ION2 Nettops Make Small Work Of Desktop Computing

[Hooch Tan]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/2010/02/26/shuttle-to-introduce-the-1-3-inch-thick-ion-2-barebone-xs35-mini-pc-at-cebit-2010/' target='_blank'>http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/2010/02...-at-cebit-2010/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"It&rsquo;s time to put that credit card back in your wallet, if you&rsquo;re thinking about buying an HD capable nettop to function as your living room&rsquo;s HTPC. Shuttle has just announced that they will be debuting the Shuttle Barebone XS35 Mini-PC, featuring Intel&rsquo;s Atom D510 1.6Ghz dual core processor and NVIDIA GT218 (ION 2) graphics, at CeBIT 2010 (release date: Q2 2010)."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1267226399.usr20447.jpg" style="border: 0px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>I am sure that we are going to see more of these being announced in the coming weeks.&nbsp; While the Atom still will not break any speed records, a dual core machine with HD acceleration, boosted video processing and the capability of light gaming should make this a very attractive option.&nbsp; Surprisingly, this nettop is even passively cooled!&nbsp; Hopefully the price will be consistent with other nettops making it the defacto choice for someone who really just needs a computer that will handle their everyday tasks for a pittance of power.</p>

[Jason Dunn]

I'm a bit bitter about Shuttle computers right now, but wow, that's pretty slick! :)

[bcre8v2]

I'm a bit bitter about Shuttle computers right now, but wow, that's pretty slick! :)

Jason - can you elaborate? I have been looking for a HTPC and form factor is the biggest concern followed by power consumption. Shuttle seems to fit the bill. If folks have experienced issues, I prefer to know about this ahead of time since reliability is almost implied but not necessarily delivered.

Thanks,

-Steve

[Hooch Tan]

I'm a bit bitter about Shuttle computers right now, but wow, that's pretty slick! :)

The thing even alleges a VESA mount to go on the back of certain monitors. Dating myself here, but I remember times when desktops were large, lumbering things that either took up much of one's desk, or sat underneath the desk to act as a kick plate.

What happened between you and Shuttle? I've never owned one, but they have always looked tempting.

[Jason Dunn]

Jason - can you elaborate? I have been looking for a HTPC and form factor is the biggest concern followed by power consumption. Shuttle seems to fit the bill.

Well...I used to be a big fan of Shuttle XPCs, having reviewed and bought them for years. Slowly but surely though, I moved toward custom-built systems for one main reason: noise. I've tended to use the higher-end XPCs, and unfortunately they tend to put noisy fans in them. The reason I have no Shuttle XPCs in my home/office right now though is the fact that they tend to flake out after a couple of years. My last Shuttle, the one I based this article on (http://www.digitalhomethoughts.com/news/show/31593/building-a-monster-media-machine-using-shuttle-s-sd39p2-xpc.html), flaked out on me a few months back - bad power supply I think. The problem with Shuttle XPCs of course is that when you have a part go bad - PSU, motherboard, etc. - it's always a special-order part to get it fixed.

Now, all that being said, I think there's some great Shuttle units out there like this one - units that aren't the kind you'd overclock like I did with my XPCs...and I imagine they'd last longer if they weren't pushed so hard. :)