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Mini PC Grows Up? Shuttle XPC Reviewed

Posted by simoniker on from the big-boy-now dept.

Bender writes "The Tech Report has done a comprehensive review of the just-redesigned Shuttle XPC. These toaster-sized systems, sold with motherboard but sans CPU, memory, and storage, are becoming a very attractive alternative to the standard DIY system that's over twice the size. This latest PC 'cube' has everything: PCI Express, a BTX-inspired chassis design, room for a small RAID array, and pre-routed cables. The only snag is a Pentium 4 thermal throttling problem discovered through some nice investigative work. If Shuttle can fix this problem, this thing could be a killer personal workstation box."

4 of 238 comments (clear)

  1. RAID? by js7a · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Wouldn't it be a little more honest to say "an extra hard drive" than "a small RAID array"?

  2. Re:Take a cue from NASA... by networkBoy · · Score: 5, Insightful

    They aren't cooling anything, rather they are preventing being heated by the sun. Big difference.
    -nB

    --
    whois gawk date unzip strip find touch finger mount join nice man top fsck grep eject more yes exit umount sleep dump
  3. Finger pincher by iamdrscience · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I like tiny electronics as much as the rest of us, but for desktop PCs I don't think they're always the way to go, especially not for Do-it-yourself-ers. If you're going to be inside moving around parts and whatnot, a lot of times a small case will just piss you off (hell, I have the same problem with my full-size case, and it's one of the better designed ones). For normal desktop users they make more sense because [i]they're[/i] not going to be the ones playing with the guts when they want to add something or need it repaired, some repair tech will be.

    I think if you're fed up with your PC taking up all your desk space, a better solution would be investing in a graphical dumb terminal and just use your current PC as a server you throw in your basement or a closet. Sure it's more expensive in the short run, but you'll be able to keep it between anytime you upgrade your system. Plus it'll be smaller and run quieter than any small system you would build yourself. Also, anytime you upgrade you'll be upgrading a cheaper full-size desktop rather than a more expensive "compact" system.

  4. Re:If this works... by slomr2 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If this works, then Apple might crap its pants. Really though, the concept of an ultra-compact, cube computer has been around for a while...this is just the PC manifestation. Maybe this could inspire Apple to re-release the Cube...
    The problem with the cube wasn't technology or willing customers. It was last of customers willing to pay MORE than Apple's already inflated prices for a computer that does less than their regular offering. If Apple released a G5 Cube for $999 they would have more trouble keeping those in stock than the iPod-Mini. But Apple being Apple would release it at $1,999.