| Nettop taps Ion 2 GPU |
Mar. 11, 2010
 Shuttle announced a Barebone XS35 nettop equipped with a dual-core Intel Atom D510, and Nvidia Ion 2 graphics. Meanwhile NewEgg is selling a Linux-equipped Eee Box B202 nettop for only $189, and the Eee PC-oriented Eeebuntu distro is moving from Ubuntu to Debian with EB 4.0.
The Shuttle Barebone XS35 is equipped with two freshly minted processors: Intel's dual-core Atom D510 CPU, clocked at 1.66GHz (combined with an Intel NM10 controller chipset), and Nvidia's second-generation Ion 2 graphics processing unit (GPU). The latter is incorporated on an Nvidia GT218 graphics card, which supports streaming 3D and video playback, says Shuttle.
Announced in December, but without much detail, the Ion 2 appears to be very similar to the original Ion GPU, but is optimized for Intel's "Pineview" processors, including the D510. The original Ion supported DDR3 memory interfaces with frontside bus speeds of up to 1066MHz. Graphically, Ion is touted as supporting DirectX 10, offering resolutions up to 2560 x 1600 pixels, providing 1080p HD video playback, and delivering HDMI, VGA, DisplayPort, and dual-link DVI video outputs.
Shuttle Barebone XS35 with optical drive open
(Click to enlarge)
Shuttle had relatively few details on the new XS35 mini-PC, but noted that it is only 3 centimeters thick (about 1.18 inches). The system offers a VESA mounting interface, enabling it to attach to the back of a flat panel display. The XS35 is further equipped with an Ethernet port, five USB ports, an HDMI port, VGA out, and audio connections, says the company.
Shuttle Barebone XS35
Storage features are said to include a multi-format card reader, a 2.5-inch hard disk drive (HDD), and an optical slimline drive, says Shuttle. The XS35 is passively cooled, "and therefore practically noiseless," according to the company. The device is also said to be protected against theft with a Kensington lock. Operating system support was not mentioned.
Shuttle recently introduced another ultra-thin PC that runs on the Atom D510, called the X5012. An all-in-one design equipped with a 15.6-inch touchscreen, the X5012 lacks Ion-based graphics. Although like the XS35, it ships without an operating system, listed compatibility is limited to Windows.
Several other Shuttle nettops have supported Linux, however. For example, last April, the company started shipping its mini-ITX based Barebone X27 design running OpenSUSE Linux. The X27 is equipped with a dual-core Intel Atom 330, clocked at 1.6GHz, with 1GB DDR2 memory, and offers gigabit Ethernet and USB connectivity.
The Intel Atom D510/Ion 2 combination is also offered in the new Zotac Zbox HD-ID11, which ships without an operating system. The Zbox HD-ID11 includes both HDMI and dual-link DVI graphics outputs, wired and wireless networking, six USB 2.0 ports, an eSATA port, and a bay for a 2.5-inch HDD.
Linux-ready Asus Eee Box sells for $189
Someone looking for a more modest, low-cost nettop that runs Linux may want to check out NewEgg, which has dropped the price of an Eee Box EBXB202 to $189 with a $30 rebate. The compact PC appears to be very similar to the Asus Eee Box B204 that was announced back in December 2008.
Eee Box EBXB202
Like the original, the 8.2 x 7.0 x 1.1-inch B202 runs on an Atom N270, and offers 1GB of DDR2 RAM, Intel GMA950 graphics, and a 160GB HDD. The system is sold by NewEgg with Red Flag Linux, although it is unclear if this is the new Moblin-based version or an earlier version. Further specs cited on the Asus site, which also lists Windows support, include a gigabit Ethernet port, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, an SD slot, four USB ports, audio I/O, and DVI out.
Eeebuntu goes to 4.0 beta
One of the customer reviews on NewEgg notes that the Eee Box B202 system was fairly slow, and recommends swapping out Red Flag Linux for Eeebuntu. This Ubuntu-based distro has grown in popularity as an alternative install for Asus Eee PC netbooks and Eee Box systems. Typically, it's used as an alternative to Windows, which, with a few exceptions such as the B202, is the only OS you get from Asus these days.
Eeebuntu.org recently announced the release of a beta of an EB 4.0 version, which switches from an Ubuntu core to Debian Stable. The somewhat controversial switch will provide greater stability as well as greater flexibility in application choices and updates, says the group. EB 4.0 also moves to a minimum platform of 2GB of memory and a 512GB hard drive. Sadly, this would seem to put it out of reach of the lowly Eee Box B202.
Availability
The Shuttle Barebone XS35 will be available in stores in the second quarter, with pricing yet to be determined, says Shuttle. More information should eventually appear on Shuttle's Barebone page, here.
The Asus Eee Box EBXB202 is on sale at NewEgg for $189 with a $30 rebate, here. The Asus page for the computer may be found here .
The EB 4.0 beta is available for download at Eeebuntu.org, here.
-- Eric Brown
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