Xi3 Mini Computer

Written by: Tori McGrath (@ToriMcGrath) | January 10, 2013 12:24 pm

8 Comments

Announcing the new Xi3 “Piston”

Rumors were floating around recently about Xi3 providing the hardware for Valve‘s new in-livingroom PC project Steam Box, not a day later the Xi3 Piston was announced. Xi3‘s X7A, their top end model specifically labeled for “power useres and gaming” is looking like it will be the model that the Piston will be based on. The X7A packs a Quad-Core processor with 384-core integrated graphics, which is most likely AMD’s A10 series. It boasts 4GB or 8GB of RAM, oodles of USB ports, and four eSATAp ports for extra external storage. Now, Piston’s specs and price most likely won’t be exactly the same, but this gives us a good idea of what to expect. Xi3 attempted to Kickstart its boxes in 2012, but fell far short of the $250,000 crowd-funding goal. Exactly how much Valve invested in Xi3 and what it gets in return is unknown.

Other models

X5A one of Xi3‘s lower end modular computer, much like its big brother X7A, is under 2 lbs, needing only 20 Watts of electricity. It is powered by a 64-bit dual-core 1.8GHz x86 (AMD) processor, w/dual monitor support, 6 USB ports, 2 eSATA ports. 32GB internal SSD, Windows 7 Pro.

The X3A is the companies other new modular computer. The X3A is equipped with a dual-core 64-bit, x86-based processor running at up to 1.65GHz (with 2MB of Level2 Cache), 4GB of DDR3 RAM, 32GB-1TB of internal solid-state SSD storage (with up to 12Gbps throughput speeds).

Perhaps the biggest setback here is that, while the Xi3 PCs are “easily upgradeable and customizable” my personal fear is that any kind of internal hardware would possibly have to be custom ordered specifically through Xi3 thus putting significant financial strain on anyone interested in actually customizing one of these teenie-weenie PCs. It also seem that if Valve wants this to be their “console” it may be a bit too pricey to categorize it as such, though it is possible that the Piston may have less computing power than the X7A and just be… well a Steam Box console right? Something that is able to run Steam and maybe some sort of web browser but is by no means a replacement for your regular PC gaming rig.

I personally have the stance on the matter that console-wise it is too expensive , and I mean, I can run steam on my regular computer why do I need an, albeit super adorable, PC hooked up to my tv? Do you plan on buying a piston? Would it being a fully functioning but pricier PC make a difference in your decision? Do you think it will just be a steam playing box with controller capabilities? Do you think it will, as a console be able to pull its weight against other already established consoles ie. Xbox360 and PlayStaton3? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

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Ardens

Well…..if the X7A is 1000$ like the guy said at CES it’ll fail miserably.
You can get a mini itx w an a10 5800k plus the 6670 for little over 500$. So other than having a smaller version of an itx, there isn’t any reason to spend double on this.
Stefan Carrera

I think this is not really meant for PC gamers, but more for Valve to tap into the console market and bring their extensive gaming library to them. Thats my opinion on it anyway. I’m sure there will be some crossover, but I can’t imagine Valve to betting that all their current Steam users are going to drop their current gaming rigs for this. Steam already owns the pc gamer’s market, now they want to try to get their hands on the console gamers. If the steam box is priced around what ps3 and xbox is, they may have a fighting chance. And they’re going in with a large selection of games already to be played, which is usually how new systems suffer, look at the ps vita.
Deadnstien

So it’s low end, laptop hardware stuffed into a tiny box with an expensive SSD and integrated graphics. No thanx.

If this is the route Valve is going for a Steam box, combined with the Linux only mindset I can’t see it being successful. Unless they are going to use it only as a portal for a cloud streaming service like OnLive.

Gabe hates Windows 8 because he fears the integrated store has the potential to be a threat to Steam, if this is his answer to that, then I can see PC developers leaning more to the Microsoft store. Simply because it will put too many console like restrictions on development, because you know Valve is going to demand new games be ‘Steambox’ compatible to be put on Steam.
http://www.facebook.com/FireravenHollowheart John Fireraven Barnett

I think a fully functioning pc might be better in the long run, but odds are you can dual boot some version of Linux on it. In all honesty though if it provides enough bang for the buck gaming wise I might get one of these instead of a full fledged gaming desktop.
http://www.facebook.com/billy.bacsko Billy Bacsko

i wish there was a picture of it here :/
- http://pulse.yahoo.com/_P4HMCB2HFGNQRRKG5SO33L5LCQ Age Of Majority
  
  The guy in the picture is holding one…
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_P4HMCB2HFGNQRRKG5SO33L5LCQ Age Of Majority

Newell already came out and said that this isn’t suppose to be the “console” or “steam box”. My impression is that it’s going to be an addon, something that can accompany it. A high end one at that.
erwinanciano

What exactly is modular about this? My first impression seeing this was that you would buy a main “CPU Box” then you could add onto it by buying say a “GPU Box.” These separate components would be inexpensive, and you bought the “modules” that you needed. That’s what “modular” means to me.

Instead, what we have here is a tiny all-in-one box with a very expensive price tag, which you cannot upgrade easily with off-the-shelf components.

If that’s the case, why not just get a SFF PC? They have all the advantages of this thing, minus the huge price, and they are much, much easier to upgrade with readily available components.