Velocity Micro
| Company type | Privately Owned |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer hardware |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Headquarters | Richmond, Virginia |
| Products | Desktops Servers Laptops Peripherals Netbooks |
| Website | www.velocitymicro.com |
Velocity Micro is a privately held computer manufacturer located in Richmond, VA (USA), specializing in custom high-end computers. Its high-performance product line includes gaming systems, notebooks, netbooks, home servers, digital media creation workstations, home and home office PCs, home entertainment media centers, Tesla based supercomputers, and business solutions. Velocity Micro's business model revolves around offering leading edge technology while providing personalized, US-based care and customer service to create what they term the "New PC Experience".[1]
History
Velocity Micro traces its origins to 1992 when Randy Copeland began designing and producing high-performance computer systems to run CAD software and other demanding applications. These computer systems were custom-built to facilitate the design process and tailored to the needs of each client. Velocity Micro was officially founded in 1997 as an extension of this highly individualized, high-performance computing philosophy.
In 2001, Copeland took the opportunity to appear in Maximum PC's boutique roundup article entitled "Minor League, Major Performance". The quote which appeared in that Feb 2002 issue — "put together with the kind of care and craftsmanship the behemoth manufacturers can't offer" — propelled Velocity Micro forward and is still used by the company today.[2]
In 2010, Velocity Micro entered the eReader and tablet PC markets with the release of the Cruz Reader and the Cruz Tablet. These Android-based devices offer consumers a more affordable option when it comes to multimedia touch-screen gadgets. Both devices feature 7" full-color screens. The Cruz Reader utilizes a resistive touch screen, whereas the Cruz Tablet makes use of the more advanced and responsive capacitive touch screen.
At CES 2011 (January 2011) Velocity Micro unveiled plans to release three new tablets, including 10" and 8" models, as well as another 7" tablet. The specific release-dates and estimated retail prices are not available as of 2011[update], but it is reported[according to whom?] that the proposed new tablets will operate on Android 2.3 or higher.
Retail
In August 2005, Velocity Micro began offering pre-configured, high-performance desktops in select Best Buy stores across the country, followed by BestBuy.com that September. In July 2007, Velocity Micro began offering notebooks and desktops in Circuit City Stores across the country.[3] Circuit City Stores filed for bankruptcy and closed all of their stores in 2009. In November 2008, Velocity Micro announced they were also moving into the online retail outlets Amazon.com, NewEgg, TigerDirect, and Staples. In January 2009, Velocity Micro announced they were moving into Frys stores nationwide. In 2010 the Cruz E-book Reader [4] and Cruz Tablet [5] went on sale at Borders Books and elsewhere.
Awards
Velocity Micro has won over 40 industry awards for performance and craftsmanship,[citation needed] including 10 Editor's Choice awards from PC Magazine. CNET, Maximum PC, PC World, HardOCP, Computer Gaming World, and Computer Shopper have all awarded Velocity Micro machines high marks.[6][7][8][9] In Sept. 2007, Velocity Micro won PC Mag's Reader's Choice for Service and Reliability Award.[10]
Competitors
Velocity Micro’s major competitors include large manufacturers such as Dell and HP, as well as boutiques such as Alienware, AVADirect, MAINGEAR, VoodooPC, and Falcon Northwest.
In May 2007, Velocity Micro acquired former competing boutique builder, Overdrive PC, known for their extreme overclocking capabilities they term "hyperclocking." Since the acquisition, Velocity Micro has begun to incorporate Hyperclocking into many of its extreme gaming systems. Overdrive PC remains a separate brand under Velocity Micro ownership.[11]
Reviews
In a July 2008 review from PC Magazine, the company received an Editors Choice award for its Vector Campus Edition model.[12] In November 2008, Core i7 based systems from Velocity Micro won Editors' Choice awards from Maximum PC[13] and CNET.[14]
A CNET senior editor found the Cruz T103 tablet to have many shortcoming not worth forgiving.[15]
Problems
The T104 Cruz Tablet sold by woot.com has a problem where the browser will shut down when google.com or websites that use google analytics are accessed. VelocityMicro addresses this on their website as a google problem. [16] Attempts at addressing this issue through the velocitymicro.com support receive this response: "The update Google has implemented to their search engine isn't compatible to the T100 series hardware. The device is a legacy model." A workaround to this problem is to download and install the Opera Mobile 12.0.1 for MIPS browser.
References
- ^ Velocity Micro // Award-winning, ultra-performance computers for gaming, digital media, and business solutions
- ^ SMALL BUSINESS; Standing in the Niche, Trying to Hold Your Own - New York Times
- ^ Velocity Micro Desktops and Notebooks Coming to Circuit City - Gearlog
- ^ Borders Books Cruz Reader
- ^ PC world Cruz Tablet Computer with Android
- ^ ThinkComputers.org - The Place Thats All About Computers
- ^ Velocity Micro Vector GX Campus Edition (overclocked Core 2 Duo E6320) Desktop reviews - CNET Reviews
- ^ Sweet Desktop Deals - Velocity Micro Vector GX Campus Edition 2007 - Reviews by PC Magazine
- ^ [H] Consumer - Velocity Micro Gamers' Edge PCX
- ^ Is Tech Support Getting Worse? - Desktops - News and Analysis by PC Magazine
- ^ Velocity Micro acquires Overdrive PC, gets 'hyperclocked' - Engadget
- ^ Powerhouse Multimedia PCs - Velocity Micro Vector Campus Edition (2008) - At A Glance - Reviews by PC Magazine
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ [3]
- ^ [4]
External links
- Velocity Micro official website
- Official Site for Cruz by Velocity Micro
- Velocity Micro blog
- Velocity Micro Acquisition
- Overdrive PC