New console?

[tekbit]

Well sort of...

What do you all think of the ApexExtreme thats coming out? Supposedly can play like 4000 PC games (I think). This thing seems kind of cool. Do you hardcore PC gamers see any value in this?


January 08, 2004 - If you've been pining for some PC-to-TV, ass-to-couch gaming, Apex and VIA may have a solution to your problems.

Today at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, we got our first look at the upcoming ApexExtreme (pronounced Apex Extreme, not Ape Extreme, or "Killa Gorilla" as we like to say), a PC-based console system based on the new VIA Glory Personal Gaming Console platform and using S3's DeltaChrome graphics chip.
Slightly larger than the Xbox, the ApeXtreme will connect to your television and allow you to play PC games from the comfort of your living room. The system will support input from game pads or a keyboard and mouse.

Using DISCover technology, the ApeXtreme treats your PC games just like a traditional console does. While you'll still have to install the software (which will be automatically handled by the system), once it's installed, it runs just like any other console. DISCover technology lets you drop your PC game disc in the DVD drive and start playing right away, and embedded Windows XP means you won't have to wait for the system to boot up either, at least not any longer than any other console on the market.

The ApeXtreme will carry a VIA C3 1.4GHz processor, 300MHz S3 DeltaChrome graphics chip with 64MB RAM, DVD-ROM drive, component and composite TV connections, DVI connector, 256MB system RAM, 20GB hard drive, six USB 2.0 inputs (four in front, two in the rear), 6-channel surround sound and a modem port as well as a 10/100 Ethernet connector which will offer gamers the ability to play games online as well as download PC game patches.

In addition to being a gaming platform, the ApeXtreme will also offer a variety of other PC-like functions such as DVD, MP3 and Internet radio playback, although don't expect to do word processing or spreadsheet work on the ApeXtreme. This is purely an entertainment unit, so accountants and businessmen need not apply.

The relatively low PC specs do worry us a bit as new PC games are beginning to require around the same specs that the ApeXtreme sports, but we were told that the system is optimized for gaming, so games should run a little better than on a similarly equipped PC. On another positive note, this is the first time in history that a console will launch with a library of thousands of games, so that means you'll have plenty to play when it's released.


The PConsole will retail for around $399, with a slightly lower spec'ed model going for $299. The console should be available this spring at major retailers such as K-Mart, Sams Club, WalMart, Sears and Circuit City, among others.

-- Tal Blevins
http://gear.ign.com/articles/461/461873p1.html?fromint=1

[trebor]

I love the concept. This is what the Xbox should have been - a true console/PC hybrid, instead of the bastard console PC-wannabe half-breed that it is.

What I hate is that Apex is the company who is making it. They aren't exactly known for their high-quality products.

Now what I am excited about is Alienware's upcoming console/PC hybrid based on the same DISC technology that is being utilized in the ApeXtreme. As you might or might not know, Alienware IS known fo their high-quality products.

[tekbit]

Well it appears that this topic was already covered a while back during my abscence. :rolleyes: But it was briefly mentioned in this month's issue of GI, so I thought I'd find an article on it. I would still like to know what you PC heads thnk.

[Hieremias]

Well sort of...

What do you all think of the ApexExtreme thats coming out? Supposedly can play like 4000 PC games (I think). This thing seems kind of cool. Do you hardcore PC gamers see any value in this?

No. It's combined all the negatives of both sides (console vs PC gaming). It has the static and obsolete hardware, poor online capabilities, and crappy TV display resolutions of the consoles, but a high price close to a PC.

Bragging about being able to "drop your PC game disc in the DVD drive and start playing right away" seems kind of stupid to me, any PC in the last five years can do this. It's called Autorun.

[no.1gamer]

I'll bring up this ever so important point once again.

The text on PC games appears small similar to the font you're reading right now. On a television screen it will be to blurry to read due to the lower resolution. Console games feature huge text that is legible from a television screen.

This may seem like a small issue, but remember that most games are unplayable without the written text. You said the console will play like 4000 PC games. Probably like 3000 of those will be unplayable. The others (fist person shooters and action games) will also suffer severly.

The only way to successfully play a PC game on your TV is if the PC game is ported to a console (a.k.a. Xbox game) to adjust the font size along with other aspects of the game. If you want to play PC games on your TV, buy an Xbox.

I'm surprised this is serioulsy going to be released to the market. It will die a quick death because of this issue though. Do not buy this machine.

[Darwin]

Here's the big question: will this console/hybrid eliminate all those annoying quirks that come along with PC gaming: having to download patches, getting the latest drivers for my hardware, ensuring that all these games are compatable with the hardware contained within.

I actually don't have a big problem with patching games or getting newer drivers, in and of itself. It's the not knowing what I need to do that is the problem. Microsoft has upgraded their Live software package a few times and I have downloaded patches and various other things on Live ... but it's all done automatically and it always works. When I can play my Formula 1 game on my PC 6 months ago, and now all the sudden it won't play the game, and I have no idea why or how to go about fixing it ... that's when I have a problem. Never had this problem with Xbox or Live (once I got past the initial login process back in 2002).

[Nissian X]

I'm sure we've all seen this before. Some unknown company releasing a console that some how came together within months. Does the word "Phantom" ring a bell? and I think there was one other fake console within the last few months, too.

[CarlB]

I'm sure we've all seen this before. Some unknown company releasing a console that some how came together within months. Does the word "Phantom" ring a bell? and I think there was one other fake console within the last few months, too.


Ok Where do u get that the apexextreme and phantom are fake no where.

They are both very real consoles. Also the Companies Discover and InfiniumLabs have been around for a few years.

[Nissian X]

Ok Where do u get that the apexextreme and phantom are fake no where.

They are both very real consoles. Also the Companies Discover and InfiniumLabs have been around for a few years.
Sigh........
Carl, that is by far the most.......noobish thing I've ever heard on this board. You are dismissed.

["The Game"Evolution]

Sigh........
Carl, that is by far the most.......noobish thing I've ever heard on this board. You are dismissed.

This new console will be nothing more than another expensive heap of junk being prepped for the videogame graveyard.Does anyone know the pricetag of this waste of parts?

[Powaron]

well actually if you had a big tv the text wouldnt really be the problem but thats not the point im trying to make. how does anyone know that it can hold 4000 games??? does it have a set limit of memory or does it back up the games that you dont play or will it have memory cards or what??? If you buy this thing its a rip off because it would be the same as a computer. if you really want to just sit you ass in front of your tv then hook your computer up to your tv its not that hard. its also a lot less expensive of course youd have to be good with wires to convert a tv to a usb port but im really good with wires and electric repairs.

[no.1gamer]

well actually if you had a big tv the text wouldnt really be the problem but thats not the point im trying to make. how does anyone know that it can hold 4000 games??? does it have a set limit of memory or does it back up the games that you dont play or will it have memory cards or what??? If you buy this thing its a rip off because it would be the same as a computer. if you really want to just sit you ass in front of your tv then hook your computer up to your tv its not that hard. its also a lot less expensive of course youd have to be good with wires to convert a tv to a usb port but im really good with wires and electric repairs.

Good points. Don't forget the fact that you can just buy "gaming CPUs" now as well. They're specifically designed for gaming and are significantly cheaper than all purpose CPU's.

[mandark]

Good points. Don't forget the fact that you can just buy "gaming CPUs" now as well. They're specifically designed for gaming and are significantly cheaper than all purpose CPU's.

I'm assuming you mean 'game consoles' when you said "gaming CPUs". Otherwise, I'm at a loss since all the pre-built, name brand gaming computers I have been dreaming of getting ranges from a Dell-$1800.00 to Alienware-$4000.00 big ones. OUCH!