Skip to main content

Ockel’s Sirius A is a portable PC that makes no compromises

ockel sirius a portable pc
Ockel
There was a time when 2-in-1 hardware seemed like it could be a passing fad, but the array of hybrid devices on show at IFA 2016 suggest that this is not the case. The Netherlands’ Ockel is attempting to stand out from the crowd with the Sirius A, which is being billed as the “missing link” between a fully fledged Windows 10 desktop and a smartphone.

The Sirius A is the size of a large smartphone, and boasts a 6-inch full HD touchscreen and a battery capable of powering the device while users are on the move. The portable nature of the device was a top priority for Ockel, but the manufacturer wanted to make sure that it didn’t force any other compromises.

Recommended Videos

To that end, the architecture of the Sirius A is closer to a traditional desktop, rather than a smartphone or a tablet. This means that the device can run all x86 compatible Windows programs — despite its physical design, it’s a bona fide PC, for all intents and purposes.

The system is also outfitted with a wide range of connectivity options, something that Ockel identified as a deficiency for many smartphones, tablets, and hybrids. The Sirius A features two USB ports, HDMI, DisplayPort, a MicroSD card slot and a LAN port.

“We want to give users a real desktop experience, with the benefits of a mobile device,” said Tim Haaksma, the founder of Ockel. “We see the desktop and mobile market growing toward each other. The Ockel Sirius A is a one-of a-kind blend of desktop and mobile.”

In 2015, a hugely successful crowdfunding campaign facilitated the development and release of Ockel’s first two products, the Sirius B and its Black Cherry variant. The company has since inked an exclusive partnership agreement with Indiegogo, which will underpin the upcoming campaign for the Sirius A.

Ockel hopes to raise $250,000 over the course of the campaign, which will get underway in September.

Brad Jones
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Brad is an English-born writer currently splitting his time between Edinburgh and Pennsylvania. You can find him on Twitter…
Red Dead Redemption 2 PC sale makes the ultimate edition only $60
read dead redemption solo shot

The PC version of Red Dead Redemption 2 got a major price cut with 40% off on the Humble Store for the rest of March.

The regular edition of the Western open-world title is 20% off and is available at a markdown of $48 rather than $60. The discounts are even steeper for the other versions of the game, with the special edition offering 33% off at$54 rather than $80. The ultimate edition, which normally costs $100, is 40% off at $60. That brings the ultimate version down to the regular base game price.

Read more
Intel’s latest NUC is an ambitious attempt to make PC upgrades modular
intel nuc 9 extreme kit compute element 6

Intel has announced the NUC 9 Extreme Kit, the company’s latest attempt to revolutionize small PCs, at CES 2020. It has an important innovation that no previous NUC has attempted. Modular, upgradeable construction.

You can purchase and customize the NUC 9 Extreme Kit from Intel, as with past NUCs. This time around, though, third-party vendors will also offer compatibility with Intel NUC components. Specifically, Intel’s new NUC Compute Element.
NUC 9 Extreme Kit
The new Intel NUC 9 Extreme Kit comes with a 5-liter chassis that's less than 10 inches deep, 8.5 inches wide, and 3.8 inches wide. It’s rather large for a NUC, easily dwarfing the Hades Canyon and Skull Canyon NUCs of past years. That said, it’s much smaller than most PCs available today.

Read more
I have Meta Quest 3S and this is the best VR accessory yet — it’s on sale
Kiwi Design best VR accessory Meta Quest 3 headstrap

Ahead of the holidays and some prime family time, I've picked up the Meta Quest 3S. So far, my family is absolutely loving it, and my kids are constantly bugging me to play games, explore worlds, and get virtual. Naturally, I manage the time we're all spending -- you don't want too much screen time. But regardless, every one of us ends up becoming immersed, which means spending a lot of time with the headset on. One of the biggest drawbacks of the stock setup is that the headstrap is uncomfortable, and it puts a lot of pressure on your face. That means, the Meta Quest 3S's best VR accessory -- and the Meta Quest 3, too -- is a new, custom strap.

We grabbed the Kiwi Design Quest 3-Quest 3S headstrap and it's fantastic. It's also on sale right now for 20% off. Normally $30, it's discounted to $24 with a coupon code. Why am I sharing? If you pick up a Meta Quest 3 or 3S for yourself, or you're planning to gift one to someone over the holidays, I highly recommend ordering one of these straps. It vastly improves the experience and makes wearing the headset much more comfortable. It's also easy to adjust the fit, which is a big deal for kids. You have no idea how frustrating it was to constantly adjust the headstrap for my children between each turn.

Read more