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

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

Asus Eee Box Desktop Previewed

Asus Eee Box (starts at US$269) is a desktop equivalent of the Eee PC notebook. It will feature the 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor, and will come in one of the following configurations:

• 1GB memory + 80GB 2.5 HDD + Linux (US$269)
• 1GB memory + 80GB 2.5 HDD + Windows XP (US$299)
• 2GB memory + 160GB 2.5 HDD + Linux (US$269)

AnandTech previewed the Eee Box (Windows XP), and found it to be a nicely-priced desktop that performs well:

"Much like the Eee PC, the Eee Box is going to be very much a love it or hate it machine. Where the Eee Box differs from its sibling is that the complaints of a cramped keyboard and small screen don't apply here, not to mention the lower overall cost. If you've got a spare monitor, the Eee Box isn't a bad way of putting it to good use. It's a great entry-level PC for parents or children, or a secondary/tertiary computer for use around the house. It's cheap enough where it could easily be a good kitchen PC, but the kicker is that you'll need a display." [AnandTech | ASUS Eee Box Preview]

Additionally, AnandTech ran comparison tests on the Intel Atom processor, and found it to be at par with an 800MHz - 1.2GHz Pentium M depending on the task at hand. So who would want an Asus Eee Box? Just about anyone who needs an inexpensive desktop PC that works well with Windows XP, or Linux.

Technorati : asus, atom, box, eee, intel, pc

$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

Branded Intel Core 2 Quad PC vs. DIY

HardwareZone compares the Acer Aspire M3630 desktop PC (SG$1,600 or US$1,146.71) with a similarly featured DIY rig they built.

The Acer Aspire M3630 features:

• Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (2.4GHz) processor
• Intel G31 Express chipset
• 2 x 1GB DDR2-667 memory
• ATI Radeon HD 2400 Pro 256MB graphics card
• 320GB Western Digital Caviar SE
• Hitachi LG GSA-H60N DVD Super Multi Double-Layer optical drive
• Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
• Acer P223W 22-inch LCD monitor

The DIY rig they built featured roughly the same specs, but with a better PSU (Cooler Master Xtreme 390W vs. OEM 250W) and graphics card (Leadtek GeForce 8600GT 256MB vs. Sapphire Radeon HD 2400 Pro 256MB). The total price spent was SG$1,611 (US$1,154.59), just SG$11 (US$7.88) more.

"... performance wise the DIY rig performs admirably against the Acer Aspire M3630 ... and what really seals the deal for us is the huge difference between 3DMark scores of our DIY machine and that of the Acer system due to the superior graphics card used in our configuration and yet matching the competitive price of Acer." [HardwareZone]

Building your own PC usually has its advantages, either in performance, value, or both. The most important factor would be to know what to buy, and also where to buy it. You may spend a little bit more, especially if you are having someone else build the rig for you, but still, you will be able to get the specific parts and performance that you want, at the right budget.

Technorati : core, diy, hardware, intel, pc, quad

Zonbu - The First Zero-Emission Computer

Zonbu is the first environmentally responsible computer without the hassle and high price. It is a Linux PC that comes preloaded with a tweaked Gentoo-based Linux OS and great open source software.

"Starting at $99 and with plans at $12.95 a month, Zonbu is the low-cost, zero-maintenance computer. And it includes over $2,000 worth of pre-installed applications. It's so affordable and trouble-free, in fact, that everyone in the family can have one. Add one to the kids' room, your workshop hideaway, the family room or your vacation home." [Zonbu.com]

The machine features a 1.2GHz VIA processor and chipset, 512MB RAM, 4GB Flash-based local storage, up to 1400 x 1050 graphics with MPEG2 acceleration, keyboard & mouse ports, 6 USB ports, and 10/100MB Ethernet. It uses the 4GB CF card for its OS and local cache, instead of a hard drive. The monthly subscription, as I understand, is for the Amazon S3 online storage.

Thanks to Joel for the tip.

Technorati : environment, green, linux, pc, zonbu