Computers

IFA 2016: HP Pavilion Wave and Elite Slice are different kinds of PCs

Published

September 1, 2016

Marvin Velasco

HP has just unveiled its Pavilion Wave and Elite Slice PCs, proving that there’s still a lot of potential for progress in the desktop computer market. The two products aren’t going to shock you with incredible specs or brand new technologies, though; what makes them special is in the way they fit around your work space.

The Pavilion Wave, for one, has a tall triangular physique surrounded with woven fabric and an integrated speaker on top for 360-degree audio production. By making it tall, the unique PC takes up as little space as possible, without compromising the internals. The 6th-generation Intel Core i3 or i5 processor (no mention of 7th-generation Kaby Lake CPUs here), up to 2TB of hard disk storage and 16GB of RAM, as well as the choice of a dedicated AMD graphics card prove that there’s no need to worry about performance.

Around the Pavilion Wave is a complete set of physical connectivity ports, ranging from high-speed USB and Ethernet ports for data, to HDMI and an audio jack for outputting content. What needs a special mention are the two microphones that support Microsoft’s Cortana. By talking to the personal assistant, several tasks such as searching online and setting reminders can be accomplished hands-free.

The second, and possibly more noteworthy HP product, is the modular Elite Slice. We understand that PCs have been modular for decades, but this stackable computer doesn’t require messy cables or any DIY know-how. By snapping on modules for features like wireless charging, an optical disc drive, or Bang & Olufsen speakers, you can choose how much to bring when taking the unit out. Sadly, the number of modules are limited at the moment, which is the case with a lot of modular gadgets just starting out.

As implied earlier, the Elite Slice is all about portability and space management. The PC weighs only 3.21 pounds, and can be powered through a USB 3.1 cable. The downside is that you’re forced to rely on the integrated graphics chip, but you have the choice of purchasing a 6th-generation Intel Core i7 processor to take up the slack. The variety of options apply to the storage and memory as well, wherein you can install up to 32GB of RAM and high-speed SSD flash storage. Ports include two USB Type-C ports (one for power, and the other for video outputs), two full-sized USB ports, and a complete set of audio-visual sockets.

Thankfully, HP was able to keep the costs to a minimum. The Pavilion Wave has a starting price of $549 and will be available beginning September 23, while the Elite Slice will retail for $699 when it comes out some time this month.

[irp posts=”11673″ name=”HP’s new line puts premium on office productivity”]

Related Topics:Elite Slice HP IFA 2016 Pavilion Wave

Accessories

Apple Vision Pro First Impressions

Plus a dedicated YouTubers’ React segment!

Published

June 7, 2023

GadgetMatch

The WWDC 2023 Keynote was packed with incredible new updates to iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, watchOS, and macOS.

Apple announced new hardware including a 15-inch MacBook Air and M2 Max/Ultra-powered Mac Studio and Mac Pro.

But the most ambitious product they’ve ever created? The Apple Vision Pro.

Apple is clear that this isn’t just an AR Glasses. The Vision Pro is the company’s “first spatial computer”.

But how does it even look and feel IRL?

This is our first impressions of the new Apple Vision Pro — plus our YouTuber friends’ reactions.

Computers

macOS Sonoma brings interactive widgets, better gaming

Plus some personalization things

Published

June 6, 2023

GadgetMatch

Not the sexiest of updates from WWDC 2023, but macOS Sonoma is bringing in features that serve form and function.

The updates include more interactive widgets, ‘stunning’ moving wallpapers, and much, much more.

Interactive Widgets

Users can place widgets right on the desktop and conveniently access the widget gallery. Widgets blend seamlessly with the wallpaper while users work in apps. iPhone widgets will also be useable on their Mac thanks to Continuity.

Smarter Video Conferencing

Presenter Overlay, a new video effect, elevates a user’s presence by displaying them on top of the content they are sharing. There’s also Reactions that lets users share how they feel by seamlessly adding balloons, confetti, hearts, and more into the video. It can be triggered by a hand gesture.

Safari Updates

Private Browsing provides even greater protection both from trackers and from people who might have access to the user’s device. It helps prevent websites from tracking or identifying the user.

Profiles help users stay organised by offering a way to separate browsing between topics, while also keeping cookies, history, extensions, Tab Groups, and Favourites separate.

Stunning Screen Savers

macOS Sonoma brings stunning screen savers featuring slow-motion videos of various locations worldwide. These include the sweeping skyline of Hong Kong, the sandstone buttes of Monument Valley in Arizona, and the rolling hills of Sonoma in Northern California.

Games on Mac

Macs with Apple silicon can run demanding games with great performance, long battery life, and breathtaking visuals. To emphasize this point, famed game director Hideo Kojima made a surprise appearance and announced that his game, Death Stranding Director’s Cut, is coming to Mac later in 2023.

Other big games coming to Mac are: Stray, Fort Solis, World of Warcraft: Dragonflight, HUMANKIND, Resident Evil Village: Winters’ Expansion, The Medium, ELEX II, Firmament, SnowRunner, Disney Dreamlight Valley, No Man’s Sky, Dragonheir: Silent Gods, and Layers of Fear.

macOS Sonoma will have Game Mode. It delivers an optimized gaming experience with smoother and more consistent frame rates.It does so by ensuring games get the highest priority on the CPU and GPU.

Computers

Acer expands SpatialLabs developer tools

Enabling the stereo 3D experience

Published

May 31, 2023

GadgetMatch

Acer has expanded the developer tools for its SpatialLabs technology, providing professionals even more avenues to develop glasses-free, stereoscopic 3D experiences when using SpatialLabs Pro devices.

The updates include a SpatialLabs Unity plug-in, a SpatialLabs Pro-certified Acer OpenXR runtime to allow developers to use OpenXR protocols when creating stereo 3D content, and the Acer SteamVR Bridge.

Unity Plug-in

Acer’s Unity plug-in helps to extend its reach to more creators in various fields, including architecture, construction, education, medicine, and more.

Developers can take advantage of the Unity plug-in’s existing tools and verticals to enhance their experiences and help present their models in their true 3D form on Acer SpatialLabs Pro devices, without the need for glasses.

OpenXR Runtime

Meanwhile, OpenXR Runtime is now SpatialLabs Pro devices conformant.

This means XR developers now have the option to choose from Acer’s devices for glasses-free stereoscopic 3D.

They may also take advantage of OpenXR’s cross-platform and high-performance API for faster innovation while utilizing Open XR-compatible apps such as Autodesk VRED 2023 and Blender.

SteamVR Bridge

Lastly, Acer’s proprietary SteamVR Bridge driver is now available for developers of VR applications so they can convert creations on SpatialLab Pro devices for clear and captivating imagery without the need for VR headsets.

The SpatialLab Pro devices may also be used to leverage SteamVR Bridge and NVIDIA Omniverse for more viewing options for enhanced stereo 3D projection of complex graphics, visual effects, and simulations.