Shuttle SB86i: Coming Soon

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://us.shuttle.com/SB86I.asp' target='_blank'>http://us.shuttle.com/SB86I.asp</a><br /><br /></div><i>"This small form factor computer puts cutting-edge performance with silent operation affordably within your reach - in half the space. With highly evolved engineering and design strategies for thermal dissipation, noise minimization, portability and stability, this excellent XPC is one deep cut above. Power your digital workflow, home media center or games with this high-performance, super-stable Shuttle XPC. And, because the XPC is fully customizable, you can pick the processor, memory, storage and expansion options that fit your needs. Built-in FireWire®400, USB2.0 8-in1 card reader and 8-channel digital audio ports make it easy to get media - video, photographs, music-in and out of this lighting fast computer. Then share it all with friends and family using the excellent integrated networking features - The XPC by Shuttle."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/shuttle-sb86i.jpg" /><br /><br />Shuttle continues to crank out computers that are simply stunning in their design - this one model looks more elegant than any Mac I've seen, and that's saying a lot because I really like the way most Macs look. This design is unique in that it's the first XPC to be made from steel, and they're putting special attention on keeping it quiet by using rubber dampeners on the hard drive. Looks fantastic!

[bdegroodt]

It's been so long since I've purchased a "desktop" I don't even know what questions are the right ones to ask anymore. That said, these look pretty cool. For someone that might be seeking a machine to use for heavy db/spreadsheet/grahping programs, is there anything that you're giving up in the name of form factor and silence with these little boxes? I'd think if they were set up to handle games and graphics that they'd be pretty well suited for intense math &amp; db work...but as I mentioned, it's been some time. love any thoughts--especially from those that have put their hands on these boxes.

[mcsouth]

:shocked!: Yes, please!!!! (but in socket 939 w/nVidia nForce4 &amp; PCI-X)......

Initially, I thought the blue "strip" at the top was a slot-load optical drive, but it appears it is just decorative. Kinda hard to tell from the description, but maybe the blue strip is the "diffused lighting" that they are referring to for the HD activity and power on light?

[mcsouth]

For someone that might be seeking a machine to use for heavy db/spreadsheet/grahping programs, is there anything that you're giving up in the name of form factor and silence with these little boxes?

There shouldn't be any problem doing the kind of tasks you are describing with these SFF PC's - you can put more than enough processor into these units to handle video editing/encoding, gaming, etc - they will easily handle "office apps". The biggest limitation has more to do with interior space - you only have one PCI-X slot for a graphics card, and one PCI slot for another peripheral, such as an audio card, TV tuner, etc. You only have space for one optical drive, and two hard drives as well. Given that the unit only has a 275W power supply, it probably couldn't handle much more, but the mo-bo's on these units have so much stuff built in, that you really don't need to add too much to the unit anyways.

[Lee Yuan Sheng]

275W is not going to cut it for the new video cards though.

[aro]

This is a neat and slick design. Does not look like another "box with buttons"
anymore. I have the weird impression that it could have been designed by Sony!
aro

[Jason Dunn]

For someone that might be seeking a machine to use for heavy db/spreadsheet/grahping programs, is there anything that you're giving up in the name of form factor and silence with these little boxes?

Nothing beyond expandability - so if you're ok with one hard drive (some models support two), one optical drive (get a DVD burner and you're set), and one PCI-Express slot for a video card and one PCI slot for expansion...that's it. They have pretty much everything built-in already: video, audio, USB, Firewire, Ethernet, etc.

[Jason Dunn]

Initially, I thought the blue "strip" at the top was a slot-load optical drive, but it appears it is just decorative. Kinda hard to tell from the description, but maybe the blue strip is the "diffused lighting" that they are referring to for the HD activity and power on light?

Yes, I believe that's the case - so it will probably pulse softly when the HD is active. That's SO sweet. 8)

[Jason Dunn]

275W is not going to cut it for the new video cards though.

Depends which ones - remember you can't use the double-wide video cards (the Ultra's in nVidia's case). So that means the fastest you can use is the GT, which I'm told will work on the Shuttle I have with a 245W power supply. So that's good enough for me. :-)

[mar2k]

Price guesstimate? I am eyeing this one for my first attempt at a Media Center PC...

[Jonathon Watkins]

:shocked!: Yes, please!!!! (but in socket 939 w/nVidia nForce4 &amp; PCI-X)......

Agreed. Athlon64 and I would be sooo there. :P

[Jason Dunn]

Price guesstimate? I am eyeing this one for my first attempt at a Media Center PC...

No clue, but based on past pricing, somewhere in the $400 to $500 USD range? That's a complete guess though.

[waverlyn]

Yup, it's about $450 8O. Here's the link...

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=150985

[Jason Dunn]

Yup, it's about $450 8O.

A bit pricey, but when you factor in the price of buying a high-end case + motherboard that has everything + powersupply...it's not so bad. :-)

[hartgraves]

It's a cool looking box, but I like AOpen's XCcube better. Take a look...

http://solution.aopen.com.tw/products/XC/default_solution.htm