Is this actually seriously real? I still have some doubts but I am beginning to get hungry. KFC and Cooler Master have properly announced the KFConsole.
Going over the details of it, what they've actually created is a fully powered custom-built PC case with a built-in "Chicken Chamber". Yeah, really. It mentions how it uses "the systems natural heat and airflow system you can now focus on your gameplay and enjoy hot, crispy chicken between rounds". Completely ridiculous of course but I've no doubt if it really becomes available, people will absolutely buy it.
It makes use of the Cooler Master NC100 with an Intel Nuc 9 Extreme Compute Element, meaning it's no slouch and will actually pack quite a performance punch. The KFConsole will also come with a "first-of-its-kind" hot-swappable GPU slot with "Asus-powered graphics" (they're not saying what GPU model it comes with yet). Plenty of storage space too with two 1TB Seagate BarraCuda SSDs. You won't be running out of space quickly, and it will make the entire thing feel quite snappy.
Taking all that together, the concerning point (apart from crumbs getting everywhere) is the price. Nothing about it sounds particularly affordable. Even if they end up not selling it, you have to admit the marketing is hilarious and probably worth it alone - not that they need any extra marketing.
The real question is though: will it Linux? I'm sure it won't be long until someone installs it.
2020 continues being a very weird year.
Certainly looks cool.I'd say, looks hot.
But... Some potato based PC could be quite affordable (for example based on Raspberry Pi). What is needed? Computer capable enough to start browser - so almost everything nowadays. Unfortunately streaming services like GeForce NOW and Stadia require commercial, proprietary and spying Chrome browser. License for installing Chrome could be probably quite expensive if Google realizes that they could earn on it - probably they will force manufacturer to use not Linux but fully optimized for Google "telemetry" ChromeOS or Android.... Open-source Chromium could be the solution...
Raspberry Pi could handle start some old console emulators plus some small indie games "natively" on Linux. All other AAA games - access via streaming services like GeForce NOW website.
Hmm... the "Chicken Chamber" is kept warm by the computer, right? That just strikes me as a food poisoning incident waiting to happen!"Hey, there's still some chicken there from last month! And it's still hot, too!"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massacre_of_the_Innocents
Hmmm... I think that they missed the point. "Real" PC game console (Linux or Windows - do not matter) - will be too expensive for "average" KFC consumer.So far I'm liking my Atari VCS that is a lot more powerful than a RPi and can run (secure boot signed) Linux's. I've asked if there is a way to unlock the secure boot to get GamerOS on it. But until then, may need to create a Debian set up that is similar (basically SteamOS with newer base). Anyone want to help with the preseed config? :)
But... Some potato based PC could be quite affordable (for example based on Raspberry Pi). What is needed? Computer capable enough to start browser - so almost everything nowadays. Unfortunately streaming services like GeForce NOW and Stadia require commercial, proprietary and spying Chrome browser. License for installing Chrome could be probably quite expensive if Google realizes that they could earn on it - probably they will force manufacturer to use not Linux but fully optimized for Google "telemetry" ChromeOS or Android.... Open-source Chromium could be the solution...
Raspberry Pi could handle start some old console emulators plus some small indie games "natively" on Linux. All other AAA games - access via streaming services like GeForce NOW website.
Uh oh, is the Chickening comingWhy did the chicken cross the road?
It was cold and needed to be warmed by Cooler Master.
And I don't mean just support, I mean actual wider adoption that will take Windows on for real.
Last edited by Shmerl on 30 December 2020 at 5:18 am UTC
With recent news of MS pushing into making their own CPUs like Apple, I wonder if PC manufacturers together with AMD and Intel could start a stronger push for Linux adoption. Because that move by MS is not friendly for them.That would be amazing, and I'd say wishful thinking, but then many moons ago it was wishful thinking that we'd have Steam on Linux, or VR support or such a huge push for it on everything (except desktop).
And I don't mean just support, I mean actual wider adoption that will take Windows on for real.
I mean if you think about it this way, AMD and Intel are kind of already decent supporters of Linux. Now that nvidia also bought ARM, if they go full on into the CPU making business, that puts them in the same game.
We have some interesting times ahead of us. This is really the first time Apple has full control from SoC to software, something I'm sure they've been wanting for a few decades, probably since the move from 68k to PPC was so harsh. It makes them a little bit more like IBM, which survives mostly in spite of itself. But at the same time, does IBM push Linux on the desktop? Start going for that workstation money like Apple sort of does (I don't think Apple actually even considers that a lot of developers / ops people use their products as a commercial Unix, but I'm sure a lot of companies keep macOS for that purpose, Apple seems more to target the 'creative' types, as most of the devops people really don't like the touch bar!)
Microsoft making their Surface stuff based on ARM is an interesting choice, but I wonder how much of that is being pissed off at Intel for some random thing vs trying to follow Apple.
Hmmm... I think that they missed the point. "Real" PC game console (Linux or Windows - do not matter) - will be too expensive for "average" KFC consumer.But a cheap potato wouldn't run hot enough to do the gimmick.
But... Some potato based PC could be quite affordable (for example based on Raspberry Pi). What is needed? Computer capable enough to start browser - so almost everything nowadays. Unfortunately streaming services like GeForce NOW and Stadia require commercial, proprietary and spying Chrome browser. License for installing Chrome could be probably quite expensive if Google realizes that they could earn on it - probably they will force manufacturer to use not Linux but fully optimized for Google "telemetry" ChromeOS or Android.... Open-source Chromium could be the solution...
Raspberry Pi could handle start some old console emulators plus some small indie games "natively" on Linux. All other AAA games - access via streaming services like GeForce NOW website.
Microsoft making their Surface stuff based on ARM is an interesting choice, but I wonder how much of that is being pissed off at Intel for some random thing vs trying to follow Apple.
Whatever MS motives can be, I can easily see that such move can be interpreted as threatening by AMD and Intel, so if they invest in actually increasing Linux adoption, it will give them some guarantee they'll have a market even if the likes of MS and Apple will start using only their own CPUs.
In a sense it's a similar motivation to why Valve are investing in Linux.
Last edited by Shmerl on 30 December 2020 at 7:05 am UTC
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