ASRock Gives Vision 3D Sandy Bridge Power

[btarunr]

ASRock's frontline mini PC product, Vision 3D, is set to get a hardware specifications update, to the second generation Intel Core processor "Sandy Bridge" family, from its current Core "Westmere" family. The new model will be available with your choice of Core i3, i5, or i7 processor, and will come with an updated connectivity. Aiding the Sandy Bridge processor will be NVIDIA GeForce GT 540M GPU. Using NVIDIA Optimus technology, users will be able to switch between the GeForce discrete GPU and the Intel integrated GPU. The desktop supports NVIDIA's stereo 3D technologies.

In its tiny dimensions of 200mm(W) x 70mm(H) x 200mm(L), the Vision 3D packs 4 GB of dual-channel DDR3-1333 MHz memory, several storage options, a slot-in Blu-ray drive and connectivity that includes four USB 3.0 ports, gigabit Ethernet, eSATA, 8 channel THX-compliant audio with optical SPDIF output, and display outputs that include HDMI 1.4 and DVI. A Windows Media Center Remote comes bundled, completing the package of what will be a great mate for your HDTV.



View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[dir_d]

I like the idea of this alot.

 

[TheMailMan78]

Whats the monetary damage on this thing? I like it!

I'm gonna guess close to 1000 US?

 

[Breathless]

Awesome looking. Finally they take a hint and give us something that doesn't look like a plastic piece of crap. Hopefully they haven't followed suit with Apple on price.

 

[WarraWarra]

If the price is right then you can add several usb / usb wifi adapters and make your own wifi router that can NAS, DNLA, Samba3, HTPC.

Love the esata + usb3.0 that is missing on new Apple mac book pro laptops.

Not sure why they have the nv gt540 that is just as lame as the intel 3000IGP something that would be on the i*/i7 cpu, bit of a waste there. The 560m would have been ideal and future proof as part of the bottom of the cockroach level of gpu's.

I wonder what the price of this would be as compared to a same spec'd android dual core 10" touch pad that costs usd$127.00 .

 

[Completely Bonkers]

I imagine pricing would be similar to v1 edition... since all that has happened is an updating of components to similar "current level" without major conceptual changes in features or performance. Therefore price circa EUR 500 for the i3 + DVD to EUR 750 for the i7 + Blu-ray. Both come with 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, and no OS.

 

[NC37]

Looks like a Mac Mini that doesn't suck. Heh.

 

[[H]@RD5TUFF]

Whats the monetary damage on this thing? I like it!

I'm gonna guess close to 1000 US?

The orginal non SB was around $700, so somewhere around 7-800 I would hope.

 

[timta2]

Looks like a Mac Mini that doesn't suck. Heh.

I happen to love the Mac Mini, which really this device and it's predecessors are really just copying. The Mac Mini is a great value and makes a great HTPC machine. Not a big fan of the Intel graphics as I prefer Nvidia/ATI though.

 

[[H]@RD5TUFF]

I happen to love the Mac Mini, which really this device and it's predecessors are really just copying. The Mac Mini is a great value and makes a great HTPC machine. Not a big fan of the Intel graphics as I prefer Nvidia/ATI though.

This device is not copying the mac mini as it doesn't suck, and the mini is meant as a computer not a HTPC, this is designed to be a HTPC.

 

[tonyd223]

This is an ideal example of the wrong internals - should be an AMD A75 mobo and a A8-3850 APU. The Intel may have better processing - but who cares in an HTPC? It's about good graphics at 1080p, low power...

Only other thing is why is the top concave? If it gets warm I bet you could put a few drops of scented oil in there

 

[BumbleBee]

Whats the monetary damage on this thing? I like it!

I'm gonna guess close to 1000 US?

yes.

 

[WarraWarra]

Damn $700 is close to a decent gaming rig total cost, must be the solid gold "99.999%" outer structure that is painted in gray or black that pushes the price this high.
Heck you can buy 2 new office laptops for that price.

 

[Freedom4556]

Not sure why they have the nv gt540 that is just as lame as the intel 3000IGP something that would be on the i*/i7 cpu, bit of a waste there. The 560m would have been ideal and future proof as part of the bottom of the cockroach level of gpu's

Anybody besides me wishing for some A-series fusion in one of these?

 

[indybird]

Its like a mac mini...but practical!