, and MSI state they should be selling this housing with a GPU up to 150W, so 7870, 7850 and 6850 models to begin with in Q3/Q4 if demand is high enough and Thunderbolt takes a hold in the market.

More photos in the gallery below.

from AnandTech