Shuttle XPC SX58H7 – Core i7 in a Mini PC

The Shuttle XPC SX58H7 Pro Station (around US$867) aims to bring the Small Form Factor PC to the extreme gamers, demand enthusiasts, and mainstream PC users.

Features:

• Intel Core i7 processor support
• I.C.E Technology CPU heat-pipe
• Intel X58 and ICH10R chipsets
• 4 x 240pin DDR3 DIMM slots, 4GB per DIMM(Max 16GB), Triple channel DDR3 1066/1333/1600(OC)MHz support
• Realtek ALC888 7.1 channel High Definition Audio
• 2 x Realtek RTL8111C Gigabit LAN
• 3 x 3.0Gb/s bandwidth SATA (RAID 0,1,10,5)
• 2 x 3.0Gb/s bandwidth eSATA in back panel
• 1 x UltraDMA 133 channel master from JMicron JMB368
• 2 x PCI-E x16 slots
• 6 x USB 2.0 ports
• 500W power supply
• Dimensions: 325(L) x 208(W) x 189(H) mm

Register Hardware gave the SX58H7 an 80% rating:

“… you pay a premium of £200 for the privilege of building your Core i7 system in a small, compact, quiet chassis that's half the height of a regular mid-tower. That’s a high price to pay for a regular desktop PC but it’s worth considering as the end result is very smart and effective. LAN party gamers – yes, both of you – should form a queue here. … The Shuttle SX58H7 is brutally expensive but that’s a fact of life with Core i7 hardware. However, the price is offset by low noise levels, stylish design and excellent cooling.” [RegHardware | Shuttle XPC SX58H7 Core i7 mini desktop PC]

Do you want something small, yet powerful enough to go side-by-side with its bigger desktop counterparts? The Shuttle SX58H7 could just be for you! (Of course, you have to pay the price to get it.)

Technorati Tags: shuttle, sff, intel core i7, x58, barebone

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