Shuttle is a name that is synonymous with Small Form-Factor (SFF) computers. Since the introduction of the Shuttle SV24 XPC in 2000, many users have had a love-hate relationship with the brand. Enthusiasts cringed at the thought of having so little space to work around with whilst others simply fell in love with the small footprint of their XPC's. Certainly, Shuttle has gone a long way since the days of the XPC. Rather than focusing purely on shrinking computers, they've also worked on the aesthetics of their XPC's. After all, how many times have we been delighted with the opportunity to build the next monster computing rig only to have all hopes dashed by significant others point at an XPC and say "That's so cute!" or "I'm not going to have a monster in the bedroom, I think that's just what we need." And what of those times when a buddy calls up and says he wants to buy that new Shuttle DVD player thingy?

The unassuming package that arrive in our lair is no exception to that. Unlike the previous incarnations that most people would associate with the brand, this unit does not offer integrated graphics nor is it as limited as that Acer drink can in terms of expansion and connectivity. This, is the Shuttle SP35P2 Pro falling under the new Prima series from Shuttle.

 Whilst XPC's have traditionally been viewed as computers meant for home theater and office applications, the Prima series is Shuttle's attempt to break out of  the stereotype. Whilst the elegant facade remains, gone are the integrated graphics and high internal temperatures. What the SP35P2 offers instead is Intel's P35 Express chipset and heatpipe cooling that has proven to be very popular on performance motherboards.

Indeed, the Prima series from Shuttle is touted as a performance XPC line catering to enthusiasts who more often than not, have found themselves arm-twisted into buying what would have been a lesser machine. Amongst other features, a Marvell gigabit ethernet controller rather than a cheapish Realtek 10/ 100 unit or wireless lan offers high speed networking capabilities for those times that you feel bloodthirsty at the lan party or when you need to do some *ahem* leeching *ahem*.

If squeezing 3 harddisk drives into the unit isn't enough, the Shuttle offers 2 e-Sata ports integrated into the rear I/O shield for storage expansion as well. Less I bore you with the new features all at once,  lets stop here and take a look at the Basic Specifications before we move on to the pictures bearing more of the features that come with this unit. After all, didn't someone say that a picture speaks a thousand words?