SlashGear » nettop

ASUS Eee Box EB1501U and EB1012U with USB 3.0 hit site

Chris Davies — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:26:26 +0000

We’ll admit, it took us a short while to figure out the difference between ASUS’ new Eee Box EB1501U and Eee Box EB1012U nettops compared to their outwardly-identical predecessors – each uses Intel’s dual-core Atom 330 processor paired with NVIDIA Ion graphics – but the key is in the connectivity. That “U” suffix stands for USB 3.0, with the EB1501U getting two front-mounted USB 3.0 ports and the EB1012U getting three spread across the front and side panels.

Otherwise the two nettops are functionally unchanged. That means you get a slot-loading DVD burner on the Eee Box EB1501U, complete with gigabit ethernet, WiFi b/g/n, VGA and HDMI connectivity, while the Eee Box EB1012U lacks the optical drive but has the same ports and measures over 10mm thinner.

There’s also plenty of USB 2.0 ports along with eSATA and S/PDIF, a 250GB hard-drive and support for up to 4GB of RAM. No word on pricing for each of the Windows 7 Home Premium systems, but the regular (i.e. non-USB 3.0) EB1501 and EB1012 are currently selling for $480 and $387 at Amazon.

[via Gadgetmix]

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Shuttle XPC X50V2 all-in-one updated: Atom D510 & fanless

Chris Davies — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:56:15 +0000

It’s been a while since Shuttle outed their XPC X50 Barebones all-in-one, and so it’s about time that they updated it. Rather than rework the case and change the color, the new Shuttle X50V2 Barebone has Intel’s latest Atom D510 processor, paired with the NM10 Express Chipset, but also gets completely passive cooling and halved power consumption.

That should make for a cheaper, quieter system, and thanks to some new ports the X50V2 is a more flexible one too. Shuttle have added one parallel and two serial interfaces on the back, perhaps not much interest to mainstream consumers but helpful if you’re looking to use the all-in-one for installations.

Otherwise there’s still a 15.6-inch touchscreen – running at 1366 x 768 resolution – and room for a 2.5-inch HDD/SDD; they’ve increased the maximum supported RAM to 4GB, too. Ports include audio in/out, 10/100 ethernet, VGA, four USB 2.0 and an internal mini PCIe slot for a WiFi card. Shuttle are selling the XPC X50V2 Barebone now, in black or white, for €353 pre-tax ($484), and will offer pre-configured versions at some point in the near future.

Press Release:

Version 2.0: All-in-One-PC from Shuttle gets a huge makeover

Power consumption reduced by almost 50% / fanless design means low
maintenance

Shuttle Inc., a leading developer and manufacturer of
multi-form-factor solutions such as the world-famous XPC Mini-PC
Barebones, is announcing the sales launch of a new All-in-One-PC. The
second version of the X50 promises impressive, improved features and
additional functions.

Almost one year after its successful introduction, the X50V2 Barebone
is now being launched and will also be offered in future as a complete
system, with a choice of Windows 7 or Linux.

Lower energy consumption is just one of the many advantages of the
successor to the original. For the X50V2 Barebone, Shuttle has chosen
the new Intel Atom platform with D510 Dual Core Processor (2x 1.66
GHz) and NM10 Express Chipset. The new version of the X50V2 is, for
the first time, completely passively cooled and therefore extremely
quiet. The energy consumption of the only 3.6 cm wide PC has also been
reduced by around 50 % at the same time. The size of the supported RAM
has been increased to 4 GB. New features include one parallel and two
serial interfaces on the back of the X50V2, which make it considerably
more attractive for special applications. The practical webcam,
integrated stereo loudspeakers, WLAN (N), card reader and stand, which
can be turned into a carrying handle, are also available with it. The
standardised VESA mounting interface allows it to be fitted to monitor
arms and wall mounts for freely suspended use of the device.

The new Shuttle X50V2 Barebone is available in black or white and is
on sale now. Shuttle’s recommended retail price is 353 euros (without
VAT).

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Shuttle I-Power GXT Mini external GPU gets video demo

Chris Davies — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:57:35 +0000

Gigabyte’s external-GPU BookTop M1305 and M1405 notebooks aren’t the only machines relying on a separate graphics boost at CeBIT 2010 this week. Shuttle have brought along their interpretation, in the shape of the I-Power GXT Mini, a compact box fitted – in this case – with an ATI Radeon HD 4650 that hooks up to Shuttle netbooks via a special GXP port that looks a little like a larger HDMI port.

Video demo after the cut

According to NetbookNews, when attached the netbook saw a tenfold increase in graphics performance, benchmarking around 5,000 marks in 3DMark06 compared to around 500 when the CULV machine was tested alone. It’s not just for graphics cards, though; since the i-Power GXT Mini box basically gives you a PCI-Express slot to play with, you can slot in a desktop TV tuner card or a USB 3.0 card. There are also a couple of USB 2.0 ports on the front panel no matter what guts you opt for.

Shuttle will apparently sell both preconfigured versions of the setup, with a video card already in place, and barebones versions. Meanwhile the GXT port itself will be showing up on netbooks and nettops from the company, such as the one demonstrated in the video below.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

ZOTAC ZBOX HD-ID11 Ion 2 nettop announced

Chris Davies — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:12:18 +0000

ZOTAC was among the OEMs named in NVIDIA’s second-gen Ion launch earlier today, and the company has wasted no time getting a new nettop out in the open. The ZOTAC ZBOX HD-ID11 pairs Ion with 512MB of its own dedicated DDR3 memory and an Intel Atom D510 1.66GHz dual core processor, all in something compact enough to hang off the back of your LCD display.

There’s also a DDR2 RAM slot, 2.5-inch HDD bay and integrated WiFi 802.11n, while other connectivity includes HDMI and eSATA. Altogether there are six USB 2.0 ports, together with DVI, gigabit ethernet, a 6-in-1 memory card reader and an optical digital audio output.

The Ion GPU itself is the 16 CUDA core chip, rather than the cut-down 8 core version intended for 10-inch netbooks. No word on when we might see it launch nor for how much, however.

Press Release:

Next-Generation ZOTAC ZBOX Redefines Mini-PCs
New ZOTAC ZBOX HD-ID11 redefines mini-PC with next-generation NVIDIA® ION™ technology

HONG KONG – Mar. 2, 2010 – ZOTAC International, the world’s largest channel manufacturer, today redefines the mini-PC experience with a new generation of eco friendly small form factor platform powered by next-generation NVIDIA® ION™ technology – the new ZOTAC ZBOX HD-ID11 mini-PC. The new ZOTAC ZBOX HD-ID11 mini-PC supercharges the eco friendly computing experience with premium graphics processing, complete high definition playback capabilities and a premium Windows® 7 experience with Aero® user interface.

Premium graphics processing power forms the heart of the ZOTAC ZBOX HD-ID11 mini-PC with a new Next-Generation NVIDIA® ION™ graphics processor with 16 unified shaders and 512MB of DDR3 graphics memory complete with NVIDIA® CUDA™ and NVIDIA® PureVideo™ HD technologies for a superior eco friendly computing experience that goes well beyond simple web browsing.

NVIDIA® CUDA™ technology harnesses the power of the NVIDIA® ION™ graphics processor in the ZOTAC ZBOX HD-ID11 to energize popular video processing and image editing applications for performance that dominates traditional CPUs. CUDA™ technology also enables support for DirectCompute and OpenCL powered applications on the ZOTAC ZBOX HD-ID11 for complete compatibility with general purpose GPU computing applications.

“Software companies took a big step in the last year to enable GPU-acceleration in their applications. Users can edit movies using Super LoiLoScope, enhance the quality of low-quality videos using vReveal and convert video files for use with portable media players using Badaboom with CUDA™ technology and our new ZOTAC ZBOX HD-ID11 mini-PC using just the graphics processor,” said Carsten Berger, marketing director, ZOTAC International. “Just because the ZOTAC ZBOX HD-ID11 mini-PC is small in size doesn’t mean it can’t deliver big system performance.

The ZOTAC ZBOX HD-ID11 mini-PC offers robust high definition playback capabilities with GPU accelerated decoding of popular formats such as AVC, VC-1 and Blu-ray movie titles, dual-stream hardware acceleration for Blu-ray picture-in-picture extra features, dynamic contrast and color stretch for spectacular picture clarity, and other visual enhancing post-processing and features thanks to NVIDIA® PureVideo™ HD technology. GPU acceleration is just the beginning of the high definition playback capabilities of the ZOTAC ZBOX HD-ID11 mini-PC.

Streaming high definition Internet video on popular sites such as YouTube™, Vimeo™ and Hulu™ render smoothly and flawlessly in full screen with the ZOTAC ZBOX HD-ID11 and Adobe® Flash® Player 10.1. Video stuttering is a faint thought of the past with the ZOTAC ZBOX HD-ID11 with NVIDIA® ION™ graphics technology.

HDMI 1.3a connectivity ensures the ZOTAC ZBOX HD-ID11 can connect to the latest monitors and televisions with the best visual quality available and support the latest technologies such as xvYCC Color, Deep color and high-resolution 7.1-channel digital surround sound. New xvYCC Color and Deep color technologies enable a wider range of colors and higher bit depths up to 48-bit color when connecting the ZOTAC ZBOX HD-ID11 to compatible displays for richer colors and greater details.

“The ZOTAC ZBOX HD-ID11 mini-PC is perfect for home theater PC use as well daily usage. Watching high-definition movies with premium audio tracks is a rewarding experience with the ZOTAC ZBOX HD-ID11 mini-PC.” Mr. Berger said. “The amount of clarity high-resolution 7.1-channel digital surround sound audio brings to the experience is phenomenal and can’t be put into words.”

The ZOTAC ZBOX HD-ID11 mini-PCs deliver a premium Windows® 7 experience with Aero® user interface with the NVIDIA® ION™ graphics processor. Windows® 7 features such as Aero® peek, Aero® shake and GPU accelerated media transcoding is fully supported by the ZOTAC ZBOX HD-ID11 for a fully featured premium eco friendly computing experience.

Behind the powerful NVIDIA® ION™ graphics in the ZOTAC ZBOX HD-ID11 and is an energy-efficient Intel® Atom™ processor with Intel® HyperThreading technology. A dual-core Intel® Atom D510 powers the ZOTAC ZBOX HD-ID11 for a powerful combination that delivers unrivaled performance and energy-efficiency.

Customizing the internals of the ZOTAC ZBOX HD-ID11 mini-PC is quick and easy for end users with a new tool-less case design. Users can simply remove two thumb screws to access the internals of the ZOTAC ZBOX HD-ID11 mini-PC and master the mini-PC with ease.

“We designed the ZOTAC ZBOX HD-ID11 with our end users in mind. With the new ZOTAC ZBOX HD-ID11 and HD-IS11, users can equip the mini-PC with components of their choice,” Mr. Berger said.

Internal expansion inside the ZOTAC ZBOX HD-ID11 include space for a single 2.5-inch hard drive and one 200-pin DDR2 SODIMM slot. Greater expansion is achievable externally via six USB 2.0 ports, one eSATA 3.0 Gb/s port and a 6-in-1 memory card reader capable of reading SD, SDHC, MMC, MS, MS Pro and xD memory cards for limitless expansion capabilities.

It’s time to play with the ZOTAC ZBOX HD-ID11 with Next-Generation NVIDIA® ION™ technology.

General details

New ZOTAC ZBOX HD-ID11
Next-Generation NVIDIA® ION™ platform
NVIDIA® CUDA™ technology
NVIDIA® PureVideo™ HD technology
Intel® NM10 Express chipset
Intel® HyperThreading technology
ZOTAC ZBOX HD-ID11
Intel® Atom™ D510
Dual-core
1.66 GHz (667 MHz front-side bus)
Tool-less case design
VESA monitor mount included
HDMI (1080p) & Dual-link DVI outputs
HDMI 1.3a compliant
xvYCC Color and Deep Color support
HDCP compliant
Microsoft® DirectCompute ready
Adobe® Flash® Player 10.1 decode acceleration
OpenCL compliant
Gigabit Ethernet
Onboard 802.11n WiFi
Microsoft® DirectX® 10.1 with Shader Model 4.1 compatible
OpenGL® 3.2 compatible
Microsoft® Windows® 7 with premium Aero® user interface ready

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

ASUS Eee Keyboard coming April 2010 says Jonney Shih

Chris Davies — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:33:56 +0000

You get the feeling that the ASUS Eee Keyboard has become something of a millstone around the company’s neck, a constant reminder of CES 2009 and promises they haven’t, so far, been able to keep. We’ve heard more promised release dates than we’ve had tepid dinners, but at CeBIT 2010 ASUS chairman Jonney Shih has given us another one: he reckons the Eee Keyboard will ship in April 2010.

The innovative nettop integrates an Atom-based PC into a keyboard chassis, along with a 5-inch touchscreen that can be used to display widgets, a numeric keypad or remotely navigate an on-screen cursor. Last we heard it would be priced somewhere between $499 and $599, and have options including wireless HDMI and various amounts of SSD storage. We’re not holding our breath, but roll on April.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

NVIDIA Ion 2 officially announced: 10x graphics grunt & 10hr battery life

Chris Davies — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 09:09:40 +0000

NVIDIA have officially launched their next-generation Ion GPU, intended to give netbooks and nettops a graphics boost. It comes as little surprise, given we saw Acer’s Aspire One 532G netbook using the new GPU a few weeks back at MWC 2010, but the company have also announced that ASUS’ 12-inch Eee PC 1201P will use the chipset, as well as more than 30 products from other companies including AOpen, AsRock, Asus, Foxconn, J&W, Pegatron, POV, Shuttle and Zotac.

Video demo after the cut

They’ll include all-in-ones and nettops like the Lenovo C200 and the ASUS EeeTop 2010PNT. NVIDIA Ion 2 is intended to work in collaboration with an integrated Intel GMA 3150 graphics chipset; using NVIDIA’s Optimus technology, different workloads can be directed to the Ion or the Intel GPU as appropriate, balancing graphics grunt with power management.

NVIDIA are still claiming ten-times the graphical performance of a regular netbook from the GeForce G210 based Ion 2, along with around 10hrs of battery life (with a 6-cell, 5,600mAh pack) thanks to Optimus’ frugality. The end result is HD- and gaming-capable netbooks, though we don’t yet know what sort of price impact the Ion 2 will have; its predecessor added around $50 to the purchase price of a machine.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Lanner LEC-7020 nettop packs 3G & GPS

Chris Davies — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:32:01 +0000

Just as netbooks eventually settled to a common spec, so nettops have proved uninspiring with their capabilities; that said, there’s always room for something unusual, and so Lanner’s new LEC-7020 certainly has appeal. The company are positioning the compact PC as an embedded device, but with an Intel Atom N270 processor, GMA 950 graphics and up to 2GB of RAM it’s really no different from other nettops we’ve seen. As for that differentiator, the LEC-7020 has an integrated 3G modem with GPS.

That means that you’re not limited to WiFi or wired ethernet – both of which the LEC-7020 has, in fact there are dual gigabit ethernet ports – and can get a 2G or 3G connection anywhere there’s coverage. Other connectivity includes four USB 2.0, VGA, COM and DIO, while the modem slots into a mini PCIe bay and there’s an internal SIM reader.

Since it’s intended for industrial applications, the side panel opens easily and you can choose between a standard 2.5-inch HDD or a CompactFlash slot. Supported OSes include Windows XP, XP-embedded or Linux kernel 2.6.16 or above, and the whole thing is only 42mm high. No word on how much it’ll cost – we’re guessing it’ll be a lot more than your average nettop.

[via Linux for Devices]

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Onkyo DE411 all-in-one: Full HD display & NVIDIA Ion

Chris Davies — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:02:34 +0000

Onkyo have outed their latest all-in-one desktop, the DE411, a dual-core Intel Atom 330 1.6GHz nettop with a 21.5-inch 1080p Full HD display. The Onkyo DE411 packs 2GB of RAM and a 320GB hard-drive, but most importantly it has NVIDIA’s GeForce 9400M – aka Ion – GPU for handling HD video.

There’s also a DVD burner, digital TV tuner (which we’re guessing is Japan-only), 5W stereo speakers (and 5.1 surround sound output) and a copy of Windows 7 Home Premium. Onkyo also throw in WiFi b/g and gigabit ethernet, along with VGA and a clutch of USB 2.0 ports.

A multiformat memory card reader and matching peripherals round things out. Onkyo will be offering the DE411 for 89,800 yen in Japan ($984) which seems on the high side, especially since there’s no mention of a touchscreen layer; no word on if it’ll arrive in the US or Europe.

[via NetbookNews.de]

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Fujisoft Palro Atom-based hobby robot [Video]

Chris Davies — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:18:04 +0000

Fujisoft’s Palro isn’t the first robot we’ve seen packing an Intel Atom nettop as a brain, but he’s a little more handsome than Vstone’s rather industrial-looking Robovie-PC. Palro packs an Atom N270 1.6GHz processor, WiFi b/g/n and a 3-megapixel camera, but more interesting are the five microphones used for voice recognition.

Video demo after the cut

Elsewhere there’s a gyro-sensor, a 3-axis accelerometer, eight feet-mounted pressure sensors and a head-mounted distance sensor. Rounding out the hardware specs there’s 1GB of RAM and 4GB of flash storage, along with a USB port, a 2,800 mAh Li-Ion battery and a copy of Ubuntu.

Sales of the Palro robot will kick off on March 15th to research and educational buyers, but Fujisoft are promising a more general release after that so that home hobbyists will be able to pick up their own. You’ll need a reasonably healthy bank account, though; expect to pay the equivalent of around $3,300.

[via CrunchGear]

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

ASUS Eee Box EB1501-B0367 1080p nettop gets Blu-ray

Chris Davies — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:14:22 +0000

ASUS’ Eee Box EB1501 was already standing out as a potentially decent HTPC, and the company have added another feather in its metaphorical cap by apparently introducing a Blu-ray version. Announced back in October 2009 with Intel’s Atom 330 CPU, NVIDIA Ion graphics and a slot-loading DVD burner, the new Eee Box EB1501-Bo367 with Blu-ray is now showing up with several European online retailers.

As for the rest of the specifications, they look generally unchanged. That means you get 2GB of RAM and a 320GB hard-drive, along with WiFi b/g/n and gigabit ethernet. Other connectivity includes four USB 2.0 ports, a 4-in-1 memory card reader, audio in/out, S/PDIF and DVI.

According to one site, initial stock is expected on January 19th, with prices kicking off from €426.44 ($618). That certainly makes it more expensive than a regular nettop, but we’re leaning toward forgiving the EB1601 what with its 1080p HD capabilities and frugal power requirements.

[via Netbook Italia]

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Super slim LM-mini20 nettop debuts from Mouse Computer

Shane McGlaun — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 14:16:43 +0000

Computers keep getting smaller and smaller, which is a good thing for the most part. Smaller is especially better for machines like nettops that are often used in entertainment centers for HTPC duties. Mouse Computer has unveiled a new and very slim nettop called the LM-mini20.

The machine uses the Intel Atom 230 processor at 1.6GHz and has 1GB of RAM, 160GB of storage, and runs the NVIDIA Ion platform. The machine is only 20mm thick and sells in Japan for 34800 Yen. The operating system is Windows 7 Home Premium.

The coolest feature of the machine is that it is designed to install behind any LCD screen. That means you won’t see the nettop at all and you don’t have to find room for something else in the entertainment center.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

ASUS Eee Keyboard (finally) coming February 2010?

Chris Davies — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:47:45 +0000

ASUS’ Eee Keyboard has been so long coming, we’ve reached another CES before it has arrived on the market. First announced back at CES 2009, the last we heard about the touchscreen-nettop-in-a-keyboard was some nebulous statement from ASUS UK the underlying message of which was that they didn’t have a clue when it would go on sale. Happily things have firmed up since then, and ASUS are now apparently claiming that the Eee Keyboard will drop in February 2010.

Of course, we’ve been burnt many times before so we won’t be betting the farm (if we even had a farm) on seeing the Eee Keyboard in the hands of relieved shoppers next month. Still, it would be nice post-CES surprise, especially if the $499 to $599 price estimate pans out. That gets you a last-gen Atom N270 processor, 1GB of RAM, either 16GB or 32GB of SSD storage and a 4hr battery, along with the 5-inch Widget display. Unfortunately the Wireless HDMI kit will be sold separately.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

NorhTec Gecko Surfboard: $99 Linux PC in a keyboard

Chris Davies — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:17:46 +0000

The oft-delayed ASUS Eee Keyboard is a great concept – squeezing everything from a nettop into a QWERTY form-factor – but what if your computing ambitions are even more moderate? NorhTec reckon they have the product for you in the shape of the Gecko Surfboard, outwardly a regular QWERTY keyboard but actually packed with a 1GHz x86 system-on-chip (SoC), VGA and composite video outputs, 10/100 ethernet and optional WiFi b/g or even 3G. The idea is you can hook it up to your TV or a spare monitor and get online without the hassle, bulk or cost of a regular nettop or PC.

The whole thing draws just 5W and can run Linux or Windows XP, and while NorhTec admit that it’s not up to playing games, it’s certainly swift enough to get you online. It can do so pretty much silently, too, as it’s fanless and can either be booted from an SD/SDHC card or an IDE hard-drive. RAM is 512MB and ports include two USB 2.0, serial and audio in/out.

Best of all is the price: NorhTec expect the Linux based Gecko Surfboard to cost just $99 and the Windows XP version to be roughly $150 when they arrive in January 2010. Not for everybody, no, but if you’re looking for a straightforward way to get online and want a full-sized keyboard, the Gecko Surfboard looks like an interesting possibility.

[via LinuxDevices]

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

NVIDIA Ion 2 launch delayed at manufacturer request

Chris Davies — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:25:23 +0000

NVIDIA have officially confirmed that the next-gen “Ion 2” (not the final name) graphics chipset is in the works, but it won’t be arriving quite as soon as many had hoped. The company told Fudzilla that the Ion 2 won’t see an official launch until later in Q1 2010, as opposed to the Q4 2009 unveil we’d expected; that’s apparently because hardware manufacturers want to milk a few more sales out of first-gen Ion devices before the new chip arrives.

There will, however, be Ion 2 based devices on show at CES 2010, only it doesn’t sound like they’ll be found on the NVIDIA stand. Fudzilla also tips that the number of shaders in the next-gen chip could actually be more than the original “double that of Ion” number; some sources have suggested as many as 40 (compared to the original’s 16).

Ion 2 should arrive alongside Intel’s next-gen Pinetrail processors, since the current-gen Ion won’t work with the new Pinetrail-M netbook and Pinetrail-D nettop chips. That’s because Intel’s new Atom processors bring the Northbridge onto the CPU die, and currently NVIDIA don’t have a version of the Ion chipset that omits the Northbridge.

[via Netbooked]

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

ASUS Eee Box EB1501 up for $479 US preorder

Chris Davies — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:40:15 +0000

ASUS’ Ion-packing Eee Box, the EB1501, has finally gone up for pre-order in the US. Priced at $479 at Amazon, the compact nettop uses Intel’s dual-core Atom 330 processor along with 2GB of RAM, a 250GB hard-drive, WiFi b/g/n and an HDMI output. Unlike most other nettops we’ve seen, the EB1501 also squeezes in a slot-loading DVD burner.

The addition of that optical drive, plus the NVIDIA Ion graphics chipset and HMDI connector, are what makes us so excited about using the EB1501 as an HTPC. It’ll support 1080p high definition video output, and ASUS include software for upscaling standard-definition DVDs to at least 720p; meanwhile there’s 5.1-channel surround sound support, with an S/PDIF digital audio output.

You can even mount the nettop behind your display, using a VESA mount, and ASUS reckon you’ll save 70-percent on your energy use compared to a regular desktop. No indication on Amazon as to when the EB1501 will start shipping, however.

[via Netbooked]

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

ASRock ION 330-HT and 330HT-BD nettops up for pre-order

Chris Davies — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:49:16 +0000

ASRock’s latest NVIDIA Ion toting nettops have appeared for pre-order on Amazon, and based on our very positive experience with the ION 330-BD back in August we’re quite excited about the 1080p-capable systems. The ASRock ION 330-HT and ION 330HT-BD each use a dual-core Atom 330 processor together with the Ion GPU and WiFi b/g/n, but the latter throws in a Blu-ray drive.

Both machines also have 320GB of storage, and 2GB of DDR3 memory. Amazon list them as barebones, but we’re not exactly clear what’s left up to the user to install; it could be the OS, as no software is indicated in either product page.

Going from the ASRock product page, you also get a second, empty 2.5-inch hard-drive bay that you can use to set up a RAID 0 or 1 array, together with a Media Center Edition compatible remote control. Ports include HDMI, VGA, six USB 2.0, S/PDIF and a combo eSATA/USB port. The ASRock ION 330-HT is priced at $458.99 while the ASRock ION 330HT-BD is priced at $588.99; no estimated shipping date is given for either system.

[Thanks Peter!]

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Acer preparing NVIDIA Ion 2 netbooks/nettops?

Chris Davies — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 09:44:40 +0000

Details on NVIDIA’s Ion 2 graphics chipset are still relatively scarce, but according to a DigiTimes report the company have already got at least one big-name buyer. Acer have apparently placed orders for the Ion 2 to accompany their upcoming Atom N450, N470, D510 or D410 based notebooks and nettops, and though there’s no specific release schedule given, Acer is believed to be planning to release Pine Trail netbooks from January 11th 2010.

Since Pine Trail moves the Northbridge functions onto the CPU (as opposed to the Atom N270, which had a separate Northbridge), Ion 2 will be more like a standalone GPU than the original chipset design. The GPU is expected to support a greater number of shaders, be smaller its predecessor, and more power efficient; NVIDIA have declined to comment on the Acer rumors.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

ASUS Eee Box EB1501 shipping today [Updated]

Chris Davies — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 09:49:54 +0000

Is something afoot with ASUS’ Eee Box EB1501 nettop? The Ion-toting mini desktop PC has had listings at a few major e-tailers for a while now, but ASUS UK has apparently contacted some UK sites to say that the EB1501 is shipping as of today; meanwhile the NetbookReviews team spotted that Play.com had updated their pages with a “due for release on 27/11/09″. All well and good, but a quick check of the site today shows the release date has disappeared and the nettop is showing up as “out of stock”.

Update: ASUS UK have been in touch to tell us that the EB1501 is indeed shipping today in the UK, and that they’ve been in contact with the retailers to ask them to update their listings.

Meanwhile Amazon UK are still listing the EB1501 as not shipping for another 1 to 2 months, and there’s no mention of the release date. We’ve got a request for more information in with ASUS’ PR people in the UK, and will update when we get to the bottom of the confusion.

As for why the EB1501 is so interesting, it’s one of the first nettops from ASUS to include both NVIDIA’s Ion GPU – which promises 1080p High Definition video playback via an HDMI port – and an integrated optical drive, in this case a slot-loading DVD burner. That makes it a very alluring HTPC; it’s being advertised for around £339 ($560) in both black and white.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

AOpen XC Mini GP7A-HD nettop eschews Atom for Core 2 Duo & NVIDIA Ion

Chris Davies — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:57:40 +0000

AOpen have outed their latest nettop, but whereas we’re used to apologetic Atom processors holding us back, the AOpen XC Mini GP7A-HD takes regular Core 2 Duo CPUs instead. The barebones kit also packs NVIDIA’s Ion graphics chipset, which adds up to Full HD performance and a machine that could actually do a little gaming on your big-screen TV.

Otherwise there’s a DVD burner, two DDR3 memory slots (4GB max, though it’s unclear if that’s per-slot or overall) and a 2.5-inch HDD bay. Connectivity includes HDMI and VGA outputs (which will work simultaneously), together with gigabit ethernet, six USB 2.0 ports, eSATA, audio in/out and a 6-in-1 memory card reader. There’s no standard wireless connection, but two empty PCI Express Mini Card slots inside are enough for both a WiFi b/g/n card and a TV tuner if you should so wish.

Since a regular CPU and NVIDIA Ion could lead to things getting pretty toasty inside, AOpen have produced a custom cooling system with a copper processor heat-sink and integrated fan. That’s enough, they say, for just 26dB of noise from the nettop; plus there are silent and HD playback modes which can throttle things back so that fan noise isn’t an interruption during basic video playback.

What we don’t yet know is pricing, which should be announced closer to the system’s release in mid-December. We’re hoping for a reasonably affordable setup, since this is actually one of the more appealing desktops (and potential HTPCs) that we’ve seen in recent months.

[via Netbooked]

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

MSI Wind Top AE2220 all-in-one packs 1080p and multitouch

Chris Davies — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:51:26 +0000

MSI have pushed out another all-in-one in its Wind Top line, and this one offers both Full HD 1080p support and a touchscreen. The MSI Wind Top AE2220 has a 21.5-inch 16:9 display running at 1,920 x 1,080, multitouch support, a choice of Intel’s 2.2GHz Core 2 Duo T6600 or 2.1GHz Pentium dual-core T4300 processors, and NVIDIA Ion graphics.

There’s also 4GB of memory and a 500GB hard-drive, while a combo Blu-ray player and DVD burner lurks around the side. Ports include six USB 2.0, eSATA, ethernet, audio in/out, S/PDIF and a multiformat card reader; there are also HDMI and VGA inputs, for using the panel as an external display with a console or other source. Wireless is WiFi b/g/n though no Bluetooth, and MSI will happily sell you a TV tuner too; an IR MCE remote comes in the box.

Windows 7 Home Premium supplies the touchscreen cleverness, and you can also VESA mount the AE2220 on the wall making it particularly suitable for bedrooms or kitchens. Now that Flash Player 10.1 supports GPU accelerated decoding, the Ion chipset should be ideal for full-screen YouTube HD playback, too. The MSI Wind Top AE2220 is on sale today, priced at $749.99.

Press Release:

MSI US Launches High-Performance Wind Top 21.5-inch Multi-Touch Screen All-in-One Desktop PC

MSI Wind Top AE2220 Features an HD LCD, Windows® 7, NVIDIA ION, and Combines Intuitive Multi-Touch Screen Control to Deliver Theater-Quality Multimedia Experience for the Entire Family

MSI, a leading manufacturer of computer components and systems, today announced the U.S. availability of the Wind Top AE2220 all-in-one desktop PC. As MSI’s new flagship all-in-one computing system, the AE2220 extends the award-winning Wind Top line with new levels of performance, usability, energy-efficiency, and functionality in an affordable, stylish and eco-friendly design for today’s PC-centric families.

Featuring a 21.5-inch screen with 16:9 widescreen display, full HD (1080p) resolution and high-fidelity 5.1-channel SRS Premium Sound, the Wind Top AE2220 is designed to provide home users with theater-like multimedia entertainment. Powered by NVIDIA ION graphics and the latest Intel® Core 2 Duo/Pentium Dual Core processors, it can effortlessly run HD movies, resource-hungry applications and sophisticated 3D games. The AE2220 also includes VGA and HDMI input ports, enabling the device to serve as the primary home computer, television or a widescreen display device for game consoles and other video-capable devices in the home.

The Wind Top AE2220 all-in-one PC is available in a variety of configurations, and is priced starting at $749.99.

“The MSI Wind Top is an awesome all-purpose family PC. Share photos, edit videos, play games, watch HD video – our ION graphics processor means you can have it all,” said Drew Henry, general manager for ION and GeForce products at NVIDIA.

The AE2220 incorporates MSI’s exclusive graphic interface, enabling users to take advantage of “One Touch” convenience to browse the Web, instant message, use VOIP software, play music, and much more. With native support for multi-touch capabilities in the new Windows® 7 operating system, the Wind Top AE2220 dramatically improves the multi-touch experience by making it more intuitive, precise and easy to use for simple tasks, such as enlarging photographs and writing text in different languages, as well as for more complex applications, including professional photography editing.

“The Wind Top AE2220 all-in-one PC provides the perfect combination of processing power, easy to use multi-touch technology, and stunning graphics and HD video in a sleek, modern design that is sure to appeal to today’s tech-savvy families,” said Andy Tung, vice president of sales for MSI Computer. “Even better, the price of MSI’s Wind Top won’t break the bank, making it a great addition for any home this holiday season.”

Like other Wind Top products, the AE2220 is designed to meet all computing performance needs while reducing energy consumption. The AE2220 meets the latest efficiency requirements of ENERGY STAR Version 5.0 Specification for Computers, and can reduce electricity costs by approximately 35 percent compared to conventional PCs.

Special Wind Top Promotion at WIRED Holiday Store 2009 in NYC
MSI Computer will be showcasing the new MSI AE2220 all-in-one PC at WIRED magazine’s fifth-annual holiday retail store in New York City from Nov. 21 to Dec. 27. Those who visit MSI’s display at the store will receive a $50 gift card that may be used for the purchase of a new Wind Top all-in-one PC. For the WIRED Holiday Store location, directions and hours of operation please visit: http://www.wired.com/promo/wiredstore/aboutus.html.

Wind Top AE2220 Specifications

Operating System — Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium
CPU — Intel Core 2 Duo T6600 (2.2GHz) / Pentium dual-core T4300 (2.1GHz)
Chipset — NVIDIA® ION™ Graphics Processors
LCD Panel — 21.5” (54.61cm ) 16:9, 1920 x 1080, Full-HD Multi-Touch Screen
Graphics — NVIDIA GeForce 9300 Integrated Graphics with 256MB VRAM
Memory — 4GB DDR2 800MHz
Wireless LAN — 802.11 b/g/n WiFi
Hard Disk Drive — 500GB SATA2
Optical Drive — Blu-Ray/Double-layer DVD Super Multi
Speakers — Two 5W 5.1-channel surround speakers with SRS Premium Sound
Video Input — 1.3-megapixel webcam and microphone
I/O Ports — VGA in, USB (x6), eSATA, RJ45, mic, headphone, HDMI in, SPDIF
Card Reader — Built-in 6-in-1
Expansion Slots — Two Mini-PCIE
IR Receiver — Yes, with MCE remote control
Wall Mount — Supports standard VESA Wall Mount
Keyboard/Mouse — Wireless
Adapter — 200W
Optional — TV tuner

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Stealth LPC-395F fanless rugged mini-PC crying out for in-car installation

Chris Davies — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:08:57 +0000

While we often can be found heaping scorn onto the me-too Atom N270 netbook ranges that pass our viewing window, Intel’s low-power chip does occasionally find its way into an interesting machine. Stealth Computer have slotted the 1.6GHz chip into their latest “Little PC”, the Stealth LPC-395F, a fanless nettop with a ruggedized chassis and front-loading 2.5-inch hard-drive bay.

The LPC-395F measures a compact 6.54 x 6.18 x 1.89 inches and is reasonably resilient to various vibrations, temperature fluctuations and shocks. Inside it has up to 2GB of RAM, dual gigabit ethernet, optional WiFi ($50) and a CompactFlash card slot that can be used to boot the whole PC; Stealth also offer various SSD upgrades if you’re looking for extra security against vibration problems.

Since it’ll run from 12-19V DC it’s an ideal candidate for a mobile PC in a car or truck, but alternative uses include data acquisition and automation projects. The Stealth LPC-395F is available to order now, priced from $795 (without a hard-drive).

Press Release:

Stealth.Com Releases a Rugged Fanless Mini PC with Front Loaded Removable Storage Features

Toronto ~ November 2009 – Stealth.com Inc. (Stealth Computer) a leading ISO 9001 manufacturer of industrial rugged computers and peripherals has released the new Model LPC-395F, a rugged, small footprint, fanless computer with integrated removable storage.

Stealth’s LPC-395F fanless mini PC includes front loaded removable media slots for both hard drive and compact flash media. An industry standard mobile 2.5″ SATA hard drive slides directly into the machine without having to open the chassis. The system also supports a front loaded CF memory card for easy system updates and file deployment. Ed Boutilier, President & CEO of Stealth.com states; “Stealth’s removable storage feature presents a new level of security, maintenance and data protection in a small form factor PC. There is no longer any need to spend lengthy time to open a chassis to change/ remove the hard drive. Our removable storage feature allows the user to secure or replace their critical data in a matter of seconds.”

The new Stealth LPC-395F small form PC offers a tremendous price-performance value in a robust little package. The LPC-395F small PC punches through with Intel’s energy efficient ATOM N270 processor technology. The rugged light-weight metal chassis measures only 6.54″(W) x 6.18″(D) x 1.89″(H) in size. Its sturdy small size and noise-free fanless design make it ideal for applications where space is critical.

The LPC-395F Fanless PC features a multitude of I/O connectivity built into its impressively diminutive design such as; Dual Gigabit LAN, 4-USB 2.0, 2-Serial RS232, 1-DVI, Audio ports with optional Wi-Fi 802.11g. The LPC-395F supports up to 2GB in memory and has a removable hard drive with up to 500GB’s of storage space for archived data. For applications that require extra high shock, vibration and wide temperature ranges an optional SSD (Solid State Hard Drive) is available. The PC can also operate from 12-19VDC making it an ideal choice for field and mobile applications. Systems are compatible with Microsoft Win7/Vista/XP, Linux etc and can be custom configured to meet the exact needs of the OEM or end user. The LPC-395F is ideal for numerous applications such as digital sign, mobile/field deployment, process and discrete control, automation, human-machine-interface, data acquisition, shop floor and machine control to name a few.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

ASRock unveils slick ION330HT-BD nettop

Shane McGlaun — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:54:53 +0000

Back in August we got our hands on the small ASRock ION330-BD nettop with a Blu-ray drive inside for a full review. We liked the little machine pretty well thanks to its low price and decent performance. ASRock has now announced a new updated version the nettop we played with offering more features called the ASRock ION330HT-BD.

The newly updated version of the machine we tested gets a few new features. The rig runs an Intel Atom 330 dual-core CPU at 1.6GHz and has 2GB of 8000MHz DDR2 RAM. The NVIDIA Ion graphics carry over and the machine has 500GB of storage and a second hard drive bay to make 1TB of storage available.

The machine ships with a MCE remote control and features built-in WiFi. The Blu-ray capability carries over and the nettop has eSATA and support for DTS 7.1 audio. You can also get the nettop minus the Blu-ray player and the lowest of the three versions of the updated machine lacks WiFi of the two other models.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

ASUS Eee Keyboard latest version gets video demo; might be delayed again?

Chris Davies — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 08:41:43 +0000

The ASUS Eee Keyboard saga continues, and we’re beginning to think it’s the company’s version of vaporware. At their latest launch event in London, UK, this week, the Eee Keyboard – which squeezes a nettop and touchscreen into a keyboard form-factor, and was first debuted at CES back in January – was conspicuous by its absence, with ASUS telling Electricpig that the device was still mired in testing; however, ASUS have also been demonstrating their latest version of the Eee Keyboard to NetbookNews, with nary a mention of release delays.

Video demo of latest version after the cut

The new model apparently has a resistive touchscreen panel, and thanks to a Broadcom video processing chip can handle both 720p and 1080p high-definition video. That can either be squirted to an HDTV via HDMI or UWB wireless.

Those specifications – certainly the Broadcom AV-VD904 – fit in with the version of the Eee Keyboard spotted clearing the FCC recently. Our assumption at the time was that a release was imminent, but all that is thrown into confusion with ASUS UK’s comments; as their spokesperson, John Swatton, has said, “there’s no official announcement on when it’s being launched … it could be November, it could be December, it could be January, it could be February.”

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

ASUS Eee Box EB1012 and EB1501 Ion-toting nettops get video hands-on

Chris Davies — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:58:45 +0000

ASUS’ latest NVIDIA Ion based nettops have been well and truly pawed over by NetbookNews.de, and considering that the Eee Box EB1012 at least seems destined for the US market it’s only right that we should take an interest. The EB1012 – and the ASUS Eee Box EB1501 – uses Intel’s dual-core Atom 330 1.6GHz processor, paired with the Ion 1080p-capable graphics chipset, with the key difference being that the EB1501 finds room to squeeze in an optical drive.

Video demos after the cut

Each machine has a 250GB hard-drive and 2GB of RAM, together with multiple USB 2.0 ports, eSATA and HDMI. There’s also onboard WiFi b/g/n, with an external antenna for improved reception.

Both nettops are up for preorder on Amazon Germany’s site, priced at €410.98 ($614) for the Eee Box EB1501 and at €338.98 ($507) for the Eee Box EB1012; however the MRSP of the EB1501 is now known to be €399 ($596), so expect the Amazon price to slip downwards. Each is available in black or white, and they’re set to begin shipping on October 22nd (when Windows 7 officially launches).

ASUS Eee Box EB1012 overview:

ASUS Eee Box EB1501 overview:

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Onkyo P305A3 Ion nettop with detachable DVD burner

Chris Davies — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:23:56 +0000

We’ve seen removable optical drives on nettops before now – ViewSonic had one back in July – but Onkyo’s offering is particularly curvy and pleasing. The Onkyo P305A3 may not have a catchy name but it does offer an Intel Atom 230 1.6GHz processor paired with an NVIDIA Ion graphics chipset, while the optical drive is detachable from the side.

There’s also 2GB of RAM, a 160GB hard-drive and four USB 2.0 ports. Other connectivity includes eSATA and HDMI, together with optional WiFI, and the whole thing runs Windows 7 Home Premium.

To be fair, it’s arguably pointless to have a removable optical drive if it doesn’t result in a slimmer or lighter nettop overall, and the P305A3’s curved base means detaching the DVD burner won’t actually make it all that smaller. We’re also not impressed with the Atom 230 processor, and hope Onkyo replace it with – at the very least – the dual-core Atom 330. The nettop will go on sale in Japan on March 11th (which seems a very long way off) for 69,800 yen ($771) or with an HD 21.5-inch LCD for 89,800 ($992).

[via Netbooked]

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

Acer Aspire Revo R3610-U9012 nettop gets dual-core Atom update

Chris Davies — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:36:49 +0000

Acer’s Aspire Revo nettop has just received a welcome shot in the arm, courtesy of a dual-core Atom 330 processor and an extra gig of RAM. The Aspire Revo R3610-U9012 kicks out its predecessor’s Atom 230 chip in favor of the quicker alternative, and pairs it with 2GB of RAM, Windows 7 and NVIDIA Ion graphics. That should hopefully make the system a little better at coping with non-1080p video tasks, something the first model had issues with.

Acer have also updated the Aspire Revo’s wireless connectivity – it now gets WiFi b/g/n – but otherwise specifications are the same. That means a 160GB hard-drive, six USB 2.0 ports, HDMI, VGA and eSATA, together with gigabit ethernet and a multiformat memory card reader.

You can still hang it off the back of your LCD display, thanks to a standard VESA mount, but now it’s actually a whole lot more usable; we haven’t gone hands-on with the R3610, but we’d imagine it will put in a showing similar to the ASUS Eee Top ET2002 we reviewed earlier this week. It’s available now, priced at around $330.

[via Gizmodo]

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

ASUS EeeTop PC ET2002 Review

Ewdison Then — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:16:59 +0000

Back when we reviewed the ASUS Eee Top ET1602 late last year, we suggested it could be the epitome of a niche product: netbook hardware squeezed into an unusual desktop case. Now all-in-ones are more common, and so ASUS have returned with an updated design, bigger screen and more media-centric intentions. The ASUS Eee Top ET2002-B024C sticks with Intel’s Atom CPU range but now pairs it with NVIDIA’s Ion graphics chipset for potentially 1080p High-Definition performance. Check out the full SlashGear review after the cut.

In the case of the ET2002, the Atom CPU is a dual-core 330 rather than the ET1602’s N270. It’s matched with 2GB of RAM and a 320GB hard-drive, together with a welcome DVD burner mounted on the side. As for the display, that’s a 20-inch panel running at 1,600 x 900, and ASUS even fit an HDMI input for using the PC as a display. Other connectivity includes WiFI b/g/n, ethernet, six USB ports, audio in/out and a 3-in-1 memory card reader. OS is Windows Vista Home Premium, though those who pick up the ET2002 in the next week will also get a free upgrade to Windows 7.

What the ET2002 doesn’t have is a touchscreen. ASUS will offer a version which does add a touch-panel – the ET2002T – together with a larger, 22-inch touchscreen version, but the ET2002 we have on our test-bench relies on more traditional keyboard and mouse input. ASUS do supply wireless peripherals, and they’re of reasonably quality and color-matched to the main unit; the laser mouse has a separate on/off switch and a scroll wheel, both appreciated.

Physically, the ET2002 looks a lot like the ET1602, with a glossy black plastic casing that sits inside a smoked transparent plastic shell. On the back there’s a sturdy, spring-loaded desk stand, four of the USB ports, ethernet and the power input, while the right-hand side has the tray-loading optical drive and the left-hand side gets the remainder of the ports. Running along the bottom edge of the LCD are a few control keys, including display brightness/contrast adjustments, power and a Home button that replicates the “Minimize All” shortcut. Beneath them, there’s a grey grill hiding the stereo speakers, which didn’t exactly blow us away with their audio performance but are good enough for casual radio and music listening, while up above the screen there’s a webcam and dual-microphone array.

The display itself is bright and crisp, and despite being unable to show Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution video it did a great job with 720p footage. While lacking a touchscreen, we found that because of the extra screen inches over the ET1602 we sat further back from the newer Eee Top, and thus it made less sense to reach out and try to tap at it.

We ran the usual GeekBench testing to see how the dual-core Atom 330 held up, and as you might expect the ET2002 wasn’t much of a fighter. Overall the nettop scored 1226, with memory-related performance holding back CPU performance slightly. In practice, applications load after a slight pause, and attempting to multitask with several browser windows, background media playback and Office open (ASUS preload a 60-day Office 2007 trial) led to some sluggishness.

Of course, neither of those situations take advantage of the NVIDIA Ion GPU, which could be seen as the Eee Top’s secret media weapon. As we’ve seen on netbooks and other nettops, the Ion – when paired with compatible applications that take advantage of its GPU grunt – can make a huge difference to video playback, crunching high-definition footage and capable of 1080p resolutions. Of course, the ET2002’s resolution means full 1080p display isn’t possible, but downloaded 1080p HD files and those loaded from DVD both performed very well. It’s also possible to play reasonably graphics-intensive games on the ET2002, though this certainly isn’t a replacement for a console or even a mid-range traditional PC.

Where Ion falls short is in situations where software isn’t set up to access GPU acceleration. For local content it’s usually pretty straightforward to find a workaround – there are a few media apps which will work just fine – but if your HD diet is mainly sated by streaming content then you’ll have more of a problem. Flash, at least right now, lacks support for GPU acceleration, and as such scaling up YouTube HQ/HD, Hulu and other online video sites to full-screen pushes the Atom 330 not just to the edge of its abilities but demands even more of it. Dropped frames, jagged edges and general graphical disappointment is the name of the game, sadly.

The good news is that Adobe have promised GPU acceleration support for Flash 10.1, which is set to arrive before the end of 2009. That should make the world of difference, with YouTube HQ/HD offset to the NVIDIA Ion rather than making demands on the processor; until then, though, the ET2002 is a surprising disappointment for streaming video consumption.

While you lose touchscreen control with the ET2002, it makes for a more convincing second PC than the ET1602 managed. Slot in a USB TV tuner and it could serve as a decent kitchen or bedroom entertainment system, replacing a standalone TV and DVD player, and we’re confident that with Windows 7 (which we already know to be gentler to Atom-series processors) and Flash 10.1 the general usability of the nettop will take a step up before the year is out. Considering most PCs feel dated the day after you buy them, that’s something to look forward to.

Its $600 MRSP has already been undercut online by twenty bucks or more, and while that’s certainly shy of non-Atom all-in-ones, $100 more does get you Dell’s Studio One 19. The Dell drops 1-inch on the display but packs a 2.6GHz Pentium dual-core CPU; alternatively, forget the all-in-one requirement and there’s plenty of choice at around that price point, usually with mainstream processors rather than low-voltage Atoms.

However, the ASUS Eee Top ET2002-B024C is arguably more attractive than either a separate tower and display, or the Studio One 19 for that matter, and it delivers an impressive blast of local HD video playback with the promise of more to come. As it stands it would do a decent job as a second PC; give Adobe some time to catch up and the ET2002 could even step out of the backroom.

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

ASUS 1080p-capable Ion Eee Box 1501 caught in wild

Chris Davies — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:54:21 +0000

ASUS’ Eee Box range arguably came of age when the company announced the 1501, their first NVIDIA Ion based model. Packing a DVD drive and various video output options, we’ve been waiting to see when it might show up in the wild; that question has been answered by the guys at Newgadgets.de, who grabbed some live shots of the Eee Box 1501 at a press conference in Munich.

First impressions of the Eee Box 1501 are in short supply – in fact Newgadgets.de only go so far as to say that yes, this is it – but from the photos the build quality looks reasonable and the styling appealing. It could all get to be something of a wire-mess if you take advantage of the front-mounted ports, but considering most of the time they’ll be used for temporary digital camera and USB stick purposes we guess that won’t be too much of an issue.

Inside there’s Intel’s dual core Atom 330 CPU and NVIDIA’s Ion chipset, for 1080p High Definition output via HDMI, together with up to 4GB of RAM and a 250GB hard-drive. As well as WiFi b/g/n there’s eSATA and gigabit ethernet. Still no word on a launch date, but it’s expected to cost from €399 ($581).

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

KND K1850 is first Pine Trail Atom nettop

Chris Davies — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:19:07 +0000

Intel’s Pine Trail Atom refresh wasn’t predicted to see any products actually arrive on shelves until Q1 2010, but that wasn’t counting on the motivation of Shanzai producers in China. The first all-in-one nettop using the 1.66GHz dual-core Intel Atom D510 processor has emerged, the KND K1850, with an 18.6-inch display, 2GB of RAM, 250GB hard-drive and a DVD drive.

Pine Trail moves the Pineview CPU and both the memory and graphics controllers onto a single chipset, to be accompanied by a separate I/O controller called Tiger Point. That, Intel claim, means power requirements are reduced, speed is increased and heat output drops; admittedly, those factors might be more useful in a netbook, where you could squeeze out more runtime from a battery or even go fanless.

Netbooks, though, will get the Atom N450, the mobile version of the D510. It’s unlikely that the KND K1850 – which also has WiFi, ethernet, several USB ports and a multiformat card reader – will make it to the US or Europe, but this is just the first of what’s likely to be a huge stream of models all with very similar specifications.

[via Shanzai]

Relevant Entries on SlashGear

ASUS Eee Keyboard manual, photos, UWB details arrive on FCC site

Chris Davies — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:02:05 +0000

We’ve been waiting for the ASUS Eee Keyboard for a very long time, at least that’s how it feels, so it’s good to see some movement happening over at the FCC. They’ve just published the Eee Keyboard’s user manual, together with a whole batch of external, internal and wireless-testing photos. Among the details there’s a fair few shots of the media-centric nettop/keyboard hybid’s UWB (ultrawideband) system.

That couples a transmitter module in the Eee Keyboard itself with a special receiver, the latter having an HDMI port along with power, two USB 2.0 and a single mini-USB connections. This plugs into your HDTV and allows the Eee Keyboard to wirelessly transmit video and audio to the display.

Other specs fall broadly in-line with what we’ve heard previously, which means a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor, 1GB of RAM, either 16GB or 32GB of SSD storage and both WiFi b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.1. Onboard ports include HDMI, VGA, WiFi/UWB antenna (with an included antenna dongle), three USB and audio in/out; it also has integrated stereo speakers and a microphone. Control is via the QWERTY keyboard itself and a 5-inch 800 x 480 touchscreen; there’s also a Broadcom AV-VD904 chipset which allows the Eee Keyboard to output high-definition video.

Still no definitive word on when we can see the ASUS Eee Keyboard on shelves, however, nor for what price.

[via eeepc.it]

Relevant Entries on SlashGear