Hardware Shuttle X27-D Atom dual-core barebones SFF

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2009/01/15/shuttle-x27-d-atom-dual-core-sff-review/1

Shuttle, the industry's renowned small form factor barebones specialist, has taken Intel's latest dual-core Atom CPU and used the mini-ITX form factor to create what seems like a match made in heaven. We put this teeny beast through the paces to see if it makes the perfect mini-PC.

 

lol @ works written on the side of the ram

 

Exactly what I was thinking haha.

As always, a very nice review guys, congratz.

I like the Shuttle PCs, you get what you pay for in a very small size. For someone who doesn't want to fiddle with a HTPC some of their bigger options are perfect.

 

i cant help but get the feeling that the atom shouldnt be used in someth9ing that big

it is crying out for nvidia to release the ion

 

If could find a case like that somewhere I would be happy! Nice review as always, but I wouldny buy the machine for that price as the eee box is only 299€ around here and looks much better imho

 

This kind of thing would be perfect for my Dad except I really do like the idea of mounting something on the back of a nice 20 inch widescreen.

 

The EeeBox is a lot noisier and restrictive in its hardware options though.

 

Thats the downside of it. On the other hand I couldnt justify more computers anyway as my room already looks like a hardware dump

 

WTB an atom mobo with 2/3 NICs for a firewall!

 

You want to try Jetway IPC boards.

 

Aren't those pretty expensive, it's been a while since I looked at embedded firewall apps.

Oh is there a mistake on the audio page? One chart has the Gigabyte listed in two columns.

 

Fixed the audio page, thanks.

They might be expensive, but you're looking at a very unique motherboard. Either that or buy PCI-E cards and a normal motherboard.

 

Might be interesting for some sort of Car PC implementation.

 

Fixed, ta.

I'll wait for the next rev. Intel945 is poo.

 

Looks quite nice...
I've still got my trusty SN41 G2 running XP in the conservatory. Makes a good little internet 'pooter.

BTW, what's with the reflection in this pic? You crazy kids!

 

Think i'll wait for the chipset to mature abit too.

 

It looks like vault-boy from fallout

 

On the video an audio encoding page, under the mp3 encoding section, you say, "naturally, the Intel compiler resulted in some performance increases on Intel's processors," but then in the conclusion of the section, you say, "Strangely, both the Intel Atom boards perform better when using the Microsoft optimised compiler of LAME MT and not the Intel one."

Should the first sentence say "...should result in some performance increases..."?

Other than that, great review, though I'd still go with the AMD setup if I wasn't in a power-restricted environment.

 

amd option seems better option alot more options for maybe £50-£100 more (the IGP i think offered there has hardware acceleration not that it matters as most of us use xvids or x264 or h264 {not sure if h264 can be video hardware accelerated if not need an 2ghz CPU to keep up })

 

I think the 'barebones' factor alone wins pretty big here though. Just plug in a HDD and some RAM?! Sign me up! I'm seriously considering getting one of these.