Barebones & SFF

26 October 2006 - Shuttle announced today that XPC systems are now Energy Star compliant. With Energy Star compliance, Shuttle XPC systems consume 70% less electricity than comparable non-Energy Star compliant systems. Shuttle Energy star compliant systems include the XPC M2000 with Intel Viiv technology, the extremely small XPC X100 at 2 inches tall, G5 3600 multimedia system and value level XPC T3100 with its low cost and easy maintenance. Additionally, Shuttle XPC PC2 2700 and XPC P2 3700 systems deliver dual-core processor technology and bleeding edge performance while maintaining Energy Star compliance.

3 August 2006 - It's been a while since we've last taken a look at Shuttle's SFF (Small Form Factor) XPC's offering. The XPC's still keeping up with the latest platforms, so shall we not look at Shuttle's XPC SN27P2 based on the rather new AMD AM2 platform? No benchmark numbers but a tonne of sweet pictures to share with you.

3 March 2006 - Engadget has more insights about Microsoft's Origami project, revolving around small palm held based devices, running full fledged Windows XP. Apparently, they've reported that these devices runs off Windows XP Tablet edition, and looks something like the picture above. We've learned a little more about Microsoft's Origami Project, and as always, we're here to share. After this morning's HTML source confirmation that Origami will indeed be a "Mobile PC running Windows XP," we have one more detail to add: our sources confirm that Origami will run XP Tablet PC Edition. A minor distinction, perhaps. But let's not forget that it wasn't very long ago that Microsoft refused to grant Tablet licenses to PC makers whose boxes had specs not dissimilar to those rumored to be planned for Origami. What else have we learned? Well, we don't mean to disappoint those of you who've become enamored of the box you've been peeping in the Origami video, but according to our sources, the actual device will look more like the basic black box that Microsoft showed off at WinHEC last year (pictured above). We don't necessarily consider that a bad thing, though we will be curious to see how well we can work with a machine with virtually no hardware controls. One thing is certain: we'd better carry around a supply of tissues to wipe off all the fingerprints. Maybe the first Origami accessory should a swanky leather carrying case for us to put them in."

28 February 2006 - Microsoft had an "Origami" project exposed to public a few days ago, showing the a tablet like device that double up as a PDA and a portable entertainment system. This device that's exposed, is actually an early version of Intel's latest Ultra Portable Mobile PC (UMPC). This device definitely would rival many lifestyle entertainment products already in the market, like Apple's iPod Video, Sony's Playstation Portable. Read more here.

4 December 2005 - Fancy a near-silent Small Form Factor that consumes minimal power? We present to you the Shuttle SD11G5, based on the Pentium M platform and with only ONE 92mm fan running in the system, you can be pretty sure that this system is dead silent!

8 October 2005 - Courtesy of Storage Studio, the Sim Lim Square Retail shop where you can catch glimpses of very unique and niche products, we got to play with a very special PC product... a fully configured IWILL ZMax d2. Now, what exactly is an IWILL ZMax d2? Essentially, it is IWILL's successor to the ground-breaking ZMAXdp, the world's first dual CPU small form factor (SFF) system. And as if dual processors aren't pushing it, it supports SLI for dual video cards operation...

21 September 2005 - With the success of iDEQ 350G launched earlier this year, Biostar today proudly introduce iDEQ 330N mini PC system, the integrated multimedia platform for mainstream target. The iDEQ 330N also adopts the creative technology as iDEQ 3xx series in mechanical designs. Not a single screw is needed; the chassis can open upward together with the front panel, looks like a shark stretches out its big jaw. It makes users more easily to install many components into a mini system while an open space is available for installation. iDEQ 330N not only supports 8.2-channel audio, Gigabit-LAN, it is also equipped with extra mini PCI slot, 7-in-1 card reader, 2 Serial ATA 3Gb/s channel with RAID function, 6 USB2.0 connectors (2 on the front) for the maximum expansion, storage and connectivity. The iDEQ 330N will be available in October, 2005.

8 September 2005 - Shuttle is proud to announce the immediate availability of XPC Tools, a powerful yet easy to use system management utility, designed exclusively for the XPC. XPC Tools enables XPC users to monitor, in real-time, system performance and thermal characteristics, and to adjust the XPC’s Smart Fan features accordingly. XPC Tools also adds features to XPC systems with Shuttle’s Versatile Front-panel Display accessory, allowing users to configure it to show a range of useful information including system temperatures, fan speeds, and even a customizable message. XPC Tools is offered free to XPC owners around the world. More information can be found on the XPC Tools website

24 October 2006 - AOpen is now adding XC Cube EZ945(C) as a new member to XC Cube series. XC Cube EZ945(C) supports the latest Intel Core™ 2 Duo (Conroe) CPU within its compact size, outstanding thermal and silent technologies that will provide the best 64bit processing performance! And if install the in coming Microsoft® Windows Vista™ operation system, it will fully burst out all 64bit processing ability! XC Cube EZ945(C) built-in a 1GB/Sec ultra-high speed LAN connection, four SATA2, eight USB 2.0, three IEEE1394 ports, one PCI-E x16 and one PCI slots for future expending needs. Meanwhile, XC Cube EZ945(C) also supports 7.1ch surround sound output, built-in Intel GMA950 graphic engine and a video output card as an optional to offer high definition and solution HDTV signal for best audio and video enjoyment.

14 July 2006 - More powerfull than a Mac Mini, More beatifull than a Mac Mini, more desirable than a Mac Mini, the XPC X100 from Shuttle will be soon in Japan and soon mine! For those hidden in a dark cave for the last past months, here you are the basic of this little wonder: Core Duo T2400 (1.83GHz), Mobility Radeon X1400 (128Mb), 250GB of SATA HDD, 512MB of RAM (Max 2GB), DVI & S-VIDEO, Wifi a/b/g...

1 March 2006 - Engadget has news about VoodooPC's plans to create a HTPC with whopping 8 Terabyte of storage space under it's hood. Yes, it's a HTPC we are talking about, and not some large bulking data server: "When we heard that VoodooPC was planning a media PC with 16 drive bays and a maximum capacity of 8 terabytes, our first thought wasn't, "what are we going to do with all that space?" No, it was, "what, only 8TB?" After all, if you've got 16 bays, why not put a full TB in each one, instead of a measly 500GB (which is the total capacity of Voodoo's current media PC, the Aria, pictured)? Especially if this is going to be a media PC designed for HD? Regardless, Voodoo apparently plans to release the PC around the same time Windows Vista hits the market, which means it'll presumably come with Vista Home Premium, the version that includes the media features currently in Windows XP MCE. At this point, Voodoo says the box will come out later this year, though, of course, Vista delays could slow that timeline. Which is fine with us, since we're going to need a little time to save the $8,000 this bad boy is expected to cost."

23 February 2006 - Shuttle has today launched 2 new XPC Barebone products: the XPC SD36G5M for Intel processors and the XPC SN21G5 for AMD. The XPC SD36G5M and XPC SN21G5 retain the look and feel of successful XPC products from previous years: both are based upon Shuttle’s G5 chassis, generally regarded as the company’s most stylish and refined design; (and one if the smallest) and both are compatible with standard PC components making them easy to assemble and upgrade. Depending on local markets the XPC SD36G5M and XPC SN21G5 are expected to be available in stores in 3 to 4 weeks.

12 October 2005 - Shuttle today launch a new product to redefine what users expect from a silent PC. To bring silent PC to the mainstream, Shuttle designers followed one well known rule, KISS (Keep it simple, Stupid) aiming for a silent PC solution that simply delivers, even to users new to this enthusiast group. The distinctive white XPC SD11G5 barebone will be available soon in all regions.

28 September 2005 - Shuttle has today released final details of its much anticipated gaming barebone, the XPC SN26P. Previewed by a number of hardware review websites and magazines earlier in the year, the XPC SN26P has, even before today’s launch, earned itself numerous awards including “Most Innovative Product” awards from websites HardwareZone and VR-Zone. The barebone has been approved to be compatible with NVIDIA GeForce 7 series graphics cards in SLI configuration, a list of compatible cards is available on the Shuttle website. The barebone will not require the specially designed SLI heat-pipe cooler as seen in prerelease models.The XPC SN26P has begun shipping around the world and should be available in stores in less than one week.

16 September 2005 - AOpen presents its latest 64-bit XC Cube platform, a PC featuring powerful audio and video capabilities - EX761, today. EX761, which has a 754-pin socket and supports AMD Athlon 64 and Sempron CPUs, is one of the first generation of Cube PCs which can run 64-bit Windows XP operating system. EX761 is also designed to support strong gaming features. The DirectX9 compliant system is built with integrated 3D gaming logic, a Mirage graphics core, 256-bit 3D acceleration engine, which has an extremely high bandwidth of 3.2GB per second. EX761 is built with a unique and proprietary CPU cooler which contains heat dissipation liquid inside the heat pipe and supports better thermal performance.

1 September 2005 - Today, VR-Zone will be taking a look at one of the latest small form offerings from Shuttle, the Shuttle SD31P. Featuring the latest Intel 945P Express Chipset supporting the Dual Core Pentium D from Intel, enthusiasts will love this power packed little monster.