[klinux]

Thanks for your feedback kagayaki1.

Many SFF (small form factor) enthusiasts dislike the blue cover because it is harder to customize and harder to get it to match other audio and computer equipments.

Jason: here's where I go to get my daily dose of SFF and Shuttle info and discussion (not as good as PPCT!). Hope to see you there! VIAhardware forums

[klinux]

Thanks for your feedback kagayaki1.

Many SFF (small form factor) enthusiasts dislike the blue cover because it is harder to customize and harder to get it to match other audio and computer equipments.

Jason: here's where I go to get my daily dose of SFF and Shuttle info and discussion (not as good as PPCT!). Hope to see you there! VIAhardware forums

[Foo Fighter]

Wow! Not a bad looking system, Jason. Love the I/O ports in front. Even Firewire too?

What about performance? The problem with mini/micro AT PCs like this is that performance is often sacrificed for size. 5400RPM hard drives, integrated video and audio chipsets.

The only aspect of the design I don't like is the blue face-plate. I would have preferred graphite. Is the rest of the case silver..or is that just my imagination?

[Foo Fighter]

Hey, when the hell did I become a Pocket PC theorist? Is that the next step up from intellectual?

[Underwater Mike]

Wow, and a great price, too! Would make a nice addition to my crappy nine-month-old Presario 2700 notebook, which cost almost 10 times as much. The only thing I wish it had, since there are two 3.5" bays, is RAID support.

Please post a lot of pix!

Foo, the SS51 press sheet on Shuttle's site, http://www.shuttleonline.com/ss51_xpc_press.htm, says that there are different colored faceplates available. Not idea about cost or colors, but it shouldn't be too bad.

[Janak Parekh]

Originally Posted by Foo Fighter

Wow! Not a bad looking system, Jason. Love the I/O ports in front. Even Firewire too?

Yep, built into the mainboard.

What about performance? The problem with mini/micro AT PCs like this is that performance is often sacrificed for size. 5400RPM hard drives, integrated video and audio chipsets.

The hard drive here is user-installable. Built-in video is mediocre (integrated SiS video), but there's an AGP slot in this one (first Shuttle small-case unit to have it, and that's why it's majorly cool). Audio is a generic 5.1 + SPDIF component... although you can plug in a PCI sound card or an Extigy. It's not bad at all.

--bdj

[kagayaki1]

I wonder if you would drop a RAID card into the PCI slot....hmmm.....server enthusiasts :wink:

klinux - thanks for the forum recommend! It's awesome!!

[kagayaki1]

Originally Posted by Foo Fighter

What about performance? The problem with mini/micro AT PCs like this is that performance is often sacrificed for size. 5400RPM hard drives, integrated video and audio chipsets.

The neat thing about this case is there is very little sacrifice, except for the fact there are limited drive bays and expansion slots, of course. It takes 7200 drives, and like someone else said, the AGP 4X slot is new, and the case can accomodate even the monster Ti4600!!! Also, there's just a ton of integrated stuff on the motherboard (USB 2.0, firewire, PS2, serial, VGA, on and on).

The only thing it seems to lack is a parallel port......, but I probably can learn to live without one.

[Underwater Mike]

RAID on a PCI would be possible, but I'd rather have it on the board. Geez, everything else is on there already!

BTW, here's a very good review: http://tech-report.com/reviews/2002q...1/index.x?pg=1. The integrated audio received high marks.

Apparently the airflow around the RAM/under the drive mounts is not good (especially since there's no venting on the front panel), but I bet it wouldn't be too hard to add some ventilation without ruining the aesthetics. This review (http://www.pcpowerzone.co.uk/reviews.php?id=85&page=1) of the SS50 includes some interesting mods to improve airflow and lessen noise. Looks simple enough, even for a klutz like me. :?

[Jason Dunn]

Originally Posted by Foo Fighter

The only aspect of the design I don't like is the blue face-plate. I would have preferred graphite. Is the rest of the case silver..or is that just my imagination?

These look pretty cool eh?

[harsaphes]

you can configure and buy the 551 here.

Ajump.com