Valve's Steam Machine and their Linux-based OS SteamOS might have been delayed, but that hasn't stopped other manufacturers developing their own PC-based consoles. Already custom PC builds are popular amongst gamers and computer enthusiasts so much that most PC sites contain the option to build your own custom builds, and recently Alienware has been showing off their Alienware Alpha, which works off a Windows OS rather than a Linux-based one.
Now ASUS have announced their own effort - a console about the size of a Wii called the GR8 Console PC. It comes with a range of parts that mostly cannot be removed and upgraded, except for for the amount of RAM which can go up to 16GB and the amount of storage it has. So it's probably not for the gamer who wishes to upgrade their machine as they go.
The spec list reads thus:
- Processor: Intel Core i7-4510U Processor
- Graphics processor: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750Ti Graphics w/ 2GB GDDR5 VRAM
- Operating system: Windows 8.1 or Windows 8.1 Pro
- Memory & storage: 1600MHz DDR3L memory (up to 16GB) 2 x SO-DIMM. SATA 6Gb/s; 1 x 2.5″ 1TB 7200rpm HDD, or 2.5″ 256G SSD, 1 x 2.5” extension bay for HDD/SSD, Free 100GB of ASUS WebStorage for 12 months
- Networks: Intel Gigabit LAN, Wireless Dual-band 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi
- Connectivity: Front 1 x Headphone, 1 x MIC-in, 2 x USB 2.0 (1 with USB Charger)
- Rear 3 x Audio jacks (LINE_IN/LINE_OUT/MIC), 1 x S/PDIF optical out, 1 x HDMI (support Ultra HD 4K), 1 x DisplayPort (support Ultra HD 4K), 1 x LAN(RJ45), 4 x USB 3.0, 1 x 19V DC-in, 1 x Kensington lock
- Power consumption: 19V DC, 6.32A, 120W Power Adapter, 0.4W when off, 13W at idle, 70 to 77W at full 3D loads
- ROG-exclusive features: SupremeFX Audio, Sonic SoundStage, Sonic SenseAmp, Sonic Studio, Sonic Radar II, GameFirst III, Miracast Receiver
- Bundled software: Kaspersky Anti-Virus (1-year full license), AiSuite III, ASUS HomeCloud with Wi-Fi GO!/Media Streamer, DTS Connect
- Accessories: M801 gaming mechanical keyboard (optional), ROG Gladius gaming mouse (optional), 120W AC adapter,
- Power cord, User Manual, Quick Start Guide, Warranty Card
- Size: Max. 238 x 245 x 60 mm (2.5-liter chassis)
- Weight: 1.284kg
The price is estimated to be set at $999 too so it seems to be aiming for a middle market between console gamers and PC gamers. I only hope there's enough people there to be interested in ASUS' efforts.