Computex 2013: the best of Haswell

Intel used this year's Computex to officially debut Haswell-based Core processors, and it had no shortage of willing launch partners: seemingly everyone had at least one updated PC to reveal. The refinements to battery life and graphics also led to quite a few companies pushing the boundaries, whether it was in cutting-edge screens or exotic form factors. Quite frankly, there was a lot to cope with in several days -- enough so that we're putting the more important Haswell offerings in one convenient roundup. Read on for our look at the desktops, laptops and tablets that launched in sync with Taiwan's premier tech event.
CONVERTIBLES



It's apparent that PC builders haven't finished experimenting with new form factors: we saw a few convertible tablets arrive hand in hand with Computex. ASUS used Haswell to test the limits of design in what's arguably the most memorable product of the show, the Transformer Book Trio. The system is effectively two complete devices in one, with a full Core i7 laptop in the base and an Atom-powered Android tablet in its display. Could the Trio have relied on an Ivy Bridge chip? Possibly, but Haswell could give the PC the battery life it needs to be genuinely practical.

Other convertibles were less about pushing the envelope and more about fulfilling promises that weren't kept in the Ivy Bridge era. A combination of Haswell with bigger batteries has given the updated Dell XPS 12 and new Sony VAIO Duo 13 the long battery life that their ancestors couldn't manage. And though we don't have many final specs for Dell's Yoga competitor, the XPS 11, we're hopeful Haswell is up to the task of powering a 2,560 x 1,440 display in such a tiny frame.
LAPTOPS AND ULTRABOOKS



Just about every PC builder with announcements timed for Computex had Haswell laptops waiting in the wings, so we won't mention every new model here. Companies like Acer, Dell, MSI, Origin PC and Toshiba all upgraded their bread-and-butter notebook lines with Intel's new technology, even if it was just to keep pace with the industry. There were few instances where we could see Intel's Iris and Iris Pro graphics cores in action, which suggests that many PC makers still prefer discrete chipsets when they want extra video performance.

However, we saw more than a few instances where Haswell was vital for more than just a speed increase. Take Acer's second-generation Aspire S7 as an example: with the help of both new processors and a bigger battery, the Ultrabook should last longer on a charge and carry a sharper 2,560 x 1,440 display. Sony's VAIO Pro 11 and 13 can also deliver respectable runtimes despite their touchscreens, and theFujitsu Lifebook UH90 is as thin as its predecessor even after moving to an extra-dense 3,200 x 1,800 LCD. If there's any one Computex trend that will last throughout 2013, it's this tendency toward no-compromise hardware revisions -- vendors no longer have to sacrifice longevity or screen resolution for the sake of thinness.

Other companies turned to Haswell for gaming-friendly small laptops, where the new CPU's efficiency opened the door for dedicated graphics chips that weren't always viable before. Acer's Aspire S3, Gigabyte's U series, the Maingear Pulse 14 andRazer's 14-inch Blade all combined svelte profiles with mid-tier GeForce GTX 700M series video. So far, we've been generally happy with anything beyond basic video in this size class; it's now relatively easy to play games at high frame rates without resorting to a big, bulky desktop replacement.
DESKTOPS



While Computex was dominated by portable systems, we did see a few stationary PCs launch around the event schedule. Most, such as the refreshed Alienware X51,ASUS ET2702, Gigabyte BRIX and Toshiba PX35t, are pedestrian compared to the laptops. The innovation we saw mostly resided in the ASUS Desktop PC G10, whose UPS-like battery pack isn't linked to Haswell at all. The G10 is really just a clever tower that happens to use the latest Core technology. Intel targeted mobile products with most of Haswell's improvements, and many of its manufacturing customers have shifted their strategies to match.

HTC Windows Phone with Sprint LTE surfaces in FCC docs Mobile

We know for sure that Sprint intends to carry Windows Phone 8 devices from HTC and Samsung this summer -- the company said as much at this past CES. And with yet another HTC WP8 filing surfacing at the FCC, the evidence for a fast-approaching launch continues to mount. Bearing a model number that branches off from the rumored Tiara, the PO88100 looks destined for the Now Network as it reps some very carrier-specific frequencies, namely the presence of CDMA and LTE Band 25. Apart from that, we know it'll also support NFC, BT 4.0 and WiFi a/b/g/n, but that's the extent of what these docs reveal. What you can likely expect from HTC when it does get official, is a more moderately-specced device that differs from the One in style, size and power; something that slots in with the WP8 demo.

Apple puts up '7' banner in advance of WWDC, likely confirms new version of iOS (update: OS X too) Mobile

Well, we were pretty sure that Apple was going to out a new version of iOS next week, and a banner just went up at the Moscone Center in San Francisco (the venue for WWDC) seems to confirm the rumors. As you can see, it shows only the number '7', which all but confirms that we'll be seeing Jony Ive's first iteration of Apple's mobile OS in just a few days. Tune in to our coverage next week to check the accuracy of our deductive powers and find out what other goodies Apple has in store.

Update: Our friends at 9 to 5 Mac have more pics, including photos of an ad with a big 'X' in front of a wave. That should put to rest any hopes for this being the launch of OS XI.

Syfy's robot expert Mark Setrakian on 'the clicker,' titanium asperations and the Fortus 900mc 3D printer

Every week, a new and interesting human being tackles our decidedly geeky take on the Proustian Q&A. This is the Engadget Questionnaire.

In this installment of our regular session of inquiry, special effects and robot expertMark Setrakian (of Syfy's Robot Combat League) talks tools of the robot trade and cyberspace-augmented memory. Join us on the other side of the break for the full collection of responses.

What gadget do you depend on most?
Mostly my iPhone. But really I depend on my Haas VF-4SS, because you can't make a giant robot with a phone.

Which do you look back upon most fondly?
My Mac SE/30. Around 1990, I had it hooked up to a 19-inch greyscale CRT, and a Kurta tablet with about 100 Quick Keys macros around the perimeter of the pen area. System 6, Claris CAD, no internet, no email.

Which company does the most to push the industry?
Apple always seems to be five steps ahead of everybody, and their products have an elegance that belies how much work went into them. I have been devoted to Apple products for years, but lately I've taken a strong interest in Samsung (the clunky / awesome Galaxy Camera) and Microsoft (see below...).

What is your operating system of choice?
All of my engineering work is done in Windows 7 64-bit, often on a Mac with Boot Camp. Robot motion-control systems run under RT Linux. For everything else, OS X.

What are your favorite gadget names?
Tenori-on, a well-named piece of alien technology.

What are your least favorite?
Raspberry Pi - it's a great device, but seriously...

Which app do you depend on most?
On my phone, Safari. My phone is mostly a conduit for information and Safari is almost the only app I need. But I also love specialty apps like iEngineer and Circuit Playground. On my computers, Autodesk Inventor and Max/MSP.

What traits do you most deplore in a smartphone?
It's always on, always there, nagging with its unceasing onslaught of communication and its bottomless well of knowledge.

Which do you most admire?
See above.

What is your idea of the perfect device?
I like sharp tools. A device with focused function (some would say limited) and a user interface to suit the task, like a x0xb0x, or the Teenage Engineering OP-1. Can you tell my hobby is music?


"When traveling... I used to bring 10 pounds of hardware with me wherever I went; now I really only need my phone."

What is your earliest gadget memory?
My dad had an ancient TV with a remote he referred to as a "clicker" that turned on the TV and changed the channel by literally making a clicking sound. I carefully took it apart and discovered tuned rods that would be struck when the buttons were pressed. It was purely mechanical; no batteries, no electronics.

What technological advancement do you most admire?
3D printing. I've been using a Stratasys FDM Titan machine for almost 10 years and it has completely changed the way I make things and the way I think about design in general.

Which do you most despise?
OS updates that render my favorite apps obsolete.

What fault are you most tolerant of in a gadget?
Limited functionality. If a device does one thing really well, I don't mind if it doesn't do much else.

Which are you most intolerant of?
An inconsistent user interface.

When has your smartphone been of the most help?
When traveling. I used to bring 10 pounds of hardware with me wherever I went; now I really only need my phone.

What device do you covet most?
Short of an SLS machine that prints titanium, the Fortus 900mc is the 3D printer of my desire. But like the Haas, it's not a pocket device.

If you could change one thing about your phone what would it be?
Honestly, I just wish it had a longer battery life.

What does being connected mean to you?
I feel like cyberspace has become an extension of my memory. I know my own memories change over time, but being connected keeps people and experiences in my life alive in ways that I don't think were possible a decade ago.

When are you least likely to reply to an email?
When I'm focused on work, I often ignore my phone and my email for 12 hours at a time. It gets me in trouble sometimes.

When did you last disconnect?
While on vacation in New Zealand this year, I disconnected for a few days. Disconnecting for any significant period is almost unthinkable.