The idea of a modular PC isn’t new, but not many manufacturers can say that they have a working concept of the idea. Well, the ROG division of Asus has a proof of concept now in the form of the Avalon. Essentially, it gives practically anyone the ability to “build” their own PC.
Built in collaboration with case maker In Win, the Avalon features a unique construction that combines both the motherboard and case. This grants users the ability to switch out the connectivity options of the Avalon, hot swap drives, and easier access to the graphics card. The Avalon also has a rather…unique appearance.
As attractive as the Asus Avalon may be, upgradability will still be an issue with any custom-made motherboard; users will also be tied to Asus’ hardware if they were to get the Avalon. It’s for this very reason PC enthusiasts will argue that it’s much better to learn how to build a PC the “traditional way,” although the Avalon can potentially eliminate the need to learn the “whys and hows” of building one.
The Asus Avalon is definitely an interesting product, but it is still merely a proof of concept. While Asus said that it can start shipping the Avalon, the company did not mention if there was any solid plan to make it available to consumers; it may depend on how committed Asus is to the idea of a modular PC.
