iBuyPower Intros HEXA Ultra Compact Performance System
Apparently, today is the day for mini PC debuts.
iBuyPower has launched the HEXA, a small form factor PC that's built for high performance, not a high amount of desktop space. The device is the result of a collaboration between the company and Gigabyte, offering a portable powerhouse featuring Intel "Haswell" and AMD components.
According to the baseline specs, this mini PC packs a quad-core Intel Core i7 4770R processor with Intel Iris Pro Graphics 5200, or AMD's A8-5557M "Richland" APU with Radeon HD 8550G graphics.
Backing these processors is 8 GB of 1600 MHz DDR3 SO-DIMM memory, a 500 GB 5400 rpm super slim 2.5-inch hard drive, on-board Realtek ALC269 audio, built-in Gigabit LAN (Realtek RTL8111G), and Wireless AC and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity. Windows 8.1 is the OS of choice, although customers can option for Windows 7.
As for other hardware specs, the HEXA provides two USB 3.0 ports and an SPIF jack on the front. On the back are two more USB 3.0 ports, the Gigabit Ethernet port, mini DisplayPort and HDMI output, and a Kensington lock port. Both the Intel and AMD versions come in obsidian black.
With a starting price of $899 USD, consumers can customize the device to meet their needs or budget, such as maxing out the memory to 16 GB, adding an mSATA SSD with 64 GB or 256 GB of space, or changing the default hard drive with a large number of other options (such as one 2.5-inch drive and one mSATA). Customers can also choose to add Microsoft Office 2013, a keyboard, a mouse, headphones and more.
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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patrick47018 ReplyANOTHER Brix Pro rebadge...double sigh...
One manufacturer shouldn't have a monopoly on small form factor PC's? -
patrick47018 Reply13283282 said:8GB of memory was nice touch but DDR1600, really ?
For most things faster than 1600MHz doesn't make a lot of difference -
FFH Intel iris is basically intel HD.Starting at $899 seems like it's overpriced for what you get. Even a mac mini with a core i7 and 1 TB HDD starts at $799. :/Reply -
FastGunna I feel like someone needs to start making PCs in this form factor but with enough room to fit some compact GPUs such as the 750ti. As it stands these don't seem to be useful outside of general use and lighter load programs. If it were an inch or two taller and possibly longer or wider you could turn it into a decent mini gaming PC. It may even be possible to squeeze in a laptop GPU without modifying the current form factor.Reply -
2Be_or_Not2Be ReplyI feel like someone needs to start making PCs in this form factor but with enough room to fit some compact GPUs such as the 750ti. As it stands these don't seem to be useful outside of general use and lighter load programs. If it were an inch or two taller and possibly longer or wider you could turn it into a decent mini gaming PC. It may even be possible to squeeze in a laptop GPU without modifying the current form factor.
Exactly - make a graphics card that can be connected by a riser card. Use a blower-style fan to vent hot air out the back. I suppose if it's an open-air fan, that will also work as long as the case has a fan to pull cool air from the front and/or bottom. Adding a plastic duct may help direct the air flow directly over a small graphics card and exhaust out the back. -
TheinsanegamerN ReplyIntel iris is basically intel HD.Starting at $899 seems like it's overpriced for what you get. Even a mac mini with a core i7 and 1 TB HDD starts at $799. :/
the iris pro is more than twice as fast as the hd 4600 gpu, or did you not read any benchmarks? the mac mini you suggested would have HALF the cpu and gpu performance as the BRIX. so...12.5% more expensive for a 100% performance gain. what is so overpriced about that?