Easy HTPC

Small form factor computers have been growing in popularity recently with the introduction of Atom-based nettops. These low cost systems have proven very compelling options for consumers with budget and space constraints, but for the most part are limited to basic computing tasks such as web browsing, document processing and some audio / video playback.

If you are fond of the small footprint but not the low-end specs, however, you might be interested in Fujitsu’s latest addition to the Esprimo Q series. Dubbed Q1500, the top of the range model that was recently shown off at Germany’s IFA trade show sports a 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T9600 processor, 320GB Western Digital hard drive and 4GB of DDR2 RAM. Also inside were a Blu-ray optical drive and an accompanying HDMI port, making this 50mm tall system an ideal out of the box HTPC that uses a mere 19 watts of power when idle.

Intel’s GMA 4500HD graphics chip and Gigabit Ethernet complete the specification, with 802.11b/g/n wireless cards and Bluetooth available as optional extras. Although pricing for the model on display was not disclosed, Fujitsu said cut-down versions of the Q1500 will start at a rather pricey 699€ (about $1,000).

via Fujitsu unveils Blu-ray and Core 2 Duo packing mini PC – TechSpot News

The Korean company Moneual has an ultra-compact mini-PC. The MiNew A10 is only 20 x 21.5 x 7cm, and can be powered up by either an Intel Atom 230 or 330 platform. The diminutive PC has 160GB HDD and 1GB RAM. The HTPC was designed for use with a TV and has a suggested price of 400,000 KRW (~$312.00.) We are thinking that at the rate the new minis are coming out, desktops may soon become dinosaurs.

Via Gearlive.com

Via introduced this week a new piece of hardware aimed at media centers. The VB8002 board relies on the Nano processor and is based on the Mini-ITX form factor, weighting in at a minuscule 17cm x 17cm. The 1.6GHz CPU and CX700M2 chipset are intended to be a somewhat higher performance media center. To that end, the platform also includes integrated Via Vinyl 7.1 sound, RCA, DVI and S-Video output.

The board joins numerous others Via currently has in the mini-ITX market, which has come under increasing pressure following the release of the Atom. Though most vendors are still using the Atom primarily in mobiles, this year is expected to see many new nettops and other low-power, small sized “desktop” machines based on the Atom or Nvidia’s Ion - both of which could threaten Via’s stronghold in this market.

Via Techspot.com

Intel’s mainstay Netbook chip is finding a home in desktops, underscored by recent announcements from Hewlett-Packard and Acer.

On Wednesday, details emerged of HP’s MediaSmart Server LX195, a home server packing a 1.6GHz Atom 230 processorthat’s priced at $400 with 1GB of memory and a 640GB hard disk drive. To date, HP has been using Intel Celeron and Advanced Micro Devices’ Sempron processors. (Note: update adds Intel Celeron.)

Earlier this month, Acer rolled out the Acer AspireRevo, a small, slick box that augments the Atom with an Nvidia Ion chipset to boost graphics performance. This is expected to be priced well under $300 for some models.

Asus was one of the first to bring out a head-swiveling Atom-based desktop–the Eee Box, which has been updated recently with ATI graphics.

By design, Atom is a more power-frugal and, as a result, a slower processor than Intel’s mainstream Core 2 chip architecture. HP, for example, markets its MediaSmart server as a storage hub, which typically doesn’t require much processing punch. And Atom is cheap–the Atom 230 is $29, whereas comparative Celeron chips are about $34 but draw much more power. And mainstream Core 2 Duo desktop processors start at about $110.

Intel has long maintained that Atom has a place in so-called Nettops and, last year, brought out the dual-core Atom 330 specifically for this market.

This strategy was validated this week in Taipei, where motherboard maker ASRock was showing a desktop with a dual-core Atom 330 processor and an Nvidia Ion chipset. Asus is also expected to update the Eee Box line with a dual-core Atom processor.

Via Cnet.com

EeeBox B208 may be the ideal small form factory HTPC

The netbook ushered in the era of low coastultra-portable notebooks for the masses and many consumers have jumped on the bandwagon. After the massive sales that netbooks were able to generate, manufacturers like ASUS starting putting the cheap netbook hardware inside machines meant for the desktop in an effort to create small form factor systems for desktop users.

While the nettop systems haven’t proved to be that popular with consumers, one place where a properly configured nettop could do very well is as an HTPC. The catch is that a HTPC connected to a big screen is typically expected to output HD video. ASUS is set to launch a new EeeBox PC B208 coming in June that will not only offer HD capability, but will feature discrete graphics and HDMI-out reports Engadget.

ASUS offers some specs for the B208 on its website and the device is similar to the otherEeeBox nettops with HD capability DailyTechcovered in December 2008. The B208 runs an Intel Atom 330 CPU and offers 2GB of RAM. With 2GB of RAM, the machine uses Windows Vista Home Basic rather than Windows XP. Storage for the machine ranges from 160GB to 320GB and graphics are via ATI Radeon HD 4530. Wi-Fi is integrated along with a memory card reader and Bluetooth. Outputs include HDMI and DVI-D with an adapter. The little HTPC also features S/PDIF out.

ASUS ships the machine with a multimedia remote control for operation for the comfort of the couch. The power supply for the machine is a 36-watt unit and ASUS claims that the computeremits only 26dB of sound.

Engadget expects the machine to retail for around $500.

Via Dailytech.com

We’ve been waiting with baited breath for the first Ion-based computers to start trickling out.  First out of the gate was Acer, with their Revo nettops, and now component maker Zotac is looking to get in on the action with a new dual-core Ion motherboard.

The fanless design manages to incorporate just about everything in a board that’s only 6.5 inches on a side.  The stand out additions include two RAM slots, HDMI, three SATA ports and integrated wireless internet.  Given Zotac’s history of developing some pretty solid little boards to enthusiasts and DIY computer builders, this might just be the first board available for system builders to integrate into their setups.  It would be a brilliant little board to use in HTPC setups; just connect power and HDMI and you’re up and running.

The only downside to the new products is pricing; according to the product announcement, the version with the dual-core 330 chip will run the equivalent of 300USD while the single-core N270 will cost the equivalent of 200USD.  Hopefully we’ll see these prices drop by the time this product makes it way over here.

Via Engadget.com

It wasn’t so long ago that if you wanted a HTPC, the best you could hope for was a computer roughly the size of your average cable box and a bit thicker. Today there are a number of very small and thin HTPC systems available that are sized more like a Nintendo Wii.

Shuttle has announced a new machine, that is larger than the Wii for sure, but still compact enough to fit into an entertainment center or onto your desk called the X270V nettop. The little machine is designed to run openSUSE Linux and features an Intel Atom processor.

The machine uses the dual-core Atom 330 CPU at 1.6GHz and supports hyperthreading. The board has a single DDR2 DIMM supporting up to 2GB of RAM. Other features include HD 6-channel audio and support for a single 2.5-inch HDD. A slim DVD burner is optional with the system and DVI video out is featured. The PSU for the system is a 60W unit.

Read.

Via Slipperybrick.com

It was way back in December 2008 that NVIDIA began to tout its ION platform as the basis to the world’s smallest, premium, visual computing PC.

Fast forward some four months, and we’re almost all aware of what ION has to offer. Bringing the power of a GeForce 9400M IGP to a Pico-ITX platform that supports Intel’s Atom processor, ION should, in theory, open the flood gates to low-power systems that can handle modest 3D gaming and decode high-def content without breaking a sweat.

Sounds like the perfect netbook, nettop or HTPC, but if you’re not already convinced by NVIDIA’s hyperbole, it’s now getting many of the industry’s biggest names to chime in.

Here’s what the likes Microsoft, Electronic Arts and Google have to say:

“Providing superior performance for one of the fastest growing market segments makes NVIDIA ION a winner. Consumers today want less expensive PCs with more capabilities, which is exactly what ION delivers. Users can suddenly do more with their systems, and developers benefit from an expanding market. It’s a win-win for the entire industry,” says Jim McGregor, chief technology strategist at analyst firm In-Stat.

“ION enables consumers with new mini-notebook and small desktop systems to access and play a larger library of Windows games, creating incredible opportunity and access for all gamers,” adds Corey Rosemond, group manager, Microsoft Games for Windows program.

“New affordable and powerful PC hardware like ION is going to change the landscape of PC gaming. This new mass-market target audience is a perfect match for Battlefield Heroes,” said Ben Cousins, executive producer at DICE, a division of Electronic Arts.

“NVIDIA and Google will bring the Earth into view for millions of new users. We’re really impressed with how well Google Earth will run on affordable PCs powered by ION graphics processors. It will raise the industry standard for entry-level graphics,” says Stefan Kuhne, Google Earth software engineer.

We’re already eagerly anticipating the ION platform, and NVIDIA’s telling us that ION-based systems will be arriving in the second quarter of 2009 – that could mean any minute now. (Thanks to pauldarkside for the heads up!)

Via Hexus.net