Gizmodo: small form factor

Asus EeeBox EB1501 Nettop: DVD Slot Drive, Ion Graphics, and 1080p HDMI

Danny Allen — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 07:16:31 EDT

Wow, this could be my fallback plan for a lightweight entertainment PC if the Eee Keyboard ends up sucking. The EB1501 is the first EeeBox with an optical drive, Windows 7, and a classy new design.

Otherwise, its specs are the same as the recent EeeBox EB1012. That means dual-core Atom N330 processor, 2GB of DDR2-800 RAM (expandable to 4GB), 250GB hard disk, and Nvidia Ion graphics.

The optical drive is only a DVD-RW, but I can use my PlayStation for Blu-ray. Otherwise, the EB1501 can pretty much connect to anything and everything: it's got 802.11n Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet, 6 USB 2.0 ports, an SD card reader, and an eSATA connection for external hard disks. An S/PDIF connection also gives you 5.1 audio.

What a crazy little box. We're still waiting on U.S. pricing and availability, but it's expected to be €399 ($580) in Europe, and should arrive around October 22—when Windows 7 arrives. [Asus]

Asus EeeBox EB1012 Has Ion Graphics, 1080p HDMI Output

Danny Allen — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 06:04:00 EDT

We heard an updated EeeBox was coming, and now what could be a killer entertainment PC is up on Asus USA's site. The EB1012 packs an Atom N330 processor, 250GB hard disk, 2GB RAM, Gigabit Ethernet, and 802.11n Wi-Fi.

Like the first EeeBox PC, the EB1012 is super compact (222mm x 178mm x26.9mm), and Asus claims its Nvidia MCP7A Ion graphics and HDMI output will allow full 1080p playback.

Also useful: a 5.1 S/PDIF audio connection, built-in multi-card reader (including SDHC), plus 4 USB slots, and one single eSATA port to connect your external hard drive.

It'll be available in black or white, but Asus hasn't listed any pricing or release details yet. Can't be too long now, though…[Asus via Engadget]

Lenovo IdeaCentre Q700 Wants To Be Your Lounge Room's Black Box

Danny Allen — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 10:07:10 EDT

The Q700 looks like a nettop, but has a little more balls thanks to a 2.5GHz Pentium Dual-Core E5200. Top specs include a TV tuner, HDMI, 4GB RAM, 1TB hard disk, and Intel GMA X4500 graphics. Prices start from $499.

About the size of a DVD player, the compact HTPC sits either horizontally or vertically (with stand), and has a metal liner to shield against electromagnetic radiation. Lenovo also says it'll support 1080p.

On the front you'll find a slot-loading DVD writer, four-in-one media card reader (SD/MMC/MS/MS Pro), four USB 2.0 ports, plus microphone and headphone jacks.

One the back: eSATA and HDMI connections (nice!), VGA, four further USB 2.0 ports, and a variety of audio connections, including S/PDIF-out. Ethernet is standard, while options include 802.11g Wi-Fi, the TV tuner, and various flavors of Windows Vista. [Lenovo via Nexus404]

Cybernet ZPC-GX31, a PC in a Keyboard-Sized Case

Kit Eaton — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:41:47 EDT

Ok, we understand that a small form-factor PC like Cybernet's ZPC GX31 would really suit some user's needs: on a cramped shop counter-top perhaps. We even kinda admire that this gizmo squeezes in a full PC (up to Core 2 Quad CPU, Intel graphics, optical drive, HDD, up to 4GB RAM) and standard I/O ports into a "zero footprint" box that's like a chunky keyboard. Hell, it even has a touchpad and memory card slots. But we wonder: surely the world has moved on from Commodore 64-like design? Yuck, yuckity yuck. If it actually floats your boat, it's fully customizable and costs from $699 to $1099. [Cybernetman via Chipchick]

Antec Minuet 300 Case

Travis Hudson — Mon, 03 Apr 2006 15:59:05 EDT

Antec has released their latest case, the Minuet 300, to cater to those micro-computer lovers. This case supports both AMD and Intel CPUs in a micro ATX form factor motherboard. It is able to stand vertically or lay horizontally and even includes 300W ATX power supply. There is also an upgraded cooling system to accommodate for the common heating problems related to small-form-factor PCs. This case is available for $89.95.

Basketball PCs

gizmogo — Thu, 28 Jul 2005 10:05:33 EDT

The only sport I'm interested in is mass slam-dunking spam email into the proverbial black hole. I'm sure, however, there are people out there that actually like playing sports. If you're one such individual, this line of basketball-style PCs from Style Gate may just be for you. They also come in soccer and American football varieties if basketball isn't your game. PC specs: USB 2.0, Firewire, Ethernet, plus bonus features like S-video out, standard, but due to their dinky size, don't expect much in terms of expandability. Not that any of this matters to the aficianado who wants to show off his dedication to the sport, computer-style.

There doesn't seem to be any pricing information on the site, and no word on the release dates, if any.

Style Gate: About Sport-Basketball [Style Gate]