January 13, 2011

Is this Wireless Graphics Card Stupidly Intuitive or Just Stupid?

Cable cutting is almost a reflexively good thing, right? Wireless mice, wireless console controllers, wireless internet—but is this wireless KFA2 GeForce GTX460 graphics card just wireless for the pure sake of it? Or is this the future?

The ostensibly cool factor of a graphics card like this—which KFA2 claims can output 1080p video at 60hz via a monitor receiver—is that it'll allow you to place your display and (wireless) keyboard/mouse anywhere you want, freed from your desktop. Stick the desktop in the basement! Or under the bed! Or wherever. The appeal here lies in getting the desktop tower out of sight and, I suppose, saving space. Which is good!

But then what? I'm not sure where else most people are going to be using their desktop computers other than... a desk. And if you're already at the desk, is it really so much of a pain to have the computer next to you? Where does KFA2 free us to place the tower-less computer, with its 100 foot range? On a dining room table? In the kitchen? These all seem like places in a home where a tablet or laptop would hit the spot, rather than a PC monitor, mouse, and keyboard. And keep in mind, that monitor still needs a power cable.

Hooking up KFA2's receiver to an HDTV is also an option, but, blech—the idea of sitting on my couch with a wireless mouse makes my skin crawl.

This is also to say nothing of the potential for wireless interference and range issues—not what you want to run into while gaming or watching a movie (or doing anything, really).

Cables are a hassle, for sure—but really only when they're meant to be hooked up to something that we're moving around with any frequency at all. An external hard drive. A phone. Which is why I couldn't care less about the rat's nest of HDMI cables behind my TV—I never go back there, and I never move the thing around. Wirelessly streaming video from a laptop to a TV, or a camera to a computer, or whatnot—these all make sense, as one object in the equation is either small or far away enough from the other to make mobility a factor. But the wireless desktop monitor? I'm not quite convinced anyone needs such a thing.

For those wondering why I stopped posting for a while is the fact I'm not with my girlfriend anymore and decided to move out elsewhere since it's obviously too painful for her to live with me in this situation. I'll try to post as much as I can but I won't always be able since there's no internet in my new appartment until next week and all I can do is connect on my neighbour's wireless internet (with his consentement). I'll also start posting again on the other blog once I get my internet back!

37 comments:

  1. why does sitting on a couch with a wireless mouse make your skin crawl? I have an HDTV hooked up to my comp and I lie in bed with my wireless mouse and keyboard. far more comfortable.

    I could see this card being useful if you want to do something like keep the computer in an adjacent room or something. Maybe some people don't like the noise their computer makes? sounds like an easy fix without having to tunnel holes in your wall to put cables through.
    Could also be good for store displays that want to keep the computer open for use on display, but don't want to risk it getting stolen. Again, it prevents the need to drill holes in your wall for cables.

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  2. Somebody, somewhere, will buy this.

    Sorry to hear about the move, I've done that a few times as well-- usually to a new city.

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  3. Not much of a computer gamer so it wouldnt really help me.

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  4. It's an interesting idea, I'll give it that. However, I can't really think of any kinds of uses for that card, except maybe dual-screening on monitors that are placed far away.

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  5. I have a hard time seeing how this will work effectively... but if it does, it'd be actually pretty neat.

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  6. ya man id have use for this, im currently on my laptop, and next to me are two HDTVs each running a computer, the computers and cables for this setup are expensive and looks cluttered, if i could chuck em in another room thatd be decenttt

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  7. That is awesome. now i can move my desktop to a small air conditioned cabinet in another room.

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  8. Very cool idea...

    Makes you think of all the things this could be used for. I'm sure the military could find a use it. Also, what if "smartphones" were suddenly automatically hooked up to high powered processors and graphics cards? Would we be able to carry supercomputers in our pockets?

    Anyway, nice blog. I will definitely follow and keep up to date. Thanks!

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  9. oh geez man, now i feel bad about the whole asking you to make more posts thing... :( sorry...

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  10. oh and sorry to hear about the girl :/ that shit sucks...

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  11. thats pretty cool actually. Id be so afraid of wireless signal interference with that. Imagine your whole graphics processor experiencing a lag shutdown. yikes.

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  12. Looks like more of a toy than actually practical for 'real' gamers

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  13. Not sure this would work well

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  14. man the idea is really interesting
    i wonder how it works

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  15. nice blog, just subbed to it.

    Make sure to follow mine at thewatchfanatic.blogspot.com

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  16. proof that sometimes advancements in technology are not for the best.

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  17. i think it's kinda great. soon we will be able to have our PC everywhere in the house. we won't have to worry about it ocupying a defined space in a room.

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  18. hmm..an interesting concept. I wonder if it'll catch on?

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  19. Sorry about the relationship shit,don't know about the card thing though?

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  20. WHDI is future, sort of... Tommorow in my blog, i will post a news about two GTX 460, one of them is card with WHDI...

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  21. It will work great when power becomes wireless! Until then, its stupid.

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  22. Im thinking a flat panel monitor on the wall...but the is only part of the tower. what about the motherboard, disc drives etc?

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  23. I know of a few people who could use something like this. Thanks for the info.

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  24. Funny that people who obsess about power-lines and mobile phones will happily nuke themselves with gadgets like this. Seems a little unnecessary.

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  25. Sorry to hear about you and your girlfriend, bro. I plan on building a computer soon, this information came in handy! Good luck!

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  26. I think this is a great idea, but perhaps just a little naive in the execution.

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  27. Maybe you can get one of those cards and install it in your ex's computer to steal her wireless...hi-def?

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  28. interesting concept, although i don't see how it can constantly function properly.

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  29. It's a pretty interesting concept.
    The monitor is pretty much the only part of the computer that can't be connected wirelessly.

    Bummer about the relationship bro.


    Follow me back --
    devondole.blogspot.com

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  30. That pretty cool, but im pretty sure in the end of all this everything tech wise can and will become wireless. there's a revolution coming, and i think its going to be something like this. wireless everything everywhere!
    My blog
    http://kongdonkey.blogspot.com/

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  31. I love the idea, but this is probably just a case of a company trying to be the first at something.
    Maybe it will take off for those with multiple media PC's?

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  32. Not really worth it for the price.

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  33. My GOD! thats the sexiest thing i have ever seen

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  34. Thats actually so cool!
    Totally followed.

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  35. I would use the hell out of this, just casually move my monitor and keyboard/mouse to another room to watch a movie or whatever, even outside! Shame I'll never afford it though :\

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