It’s certainly not pretty but CFD is now selling a Jetway barebones system (model JBC200C91-330-B) featuring the new Intel dual core Atom processor (model 330). The barebones system comes with an Intel 945GC+ICH7 chipset, a mini-ITX form factor, Realtek ALC662 6 channel HD audio, gigabit LAN, and 6 accessible USB 2.0 ports. Other specs include:

• one 240 pin DIMM slot
• Intel GMA 950 graphics
• 2 SATA2 connectors
• Measures 210 x 258 x 65 mm
• 1 Slim drive bay and 1 – 2.5 inch HDD drive bay
• 2 front USB ports and 4 rear USB ports

[Check it out via Akihabara News]

Technorati Tags: CFD, Jetway Barebones System, Dual Core Atom

The Shuttle SN78SH7 is the company’s latest small form factor (SFF) barebones system featuring NVIDIA’s latest GeForce 8200 chipset with support for AMD’s quad core Phemom processors, DDR2 1066 memory support, PureVideo HD technology, Hybrid SLI Technology, PCI Express 2.0 architecture, HyperTransport 3.0, and SATA II 3 Gb/s support. The full specifications for the SN78SH7 are as follows:

• AMD Phenom/Athlon 64 X2/Athlon 64/Sempron processor support
• NVIDIA GeForce 8200 Chipset
• Max 4GB of memory
• Realtek ALC888DD 7.1 channel audio
• Supports Dolby Digital Live! and DTS
• Gigabit Ethernet
• 3.0 Gb/s SATA II support
• HDMI port, D-sub port, 6 USB 2.0 ports, 2 eSATA ports, 2 FireWire ports, SPDIF out
• Measures 325 x 208 x 189 mm

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Shuttle SN78SH7, Small Form Factor Barebones System

It’s about time Shuttle released a barebones system with an integrated touch-screen display. It’s called the Shuttle D10 and it comes with an embedded 7 inch display. Up until now, do-it-yourselfers have been modding Shuttle systems by placing their own touch-screen panel to the front of the system. Thankfully, Shuttle addresses this issue with the introduction of the D10.

This system makes an ideal HTPC system since it supports dual display technology. You can connect a large screen HDTV set to the system while simultaneously controlling the OS through the 7 inch display.

The Shuttle D10 barebone system features the following specs:

• Support Intel Core 2 Duo processor
• Intel G31 + ICH7 chipset
• 2 x 240 pin DDR2 DIMM slots
• Intel GMA 3100 graphics
• Realtek ALC662 5.1 channel audio
• Gigabit Ethernet
• SATA II support

Newegg has the D10 for $409.99.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Shuttle XPC D10, 7 inch touch-screen display, barebones system, small form factor (SFF) PC

Shuttle added a new model to their KPC lineup of consumer friendly small form factor PCs called the K4800. The K4800 takes the original KPC system and adds dual monitor support as well as room for an optical drive. Full features and specs include:

• Support for Intel Celeron, Pentium Dual-Core, Core 2 Duo processors
• Intel GMA 950 graphics
• 2 DDR2 DIMM slots
• Intel 945GC chipset
• VGA and DVI output
• Realtek ALC662 5.1 channel HD audio
• Ethernet
• 2 SATA connectors
• 1 IDE connector
• Measures 11.6 x 7.3 x 7.9 inches

Prebuilt systems start at $299.99 on up.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Shuttle KPC, K4800

AOpen has a new line of barebones small form factor systems called the XCubox line. Models in this lineup include the LE200, LE210, and LE300. Both the LE200 and the LE210 support for the new Intel Atom processor while the LE300 targets the AMD processor platform and is designed for media center applications. Here’s what you really need to know:

LE200:

• On board single core Intel Atom processor
• Six USB 2.0 ports
• Stereo audio output
• 10/100 Ethernet
• Intel 945GC+ICH7 chipset
• Intel GMA950 graphics
• Supports single channel DDR-II 533/667 memory up to 2GB.
• Provides one low profile PCI slot, two SATA connectors, and ATA 133 connector.
• Storage bay supports slim optical drive, and two 3.5″ Hard disks with Multi-Purpose Drive Cage.
• Measures 200 x 106 x 321 mm and weighs 6.83 lbs

LE210:

• On board dual core Intel Atom processor
• Eight USB 2.0 ports
• 5.1 channel audio
• Gigabit Ethernet
• Detachable front panel with two hidden USB ports for flash disk, wireless modules etc
• Intel 945GC+ICH7 chipset
• Intel GMA950 graphics
• Supports single channel DDR-II 533/667 memory up to 2GB.
• Provides one low profile PCI slot, two SATA connectors, and ATA 133 connector.
• Storage bay supports slim optical drive, and two 3.5″ Hard disks with Multi-Purpose Drive Cage.
• Measures 200 x 106 x 321 mm and weighs 6.83 lbs

LE300:

• Supports AMD socket AM2 CPU Athlon 64X2, Athlon™64, and Sempron with 1600/2000MHz FSB.
• nVidia GeForce 7050 / nForce 630a (MCP68PVNT) chipset with PrueVideo graphics technology.
• Supports dual channel DDR-II 533/667MHz memory, up to 4GB.
• Dual display supports with HDMI and VGA port.
• Supports 7.1 channel high definition audio.
• Supports HDCP high definition video playback.
• Supports Gigabit Ethernet.
• Special designed detachable front panel with two hidden USB ports for flash disk, dangle of wireless module such as keyboard/mouse, Bluetooth, and wireless networking.
• Provides one low profile PCI slot, two SATA2 connectors, and ATA 133 connector.
• Storage bay supports slim optical drive, and two 3.5″ Hard disks with Multi-Purpose Drive Cage.
• Measures 200 x 106 x 320 mm and weighs 6.83 lbs

[Check it out via Ubergizmo]

Technorati Tags: AOpen, XCubox, SFF, Barebones

Ever wish you could put together your own gaming notebook? Now you can with the new OCZ Technology Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Gaming Notebook Program. With this program, users from all sorts of backgrounds can put together a system that ultimately is usable for gaming applications. The OCZ DIY program gives consumers the ability to customize notebooks starting from what amounts to a barebones system.

According to Eugene Chang, Product Manager of OCZ Systems Solutions, “With the OCZ Do-It-Yourself Notebook initiative, OCZ empowers with the resources like validated component guides, documentation, tech support, and a warranty to allow consumers to configure and build a true gaming notebook with the exact specification that matches their unique requirements.”

OCZ claims that users will get the following with the OCZ Do-It-Yourself program:

• Customization – users select the OS, CPU, memory, and storage of choice
• Value – users save money by purchasing components individually through sales, rebates, etc. Plus there’s no markup for labor costs
• Craft – users get to build their notebook from beginning to end and personalize the outcome

The first OCZ DIY Gaming Notebook kit features an Intel Core 2 Duo platform with support for the latest 45 nm processors from Intel. It’s got a 15.4 inch screen and comes with an NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT GPU. The full specs are as follows:

• 15.4 inch WXGA display with glossy finish
• Intel PM965 Chipset + ICH8M
• NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 512MB DDR2 video memory
• PCIe 16x
• 8X DVD+-R/RW + 4X Dual Layer Combo
• Built-in HD Audio Codec
• 3D Surround Sound
• Integrated Touchpad
• A4 sized keyboard
• 1 Lithium-Ion battery

All you need to add is:

• Intel Core 2 Duo processor
• Memory (up to 4GB)
• Storage (2.5 inch HDD/SDD)
• OS

It’s a pretty interesting idea and perhaps compelling IF the price is right. Considering notebooks with decent performing processors are now hovering around the $600 dollar price range, it’s going to be hard for the typical consumer to warrant spending anything more than say $250-300 dollars for the kit. What do you think?

[Check out the product page]

[Check out the press release]

Technorati Tags: OCZ Technologies, Do-It-Yourself DIY Gaming Notebook,

One of the things I missed while being away in Vegas last week was Shuttle’s announcement of a new low cost $199 PC called the KPC Linux PC. According to News.com, the KPC will feature an Intel Celeron processor, an Intel 945GC chipset, 512MB of RAM, and either a 60 GB or 80GB hard drive. The system will not have an optical drive nor will it have a PCIe slot unfortunately. What it DOES have though is one cool looking chassis design with your choice of either red, blue, white, and black colors and a different icon design for each color.

Now if a pre-made system isn’t your thing, you could still go the route of making your own PC and Shuttle has you covered there as well. They are going to sell a $99 barebones version of the KPC Linux PC. You’ll be able to upgrade to an Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 1GB of memory with the system. Both systems will be available near the end of the first quarter.

No offense to the Linux folks out there but I would be eyeing the KPC as a way to build a cheapo Windows Home Server box. Pop in 1GB of RAM, and 500GB HDD for what.. 150 bucks more and I should be able to build a capable and inexpensive Home Server box. Oh yes.. spend some money for a Windows Home Server license too.

[Check it out via News.com]

Technorati Tags: Shuttle, KPC Linux PC, Barebones, Linux,

ASUS has launched a new small form factor desktop system in Taiwan called the NOVA P22. This system will retail for around $1000 dollars and will feature:

• Windows Vista OS
• Intel Core 2 Duo E6320 processor
• 1GB of RAM
• 10GB HDD
• DVD Multi-format burner

In other news – if you’re interested in other flavors of the ever popular ASUS EeePC, ASUS has launched a pink colored version of the svelte notebook.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: ASUS, NOVA P22, EeePC

Specs of the Shuttle SN68SG2 include:

• Support for AMD Athlon 64 X2, Athlon 64, and Sempron series, HyperTransport 1.0
• NVIDIA GeForce 7025/630a chipset
• Max 4GB of memory
• 8 Channel HD Audio
• 1 PCIe x16 slot, and 1 PCI slot
• Gigabit Ethernet
• 2 – FireWire ports, 6 – USB 2.0 ports
• 2 – SATA2 connectors and 2 – eSATA connectors
• 250 watt PSU
• Measures 300 x 200 x 185 mm

The Shuttle XPC Glamor SN68SG2 comes with a traditional Shuttle XPC case… and yes.. I’m not quite sure what’s glamorous about the look of the system. But hey – maybe Glamor here means you’re getting an XPC system with a dual core AMD and NVIDIA Chipsets.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Shuttle, XPC Glamor SN68SG2, SN68SG2

I do believe that I’ve found the first Shuttle XPC barebones system truly suitable to be used as a Home Theater PC and it’s called the SG33G5M. Sure other XPC systems can be built and used as potential HTPC systems but this is the first system to actually come with an HDMI connector and built in HDCP support. This is key for getting protected HD content onto your big screen television set. The Shuttle XPC Barebone SG33G5M features:

• G5M-type aluminum chassis (black)
• Mirror front face with golden finish
• Integrated VFD Media Display
• 1 x 5.25 inch drive bay and 2 x 3.5 inch drive bay
• Measures 31 x 20 x 18.5 cm and weighs 3.3 kg
• VFD shows information such as date and time,CD track and title, TV channel, DVD title and progress etc
• Integrated receiver for remote control
• Shuttle multimedia remote control
• Compatible with Windows Media Center 2005 or Windows Vista
• Comes with Shuttle FG33 motherboard
• Intel G33 Express Chipset + ICH9DH
• Solid Capacitors for excellent heat resistance for enhanced system durability
• PCIe and PCI slot
• 250 watt mini power supply unit
• Supports single, dual, quad core processors from Intel with 800, 1066, 1333 MHz FSBs – Core 2 Quad Q6xxx, Core 2 Duo E6xxx/E4xxx, Pentium Dual Core 2xxx and Celeron D 4xx series
• Designed for upcoming 45nm Core 2 Multi-Core processors
• Supports Pentium 4/D processors at 800MHz FSB
• Shuttle ICE2 cooling
• Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100
• Full Windows Vista Aero experience
• Intel Clear Video technology
• Hardware acceleration for MPEG2 and VC1 content
• HDMI with HDCP support
• SPDIF digital output
• DVI adapter included
• VGA connector for analog systems
• Realtek ALC888DD codec for 7.1 HD audio
• Supports Dolby Digital Live! and DTS Connect
• Marvell Gigabit Ethernet controller
• Firewire controller

About the only thing missing is a TV tuner which you can optionally get for the system of course. My dream system would be to put in:

• NTSC/ATSC TV Tuner
• 500GB HDD
• Blu-ray or HD DVD drive

The only other concern I would have with the system is ambient noise. Shuttle XPC machines can be loud sometimes – especially since we’re talking about a small form factor. While a quad core processor might be awesome for the system, I wonder what the resulting sound output would be like.

This might very well be my next experimental HTPC system.

Note – the product page is for Europe. There is a U.S. version of this system without the VFD display. It’s called the SG33G5. Shuttle is selling the G5 3300m in the U.S. as a complete system sale and not as a barebones yet. You can purchase the complete system here.

[Check it out via eHomeUpgrade]

[Check out the U.S. Product Page for a full system here]

Technorati Tags: Shuttle, SG33G5M, HTPC, Windows Media Center, Shuttle XPC