PCR Tech and IT retail, distribution and vendor news
We round up some of the new tech products that caught PCR’s eye at Target Components’ 2015 Open Day.
1. Bitdefender Box is "antivirus for the home"
One new product PXS Distribution was showing off on its stand was the Bitdefender Box – which promises to defend a home’s devices from fraud, malware, data theft, phishing, spying and other online threats.
It connects to a home WiFi router and can be controlled from anywhere via iOS or Android apps.
The device is launched to make way for an increase in the Internet of Things/smart connected home devices; it’s priced at £120 and is out now.
2. Network provider 3 helps PC indies get into the mobile market
3 was pushing its mobile broadband offering at the show, ith dongles and SIM cards available for retailers to stock or use as a route into the mobile market.
3 has rebranded slightly in order to reach more customers, by replacing the phrase ‘mobile broadband’ with ‘internet with legs’.
3. Asrock offers tiny Beebox PCs
Along with its range of new Skylake motherboards, Asrock was promoting its Beebox mini PC at the show. One is available as a barebone with no RAM or SSD (priced at £88.69), while the other version comes with them for £148.87.
4. Target is launching its own entry-level gaming chassis brand
Target Components is launching its own-brand entry-level gaming chassis in November, known as Cronus.
There are no prices available yet, but there will be budget mATX and gaming cases with 500w PSUs available. The cases will come with a 12cm LED fan included, as well as a black interior.
The Cronus will not replace Target’s other Evo Labs budget gaming accessories brand, but will focus on slightly higher quality items and different product categories like components, cases and PSUs.
5. Tech trade targets Star Wars toys (and other Christmas goodies)
Having worked in the toy industry, I know the kind of healthy margins that toys can offer retailers, and Target Components is on board with a range of products this year in time for Christmas.
The range includes some Star Wars products, which will no doubt be in strong demand in time for the release of the new Force Unleasehd film.
There are also superhero light-up wall toys, priced at £18.50 with RRPs of around £35.
Other products on show from Target included Aerocool cases and power supplies, Bitfenix cases, Cooler Master CM Storm keyboards and mice, as well as £260 older iPads and £79 Lacie 250GB SSDs.
There was also a StartA wireless mini keyboard and mouse combo on display, as well as an Android media player which turns a standard TV into a smart TV.
6. Budget gaming keyboards and fans
A number of PC gaming accessories under Target’s Evo Labs brand were on show, including £7.98 light-up keyboards, £9.99 ones that change colour and £10.93 keyboards that can change the lighting effects.
Low-priced e2106 combo keyboards were also available, priced at £2.30, as well as light-up fans for £4.20 each.
7. ‘UK is missing out by ignoring fanless systems,’ says Akasa
Akasa was presenting a host of low-energy fanless computing units ideal for home theatre PCs, digital signage and thin clients, compatible with Intel NUCs, encouraging retailers to build them as they like.
The Plato X was one particular model on show coming soon.
Akasa’s Alex Yeung told PCR: "Fanless computing is taking a while to take off here, we’ve been doing it for years and have success in many other countries. The UK is currently missing out [by ignoring] fanless systems."
8. Club 3D seeing good demand for graphics cards and splitters
Club 3D had a raft of AMD graphics cards on display, including the new super portable R9 Fury Nano (modelled here by Club 3D’s Gerjan Blonet.
The firm said smaller entry level graphics cards are being cannibalised by integrated graphics solutions, hence the company is focusing on more higher-end offerings nowadays.
It was also showing off its SenseVision range of graphics adaptors, display splitters, docking stations and more, including a Windows tablet docking station which will hopefully launch by the end of the year.
