Archive for Computer Components

QWERTY glass keyboard for Superman’s fortress

Posted in Keyboards by Conner Flynn on June 12th, 2008

QWERTY glass keyboard would look good in Superman’s fortress
I’m not sure if Superman is a Mac or PC guy, but I do know that this QWERTY Glass Keyboard would look right at home in his fortress of solitude. Clark Kent on the other hand would have nothing to do with this. It’s called the No-key Keyboard by Kong Fanwen and it looks awesome.

Aside from being the flattest full-size QWERTY keyboard yet, it would be easy to keep clean. If it ever comes to market, you get the full glass surface, camera and lighting that uses motion capture technology to translate finger movements into characters on the screen. Of course, you’d want to treat it like the delicate piece of glassware it is, and be careful. And remember, it’s not a novelty plate to serve snacks on.

New NZXT Khaos case looks very sweet

Posted in Cases by Nino Marchetti on June 10th, 2008

NZXT KhaosA company by the name of NZXT is debuting a flashy new PC gaming chassis for those who want to beat the dull beige. This one is called Khaos and it prices around $400.

NZXT said its stylish new Khaos case features three channel cooling, including a three 120mm fan bracket placed exactly before the video card and motherboards. There’s also dual power support for power hungry PC gamers.

Soyo adds new two LCD displays to retail shelves

Posted in Displays by Nino Marchetti on June 6th, 2008

Soyo Honeywell Arius LCD Monitor

Soyo, in addition to sending to market its 22-inch LCD TV, also said this week it was releasing 19- and 22-inch displays under its Honeywell Arius line. These displays will cost around $350 and $400, respectively.

The 22-inch wide LCD Monitor, said Soyo, features three USB ports as well as a built-in 1.3 mega pixel webcam and built-in microphone. The monitor will also feature 2ms response time, 300 nits brightness, 700:1 contrast ratio and a native resolution of 1680 x 1050 at 60 Hz.

Westinghouse busts out three new LCD displays

Posted in Displays by Nino Marchetti on June 6th, 2008

Westinghouse L2610NW

Westinghouse recently began shipping some new LCD monitors it has first announced at the Consumer Electronics Show. This new displays include the L2610NW, L2210NW and L1916HW, priced at around $500, $300 and $270 respectively.

There’s nothing too outstanding about these displays when you look at the specs. The L2160NW is a 26-inch model which does typical 1080p duty at 1920 x 1200 resolution. The dynamic contrast is 3000:1 and you also get a HDMI connector. The L2210NW, meanwhile, is a 22-inch display doing 1680 x 1050 resolution.

Creative says new high end sound card ready to pump you up

Posted in Soundcards by Nino Marchetti on June 5th, 2008

Creative PCI Express Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional

Creative is out today with word of the availability of a new sound card which is very gamer focused. It is called the Creative PCI Express Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series and it will price, long name included, for around $150.

The Creative PCI Express Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional sound card is the “official” sound card of the Championship Gaming Series. Beyond that, you’ll find this card pretty ready to smoke your PC audio gaming experience with its PCI Express optimization, hardware-driven 3D positional audio and EAX 5.0 effects.

Agent 18 debuts new MacBook Air case

Posted in Cases by Nino Marchetti on June 4th, 2008

Agent 18 MacBook Air Shield

Agent 18, a maker of primarily cases for portable media players like the iPod, is unveiling today a new case for the popular MacBook Air. It is called the MacBook Air Shield and you’ll find it retailing for around $50.

The Agent 18 MacBook Air Shield is made of durable polycarbonate and available in three colors, including white, black and pink. Agent 18 says the case offers fully functional protection with sacrificing “any style of the world’s thinnest notebook.”

Anime girl PC casemod is the work of nerd desperation

Posted in Cases by Conner Flynn on June 4th, 2008

Anime girl PC casemod is the work of nerd desperation
What’s a nerd to do when one day you wake up and realize that there’s no woman in your life and there likely never will be? You create your own woman, that’s what! One who will carry your PC on her back like Luke carrying Yoda.

If that’s not creepy enough, make sure you take plenty of pictures of the project, and I mean planty, detailing every stage of it’s construction and adding to the overall flavor of desperation and geek excitement. That’s what Katsuya Matsumura did. His gal is party in the front and PC in the back. Say what you will about a perv and his PC, you don’t have one.

ReallyCool Keyboard is quiet, waterproof

Posted in Keyboards by Conner Flynn on June 3rd, 2008

ReallyCool Keyboard is quiet, waterproof
Everybody hates a loud keyboard. It annoys the person using it almost as much as it annoys those around you. The noise gets in your head and claws away at your brain. That’s why the ReallyCool Keyboard (As in, look at our name we’re really cool. Isn’t that clever? The keyboard is cool and so is the name. And it only took a minute to come up with.) is quiet.

As a bonus, it’s also waterproof, should you be inclined to go diving while tethered to your PC. It even sports backlighting, for those typing in the dark for some unknown reason. This keyboard is becoming quite popular in places where noise is a no no, so it must be easy on the ears. Be warned, quiet doesn’t equal cheap. It will cost you it’s $199, in black or cool gray.

Holy Hieroglyphics: Stunning Egyptian case mod

Posted in Cases by Conner Flynn on June 2nd, 2008

Holy Hieroglyphics: Stunning Egyptian case mod
Whether built by King Tut himself or the work of an ancient alien civilization, this is surely proof of alien intervention. The detail is just too amazing. There’s no way they could have done it. And the fact that an ancient PC case has been unearthed…

This work of art was built from nothing by Chris Kramer a.k.a “Jadragon”, and is called the EgyptMod PC. There’s some amazing detail, like hieroglyphics, fake jewels and an awesome aged look. Check out the Eye of Ra made of brass and inlaid with polished malachite and verisite. The project took over 200 hours of carving and he never once wavered and cried out for his mummy. It’s a truly inspiring creation.

Optimus Popularis prototype on the web

Posted in Keyboards by Conner Flynn on May 31st, 2008

Optimus Popularis prototype on the web
The Optimus Popularis is growing up right before our eyes. Ahhh isn’t it cute? We’ve watched it go from mockup to a neat looking 3D prototype. It’s got a full-length display on the space bar and everything. I’m so proud of it.

They grow up so fast, but what can you do. Before you know it, they’re fully grown and set out with a price of their own. What do you think, will this be easier to type with? Hopefully it won’t take long to develop.

Look@Me Emoticon Keyboard

Posted in Keyboards by Conner Flynn on May 27th, 2008

Look@Me Emoticon Keyboard
The first thing you notice about this odd keyboard is that it’s awfully small. And pink too. Sort of a Pepto color really. What is this, some kind of girlly thing that types out My Little Pony fantasies and spreads digital rainbows between little girls? Well, not really. But close. This 40-key USB pad is supposed to be used to convey your emotions in emoticons.

Perfect for those emo types addicted to instant messaging. The concept makes no sense, so it likely won’t get very far. I thought that the whole point to using certain characters was to save time. Now we have an extra device for it. Oh and did I mention the color is awful? Upset stomach pink is not our favorite color.

Suissa Enlighten wood & aluminum PC

Posted in Computer Components by Conner Flynn on May 27th, 2008

Suissa Enlighten wood & aluminum PC
The Enlighten PC from Suissa Computers has a bit of an odd design. It looks more like a great bit of art deco furniture or a retro speaker. We first told you about it here. It’s a custom wood, metal and glass case that has separated components that helps to boost cooling. It’s not just a crap computer inside either. You get a choice of Intel Quad core CPU or AMD X2 6400+ processors, with 4GB of RAM and 1TB of storage standard. You get a DVD burner and a choice of NVIDIA 8800GTX or ATI Radeon HD2900XT video cards.

Interestingly, the system is designed so that you don’t need many fans. It’s all about the engineering and where they placed the components, with the aluminum and air venting keeping it all cool. It’s a limited edition of only ten machines, so if you want one you better hurry up. No word on pricing. All I know is it looks damn cool and damn retro. That makes me want it.

Log Pillow is exactly what it sounds like

Posted in Computer Components by Conner Flynn on May 25th, 2008

Log Pillow is exactly what it sounds like
The Log Pillow is just that. A pillow comprised of logs. You might have noticed that working with a laptop on your lap can make your legs a bit hot. Ideally, you want to have some sort of buffer between you and the hot laptop.

That’s where this comes in. And yes, this thing looks like someone started to build some kind of plush log cabin and just gave up, fortunately for your lap. At least it’s a solution that should be comfortable, allowing plenty of air flow. It’s also environmentally friendly, made from natural materials like hemp canvas and buckwheat filler.

Xentex laptop knows when to fold em

Posted in Computer Components by Conner Flynn on May 23rd, 2008

Xentex laptop knows when to fold em
Much like Kenny Rogers, the Xentex laptop knows when to fold em. It knows when to walk away and when to run. It wasn’t satisfied with simply opening and closing. Oh no. It can fold twice for portability. That means that the system has two 13.3″ screens that can independently swivel so you can share your stuff with your friends sitting opposite you.

Together, the screens combine to measure 19.5″ across for a huge display. Inside it’s got an 850MHz Athlon processor and 128MB of memory. It’s kind of like having a Rubik’s computer. It can be found on ebay and as of this writing it’s at $405.00 with 11 bids, 6 days to go.

Nishi-Ki keyboard is bright, flowery

Posted in Keyboards by Conner Flynn on May 21st, 2008

Nishi-Ki keyboard is bright, flowery
Sometimes keyboards don’t look all that typical these days. Just looking at this bright-colored flowery thing, I’m half blind and now feel all girlly. Where are my Polly Pocket toys? hmmm. I’d say this is a good alternative for those who don’t like the Optimus keyboard from Art Lebedev, but want something outrageous still.

The Nishi-Ki keyboard will save you a bundle in the process as it retails for $153. Each and every butterfly-lovin’ key is painted in tiny flower scenes, and the whole thing measures just a foot long, so it’s not for those with large hands. It looks like a large tile game.