Saturday 28 December 2013

HOOT! *Almost* Perfect Mini-PC

Hi guys, been quite some time since I've posted something new :msnblush:. Been busy with commercial projects so the retail/end-user side has been neglected. Available from today onwards (retail stores on Christmas day) is the all new Giada i57-B7000 series. This model is targetted towards enterprise / industrial use but Beyond Geek feels that this little monster is too good to be ignored in the retail market.



Let's start with the negative side of the mini PC - the lack of USB 3.0 Ports. There is only 1 USB 3.0 port on the right of the little box. I'm not sure why the manufacturer decided to make it this way but at least there are 4 x USB 2.0 ports at the rear. Beside this little issue which can be easily solved by a USB 3.0 Hub, this machine is near perfection.



What we have in this box is an Intel Core i5-4250U. As you might recall, this CPU is the exact same CPU that is used in the new Intel NUC that has an Intel HD5000 Graphics. Also similar is the Intel Gigabit LAN that is deployed in the i57-B. But unlike the Intel NUC, this box is able to hold an additional 2.5" drive on top of the mSATA (SATA III) SSD drive. Next to the USB 3.0 Port is the micro-SD card reader and on the other side of the chassis, we have a COM port. This will explain why i57-B is aimed at the enterprise / industrial users. The original retail pack does not comes with any wireless/BT module but Beyond Geek has included an Intel AC 7260 Wireless to the retail package. We were deciding between Killer 1103 and Intel AC 7260 but we decided to go with the latter because, well, it's Intel :P.



The demand of mini PC are increasing and so are the expectations. With the introduction of the new Haswell in built graphics, I think we are slowly reaching the goal of "gaming grade" mini PC. We have done a couple of games benchmark with FRAPS to show how powerful the new HD5000 is.



Last but not least, the SRP for the new i57-B is S$629 (inclusive of Intel AC 7260). You can get it from Cybermind or directly from Beyond Geek.



Hope you like this introduction and remember to hit the "LIKE" button on our Facebook page!!



System Specs

- Haswell Intel i5-4250 (15W TDP) w/ HD5000 Graphics

- 2 x SODIMM 1333/1600, Up to 16GB

- Storage 1: 2.5" SATA III

- Storage 2: mSATA III 6GB

- WiFi / BT: Intel AC 7260

- LAN: Intel GB (I218LM)

- Dual Display capable via HDMI & DP (DP to HDMI/DVI adaptor capable)

- 1 x COM Port

- 1 x Micro SD Card Reader

- Kensington Lock

- Dimension 19 x 15 x 2.5 cm.
































































via Hardware Forums http://forums.vr-zone.com/showthread.php?t=2991965&goto=newpost

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