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Giants in Tech => Intel => Topic started by: javajolt on October 04, 2015, 10:50:48 PM
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Unboxing videos have been popping up all over the web unveiling the Intel® Box Master System, a retro-inspired game console that, in fact, isn’t a game console at all. Of course, it’s hard to tell the difference at the start, but you can see suspense unfold in some of the videos here (http://techpartner.intel.com/campaigns/enthusiast-unboxing/intel-box/).
For two years now, Intel has engineered a social campaign fashioned to appeal to gamers, hardware enthusiasts, and content creators by enlisting the help of their peers—notably, key tech bloggers—to get the word out about new Intel® technology. This year, the kit itself comes with the new unlocked Intel® Core™ i7-6700K processor, the Intel® SSD 750 Series, a compatible motherboard, and DDR4 RAM. All told, bloggers who receive the kit can piece together their own rigs with these core components and see how much punch the hardware packs.
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The first we saw of the Master System when the first batch of blogger videos came out a couple weeks ago was some eccentric box art that would look right at home next to an Atari or ColecoVision. In addition to retro stripes and a disco-era family sporting bowl haircuts, the box also shows screenshots for faux 8-bit games, mock messaging, and even a copyright date of 1971—the year that the first Intel® processor was released.
From the get-go, it’s clear that the Intel® Box is a parody of itself, or as the packaging states, that it puts the “good” in “good game.” The retro-inspired console, which features wood paneling, is actually a nod to hardcore users who probably grew up on classic 8-bit games.
Cracking open the Intel® Box isn’t as easy as it seems. Once you remove its whimsical packaging and open the lid, the Intel® console plays the brand’s iconic jingle and then prompts you to repeat the same five notes via the “EZ Touch” control pad in Simon-style fashion. Failure is greeted by flashing red buttons and disappointed scowls from everyone around you. But get it right, and all the lights turn blue while the Intel® Box unlocks, revealing the hidden treasures within.
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As mentioned above, each Master System also comes with an Intel® Solid-State Drive 750 Series, which is yet another intriguing find. Unlike most SSDs, which connect via SATA cable, the 750 Series is the first SSD available at the consumer level that connects directly to a PCIe slot on the motherboard—much like a graphics card. This allows the SSD higher bandwidth overall, which means much faster load and save times, plus faster installation for the huge, gig-sized packages that seemingly are becoming the norm.
Bloggers who received an Intel® Box get to keep the processor and SSD along with the Intel® Box itself, presumably to adorn their mantelpieces and inspire envy among their techie cohorts.
So why unboxing? These videos have become a common practice, but the packaging is typically pretty boring—it’s all about the goods inside and not necessarily about the box itself. However, in this case, creativity pays off. Putting a little extra effort into the wrapping adds to the experience overall while showcasing some personality in an industry that can sometimes come off a little cold.
Of course, there’s no substitute for seeing it yourself (http://techpartner.intel.com/campaigns/enthusiast-unboxing/intel-box/).