edge vs | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net KitGuru.net - Tech News | Hardware News | Hardware Reviews | IOS | Mobile | Gaming | Graphics Cards Mon, 03 Dec 2012 06:49:22 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://www.kitguru.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/cropped-KITGURU-Light-Background-SQUARE2-32x32.png edge vs | KitGuru https://www.kitguru.net 32 32 Intel launches 4×4 for all IT terrains https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/base-unit/harrison/intel-launches-4x4-for-all-it-terrains/ https://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/base-unit/harrison/intel-launches-4x4-for-all-it-terrains/#respond Mon, 03 Dec 2012 06:49:22 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=117413 Given that KitGuru has had quite a few conversations with AMD in the past about the benefits for creating a simple PC, in the smallest possible form factor, that could perform a wide variety of tasks – it's ironic that Intel is the company to launch the device. KitGuru takes a quick look at specs …

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Given that KitGuru has had quite a few conversations with AMD in the past about the benefits for creating a simple PC, in the smallest possible form factor, that could perform a wide variety of tasks – it's ironic that Intel is the company to launch the device. KitGuru takes a quick look at specs and prices to see if Intel has anything to challenge Sapphire's Edge VS.

Intel calls the device, which measures 4 inches by 4 inches (10cm in new money), an NUC – or Next Unit Computer.

There are 2 models at launch, both of which use a Core i3 processor chugging along at 1.8GHz. For business, you get a pair of HDMI connectors and physical ethernet connection, which becomes wireless with Thunderbolt and a single HDMI for the home.

Given that both have Intel's fastest graphics solution, HD4000, it's a fair bet that they use the low power mobile versions of the Core processor. The QS77 chipset mainboard included can take up to 16GB of SO-DIMM in its twin sockets.

Retailing at around £299 ($399), both of these NUCs have modest specs, but Intel is planning to push through an entire series – with Core i5 and even Core i7 models to follow.

Standardising on the size of the NUC seems to be a smart move. When commenting on the launch of the product, Intel stated that it had applications in the business and consumer markets – and could even be used in a car. So much for AMD having the embedded market to itself.

Sapphire's drive on this kind of technology has been really impressive, with the recent launch of the Edge VS bringing next-gen game console levels of graphics power to market in a stylish little box.

Given that it's top dedicated partner put such an effort into this kind of form factor, it's surprising that AMD was not more firmly behind Sapphire with the big budget marketing that would be needed to firm up the new category with a wider audience.

One of Intel's sales managers for APAC, VR Rajkumar, said, “While there isn’t much on the choice front at present, we’ll be having a ‘good, better, best’ motto. We’re going to have Celeron at  the low end, and it will be Core i5 and Core i7 on the other. The benefit for resellers lies in the NUC’s form factor and quiet operation. The 4×4 inch build means that it is open to a large range of applications and markets”.

With the revelation that Intel processors will be glued to mainboards in the future, what hope is there for local system builders etc if Intel comes to market with its own complete PCs like this. Good for Ingram, bad for local PC builder?

Intel follows Sapphire into Edge territory with the launch of the 4x4 series

KitGuru says: Having first discussed the idea of a ‘PC Console' that could sit next to a TV etc with AMD many years ago, it would be sad for Intel to bring the whole ‘Fusion everywhere' concept to the broad market in a bigger/better way. Unobtrusive desktop power, with easy installation/use, is something that we feel a lot of people would be interested in. Even though, right now, Sapphire's Edge VS model has a huge lead in terms of specification – how much difference will Intel's marketing dollars make?

Comment below or in the KitGuru forums.

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Mini PC comes of age with Sapphire Edge VS launch https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/jules/mini-pc-comes-of-age-with-sapphire-edge-vs-launch/ https://www.kitguru.net/lifestyle/mobile/apple/jules/mini-pc-comes-of-age-with-sapphire-edge-vs-launch/#comments Thu, 22 Nov 2012 05:50:41 +0000 http://www.kitguru.net/?p=116172 As of 6am this morning, the options available to technology lovers who want oodles of power but no noise and a stylish little package, just got a whole lot more attractive with the launch of Sapphire's Trinity APU-powered Edge VS. KitGuru peers under the bonnet to see what makes this beauty tick. At the start …

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As of 6am this morning, the options available to technology lovers who want oodles of power but no noise and a stylish little package, just got a whole lot more attractive with the launch of Sapphire's Trinity APU-powered Edge VS. KitGuru peers under the bonnet to see what makes this beauty tick.

At the start of 2005, Apple launched the Mac Mini with a 1.25GHz PowerPC processor, 256MB of memory, 40GB hard drive and an ATi Radeon 9200 graphics chip. Now it seems that for less money, you can have a quad core processor running more than twice as fast, alongside an SSD-booting all round PC with Radeon DX11 graphics and the ability to take up to 16GB of DDR3 (should you decide to mod the basic system and apply some upgrades of your own).

Overall, it measures less than 20cm high, it's 18cm front to back and just over 3cm deep at its phatest point.

It comes in 2 basic flavours: Edge VS 4 with an A4 APU, Radeon 7400 graphics, 4GB of DDR3 and a 320GB hard drive – and the much more powerful Edge VS 8 with an A8 APU that incorporates Radeon HD 7600G graphics – alongside a 500GB drive and 8GB of DDR3.

Unbelievably powerful, flexible and stylish - Sapphire just hit the market with a dose of dangerous

For business users, it means you can replace old kit with something small, stylish, powerful and safe (due to the integrated Kensington Lock point).

In the living room, its top quality HD video and audio capabilities mean it can stream your content to exactly the right place, very smoothly.

But it saves the best to last when it comes to gaming. From the demos we've seen, it would appear to be able to run any game you throw at it – although to may need to adjust settings with the really demanding stuff.

Needless to say that the A8 version, modded from its ‘factory shipping HDD' to included SSD and plenty of DDR3, will provide a formidable companion for LAN events and other situations where you're require to being your own can of whup-ass to the party.

Sapphire Edge VS series of Mini PCs come in A4 and A8 APU variants - but both have the latest in DX11 graphics

KitGuru says: Life is a compromise, but with the Sapphire Edge VS – for the first time ever – you won't feel like your sacrificing anything to have the smallest, most stylish option in town. It look gorgeous, weighs nothing, has all the features you could wish for and – with it's Radeon DX11 engine – it packs a hell of a punch in a business environment, for use at home with all your HD media or as a portable gaming rig. Modders are gonna love it.

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