Velocity Micro
Encyclopedia
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 supercomputer
s, 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".
In 2001, Randy was offered an 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.
In 2010, Velocity Micro entered the eReader and tablet PC race with the release of the Cruz Reader and Cruz (Tablet)
. These devices are Android-based devices that 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 much more advanced and responsive capacitive touch screen.
At CES 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 currently available, but it is reported that these new tablets will operate on Android 2.3 or higher.
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. 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 and Cruz Tablet went on sale at Borders Books and elsewhere.
, Maximum PC
, PC World
, HardOCP
, Computer Gaming World
, and Computer Shopper
have all awarded Velocity Micro machines high marks.
In Sept. 2007, Velocity Micro won PC Mag's Reader's Choice for Service and Reliability Award.
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.
and CNET
.
Nvidia Tesla
The Tesla graphics processing unit is nVidia's third brand of GPUs. It is based on high-end GPUs from the G80 , as well as the Quadro lineup. Tesla is nVidia's first dedicated General Purpose GPU...
based supercomputer
Supercomputer
A supercomputer is a computer at the frontline of current processing capacity, particularly speed of calculation.Supercomputers are used for highly calculation-intensive tasks such as problems including quantum physics, weather forecasting, climate research, molecular modeling A supercomputer is a...
s, and business solutions. Velocity Micro's business model revolves around offering leading edge
Leading edge
The leading edge is the part of the wing that first contacts the air; alternatively it is the foremost edge of an airfoil section. The first is an aerodynamic definition, the second a structural one....
technology while providing personalized, US-based care and customer service to create what they term the "New PC Experience".
History
Velocity Micro’s history began in 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, Randy was offered an opportunity to appear in Maximum PC
Maximum PC
Maximum PC, formerly known as boot, is an American magazine and web site published by Future US. It focuses on cutting-edge PC hardware, with an emphasis on product reviews, step-by-step tutorials, and in-depth technical briefs...
'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.
In 2010, Velocity Micro entered the eReader and tablet PC race with the release of the Cruz Reader and Cruz (Tablet)
Cruz (Tablet)
Cruz is a line of eReaders and tablet pc's by Velocity Micro, a privately held computer manufacturer located in Richmond, VA , specializing in custom high-end computers.- History :...
. These devices are Android-based devices that 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 much more advanced and responsive capacitive touch screen.
At CES 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 currently available, but it is reported that these 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 BuyBest Buy
Best Buy Co., Inc. is an American specialty retailer of consumer electronics in the United States, accounting for 19% of the market. It also operates in Mexico, Canada & China. The company's subsidiaries include Geek Squad, CinemaNow, Magnolia Audio Video, Pacific Sales, and, in Canada operates...
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. In November 2008, Velocity Micro announced they were also moving into the online retail outlets Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc. is a multinational electronic commerce company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the world's largest online retailer. Amazon has separate websites for the following countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and...
, NewEgg
Newegg
Newegg.com Inc. is an online retailer of computer hardware and software. It is based in City of Industry, California. The company was founded by Fred Chang, a Taiwanese immigrant, in 2001.- History :...
, TigerDirect, and Staples. In January 2009, Velocity Micro announced they were moving into Frys stores nationwide. In 2010 the Cruz E-book Reader and Cruz Tablet went on sale at Borders Books and elsewhere.
Awards
Velocity Micro has won over 40 industry awards for performance and craftsmanship, including 10 Editor's Choice awards from PC Magazine. CNETCNET
CNET is a tech media website that publishes news articles, blogs, and podcasts on technology and consumer electronics. Originally founded in 1994 by Halsey Minor and Shelby Bonnie, it was the flagship brand of CNET Networks and became a brand of CBS Interactive through CNET Networks' acquisition...
, Maximum PC
Maximum PC
Maximum PC, formerly known as boot, is an American magazine and web site published by Future US. It focuses on cutting-edge PC hardware, with an emphasis on product reviews, step-by-step tutorials, and in-depth technical briefs...
, PC World
PC World (magazine)
PC World is a global computer magazine published monthly by IDG. It offers advice on various aspects of PCs and related items, the Internet, and other personal-technology products and services...
, HardOCP
HardOCP
[H]ard|OCP is an online magazine that offers news, reviews, and editorials that relate to computer hardware, software, modding, overclocking and cooling, owned and operated by Kyle Bennett, who started the website in 1997.- Product Reviews :[H]ard|OCP is known for reviewing products and...
, Computer Gaming World
Computer Gaming World
Computer Gaming World was a computer game magazine founded in 1981 by Russell Sipe as a bimonthly publication. Early issues were typically 40-50 pages in length, written in a newsletter style, including submissions by game designers such as Joel Billings , Dan Bunten , and Chris Crawford...
, and Computer Shopper
Computer Shopper
Computer Shopper could refer to the following publications:* Computer Shopper - a home computer magazine published in the United Kingdom* Computer Shopper - a home computer magazine published in the United States...
have all awarded Velocity Micro machines high marks.
In Sept. 2007, Velocity Micro won PC Mag's Reader's Choice for Service and Reliability Award.
Competitors
Velocity Micro’s major competitors include large manufacturers such as DellDell
Dell, Inc. is an American multinational information technology corporation based in 1 Dell Way, Round Rock, Texas, United States, that develops, sells and supports computers and related products and services. Bearing the name of its founder, Michael Dell, the company is one of the largest...
and HP, as well as boutiques such as Alienware
Alienware
Alienware is an American computer hardware subsidary of Dell, Inc. It mainly assembles third party components into desktops and laptops with custom enclosures for high-performance gaming. These products also support graphically intense applications such as video editing, simulation, and audio editing...
, AVADirect
AVADirect
AVADirect, Inc. is an American computer manufacturing company located in Twinsburg, Ohio near Cleveland. They specialize in highly customized computer systems including Microsoft Windows and Linux servers, high-end workstations and gaming systems, business PCs, and notebooks.AVADirect is a GSA...
, MAINGEAR
Maingear
MAINGEAR is an American privately held boutique computer manufacturer headquartered in Kenilworth, New Jersey. MAINGEAR specializes in custom gaming computers, desktops, custom laptops, media center computers, and workstations which are built and supported in the United States.-History:MAINGEAR was...
, VoodooPC
VoodooPC
Voodoo Computers Inc. or VoodooPC was a luxury personal computer brand owned by Hewlett Packard. Voodoo was originally started as a niche PC maker in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It was founded in 1991, and in September of 2006 Hewlett Packard announced they would acquire Voodoo. Voodoo specialized...
, and Falcon Northwest
Falcon Northwest
Falcon Northwest is a personal computer manufacturing company located in Medford, Oregon, USA which was founded in 1992 by its current president, Kelt Reeves. The company began its existence focusing on high-end systems for Flight Simulation...
.
In May 2007, Velocity Micro acquired former competing boutique builder, Overdrive PC
Overdrive PC
Overdrive PC is a privately held computer manufacturer located in Richmond, VA , specializing in extreme high-end computers. Overdrive PC’s product line includes gaming systems, notebooks, and digital media creation workstations...
, 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.
Reviews
In a July 2008 review from PC Magazine, the company received an Editors Choice award for its Vector Campus Edition model. In November 2008, Core i7 based systems from Velocity Micro won Editors' Choice awards from Maximum PCMaximum PC
Maximum PC, formerly known as boot, is an American magazine and web site published by Future US. It focuses on cutting-edge PC hardware, with an emphasis on product reviews, step-by-step tutorials, and in-depth technical briefs...
and CNET
CNET
CNET is a tech media website that publishes news articles, blogs, and podcasts on technology and consumer electronics. Originally founded in 1994 by Halsey Minor and Shelby Bonnie, it was the flagship brand of CNET Networks and became a brand of CBS Interactive through CNET Networks' acquisition...
.