NVIDIA SHIELD

Today, the console market has more or less settled down - its leaders appeared on it, who divided users into several camps. However, in addition to the products of companies such as Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo, there are other consoles and a variety of entertainment devices that could interest fans of technical innovations in the gaming industry.

At the beginning of this year, at CES 2013, the famous IT giant Nvidia announced its own Nvidia Shield game console, which went on sale on July 31, 2013 at a price of $ 299 (the company originally planned to set the price at $ 350, but before the release it dropped $ 50). However, this portable set-top box is available only for residents of the United States and Canada. The expansion of the Russian market is planned no earlier than in a year.

Interesting features of Nvidia Shield

The new console is running on Android 4.2.1, so users will find a simple and intuitive interface that everyone has long been accustomed to. Obviously, if the console is controlled by Android, it supports the entire database of games on this platform. In addition, the console can be connected to any monitor and turn it from a mobile game console into a stationary one.



However, this is not the main thing! The most interesting “feature” of the Shield: the ability to broadcast full-fledged PC games to the console via Wi-Fi. To do this, we need a computer or laptop with a Wi-Fi module that will meet certain technical specifications:

• Notebook GeForce GTX 650 or GeForce GTX 660M
• Intel Core i5 processor or higher (AMD support)
• RAM capacity - 4 gigabytes
• Operating System - Windows 7

As individual tests show, this technology works pretty well:



So, for example, all fans of mobile games will have the opportunity to play some new Bioshock or Tomb Raider, lounging on the couch. Another question is whether there are many such people in the world, because it is not so pleasant to choose a heavy console with a full-fledged large monitor and a convenient mouse with a keyboard.

Here you can see the confirmed list of games for Shield.

Device Specifications:

• Processor: quad-core Tegra 4 with a frequency of 1.9 GHz
• Display: five-inch IPS with a resolution of 720p (294ppi)
• Graphics: custom 72-core GeForce
• RAM: 2GB
• Permanent memory: 16GB + microSD up to 64GB
• Interfaces: micro USB, mini HDMI output, 3.5 mm headphone input, Wi-Fi
• Online Services: Nvidia TegraZone, Google Play, Steam

Of all the features of the console, it is worth highlighting its rather impressive weight: 579 grams, rather large dimensions: 158x135x57 mm and the controversial design, which some Internet users have already not liked. Of the positive features - very good speakers, clearly outperforming most of these devices in quality, as well as a high battery capacity that allows you to play video for a day without a break.

Purchase

As mentioned earlier, you can only buy Nvidia Shield in the USA and Canada.

The console is for sale in the official Nvidia store , as well as in NewEgg at a recommended price of $ 299. However, both of these stores are not particularly friendly with Russian payment methods. But you can try to specify an American billing address instead of Russian. For this, the address in the United States issued by the Parcel is quite suitable . As the delivery address, of course, you should also indicate the address in the USA issued to you by the Parcel. After all, the store delivers orders only within the United States and Canada.

In addition to the device itself, in the company store you can order additional accessories to it. For example, a good case:



Delivery in the USA at the official NVIDIA store is paid. Standard delivery lasts a few days and costs $ 13. Faster shipping costs more.

Another alternative to buy is Ebay. This is in case the trick with the American billing address still does not work and the seller cancels the order. However, there is a mark-up on this device: if you search well, Nvidia Shield will be able to buy on Ebay at around $ 350.

Now we’ll calculate how much the delivery from the USA to Russia will cost. Together with all the packaging, the device is unlikely to weigh more than a kilogram. For the Parcel, the cost of delivering a package weighing 1 kg through USPS EXPRESS is $ 67.3 with all fees. Add insurance for $ 299 for $ 9. In total, $ 76.3 comes out with insurance.

Total, the device in Russia will cost us: $ 299 + $ 13 + 76.3 = $ 388.3 . Very good price for such an exclusive!