The tiny computer also has gigabit networking support and WiFi integrated along with five USB ports. The machine measures in at a compact 5.7″ x 3.9″ x 2″ and has 64-bit computing support. Along with the 1GHz CPU, the machine also has a VIA VX900H media system processor so it can handle HD video in multiple formats without taxing the CPU.

The little computer also has a SD card reader integrated. This would make a nice little HTPC that consumes little power and it should have very minimal heat output as well. The link to the official page for the computer isn’t working just yet. Pricing and availability are unknown. I would expect this to be a cheap machine though.

The H3 6700P uses the Intel H67 Express Chipset and second-generation Core i7 or i5 processors. The machine supports up to 16GB of RAM and offers HD audio as well. The little board inside the computer has 7.1 channel HD audio and gigabit Ethernet to round out the main features of the computer. The machine supports up to 500GB of storage in drive bay one and has an additional drive bay supporting another 500GB HDD if needed. The machine also has space for a single optical drive.

Graphics for the computer are AMD FirePro or optional NVIDIA GeForce graphics. The SFF rig has eSATA, USB 3.0, mic in, headphone in, and various buttons on the front panel. It has a single PCI x1 v2.0 slot inside along with a PCI-E slot for graphics cards and a mini PCI-E x1 slot for an optional WiFi card. Pricing for the computer is unknown.

The three new configurations are ready to ship units that will be offered at leading retailers here in the US and in Canada. The three versions are all in the same crazy thin 1.5-inch thick chassis and are aimed at different users. The XS35 for everyday use packs in a Atom D510 CPU, WiFi, Intel GMA 3150 graphics, 1GB of RAM, and a 160GB HDD.

The configuration for media fans has an Intel Atom D510 CPU, Intel GMA 3150 graphics, 2GB of RAM, 320GB HDD, a slim DVD burner, and WiFi. The high-end offering is the XS35 GT for HD media fans. This configuration has the Atom D510 and packs in NVIDIA ION graphics with 1080p output. It also has 2GB of RAM, DVD burner, 500GB of storage, WiFi, and the other features of the lower-end models.

The IdeaCentre Q150-40816AU bears the mark of Lenovo’s latest updates, throwing out the old single-core Atom chip of its predecessor and replacing it with an Intel D510 with twin 1.66GHz cores. That’s paired with 2GB of DDR2 memory, a 500GB hard-drive, NVIDIA Ion 2 DX10 graphics chipset (with 512MB of dedicated VRAM) and WiFi b/g/n. Ports, meanwhile, include HDMI, VGA, two USB 2.0, ethernet and audio in/out on the back, while there are another two USB 2.0 ports and an S/PDIF digital audio output on the front under a plastic flap. Lenovo supply a stand for propping the Q150 upright, or alternatively there’s a VESA mount on one side so you can hide it behind your HDTV or monitor.

In the box, Lenovo supply a power brick and a wired USB keyboard and mouse set; however, the company also sent us their N5901 wireless keyboard. A distinctive, chubby T-shape, the N5901 has a full QWERTY thumbboard across the top and a trackball underneath, and is primarily intended for those wishing to use the IdeaCentre Q150 as an HTPC.

Setup of the Q150 is straightforward, since it’s a regular Windows 7 Home Premium PC. Obviously there’s no optical drive, and Lenovo save around 30GB of the HDD as a service partition (for re-imaging the PC should you want a fresh install), but generally it’s a case of hooking up a monitor or other display and then getting to work. For HTPC use the front-mounted S/PDIF port seems ill-placed, seeing as it’s unlikely to be the sort of thing you’re regularly plugging in and unplugging, but most will likely use HDMI anyway, which carries both audio and video. We had no trouble connecting to a WiFi network to stream content both from the Q150 and from a standalone NAS.

Intel’s Atom D510 processor may be a step up from earlier iterations, but we still weren’t expecting dramatic performance from the low-power chip. We benchmarked the nettop using Geekbench, a synthetic test of processor and memory performance, and the IdeaCentre Q150 scored 1242. That’s only a few points higher than we were seeing from Atom 330 machines, and is unsurprisingly akin to what you’d see from a netbook.

In terms of real-world use, the Lenovo lived up to its multimedia billing. Previous machines using the Ion GPU were criticised for patchy performance, since things like Flash didn’t support hardware acceleration and, as such, relied solely on underpowered CPUs. With Flash 10.1, however, the Ion 2 in the Q150 is responsible for HD decoding, and it manages it with minimal fuss. Full-screen Hulu looked great, as did local content. Regular Windows apps, however, were less impressive; with the GPU out of the equation, the Atom CPU struggled with anything more than a little multitasking. Try to do more than surf with a couple of windows open while playing music in the background and the Q150 starts to get a little sluggish.

As for the Lenovo N5901 wireless keyboard, that uses a proprietary USB wireless dongle (which stows in a niche underneath) and is plug-and-play with Windows 7. As well as the QWERTY ‘board there are dedicated multimedia keys, and the whole thing sits nicely in the hand; we wish Lenovo had used the same soft-touch plastic on the front as they have on the back, though, since the glossy finish is a real fingerprint-magnet. The keys themselves are slightly convex, making for easier typing, and while you wouldn’t want to input anything of length, it’s certainly sufficient for searches, Twitter messages, brief emails and URLs. The trackball, meanwhile, is usable, though we wish Lenovo had opted for a gyroscopic navigation system instead. Still, that would add to the price, which at $59.99 is reasonable.

Overall, there’s a lot to like about the IdeaCentre Q150. Notable omissions are Bluetooth and any sort of memory card reader, though of course you could add either via USB. An integrated card reader would arguably be less than useful if your Q150 was mounted behind the TV, too. It’s a quiet-running system, and thanks to GPU acceleration is capable of stutter-free 1080p HD local and streaming video; 500GB is plenty of space for a nettop, too. Currently priced at $399 – $50 more than the single-core model with mere Intel GMA 3150 graphics and a 160GB HDD – it makes for a capable HTPC; throw in a cheap USB TV tuner and you could record TV too, since Windows 7 Home Premium natively supports media center functionality. This isn’t the machine for gaming or video editing, but then we doubt many would confuse it for such: instead it’s a great little media PC that serves up high definition content with minimal fuss.

Ports include nine USB 2.0, an eSATA/USB combo connector, analog and S/PDIF audio, gigabit ethernet and a multiformat memory card reader.  Inside there’s a 3.5-inch hard-drive bay and a 5.25-inch optical drive bay.  The supplied PSU is a 300W unit, and there’s a heatpipe cooling system.

The Shuttle XPC Barebone SH55J2 is available in Europe now, priced at €251 ($320).  Obviously you’ll also need to budget for a processor, hard-drive and DDR3 RAM if you want a working system.

Press Release:

Mini-PC for current Intel Core processors

Shuttle XPC Barebone SH55J2 supports Intel Core i3, Core i5 and Core
i7

Shuttle Inc., a leading developer and manufacturer of
multi-form-factor solutions such as the world-famous XPC Mini-PC
Barebones, today announces the launch of its new XPC Barebone SH55J2.
Now, for the first time, a single Mini-PC supports all Intel Core
variants for socket 1156.

From today, the SH55J2 brings you a Mini-PC platform which utilizes
all the features of the new Intel Core series – whether it is the
integrated HD graphics chip, the turbo boost function or two and four
CPU cores. The energy-efficient processor generation is ideally suited
for Mini-PCs.

The HDMI interface can be activated using many Core i3 and Core i5
processors with integrated graphics function. Even playback of HD
video is possible with it. A VGA connector to use a second monitor is
also available. Both high-resolution picture and sound are transmitted
digitally via HDMI. If enhanced graphics performance is required or a
processor with no graphics function is used, then the PCI Express slot
can be fitted with a faster dual-slot graphics card.

What’s more, the Shuttle XPC Barebone SH55J2 also has a total of nine
USB ports, an eSATA/USB combo connector, audio ports (analog and
SPDIF), a Gigabit network interface, a PCI slot and a card reader.
Inside the case is space for two 3.5 inch hard disks and a 5.25 inch
optical drive.

Its 80 PLUS certified power supply unit with a 300-watt output offers
sufficient reserve capacity for sophisticated system components. The
SH55J2 is also cooled via a heatpipe cooling system with speed
controller. Anti-theft protection is provided by a Kensington lock at
the back of the case.

The Shuttle XPC Barebone SH55J2 is available from specialist
retailers in Europe immediately. Shuttle’s recommended retail price is
251 Euros (ex. VAT).

There’s a little of the Lenovo in the Aspire X3400′s design, a solid black mini-tower (standing 10.5-inches high) with a minor splash of blue the only attempt to brighten things. Up front there’s a DVD burner, five USB 2.0 ports, a multi-format memory card reader and audio in/out; at the back there are a further four USB 2.0 ports, both HDMI and VGA, gigabit ethernet, audio in/out (with 5.1-channel support), an eSATA port, PS/2 ports for legacy keyboard and mouse (Acer’s supplied peripherals are both USB, and of reasonable quality if not anything outstanding) and of course power. Build quality is decent, with a pleasant mixture of gloss and matte black plastics.

Inside there’s a 2.9GHz AMD Athlon II X3 435 processor paired with 4GB of DDR3 memory and integrated NVIDIA GeForce 9200 graphics with a 500GB hard-drive, though no integrated Bluetooth and WiFi. Acer offer a 2.9GHz X4 635 processor and up to 1TB of storage as options, while the Aspire X3400 can handle up to 8GB of DDR3 memory. Of course, because of the small size there are no free drive bays inside: the optical drive takes up the 5.25-inch bay and the HDD occupies the 3.5-inch bay.

Software is Windows 7 Home Premium, complete with a basic array of Acer’s own applications. Probably of most interest to the HTPC aficionados likely to be eyeing the Aspire X3400 is the eRecovery Management app, which automatically makes backups of your multimedia store. There’s also the usual trial of Office Home & Student 2007 (together with a full copy of Works 8.5), a trial of McAfee, Google’s Toolbar and Nero 9 Essentials.

We benchmark tested the Acer Aspire X3400-U2012 using Geekbench, a synthetic test of processor and memory performance. It scored a reasonable 5,108, primarily thanks to a strong showing by the processor. In comparison, Gateway’s ZX6900 – which uses a 2.93GHz Intel Core i3-530 with 4GB of RAM – scored slightly higher, at 5,313. Acer’s own all-in-one, the Aspire Z5600, scored 5,475 with Intel’s 2.33GHz Core 2 Quad Q8200 and 4GB of RAM.

The Aspire X3400′s integrated GeForce 9200 graphics are certainly showing their age, and this isn’t the GPU for you if you’re hoping to do any serious gaming. While it may run titles like Crysis it’s at their very minimum settings, and you’ll still see dropped frames. Instead, think of the Aspire X3400 as a home multimedia PC, perfectly sized to slot under your TV, hook up via HDMI (with HDCP support) and act as a media player. On those terms its capabilities are far more adequate; Windows 7 Home Premium includes native media PC features, though you’ll need to add a USB TV tuner if you want to record/pause broadcast TV. It’s a shame Acer didn’t throw a remote control in the box (or at least wireless keyboard/mouse peripherals).

In use, the Acer runs reasonably quietly – there’s some fan noise which may be noticeable during quiet media playback, but nothing extreme – and shows little in the way of lag. We happily browsed several internet tabs with media playing in the background and the Aspire X3400 had no problem keeping up with us. Paired with a sizeable NAS it would certainly work well as an HTPC.

We’d like to see a bigger hard-drive as standard, and obviously the GPU falls short of anything a semi-serious gamer might be looking for, but considering the $459.99 MRSP there’s plenty to like about the Acer Aspire X3400-U2012. Solid – if not outstanding – performance together with an admirably small footprint and lashings of connectivity add up to a strong contender for your living room or home office.

The small gaming machine can be fitted with up to 16GB of DDR3 RAM and it offers 7.1-channel surround sound audio along with Gigabit Ethernet. The OS is Windows 7 and the Core i7 CPU can be one of several models up to the Extreme Edition. Storage is up to 2TB with space for two HDDs inside the machine.

The machine comes with a DVD burner stock and can be upgraded to Blu-ray. A USB 2.0 port and USB/eSATA port are located on the front panel of the machine. The computer uses a 500W power supply. The machine measures 8.5″ x 7.5″ x 13.1″. The machine starts at $1899 and will get much more expensive than that when the GTX 480 and high-end CPUs are added.

There are also two PCI-E-x16 slots – for either a single dual-slot card, or two single-slot cards in CrossFireX or SLI configuration – together with two gigabit ethernet ports with switchable failsafe or load-balancing.  Meanwhile there are two internal SATA bays – complete with RAID support – and a total of four SATA interfaces and two eSATA; Shuttle also thrown in a power connection for external SATA devices.

A custom heatpipe cooling system and 80-PLUS-certified 500W power supply round out the key specs, adding up to one darned impressive dinky PC.  It’s available – without CPU, memory or drives, mind – for €470 excluding VAT ($577).

Press Release:

Unique Mini-PC Barebone – suitable for 6-core CPUs

Europe-wide launch of Shuttle’s new SX58J3 flagship / “The smallest,
fastest Mini-PC in the world”

Shuttle Inc., a leading developer and manufacturer of
multi-form-factor solutions such as the world-famous XPC Mini-PC
Barebones, proudly announces today the launch of Europe-wide delivery
of the new XPC Barebone SX58J3. This new model offers extraordinary
computing power and its key features places it at the top end of what
is currently feasible in terms of miniaturisation.

The SX58J3 is particularly remarkable thanks to its compatibility
with Intel’s ground-breaking 6-core processor, the Core i7-980X
Extreme Edition (codename: Gulftown), as well with all Core i7 CPUs
for socket 1366. To complement this, the four slots on the Barebone
are able to accommodate up to 16 GB DDR3 memory. The central interface
for all components is provided by an Intel X58 Express chipset which
was especially developed for high-performance systems.

“This Mini-PC which measures just 33 x 21.5 x 19 cm contains the
fastest desktop technologies currently available,” states Tom
Seiffert, Head of Marketing & PR at Shuttle Computer Handels GmbH. “In
particular, professional applications in the areas of media design,
R&D and complex games benefit from the high performance density of the
machine.”

One modern dual-slot graphics card or two single-slot graphics cards
with PCI-E-x16 interface can be used. ATI CrossFireX and NVIDIA SLI
technologies are both supported.

The features of the SX58J3 include two Gigabit interfaces that can be
redundantly switched in “Failover” mode or can support load increase
with “Load Balancing”.

The two hard drives which can be fitted in this Mini-PC with an
internal volume of just 1300 cubic centimetres can be connected via
RAID. A total of four interfaces for SATA devices and two for eSATA
devices are available. There is also a power connection for external
SATA devices. A card reader for standard types of memory card is
located on the front panel.

The effective heatpipe cooling system ensures optimal stability in
this model while the highly-efficient 80-PLUS-certified 500W power
supply provides the necessary energy to meet all requirements.

The XPC Barebone SX58J3 is available from specialist retailers
immediately. Shuttle’s recommended retail price is EUR 470 (ex VAT).

It’s great to see a small computer get powerful CPU options. The mainboard inside the machine is a Zotac H55ITX-A-E unit with a mini-ITX form factor and the Intel H55 chipset. The board has a single PCI-E x16 slot and supports up to 8GB of DDR3 RAM.

The overall dimensions of the computer are 13.1″ x 11″ x 16″. WiFi is optional on the machine and it features HDMI out, ten USB 2.0 ports, optical audio out, and a single RJ45 port. The base Echo III system starts at right under $1500 with a Core i5 2.66GHz quad core CPU, 4GB of RAM, and a GeForce 250 video card and 500GB HDD.

The new machines include the J1 4100P and the G2 7600P. The new workstations can be fitted with Intel Core 2 dual core and quad core processors or AMD Phenom II X4 CPUs. Graphics options include NVIDIA Quadro FX video cards or ATI FirePro video cards.

Shuttle has also announced that in June it is set to launch a SFF PC using the Intel Gulftown processor. The SFF rig will pack in a 6-core CPU for the first time when the machine launches. The new J1 4100P and G2 7600P workstations will ship today starting at $899. Pricing on the Gulftown version is unknown.

The M’SERV S2100 measures in at 10.2-inches long and 4.7-inches high, yet can be stuffed with up to 4TB of storage space.  There’s also a 1.3+GHz VIA Nano CPU, two memory slots, two SATA bays and an internal Compact Flash socket which the S2100 can boot from.  As for ports, you’re looking at dual gigabit ethernet, three USB 2.0 and a VGA output.

Rather than simply position the S2100 as yet another NAS, VIA reckon it’ll be sufficient for backup, “cloud-intermediary storage roles”, network video recording and – thanks to VT virtualization support – virtual server applications.  No word on exactly what sort of price the system will go for; we’ll have to wait until the first retailers and OEMs move to pick it up.

Press Release:

Big on the Inside, Small on the Outside: VIA M’SERV S2100 Addresses SOHO and SMB Server Needs

VIA M’SERV S2100 is a compact, versatile server system suitable for a range of essential applications geared towards the needs of modern small business and home office users

VIA Technologies, Inc, a leading innovator of power efficient x86 processor platforms, today announced the VIA M’SERV S2100: a compact and versatile server system suitable for a range of applications for SOHO and SMB customers. Available to OEM customers, the VIA M’SERV S2100 is a mere 10.2″ long by 4.7″ high and provides up to four terabytes of storage in a stylish, compact, low power and low noise system.

The VIA M’SERV S2100 is the first product of its kind to offer the unique advantages of the high-performance, 64-bit VIA Nano processor. This makes the VIA M’SERV S2100 capable of addressing many traditional and next-generation server applications including sophisticated backup, cloud-intermediary service roles along with other storage oriented server applications such as NVR (Network Video Recorder) systems and Log servers.

By selecting the VIA Nano processor, the VIA M’SERV S2100 brings a novel set of features to the compact server market. These include VT virtualization support for the latest virtual server applications and the VIA AES encryption engine that can be employed to offer an advanced and non intrusive on-the-fly data encryption service through hardware.

“The VIA M’SERV S2100 is uniquely positioned to offer a wide range of essential server applications for small business and home office users,” said Jerry Yuan, VIA Embedded Business Development Manager. “The VIA Nano processor brings with it an advanced set of features that makes the VIA M’SERV S2100 an exceptionally compelling mini-server product”.

VIA M’SERV S2100 Compact Server System
Measuring just 13.5cm by 12cm by 26cm (5.3″x4.7″x10.2″), the VIA M’SERV S2100 is powered by a 1.3+GHz VIA Nano processor and supports 2 slots of DDR2 SO-DIMM 667/533MHz memory. Two SATA bays with integrated power ports are mounted within the case, and a type I Compact Flash socket can be used as a bootable SSD for embedded OS/AP to improve the system reliability and enhance boot speed.

Connectivity includes dual Gigabit Ethernet ports while two USB 2.0 ports at the back are supplemented by one port at the front allowing easy accessibility for USB peripherals such as flash drives or memory card readers.

The VIA M’SERV S2100 supports Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 (x86 & x64), and Windows Server 2008 Foundation, as well a range of major Linux distributions including Ubuntu, SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 (Service Pack 2) and FreeBSD.

For more details about the VIA M’SERV S2100 compact server system, please visit:
http://www.via.com.tw/en/products/embedded/mserv/s2100/

VIA M’SERV S2100 Availability
The VIA M’SERV S2100 system is available now for system integrators and OEMs. For pricing and availability, please send an email to: embedded@via.com.tw

That onboard GPU is capable out supporting two simultaneous outputs over VGA, LVDS, HDMI, DisplayPort or SDVO.  Other connectivity includes support for five PCI Express lanes, eight USB 2.0 ports, three SATA, one EIDE and a gigabit ethernet hook-up.  There’s also support for HD audio.

congatec reckon the conga-BM57 will find a home in gaming or medical-image devices, but we’d quite like to see SFF nettops and HTPCs using the board too.  A compact HTPC that’s not only high-definition capable but will play the latest 3D games can’t be a bad thing.

Press Release:

congatec Announces New COM Express Small Form Factor Module Based on Latest Intel® Core™ i7 Processor

New conga-BM57 Delivers Maximum Computing Performance Paired with Highest Graphics Speed from the Integrated Graphics Controller

International Gaming Expo 2010
SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–congatec AG extends its COM Express product family with the highest performance module conga-BM57. It features the latest Intel® Core™ i7-620M processor with a core speed of 2.66 GHz, with 4 MByte L2 cache and up to 8 GByte fast (1066 MT/s) dual channel DDR3 memory. The conga-BM57 is a two-chip solution which utilizes the powerful Mobile Intel® QM57 Express Chipset. The integrated graphics controller is supporting the Intel® Flexible Display Interface (FDI) in order to allow for two independent video channels on VGA, LVDS, HDMI, DisplayPort or SDVO interfaces.

The major highlight of the COM Express Basic (95x125mm) module with a type 2 connector pin-out is the boosted graphics performance. The 3D performance was increased substantially over the last generation of Intel integrated graphics. Paired with the additional computing performance of the Intel® Core™ i7 processor the conga-BM57 is an ideal solution for intense graphics applications which are often found in gaming or medical image applications.

The implemented Intel® Turbo Boost Technology provides an on-demand boost in the clock speed for one processor core if the other core is less utilized. This new feature improves the computing performance by as much as 25% – as measured by congatec during benchmark testing.

In order to keep the power consumption at about the same level as the predecessor generation, the Intel® Core™ i7 processor supports new power management states. The C6 state, already known from Intel® Core™ processors, saves the architectural state to a dedicated SRAM. Then the cores can be switched off to reduce the current to almost zero. The independence of the C6 states for each core boasts even greater power savings for the platform.

Five PCI Express lanes, eight USB 2.0 ports, three SATA, one EIDE and a Gigabit Ethernet interface allow for fast and flexible system extensions. Fan control, LPC bus for slow speed extensions and Intel® High Definition Audio complete the feature set.

Shuttle is known for its SFF line of computer systems and for some of its newest AIO computers. The company has announced that it will be offering up to 50% off some of its machines this week for holiday shoppers.

The catch is that Shuttle won’t tell us yet exactly where the up to 50% off deals will be offered. We do know that het deals will be on some of its XPC line of computers. The deals will be good during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Shuttle will only say shoppers should expect the deals to be at major online retailers. My money is on Newegg.com or TigerDirect.

Meanwhile the two first DX Series models are the DX3400-03 and the DX4820-02.  The former has an AMD Phenom X4 9750 2.4GHz processor with 8GB of DDR2 RAM, a 1TB hard-drive, ATI Radeon HD 4650 graphics (with 1GB of memory) and integrated WiFi b/g.  The later uses Intel’s Core 2 Quad Q8400 2.66GHz processor, with 8GB of DDR3 RAM, a 750GB hard-drive, and NVIDIA GeForce G210 graphics (with 512MB of memory). 

All three systems have gigabit ethernet, a multiformat card reader, at least eight USB ports, VGA or DVI as well as HDMI outputs, and HD audio support.  The two Intel-based systems also have Firewire and eSATA ports, while the AMD-based DX model has an integrated TV tuner.  Gateway are also hawking their FHD monitor series, the 21.5-inch FHD2101 and 24-inch FHD2402, which both support 1920 x 1080 Full-HD resolution.

The new PCs will be available in the last week of June, priced at $499.99 for the SX2800-01, $749.99 for the DX4300-03, and $899.99 for the DX4820-02 (which also comes with a 23-inch 1920 x 1080 LCD monitor).  The FHD2101 LCD display is $199.99 while the FHD2402 is $269.99; both are available now. 

Press Release:

Gateway’s Back-to-School Desktop PCs Include Smaller, More Compact Designs That Are Big on Value and Capabilities

New Gateway Monitors Offer Edge-to-Edge Glass and Premium Features

IRVINE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Today Gateway introduced smaller, more powerful back-to-school desktop PCs featuring leading technologies ideal for productivity, entertainment and digital photography. From the tiny small form factor SX Series to the compact DX Series mini-tower line, Gateway’s new desktops are big on value, power and features. Complementing these desktops are Gateway’s FHD Series of monitors featuring a new edge-to-edge glass design.

“Bigger isn’t necessarily better when it comes to desktop size, especially in a cramped dorm room,” said Glenn Jystad, senior manager, desktop products, Gateway. “Our smaller models include more than enough capabilities and leading technologies for the vast majority of students and general consumers, and help save costs and space.”

Lifestyle Enhancing Features

Big on user-friendly features, both SX Series and DX Series PCs include several unique design elements that address how people use computers today, making the overall computing experience more convenient and intuitive.

Families and photo buffs managing large amounts of digital images will find Gateway’s unique “digital photo frame” button one of their favorite features on both of the new PCs. With a single touch, it delivers a slide show of favorite photos, perfect for displaying and enjoying new baby pictures, wedding or vacation photos.

To make transferring photos and other data to the PCs easier, Gateway included a handy “device deck” on the new systems. This small recessed area on top of the chassis is the perfect spot to set a camera, MP3 player or camcorder while connecting to USB ports and downloading media.

In addition, the front access digital media card reader can be tilted upward, so it can be easily seen and accessed if the chassis is placed under a desk; a rear cable management hook makes it easy to organize cables running from the rear ports; and a grip on the backside of the chassis makes it easy to pick up and move the systems from location to location.

SX Series Desktops

Gateway’s first small form factor desktop line, the SX Series, delivers all the power and technology needed for general productivity use and casual gaming, in a tiny size. Small enough to fit nicely in a small dorm room or placed inconspicuously in a kitchen or the family den, it’s an ideal solution as a primary or secondary PC.

The first model available in the series is the $499.99 Gateway SX2800-01, which offers a powerful Intel® C2Q 8200 processor coupled with 4GB of memory for quick system response and powering through productivity and multimedia applications with ease.

Integrated Intel® Graphics delivers vibrant video, making it perfectly suited for watching movies, home video, viewing digital photos, or casual game playing. Home theater enthusiasts will appreciate the HDMI port, which delivers the highest quality visuals and high-fidelity audio to a big screen TV or external LCD through a single cable.

The new Gateway SX2800-01 will be available the last week of June at select retailers throughout the U.S. Additional models in this line will be available soon.

Models / Specs / Pricing

SX2800-01 (small form factor)

MSRP: $499.99
Intel® Core™ 2 Quad Q8200 (2.33GHz, 4MB L2 cache, 1333MHz)
Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500
Intel® G43 Express Chipset + ICH10
4GB DDR3 SDRAM
640GB SATA hard drive (1)
18x DVD+/-R/RW SuperMulti Drive featuring Labelflash™ Technology (2)
Multi-in-one digital media card reader
Windows® Vista Home Premium 64 bit
10/100/1000 (Gigabit) LAN
9 USB 2.0 ports (5 front / 4 rear)
1 IEEE 1394a port (front, mini)
1 eSATA port (rear)
1 HDMI port (rear)
1 VGA port (rear)
High-definition audio with 6-channel (5.1) audio support
USB powered stereo speakers
DX Series Desktops

Gateway’s new DX Series models are multimedia and entertainment powerhouses. Offering a choice of AMD or Intel Dual- or Quad-Core processors, massive amounts of memory and gigantic hard drives, these compact mini-towers deliver extreme performance and incredible system response to power users’ intense demands.

Whether students are dominating the latest games, watching streaming video or editing data for school assignments, the DX line provides all the power needed to handle processor-hungry multimedia applications.

Cutting edge audio and visual entertainment features make the new DX models the ideal desktops for all types of digital entertainment and serious graphic applications. Smooth video playback with extraordinarily detailed environments and film-quality game effects are achieved through NVIDIA GeForce graphics. Theater-like sound is delivered through 8-channel high definition audio support.

The DX Series also offers expansion capabilities, including two external 5.25”, three internal 3.5” bays and numerous expansion slots for full size video cards, wireless LAN or advanced audio cards (two PCI, one PCIE x1 and one PCI-E x16).

The new Gateway DX Series of mini-tower PCs includes several models which will be available the last week of June at select retailers throughout the U.S. Two sample configurations follow.

Models / Specs / Pricing

DX4300-03 (mini-tower)

MSRP: $749.99
AMD Phenom™ X4 9750 (2.4GHz, 512KBx4 L2 cache, 2400MHz)
ATI Radeon™ HD 4650 graphics card (1GB video memory)
AMD® RS780 chipset
8GB DDR2 SDRAM
1TB SATA hard drive (1)
18x DVD+/-R/RW SuperMulti Drive featuring Labelflash™ Technology (2)
Multi-in-one digital media card reader
Windows® Vista Home Premium 64-bit
802.11 b/g wireless
10/100/1000 (Gigabit) LAN
8 USB 2.0 ports (4 front / 4 rear)
1 HDMI port (rear / mini)
1 DVI port
High-definition audio with 8-channel (7.1) audio support
USB powered stereo speakers
TV Tuner
DX4820-02 (mini-tower)

MSRP: $899.99
Intel® Core™ 2 Quad Q8400 (2.66GHz, 4MB L2 cache)
NVIDIA® GeForce® G210 graphics card (512MB video memory)
Intel G43 Express chipset
8GB DDR3 SDRAM
750GB SATA hard drive (1)
18x DVD+/-R/RW SuperMulti Drive featuring Labelflash™ Technology (2)
Multi-in-one digital media card reader
Windows® Vista Home Premium 64 bit
10/100/1000 (Gigabit) LAN
8 USB 2.0 ports (4 front / 4 rear)
1 1394 (rear / miniport)
1 HDMI port (rear)
1 VGA port (rear)
High-definition audio with 8-channel (7.1) audio support
Gateway FHX2300 bmid 23” HD Widescreen LCD
1920 x 1080 resolution
75Hz (maximum) refresh rate
5ms response rate
40000:1 max (dynamic) contrast ratio
300cd/m2 brightness
160° (H)/160° (V) viewing angles
16.7 million colors
6 + Hi-FRC bits
Inputs: 1x HDMI, 1x DVI-D (HDCP), 1x VGA
(2) 2 W speakers
Energy Star Compliant
Gateway FHD Series of Monitors Provide Rich Features and Elegant Edge-to-Edge Design

The Gateway FHD Series of high-definition LCD monitors offer consumers the best in performance and design. The stylish new line features an edge-to-edge screen, elegant black bezel, metallic-silver highlights and an L-shaped stand with a brushed-aluminum finish. Discreet touch-sensitive controls add to the clean streamlined design, while automatically sensing contact with the lightest touch.

All of the FHD monitors offer the maximum level of HD support with a 16:9 aspect ratio, increasing multitasking possibilities to enhance productivity and deliver an exceptional multimedia experience. Additionally, the 1920×1080 resolution makes the monitors ideal for 1080p full HD gaming, movies, multimedia content and productivity applications.

To further enhance the visual performance of the monitors, the Gateway FHD Series features high contrast ratios, fast response times and 300 cd/m2 brightness. They also offer a versatile card reader, making it easy to display content from a PDA, mobile phone, digital camera or other portable device.

The monitors also provide 170-degree horizontal and 160-degree vertical viewing angles for an improved viewing experience. The displays also support VGA and HDMI as well as DVI (with High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) for viewing digital movies, digital photos, PC files and copy protected content.

The flagship monitor of the series, the Gateway FHD2402 offers a high-quality built-in webcam, so having face-to-face contact with friends, family and colleagues is easy and convenient. The webcam features Gateway’s ClearLite technology that enhances image capture in low light for clear images in all lighting conditions, and improves frame rate for smooth motion recording.

To boost the visual experience of movies and games, the Gateway FHD monitors also come with two premium built-in speakers for high-performance sound.

The Gateway FHD Series of monitors come in a range of sizes including 21.5-inch, 23-inch and 24-inch. They are available now at select retailers throughout the U.S. Two sample configurations follow:

Models / Specs / Pricing

Gateway FHD2102 bmidgz

MSRP: $199.99
21.5-inch Widescreen
1920×1080 Maximum Resolution
60Hz (Maximum) Refresh Rate
5ms Response Time
20000:1 Max (Dynamic) Contrast Ratio
300cd/m2 Brightness
170° (H)/160° (V) Viewing Angles
16.7 Million Colors
6 + Hi-FRC Bits
Inputs: 1x HDMI, 1x DVI-D (HDCP), 1x VGA, 1 USB hub
(2) 2 W Speakers
Energy Star Compliant
Gateway FHD2402 bmidgz

MSRP: $269.99
24-inch Widescreen
1920×1080 Maximum Resolution
60Hz (Maximum) Refresh Rate
2ms Response Time
40000:1 Max (Dynamic) Contrast Ratio
300cd/m2 Brightness
170° (H)/160° (V) Viewing Angles
16.7 Million Colors
6 + Hi-FRC Bits
Inputs: 1x HDMI, 1x DVI-D (HDCP), 1x VGA, 1 USB hub
(2) 2 W Speakers
Energy Star Compliant
About Gateway

Since its founding in 1985, Irvine, Calif.-based Gateway has been a technology pioneer, offering award-winning products and world-class service to customers worldwide. Gateway is a wholly owned subsidiary of Acer Inc., the world’s third-largest PC company. See www.gateway.com for more information.

All offers subject to change without notice or obligation and may not be available through all sales channels. Prices listed are manufacturer suggested retail prices and may vary by retail location. Applicable taxes extra. ©2008 Gateway, Inc. Gateway Terms & Conditions of Sale apply. Trademarks used herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Gateway, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Intel and Core are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. Other product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

(1) Accessible capacity varies; MB = 1 million bytes; GB = 1 billion bytes.

(2) LabelFlashTM is a trademark of Yamaha Corporation

Video demo after the cut

The VX800 also brings with it the VIA Chromotion video engine, with support for MPEG-4, WMV9 and VC1 hardware acceleration, together with Chrome9 HC3 integrated graphics with full DirectX 9.0 compatibility.  Alongside the video outputs there are ethernet, HD audio, PS/2 and four USB 2.0 ports.

Shuttle are positioning the fanless XS29F as ideal for replacing bulky, noisy and power-greedy desktop PCs in homes and offices.  It can be customized with a number of SATA-II drives and up to 4GB of DDR2 RAM.  No word on pricing as yet, but it will land in June.

Press Release:

Silence is Golden in the Office with Shuttle’s First VIA Nano-Based Mini PC

VIA Nano processor powers fanless Shuttle desktop for a silent, small form factor PC in home office and small business environments

Taipei, Taiwan, May 27, 2009 – VIA Technologies, Inc, a leading innovator of power efficient x86 processor platforms, today announced the adoption of its VIA Nano processor by Shuttle Inc. in its latest ultra small form factor PC, the fanless Shuttle XS29F. Ideal for home office or small business environments where space is often at a premium, the Shuttle XS29F is completely fanless for near silent operation.

The VIA Nano-powered Shuttle XS29F takes performance efficiency and low noise to new levels of genius, combining a low profile, unobtrusive design with the superior multimedia and productivity performance of the VIA Nano processor. From office applications and browser-based tasks, to high-end multimedia playback, the XS29F excels where other fanless SFF systems falter. SME and SOHO users will also benefit from a lower TCO through reduced energy consumption and lower fuel bills.

“The VIA Nano processor is designed from the ground up to offer that long sought after blend of performance and energy efficiency”, said Richard Brown, Vice President of International Marketing, VIA Technologies, Inc. “Shuttle have leveraged this to produce a remarkable device that redefines the modern desktop in terms of both size and noise.”

“The Shuttle XS29 Slim series offers small but can do it all functionality that meets VIA’s design strategy of small is beautiful,” said David Yu, chairman of Shuttle Inc. “By adopting the VIA Nano processor, the Shuttle XS29 Slim series takes advantage of performance and power efficiency that makes it ahead of its kind, and perfectly suited for any modern living room or office.”

About the Shuttle XS29F
Powered by a VIA Nano U1700 processor, the XS29F is complimented by the VIA VX800 media system processor, bringing support for D-sub and DVI Dual video support, rich HD audio, Fast Ethernet, S-ATA II storage and up to 4GB of DDR2 system memory.

The VIA VX800 provides the VIA Chromotion video engine with hardware acceleration for today’s more demanding video formats, including MPEG-4, WMV9 and VC1, while the VIA Chrome9 HC3 integrated graphics core boasts full DirectX 9.0 support. Back panel I/O includes both VGA and DVI ports, Ethernet, HD audio, PS/2 and four USB 2.0 ports.

Shuttle has engineered the XS29F to have a maximum power usage of under 50 watts for the entire system, housed in a small form factor, sub-3 liter chassis; almost one tenth the size of a regular desktop tower.

The 01w version pairs that with 2GB of DDR2 memory and Vista Home Basic, while the 02w makes do with 1GB and XP Home SP3.  Each offers an 18x DVD SuperMulti burner, multi-format memory card reader and nine USB 2.0 ports spread across the front and rear panels.  A gloss-white PS/2 keyboard is supplied, matching the SFF case, and there’s a similarly-finished 18.5-inch 16:9 1366 x 768 LCD display, the E182H wm, with DVI and VGA inputs on offer too.

The eMachines EL1300G-01w is priced at $298, while the EL1300G-02w includes the E182H wm display, and is priced at $398.  The monitor alone costs $119.

Press Release:

eMACHINES INTRODUCES CONTEMPORARY ALL-WHITE SMALL FORM FACTOR DESKTOP PC WITH MATCHING MONITOR

New mini PC’s modern design combines best-in-class style with low-cost and value; new monitor provides cinematic quality viewing with new streamlined styling at a great value

IRVINE, Calif., May 19, 2009 – eMachines today introduced a redesigned small form factor desktop PC with matching monitor design. The EL1300 Series offers powerful performance combined with user-friendly features and a shiny, bright, all-white design, accented with green LED lighting. The new widescreen monitor compliments the all-white PC with similar styling and offer consumers excellent high-definition picture quality and innovative technology.

With its second generation small form factor desktop, the EL1300 Series, eMachines brings style and elegance to this tiny little powerhouse. Just one-third the size of traditional desktop PCs, these super compact systems rival mainstream desktops in capabilities and functionality.

“Alternative color choices have been making their way into notebook lines for some time now,” said Glenn Jystad, senior manager, desktop products, eMachines. “With the arrival of spring and summer, it’s the perfect time to introduce a fresh, clean alternative color choice to our desktops and monitors, bringing an exciting new look and feel to desktop PCs.”

Sporting a bright white glossy finish, eMachines brings a “smile” to customers, via a subtly swooping green LED and silver branding design, which can be found on the desktop cases and displays.

“The amount of thought and effort put into the aesthetics and new design features of the new desktops and monitors is significant,” said Jystad. “The price and capabilities are right on target, and the sleek ultra-modern design offers more style than many PCs costing twice as much.”

The Mini eMachines EL1300 Series is Big on Savings and Capabilities
Available this month, the small form factor eMachines EL1300 Series is currently available in two models, the $298 EL1300G-01w and the $398 EL1300G-02w, which includes a 20-inch widescreen LCD.

Small and light enough to fit just about anywhere, the EL1300 mini PC is perfect for students or general home use. Just 10.7 inches tall, 4.2 inches wide and 15 inches in length, its convenient space-saving design allows it to fit easily in a cramped dorm room or small kitchen without taking up valuable desk or counter space, and its fresh new look will complement any room’s décor.

The new design also includes user-friendly touches, such as easy access front ports and room for upgrades, such as a wireless network or TV tuner.

Equipped with an AMD Athlon processor, NVIDIA GeForce graphics and a roomy 160GB(1) hard drive, the EL1300 Series delivers the performance needed to surf the Internet, download photos, stream videos, or manage a music library. Powerful capabilities and rich graphics make it more than capable of handling graphic-rich applications, whether it’s photo heavy multimedia applications, casual gaming or graphic-intensive school or work projects.

The new eMachines E182H wm 18.5-inch widescreen LCD features technology that improves productivity and enhances any viewing experience. The new space-saving design offers both style and functionality. The shiny, bright, all-white display matches the new eMachines desktops, enhancing the look of any home or office, while the widescreen design allows users to view more content or multiple documents.

Offering an excellent visual experience, this new display features 720p high-definition support and a 1366×768 resolution. Users can enjoy the crisp picture quality with a 10,000:1 contrast ratio and fast 5ms response time for viewing quick action movie images. Additionally the 300 cd/m2 brightness further improves the visual performance.

The eMachines E182H wm includes a VGA input for appealing visual quality and is VESA compatible for multiple mounting options, whether on a desk or on the wall. To boost the visual experience of movies and games, the eMachines E182H wm also includes two integrated audio speakers.

Models / Specs / Pricing
eMachines EL1300G-01w Small Form Factor Desktop PC
• AMD Athlon(TM) 2650e (1.6GHz, 512KB L2 cache)
• NVIDIA® GeForce® 6150SE integrated graphics
• 2GB DDR2 memory
• 160GB SATA (7200 RPM) hard drive (1)
• 18x DVD+/-R/RW SuperMulti Drive featuring Labelflash(TM) Technology (2)
• Multi-in-one digital media card reader
• Microsoft® Vista Home Basic
• 9 USB 2.0 ports (5 front / 4 rear)
• USB powered stereo speakers
• PS/2 multi-function keyboard
• Energy Star® compliant
• $298 MSRP

eMachines EL1300G-02w Small Form Factor Desktop PC
• AMD Athlon(TM) 2650e Processor (1.6GHz, 512KB L2 cache)
• NVIDIA® GeForce® 6150SE integrated graphics
• 1GB DDR2 memory
• 160GB SATA II (7200 RPM) hard drive (1)
• 18x DVD+/-R/RW SuperMulti Drive featuring Labelflash(TM) Technology (2)
• Multi-in-one digital media card reader
• Microsoft® Windows XP Home with SP3
• 9 USB 2.0 ports (5 front / 4 rear)
• White 20-inch widescreen LCD with built-in speakers (eMachines E202H wmd)
• PS/2 multi-function keyboard
• Energy Star compliant
• $398 MSRP

eMachines E182H wm Display:
• 18.5″ widescreen viewable TFT active matrix
• 16:9 aspect ratio
• 1366×768 (HD ready) resolution
• CrystalBrite
• Inputs: 1xVGA
• 5 ms response time
• 300 cd/m2 brightness
• 10000:1 (dynamic) contrast ratio
• 170(H) / 160(V) viewing angle
• 16.7M color depth
• Built-in stereo speakers
• 720P HD ready via DVI with HDCP
• Energy Star compliant
• Vista Premium certified
• $119 MSRP

unboxing video after the jump

Today, I have the opportunity to unbox Everex’s new Linux-based desktop. The gPC Mini is powered by the gOS Space operating system, a Linux distro that was built to accommodate MySpace user. As for the unit’s exterior itself, it looks quite similar to Apple’s Mac Mini, and as such quite attractive; however the dimension on gPC mini is a little deeper than Mac Mini. We will be reviewing the unit soon and so, for now, enjoy the unboxing video.

Specification

1.86GHz Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core Mobile Processor T2130 (1MB L2 Cache, 1.86GHz, 533MHz), 120GB Hard Disk Drive, 512MB DDR2 667 SDRAM, DVD+/-RW, Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator GMA950, Realtek ALC268 High-Definition Audio, (1) 10/100/1000 Ethernet Port, (1) DVI-I Port, (1) S-Video Port, (1) IEEE 1394 Port, (4) USB 2.0 Ports, (1) 2-in1 Media Card Reader, (1) Headphone/Line-Out Port, (1) Microphone/Line-In Port. Power adapter and DVI to VGA converter included (keyboard, mouse and display sold separately). gOS Space pre-installed.

Sure, 80GB could store a good number of photos from your cell phone, but with cameras hitting average ranges between 7 and 10 MP for mere point and shoots, well, 80GB is going to get eaten up pretty quick. And if you are a professional, you are probably really hesitant when it comes to deleting digital photos, which is good; you shouldn’t have to, so why make something like this with only 80GB of storage?

Sure, you can get photos from USB, network, CD/DVD, and a plethora of card formats, which is nice, furthermore you can connect this thing to a TV with and HDMI port. You can even make slideshows and manage your photo library from your TV with the included remote, but $400?

I can’t be alone in feeling the sentiment that a basic backup device for all my photos, with a far larger hard drive, would be sufficient, that way, I could connect to this, copy everything over, then connect to my PC and copy everything over to actually work with it, and then I could delete the photos from my camera, keeping it simple, and giving me backup copies of all of the original photos for if my PC goes down or if I really mess up a photo in Photoshop and accidentally save it.

Sony Announces the HDMS-S1D Digital Photo Album [via ohgizmo]

Their new XPC SG33G5B Barebone will give you the groundwork to build a great media PC for your living room or office. It supports all current Core 2 Duo processors, as well as Core 2 Quad. With up to 4GB of DDR 2, you won’t find any bottlenecks at the RAM.

The graphics are powered by the latest Intel G33 Express chipset which features Clear Video technology and HDMI output, for the best possible picture. 7.1 channel surround sound is supplied by the Realtek ALC888DD which supports Dolby Digital Live! And DTS.

The simple black box will easily blend in with the rest of your home theater equipment, so it won’t stand our like a sore thumb. The XPC SG33G5B is available now for around $350.

Japanese PC manufacturer MiniPC recently introduced their new SA800 PC  that makes upgrading as easy as stacking on a new component. Unfortunately, the only components that I have found you can upgrade are the hard disk and optical drive. Essentially nothing that an external USB drive couldn’t fix.

You can get one of these starting at $569, though you can upgrade it for an extra cost. Processors range from Intel Celerons up to Core 2 Duos.

MiniPC spices, er, slices things up [via coolestgadgets]

The Space Cube PC was made by Japanese manufacturer Shimafuji and features a 300MHz processor, 64MB of RAM and 16BMB of flash memory. Don’t expect to be doing a lot of intensive work on this little guy, but at least it has all the ports you’ll need. It has a USB 1.1 port, a VGA port that allows for resolutions up to 1024 x 768, audio in/out, ethernet and even a serial port.

No word on pricing or availability, though I would venture to guess we won’t see it over here in the US any time soon.

Shimafuji’s Space Cube PC measures only two-inches [via pclaunches]

[via wired]

That’s the idea behind this “invisible” PC, they are going for the thought that you won’t be able to even know it’s there. It has a fanless design, so you won’t even hear it working behind your LCD panel.

Unfortunately, this “invisible” PC is not without its downfalls. It is not very powerful with only a 1.5GHz Via Eden processor, so I wouldn’t expect this to replace your desktop anytime soon. They are targeting this more toward the retail industry where space is limited and low-power machines are perfect.

Invisible PC a Sign of Things to Come [via gizmodo]

The miniPC is has a lot of nice features like built-in 802.11n draft wireless, Bluetooth, analog/digital TV and carries the Viiv logo.

Another cool feature about the miniPC from Aopen is that it includes Intel Turbo Memory which is said to decrease the amount of time it takes to boot up and access frequently used applications. I’m curious if it works better than the ReadyBoost feature that doesn’t seem to do much for Windows Vista.

AOpen Unveiled Intel “Santa Rosa”-Based Desktop miniPC [via 64bitcomputing]

The new e2 line from enano comes loaded with Core 2 Duos (not Santa Rosa) which should get you plenty of power from the tiny package. enano is boasting that their e2 line PCs are environment friendly and “95-percent quieter, 80-percent more energy-efficient, 65-percent cooler and take up 75-percent less space than standard desktops.” Honestly, I don’t see how it’s relevant to compare noise and energy consumption between a SFF and a desktop. I’d like to see how it stacks up against a similar computer, like say a Mac mini.

I can tell you how it stacks up to the Mac mini in terms of price. The lowest model of the e2 is going to run you about $150 more than the mini. Who says Macs are more expensive than PCs?

enano rolls out second-gen enviro-friendly Mac Mini competitor [via crave]

They’ve whittled down the contestant list to just a few, and now they are opening the voting to the public. The list includes PC’s from popular manufacturers such as Acer and Elitegroup as well as some smaller companies.

So go cast your vote now, and make your voice heard! The winners will be announced next month at the Intel Developer Forum in Beijing.

Intel puts $1m concept PC contest shortlist to a public vote [via reghardware]

The car PC should pack enough of a punch for the average driver. Look for an Intel Core Duo and 7.1 channel audio and DVI-out. One of the biggest issues with car PC’s is that you generally have to get a special adapter to shut down the PC when the car is turned off. You won’t have to worry about that with this little guy, it’s already built-in.

I enjoy the thought of having a PC in my car, but I honestly can’t think of a good reason for me to have anything other than my laptop in there. I’m sure there are plenty of audiophiles that would get plenty of use out of one of these though.

Shuttle Car PC: A Techier Way to Die [via gizmodo]

Unfortunately, that is pretty much the only notable thing, as the graphics card is an Intel 945GM which is not going to pack much of a punch. Granted, most people won’t be expecting a SFF to do heavy gaming, so that may not be an issue.

With a price starting out at €450 for a barebone, I think there are better offerings out there with more powerful graphics chips.

MiniPC GF800 with dual display [via akihabaranews]

Honestly, I think it’s a bit over-done. At first glance there is just too much going on. I also think that a design such as this would do better on a full ATX case, that way you have more room to add in characters.

Overall, I think it was a good idea, but a bad execution. Maybe the idea will catch on with someone else and they’ll tone it down just a bit.

The new DECORE Manga Shuttle [via akihabaranews]

The A55 stands at 3 inches tall, 12.2 inches wide, and 14.1 inches deep. With this tiny form factor, Lenovo is trying to target schools, medical facilities, and other markets where space is always limited. The A55 is expected to start shipping in February of this year.

Lenovo A55 PC is Smaller Than the Average SFF [via Gizmodo]

Looking at the picture, you can get a feel for the size by looking at how large the VGA and ethernet ports seem. Also, you will notice that those are the only two two ports that are built onto the board. Your other connections will be connected via pin headers, so be prepared to run plenty of cables.It is going to sport a C7 processor running at 1GHz, so it’ll run about anything you’d expect to run off of a system this small.

So once again, VIA is setting the new standard in tiny computing, much to the delight of modders everywhere. Now the only thing left to do is figure out what to put it in.

Via’s incredible shrinking mobo line spawns “pico-ITX” [via LinuxDevices]

Specifications

PROCESSOR
• Intel® Core 2 Duo / Core 2 Extreme / Pentium 4 / Pentium D / Celeron D processor support
• 533/800/1066MHz FSB
• Socket LGA775
CHIPSET
• North Bridge: Intel 975X
• South Bridge: ICH7-R
MEMORY
• (4) 240 pin DDR2 DIMM slots
• 2GB per DIMM (Max 8GB)
• Dual-channel DDR2 533/667 support
• ECC memory support
STORAGE
• (3) SATA 3.0Gb/s
• (1) External SATA 3.0Gb/s
• RAID 0/1/5/10 AHCI support
GRAPHICS
• Dual PCI Express x16
• Optional ATI Radeon X1900GT CrossFire™ Edition
AUDIO
• Intel® High Definition (HD) Audio
• AC ’97 v2.3 compliant
• Analog 7.1 channel output
• Digital S/PDIF in/out
NETWORK
• Broadcom BCM5789
• 10/100/1000Mb/s operation
• Supports Wake-on-LAN function
IEEE1394A
• 400M/200/100Mb/s data transfer rate
ONBOARD CONNECTORS
• (1) 3-pin fan connector
• (3) 4-pin fan connector
• (1) ATX main power connector
• (1) ATX12V power connector
• (1) ATA100 IDE connector
• (3) SATA connectors
• (2) 1×5 pin USB 2.0 header
FRONT PANEL
• (2) USB 2.0 ports
• (1) IEEE 1394 port (Mini)
• (1) Microphone in
• (1) Earphone out
• Power On button
• Reset button
BACK PANEL
• (2) PCI E x16 slots
• (1) IEEE 1394 port
• (1) External SATA port
• (1) RJ45 Gigabit LAN port
• (6) USB 2.0 ports
• (1) Line in connector
• (1) Front out connector
• (1) Side Surround out connector
• (1) Rear Surround out connector
• (1) Center/Bass connector
• (1) Clear CMOS button
• (1) S/PDIF in/out port
• (1) Coaxial S/PDIF out port
• (1) WLAN Hole for PN18 (Optional)
POWER
• 400W PSU with active PFC
• Input: 100 ~ 240V AC
• EMI Certified: FCC, CE, BSMI, C-tick
• Safety Certified: TUV, UL, CB, BSMI
• Power Plug: Region Specific
DIMENSIONS
• 325 (L) x 220 (W) x 210 (H) mm / 12.79″ (L) x 8.66″ (W) x 8.26″ (H) In
• Weight: 3.6 kg / 7.93 lb

Specifications

Intel® Core Duo 1.6Ghz 533Mhz or 2.0Ghz 667Mhz
1GB DDR2 533 (up to 2GB) dual channel
250GB 7200-RPM SATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive
ATI Mobility™ Radeon® X1400 128-bit 4-channel DDR1/DDR2/GDDR3 memory interface
High Definition Audio
Realtek 8110 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
Optional 802.11 a/b/g Wireless LAN
DVD-ROM CD-R/RW Combo Slim slot drive or
Optional DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW Dual layer drive
Optional 802.11 a/b/g Wireless LAN
Integrated 4-in-1 card reader (SD/MMC/MS/MS-pro)
Energy Star compliant computer
Windows Vista Capable

Product page [Shuttle X100]