Joey Hess, a developer contributing to Debian GNU/Linux, has shoehorned a fully functional PC into a portable boombox stereo. Two USB ports are embedded in what used to be the CD eject button, and the computer’s LEDs are visible where the CD slot used to be. The tape deck has been repurposed to provide access to a 4-port USB hub. “Hit Stop/Eject to change USB keys. ” → Read More
The Dell XPS One line of all-in-one PCs has added two new models, each with 24-inch screens (the other models have 20-inch screens) and 4GB of RAM, standard. One starts at $1,699 and features a quad-core Intel Q8200 processor, Vista Home Premium, DVD burner, 4GB of RAM, 320GB SATA hard drive, integrated Intel GMA X4500HD graphics, and a SoundBlaster Audigy HD sound card. The other starts at $1,999 and includes everything mentioned above except it’s got a 750GB SATA hard drive and a 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT video card. → Read More
I actually found it kind of difficult to spec an HP desktop up over $999 but if you’re able to swing it, you can get $400 lopped off the top by using coupon code DT7708 at checkout. Be advised, though, that the d5000 series and the TouchSmart series aren’t eligible for the savings. The coupon code will last until its been redeemed 900 times, so keep that in mind if you’re the type of person who tends to either dawdle, dilly-dally, or both. Not a bad deal if you’re looking to load up on a new desktop. HP Shopping [via dealnews] → Read More
If you’re still into desktop PCs, have I got a deal for you. You can get an HP Pavilion m9400t with 4GB of RAM, a 320GB hard drive, and a Blu-ray drive for $649.99, which includes free shipping. Here’s what to do: Hit this link right here to go to HP’s shopping site. Click on the "Customize & Buy” link next to “Base configuration." Change the operating system to the 64-bit version of Vista Home Premium (it’s the second selection). Grab the free upgrade to 4GB of RAM. Add the Blu-ray DVD player & Lightscribe SuperMulti DVD burner for $150. Use coupon code DT4523 to get $400 off of the $1049.99 purchase price – the coupon only works for stuff over $999. Enjoy! HP Pavilion Elite m9400t [shopping.hp.com via dealspl.us] → Read More
The Thermaltake Xpressar RCS100 is basically a mini-fridge PC case, keeping the insides at a cool 50 to 70 degrees. How is this possible? I have no idea, except that it’s “the world’s first DC inverter-type micro refrigeration cooling system,” according to the Inquirer. Also, it looks pretty clean inside — not as many tubes and whatnot as a typical water-cooled system. The first systems will work to cool Intel’s Core 2 Extreme chips. Thermaltake is developing support for dual CPU and even GPU cooling as well. Everything’s still being tested, so no word on price or availability yet but it should maybe fall somewhere in between water cooling and VapoChill setups. → Read More
My personal jury is still out when it comes to computers with built-in touchscreens. On laptops, sure, go for it. On desktops, eh, I don’t know. Take the Shuttle D10, for instance. It’s got a 7-inch LCD screen built into it. Okay, I guess, but the screen’s only got an 800×480 resolution according to Akihabara. You’re gonna need to hook a monitor up to it no matter what. I could see this kind of thing being useful for, say, a car PC project or maybe, just maybe, a media center-type thing. As far as pricing and availability goes, it appears that the D10 will be available in Japan this week with configurations starting at just under $500 US. Not sure if or when it’d make it stateside, though. Most of the Shuttle stuff ends up here sooner or later, though, so we might actually see this thing. → Read More
The Bot iBuyPower just released three PCs dedicated to handling and upload video. The Video Bot, Pro, and Extreme each use Pinnacle Dazzle DVD Recording Software and Adobe Premier Elements and the two highest end models, the Pro at $1,799 and the Extreme at $4,299, include Blu-Ray burners. To win one of the PCs, entrants should pop over to WinAPC and submit their favorite gaming moments. Full spec sheet follows. The Pro El Monte CA – August 06, 2008 – iBUYPOWER, know for it’s innovative and powerful gaming PCs, is excited to launch its new line of Video PC’s. The Video PCs’ are built with the amateur videographer on mind – individuals who prefer to shoot video rather than stills, and post their experiences on sites like You Tube. The iBUYPOWER Video PC line includes the Video Bot, Video Pro, and Video Extreme, which are priced at $1,299, $1,799, and $4,299 MSRP respectively. The Video Bot, housed in an NZXT Appollo case, features the Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 CPU, nVidia 9800GT GPU, and 4 GB of DDR-2 RAM. Customers looking for a little more power will find it in the Video Pro. iBuyPower packed an Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 processor, ATI HD 4850 graphics card and 8 GB of DDR- 2 RAM into a Gigabyte Poseidon case. The Video Extreme however, is built to be just that – extreme. Housed in a Thermaltake Armor case, the Video Extreme is stocked with the best components available – an Intel Core 2 Quad Extreme QX9770 CPU, ATI HD 4870 graphics card, 8 GB of DDR-3 1333 RAM, Blu-ray burner and a 1200W power supply. “Millions of people visit sites like YouTube to share their videos everyday, yet before now no computer manufacturer has built a pc dedicated to the needs of this community,” said Darren Su, Vice President of iBUYPOWER. “We decided it was time to provide these aspiring filmmakers with a professional video editing solution.” All three of the iBUYPOWER Video PCs come with Adobe’s Premier Elements 4.0 editing software, built-in 8 channel surround sound, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-Bit Edition, a 12-in-1 card reader/writer and a 3 year limited warranty. As part of the launch iBUYPOWER is giving away a Video Pro System, a $1,799 value, to the winner of the Favorite Gaming Moments YouTube Contest. Contestants will upload videos they create of them reenacting their favorite → Read More
Acer recently announced its series of X1200 small form factor desktops. There are three models ranging in price from $450 to $700. The X1200-U1520A and the X1200-U1510A are both available now for $450 and $460, respectively, and the decked-out X1200-B1581A will be available for $700 on Sunday, July 13th. Each model comes with a 64-bit dual-core AMD chip, 4GB of RAM, on-board NVIDIA GeForce 8200 graphics, DVD burner, Vista Premium 64, 7.1-channel audio, and HDMI out. The premium model comes with a 22-inch LCD monitor and 500GB SATA hard drive versus 320GB hard drives (and no monitor) on the less expensive ones. That’s a pretty compelling setup for the price, especially if you’re looking for a HTPC for the living room. Full press release after the jump… → Read More
Remember Averatec? T’was once Sotec and appears to now be TriGem Computer peddling PCs and notebooks under the Averatec brand name? Whatever the case may be, there’s a new all-in-one on the market for $1,199 for those of you still interested in skinny-but-sorta-powerful computers. The Averatec All-in-One PC (as it’s called) consists of a 22-inch screen at 1680×1050 resolution, 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo processor, Vista Home Premium, nVidia GeForce 8400 graphics, 320GB hard drive, 2GB of RAM, DVD burner, 802.11 b/g wireless, built-in 1.3-megapixel webcam, wireless keyboard and mouse, remote control for Vista Media Center, and an optional built-in ATSC TV tuner. At $1199, it’s priced below offerings from Dell and Gateway but has a larger screen and comparable specs. Averatec All-in-One PC [Trigem.com] → Read More
‘Round April-time, some photos of a small form factor Dell PC started making their way through the series of tubes symbolizing the world wide web. This PC was adorned by a case made of fine bamboo and there was talk of some sort of “Eco PC” but the news came and went like so many lovers through a fertility clinic. Today, however, it seems that the tiny Dell PC has resurfaced, except instead of bamboo, the case appears to be made out of discarded BluBlocker lenses. It’s what’s on the inside that counts, though, right? Well, there will apparently be some sort of Intel CPU, 4GB of RAM, a 320GB hard drive, DVD burner, HDMI, and DVI. So it looks like Dell’s gunning for your living room and that this might just be some sort of Media Center PC. The price should be decent, too, at potentially less than $700 with the “Studio Hybrid” PC (as its being called) becoming available sometime later this year. via Engadget → Read More
http://blip.tv/scripts/flash/showplayer.swf?enablejs=true&feedurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcrunchgear%2Eblip%2Etv%2Frss&file=http%3A%2F%2Fblip%2Etv%2Frss%2Fflash%2F985820%3Freferrer%3Dblip%2Etv%26source%3D1&showplayerpath=http%3A%2F%2Fblip%2Etv%2Fscripts%2Fflash%2Fshowplayer%2Eswf HP’s new TouchSmart 2 is an all-in-one with a full touchscreen that is completely portable and includes a DVD burner and optional TV tuner. It’s essentially a kitchen or den media PC with a bit of a twist – the touchscreen. Prices for the base model HP TouchSmart IQ504 PC and the TV-tuner equipped IQ506 PC are expected to start at $1,299 and $1499, respectively. Both models should be available next month and you can read the entire press release after the jump. Sorry, multi-touch fans: it’s not in here yet. → Read More
The ASUS Essentio CS5110, which we’ve covered in fair-to-middling detail, will be offered with an optional Blu-ray burner. Pricing will run between $657 and $1,642, with the Blu-ray equipped version of the PC starting at just over $1,300. These prices, by the way, are being converted from New Taiwan dollars, so they’re not necessarily set in stone. Still no official launch date and we’re not even sure if we’ll see these things stateside yet, but more details are expected next week at Computex. Full specs in a previous post here. via IDG/Yahoo! News → Read More
Sure, they’re not as useful as some purpose-made cases, but these case mods are pretty cool. If your favorite gaming console bites the dust, you too could turn it into a PC with a little wire, glue, solder, duct tape and nerves of steel. My fave by far is the Game Boy hack, because using the screen for the fan input is just awesome. When someone figures out how to casemod my Blackout Tranformers figure, I’m stoked. → Read More
Yesterday was “Hey, look at the new Acer gaming PCs” day. Today is “Hey, we’ve got some early pricing and specs for you” day. TrustedReviews.com has some interesting information in that the Predator line of PCs won’t be customizable — the machines will just be sold off-the-shelf in stores. That’s good for people who don’t want to wait, but bad for people who like to tweak stuff like, oh, I don’t know, gamers? Anyway, on to the specs and prices. → Read More
