MSI Wind CS120 Nettop Reviewed

The MSI Wind CS120 ($320) is an Intel Atom-based small-form-factor nettop. Nettops are great desktop computers for light computing, such as web surfing, and word processing.

Features:

• Intel Atom 230 1.6GHz processor
• Intel 945GC / Intel ICH7 chipsets
• Gb LAN
• DDR-2 533MHz SDRAM, SO-DIMM
• 802.11 b/g wireless LAN (optional)
• 160GB HDD, Support two SATAII devices
• Slot-loading DVD Super-Multi drive
• 4-1n-1 card reader socket, SD/MMC/MS/XD card reader (optional)
• D-Sub VGA x 1, USB 2.0 × 6, Mic-in × 1, Headphone-out) × 1
• Audio x 6 (7.1 channel)
• 65Watt Adapter
• Dimensions: 300mm(H) × 65mm(W) × 240mm(D)
• MS Windows XP Home

PC Magazine gave the Wind CS120 3 out of 5 stars:

"Cheap, quiet, and power efficient, the MSI fulfills the role of Web terminal, plus it runs Windows so you can use those old programs that you must still run. Just don't expect it to keep up with your "real" desktop or laptop." [ PCMag.com | MSI Wind CS120 ]

If you need a second (or third) PC that will be used mainly for web surfing, the Wind CS120 is a great nettop to consider. Other nice options are the Asus Eee Top (with built-in display), Asus Eee Box, and Apple Mac mini.

By the way, you'd still need to purchase supporting peripherals for the Wind CS120, such as mouse, keyboard, and display.

IceRocket : msi wind cs120 nettop

VIA Artigo A2000 - Storage-Oriented Compact Barebone PC

The VIA Artigo A2000 (US$299) is a storage-oriented compact barebone PC which features low power consumption, low noise, and compact form factor.

Features:

• 1.5GHz VIA C7-D processor
• VIA VX800 Unified Digital Media IGP chipset
• 1 x DDR2 SO-DIMM Socket (up to 2 GB)
• 2 x 3.5" SATA-II HDD support
• 1 x CompactFlash socket (supports DMA mode) bootable SSD
• 3 x USB 2.0 ports (1 on the front panel)
• 1 x Gigabit RJ-45 LAN port with LED
• Built-in high definition audio controller
• 1 x MIC/Line-in + 1 x Line-out audio ports
• 1 x VGA port
• 8 cm low-noise ball-bearing fan
• 100~240 V AC/DC adapter
• dimensions: 135 x 115 x 259 mm

The Artigo A2000 was tested to work with the following operating systems:

• Windows XP
• Windows Vista
• Ubuntu 8.04
• SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 with Service Pack 2

Just install some RAM, 1 or 2 SATA HDDs, connect it to your home network, and you will already have a compact, power-efficient home media storage mini-server.

IceRocket : a2000, artigo, barebone pc, mini server, via

Shuttle X27 Small Form Factor Reviewed

The Shuttle slim PC X27 (~US$190 barebones with Intel Atom 230 processor) is a mini PC that has the following features:

• Mini ITX Form Factor
• Intel Atom 230 CPU
• Intel 945GC + ICH7 chipset
• 1 x 240 pin DDR2 DIMM Slots, 2GB per DIMM (Max 2GB)
• Intel GMA 950 integrated graphics
• Realtek ALC662 5.1 Channel High Definition audio
• 10MB/s,100MB/s,1GB/s LAN
• 1 x UltraDMA100 IDE channel Master
• 2 x On-board SATA connector
• 3 x 4pin fan connectors
• 1 x Serial port
• 1 x D-sub port
• 1 x DVI port
• 4 x USB 2.0 ports
• 1 x 2.5' bay
• 1 x Slim ODD bay
• dimensions: 250(L)x185(W)x70(H) mm

Tom's Hardware tested a Shuttle X2700 ($429), a fully-configured X27 (the X27 barebones plus 2GB of DDR2-667 memory, 80 GB hard drive, 8x DVD burner, optional wireless connectivity, and Foresight Linux OS):

"At just under $200, the X27 barebones is actually a fair deal considering you can finish it up for a bit north of $300. That is, of course, if you're willing to use the miniature machine as an online terminal in the kitchen or as an Internet portal in the living room. But to charge $429 for a fully configured X2700 is a bit much when you can piece together a fully capable Athlon X2 4050e-based machine with a Radeon HD 4670 for $10 less." [Tom's Hardware | Shuttle's X27]

As Tom's Hardware believes, the X27 is more likely aimed at people who'd buy a Dell Studio Hybrid or Eee Box. If you are looking to build a mini PC for net browsing and other simple tasks, the X27 is a sexy beast.

If you are more of a DIY person, you can also try building your own nettop. It may not be as small as the Shuttle X27, but can give you more flexibility in choosing the form factors of the HDD and ODD you'll be adding.

IceRocket : sff, shuttle, small form factor, x27, x2700

$99 Shuttle KPC Reviewed

Tom's Hardware takes a good look at the new Shuttle KPC (US$99 barebones / $199 complete system). According to Shuttle, KPC means "Korporate Perfect Cube".

Features:

• Intel 945GC Express Chipset
• Intel Celeron 430 CPU (1.8GHz)
• Built-in Intel GMA950 graphics
• 800/533MHz FSB
• Intel Flex Memory Technology
• Dual channel DDR2 533/400
• Intel HD Audio 5.1 channel
• Four USB ports on rear I/O
• 10/100 LAN using Intel® 82562G Ethernet Controller
• One PCI slot
• Two SATA at 3Gbps
• One PATA for up to two devices
• Foresight Linux Operating System

"The KPC should do well as a business PC, Internet Café PC, PVR, loaner or hot spare, software test bed, appliance PC, and low cost PC. It is small, power efficient, has a low price, and performs well enough that users will be happy with its level of performance. It is upgradeable for those that need more memory or a faster CPU, so it could easily replace workstations at many businesses that need more power. ... While the KPC delivers as promised in terms of being customizable, expandable and green, there is definitely room for improvement as far as user-friendliness is concerned." [Tom's Hardware | Shuttle's New $99 Review]

Tom's Hardware found the good points of the KPC to be inexpensive, quiet, good CPU support, good performance, nice small form factor, and cool customization feature via the MyKover feature.

The Shuttle KPC is a nice low-cost small form factor PC solution, and you also learn a new operating system along the process. It is upgradable, and easy to customize using the MyKover feature. Of course, if you realize that Linux isn't your thing (yet), you could always install MS Windows on it, if you like.

Technorati : intel, sff, shuttle, small form factor

Shuttle SD11G5 XPC - Intel Pentium/Celeron M Barebones

Digital Media Thoughts reviews the Shuttle SD11G5 XPC (US$340), a Small Form Factor (SFF) barebones that features Intel Pentium M 533/400 MHz FSB / Intel Pentium M LV 400MHz FSB / Celeron M processor support, Intel 915GM + ICH6M chipset, 2x 400/533 DDR2 DIMM slots, integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 graphics, 150MB/s SATA support, Creative Sound Blaster Live! 24-bit 7.1 channel EAX Advanced HD audio, Gb LAN, Firewire (4-pin), and ICE Technology CPU heat-pipe.

The SD11G5, like all Shuttle XPC units, represent excellent value for the money, but you do pay a premium for the miniaturization technology in these little boxes. The SD11G5 is not the computer for someone on a budget - Pentium M CPUs are not cheap, so if cheap is what you want, look elsewhere. That said, if you have another PC that you'd like to transplant into the SD11G5, all you need to buy is the CPU. I expect to get great use out of the SD11G5 and have no qualms recommending it to others, with one exception: depending on the type of optical drive they have, they may have trouble with it. I'd dearly like to see Shuttle come up with a better optical drive bay door solution, because having to buy a new optical drive and hoping that it works is a poor solution. Shuttle has clever engineers working for them, so I'm sure they can come up with a clever solution if they try. Beyond that, and the obvious limitations of having the SD11G5 only ship in white and with on DVI port, the SD11G5 is a superb computer. [Digital Media Thoughts]

The article describes the components of the SD11G5, shows how to build it into a working machine, and benchmarked its performance. If you are thinking about building a small form factor PC using the SD11G5, this might be a good reference article.

Technorati : Barebones, Celeron M, Hardware, Intel, PC, Pentium M, Review, SFF, Shuttle

Shuttle XPC mini X100

The Shuttle XPC mini X100 is a an upcoming "Smaller" Form Factor PC that features an Intel Intel Core Duo T2400 processor, ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 3D-graphics accelerator on upgradable MXM module, SATA II 3.5in hard disk, and slimline slotloading optical drive into a package approximately A4 paper sized (210 x 297mm) and 53.5mm high. [source: mini-itx.com]

Other features of the mini X100 are: DVI graphics connector, Gb LAN, S/PDIF output, Firewire & USB 2.0 connectivity, and 4-in-1 card reader.

Technorati : Hardware, PC, Shuttle, XPC, mini

Shuttle XPC SN21G5 Barebones System Reviewed

Sudhian Media and The Tech Report reviews the Shuttle XPC SN21G5 barebones system (US$330), which features AMD Socket 939 processor support, NVIDIA GeForce 6100/NVIDIA nForce 410 MCP chipset, 2 x 184 pin DDR SDRAM at 333/400 Dual channel DDR support up to 2GB, Realtek ALC655 AC97 with 5.1 channel support, GeForce 6100 GPU with PureVideo, DirectX 9.0c Shader Model 3.0, and MPEG2/MWV9 Playback acceleration.

The strengths of the SN21G5 are certainly the lower price point (around $300), the included onboard video, the G5 chassis and the included PCI slot. To help differentiate the product from competing with the SN25P, the SN21G5 lacks a Gigabit LAN, has a 250w PSU (compared to the 350w of the SN25P), has a lower specification onboard audio and lacks onboard DVI. That said, the SN21G5 is certainly a welcomed edition to the XPC line. Many readers will not be using the onboard video or audio anyways and will appreciate the lower price point and the flexibility of having a PCI slot. If you love the G5 chasis, are not a gamer or were looking at the SN25P or a similar unit, and wanted another option, the SN21G5 is for you. [Sudhian Media]

As it stands, the SN21G5's price will have to drop well below $330 for it to become a truly attractive alternative to the ST20G5. Shuttle intends the SN21G5 to be a budget offering, I suppose, but $330 is still way out of reach for most budgets. It seems unlikely that many price-sensitive consumers would even be considering small form factor systems, anyway. After all, you can get a pretty sweet ATX or even Micro ATX motherboard, power supply, and case for well under $300. [The Tech Report]

It would probably be best to wait for an XPC model that features the NVIDIA GeForce 6150.

Technorati : Barebones, Hardware, PC, Review, SFF, Shutlle, XPC