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PCs - PC Components

The Desktop PC Case that's also… a Desk

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The Desktop PC Case that's also… a Desk

In these days of increasingly small hardware, it's good to see a massive old fashioned PC. Like the DK-01X and DK-02X, PC cases so big they double as a desk. No, seriously, they have legs and everything!

Presented at Computex by Taiwanese case maker Lian Li, the DK-01X and DK-02X are aluminium work desks featuring a lockable sliding drawer with enough space for an HPTX-size motherboard. Or two in case of the DK-02X, since it is large enough to house an extra mini-ITX system.

The drawer inside the DK-01X is 90cm long, while the DK-02X is 125cm. Both support 360mm radiators on the side, have removable front brackets, carry up to 3 monitor mounts and have space for plenty of ports, connections and storage.

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Dell Differentiates Portfolio at Computex

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Dell Differentiates Portfolio at Computex

In a bid to differentiate its product portfolio Dell launches a variety of tablets, laptops, all-in-one (AIO) PCs and monitors at Computex 2014, all promising innovative form factors ideal for both work and play.

“The Dell Venue tablets and Inspiron 2-in-1s are designed to be essential companions to power projects, provide entertainment, and share meaningful moments with family and friends,” the company claims.

New Dell tablets come in two Android-powered flavours-- the Venue 7 and 8. The Venue 7 features a 1280 x 800 display, while the Venue 8 has a 1920 x 1200 display and wireless charging capability.

Both are among the first devices running on the latest Intel Atom processors (aka Merrifield) and promise battery lives of up to 10 hours.

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Intel: Holiday Launch for Broadwell

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Intel: Holiday Launch for Broadwell

Intel CEO Brian Krzanich tells Reuters the next-generation Broadwell CPUs will "probably" not ship in time for the back-to-school shopping season, but should be available to OEMs just in time for the holiday season.

"I can guarantee for holiday, and not at the last second of holiday," Krzanich says. "Back to school-- that's a tight one. Back to school you have to really have it on-shelf in July, August. That's going to be tough."

Such comments provide a more precise timeframe for the Broadwell release than the latest Intel quarterly analyst conference call, where Krzanich talked of launch sometime during H2 2014.

The 14nm Broadwell CPUs already saw one delay-- on October 2013 the company blamed a "defect density issue" for a @small blip in the schedule."

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Acer Intros PCs, Tablets, Wearable

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Acer Intros PCs, Tablets, Wearable

Acer reveals its back-to-school portfolio at a "Touch More Connected" press event, one complete with All-in-One (AIO) PCs, tablets, notebooks, hybrids and even a wearable device.

The first devices seen come from the AIO PC selection-- the premium Aspire U5-620 and the budget-conscious Aspire Z3-615. The U5-620 features a 23-inch 10-point touchscreen users can lay-flat or tilt with a single touch, and is powered by 4th generation Intel Core CPUs and optional GeForce GTX graphics.

It also carries up to 1TB of hybrid storage, 16GB RAM and Skype-enhancing features such as a front-facing dual-array microphone, front-facing "hi-fi" speakers and a 1080p webcam.

Meanwhile the Z3-615 is the more basic option, with an adjustable IPS display and 4th generation Intel Core CPU within a sleek metallic stand.

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Mini-ITX Systems Get CPU Cooler

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Mini-ITX Systems Get CPU Cooler

PC cooling component maker Cryorig announces the C1-- a CPU cooler aimed at customers building mini-ITX- or mico-ATX-based systems with a total height of just 7.4cm.

“ITX systems now are housing high performance, high TDP CPUs and GPUs," the company says. "Cooling these crucial components is an even greater challenge in these tight spaces […] the C1 is a solution that has outstanding performance for its size, and provides a great user experience thanks to its hassle free easy installation and robust accessories. Everything you need is in the box.”

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IDC: Q1 EMEA PC Shipments "Stablised"

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IDC: Q1 EMEA PC Shipments

EMEA Q1 2014 PC shipments are down by -1.1% Y-o-Y to 21.8 million units IDC reports-- a relative improvement over previous quarters (if still making for a 7th consecutive quarter of decline) as the market requires further recovery.

Improvement is seen mainly in the commercial segment, with desktop PC shipments growing by 1.4% Y-o-Y. On the other hand portables contract by -2.6%.

"The end of Windows XP support was a major driver of the commercial rebound, and supported renewals mainly in the desktop area," the analyst says. "In the EU, as the macroeconomic outlook improved, companies started to invest in IT again after many quarters of postponing decisions. In other parts of the region political unrest and negative exchange rate evolution were inhibitors to market growth."

In fact W. European shipments see growth (8.6% Y-o-Y) thanks to strong enterprise demand brought about by the end of Windows XP support, aging installed base and improving macroeconomic outlooks. Thus commercial PC shipments are the region's winners for the quarter, even as consumer shipments return to positive results for the first time in the 2 years.

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Lenovo Intros Dual-Mode Laptops, AIO PC

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Lenovo Intros Dual-Mode Laptops, AIO PC

The Lenovo PC lineup gets a number of additions, including a pair of Flex 2 dual-mode laptops and the gesture control-enabled A540 AIO desktop, among others.

The Flex 2 laptops are (obviously) updates on the first Flex range, with industrial design featuring 300° flexibility and two usage modes, Laptop and Stand.

Models are available in either 14- or 15.6-inch sizes, both with 1920x1080 resolution displays, Nvidia or AMD graphics and either 4th generation Intel Core i7 processors or AMD A8 APUs. The laptops also feature Dolby Advanced Audio v2 technology and storage in either HDD, hybrid SSHD or SSD formats.

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Gartner, IDC: XP Migration Offsets Weak Demand... Slightly

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Gartner, IDC: XP Migration Offsets Weak Demand... Slightly

The global PC market remains in decline during Q1 2014 according to Gartner and IDC, even if both analysts agree the severity of said decline has eased compared to past quarters and shipment estimates.

However the analysts differ on the actual numbers-- Gartner says Q1 2014 PC shipments total 76.6 million units with a -1.7% Y-o-Y decline, while IDC has more severe totals with shipments dropping by -4.4% Y-o-Y to 73.4m units, an improvement of sorts over previous projections of -5.3% decline.

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A First Glimpse of Reversible USB

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A First Glimpse of Reversible USB

Intel provides a first glimpse of the next generation of USB connector at IDF 2014-- USB 3.1 Type-C, a connector similar in size to current micro-USB but actually reversible, Apple Lightning connector-style.

The USB Implementer Forum (USB-IF) first announced initial work on the connector back in December 2013.

As well as being small and reversible, the USB Type-C connector transfers data at 10Gbps and delivers up to 100W of power, from 5V at 2A for handhelds to 20V at 5A for workstations and hubs. It also handles audio/video signals and can be used to daisy-chain monitor, eliminating the need for A/V connectors.

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