October 21st, 2008 by
Filed under: Desktops

Remember the fit-PC slim we told you about last month? The folk at Extreme Tech have just had a sit down with the little bugger and found a very small machine that’s really only noteworthy for its size. Of course, that alone is impressive: at 4.3 x 3.9 x 1.2 inches it’s some 40% smaller than the original fit-PC, yet somehow it makes room for twice the memory (512MB) of its predecessor, WiFi (optional) three USB ports and VGA. But unless you really, really prize the miniscule form factor, you may just want to give this one a pass. According to the review, the device performs pretty much as you’d expect from a 512MB Windows XP machine (the 500MHz AMD Geode has no real problems running Firefox or OpenOffice, but larger apps are going to give you some grief) and some of you might not appreciate the lack of SATA and digital display support. Still curious? Hit the read link for the full review.
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Posted in PC, nettop, fit-PC Slim, Fit-pcSlim, fit-pc | No Comments »
October 8th, 2008 by
Filed under: Desktops
Surely you remember the Atom-based Shuttle X27 barebones kit — you know, that cute little nettop case that was selling for $189 with its insides all hollow? For those with no time to fill it up, the full-fledged X2700N is now on tap. Boasting a 1.6GHz Intel Atom 230 processor, 1GB of DDR2 RAM, a 120GB hard drive and a GMA950 integrated graphics set, this Linux-based box can be yours right now for $379.99. That’ll also buy you a dual-layer DVD writer, gigabit Ethernet port, 802.11b/g WiFi, a handful of ports (six USB, VGA, DVI, audio in / out) and a 1-year warranty. ‘Tis a shame it’s not housing one of those dual-core Atom 330s, huh?
[Via ComputerMonger]
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Posted in shipping, linux, shuttle, ships, available, ship, now shipping, NowShipping, atom, nettop, atom 230, Atom230, now available, NowAvailable, X2700N | No Comments »
September 21st, 2008 by
Filed under: Desktops
We’ve only one thing to say here: it’s about time! Dell’s Studio Hybrid has been shuffling around for well over a month, and we’re just now seeing someone with the nerve to take a putty knife to this cute ‘lil desktop and photograph its innards for all to see. As expected, there ain’t much breathing room in the 7.7- x 2.8- x 8.3-inch box, but there’s a smattering of pictures and a full disassembly video waiting in the read link below. Go on and look, sicko.
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Posted in dell, tear down, TearDown, disassembly, splayed, cracked open, CrackedOpen, disassembled, nettop, studio hybrid, StudioHybrid, torn down, TornDown | No Comments »
September 20th, 2008 by
Filed under: Desktops, Laptops
Wait, what’s this? Intel’s shipping the dual-core Atom 330? Despite reports that the 1.6GHz chip wouldn’t actually leave the dock until Q4, Intel itself has stepped up to ensure everyone that it’s getting ‘em out in Q3. The brief points out the obvious — you know, that the 330 was designed with nettops in mind — while also confirming that it boasts 1MB of L2 cache, an 8-watt TDP and support for DDR2 667. So yeah, let’s get these in some systems, shall we?
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Posted in Intel, Processor, cpu, dual-core, shipping, ships, ship, now shipping, NowShipping, atom, nettop, netbook, atom 330, Atom330 | No Comments »
August 31st, 2008 by
Filed under: Desktops
CTL, the same cats who brought us the 2go PC laptop, are apparently working up an equally cheap and not-exactly-flashy nettop PC. The 2go PC Nettop will reportedly range in price from $149 to $299 depending on specifications, and the baseline model will feature Intel’s DG945GCLF motherboard, Intel’s Atom 230 processor, 1GB of Kingston DDR2 RAM, a GMA 950 graphics accelerator, support for one HDD and one optical drive, six USB 2.0 ports and an Ethernet jack. The Essential Plus Edition ($199) adds in Ubuntu and an 80GB 7,200RPM hard drive (while slashing RAM to 512MB); the $299 Essential Performance Edition comes with Windows XP Home, a 160GB hard drive and 1GB of memory. There’s no word just yet on when the 4.5-pound boxes will be released, but we’d expect ‘em to surface pretty quietly.
[Thanks, Nate]
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Posted in cheap pc, CheapPc, cheap, atom, nettop, ctl, 2go, net top | No Comments »
August 29th, 2008 by
Filed under: Desktops
Shuttle’s Atom-based X27 mini-PC is definitely pretty intriguing if you’re looking to play around with getting a PC in the living room or even in your car, and it’s just gotten the modder-friendly price of $189. That’s almost impulse-purchase territory — we’re definitely looking forward to seeing what kind of trouble people get into with these when it hits next month.
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Posted in shuttle, mini PC, MiniPc, mini-pc, nettop, X27 | No Comments »
August 22nd, 2008 by
Filed under: Desktops
Shuttle has always been small, but now it’s hopping on the completely overcrowded green bandwagon with its latest mini PC. The X27, which sports an admittedly sleek shell, will suck down as little as 23-watts while idle and 36-watts while in use. Additionally, the unit will include one of Intel’s Atom chips, and as predicted, fan noise shouldn’t be an issue. The entire case measures just 10- x 7- x 2.75-inches, and while a price hasn’t been outed for the September-bound nettop, we’d expect to hear more as IFA gets going on the 29th.
[Thanks, Adam]
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Posted in green, shuttle, micro PC, MicroPc, mini PC, MiniPc, eco-friendly, atom, nettop, X27 | No Comments »
June 27th, 2008 by
Filed under: Laptops
It’s June 27th, but instead of a 10-inch MSI Wind NB unboxing we’re hearing that at least one pre-order customer is being greeted with another delay. Reason? An “industry wide battery shortage.” Come now MSI, we guess you missed that giant fireball-of-a-signal to look elsewhere for your inventory back in March? At least MSI is tossing in free overnight delivery with the new July 7th ship date. Hoozah, drinks are on Fred! Full MSI notification posted after the break.
P.S. The MSI Wind MB retail page is currently blank. Time will tell if this is a deeper issue or just a temporary administration error.
[Thanks, Fred H.]
Continue reading MSI Wind, delayed again?
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Posted in battery, wind, delay, msi, nettop, wind nb, WindNb | No Comments »
June 3rd, 2008 by
Filed under: Desktops
var digg_url = ‘http://digg.com/microsoft/Microsoft_extends_life_of_XP_again’; It’s pretty obvious given what’s going down in Taipei at the moment. Nevertheless, Microsoft just went official with it’s plans to extend “Windows” for the category they (and Intel) define as “nettop” devices. So in addition to “Netbooks,” “ultralow-cost PCs (ULCPCs),” and all those other mini-laptops originally intended for emerging markets, Microsoft has now officially extended the life of Windows XP for ultralow-cost desktops like ASUS’ Eee Box. While Microsoft doesn’t explicitly say it’s XP in the carefully worded press release, we all know what they’re talking about. Microsoft claims to be working with more than 20 OEMs — including HP, Dell, ASUS, Acer, Lenovo, and more — to help deliver Windows-based nettop devices. And here you Linux dreamers thought this would be a cake-walk.
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Posted in Microsoft, breaking news, BreakingNews, xp, nettop, microsoft xp, MicrosoftXp | No Comments »
March 12th, 2008 by
Filed under: Desktops
Intel hasn’t convinced you yet that its upcoming Atom processors will be dirt cheap and pregnant with promise? Well the company has a new definition on the table to see if you’ll reconsider. Intel is talking up a new “NetTop” concept of desktop PCs ranging in price from $100 to $299 — the desktop counterpart to the Eee PC, if you will. Naturally, Intel plans for those desktops to be powered by its own Diamondville processor, but also has other plans like solid state storage, no system fans or CPU socket, optimized power supply unit and “cost optimized OS solutions.” The machines will run on Linux or Windows, and Intel projects 60 million of ‘em will be sold a year by 2011. Those crazy, cash-addled dreamers.
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Posted in Intel, diamondville, atom, nettop | No Comments »