What's a good desktop box?
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I'm planning on replacing my development machine when Win 7 comes out. I'm now running a Shuttle G6, but Shuttle's quality has really slid in the past several years, and I'm looking to make a change. I'm running a dual monitor setup, and I'd like to find a compact, desktop model, rather than a tower--something the size of a Shuttle or smaller, that will run two monitors. Several manufacturers offer 'slimline' models that are designed to sit on the end of a desk or workstation. That's what I'm looking for. so, what would you suggest as a good machine that fits that form factor and isn't particularly expensive? Thanks!
David Veeneman www.veeneman.com
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I'm planning on replacing my development machine when Win 7 comes out. I'm now running a Shuttle G6, but Shuttle's quality has really slid in the past several years, and I'm looking to make a change. I'm running a dual monitor setup, and I'd like to find a compact, desktop model, rather than a tower--something the size of a Shuttle or smaller, that will run two monitors. Several manufacturers offer 'slimline' models that are designed to sit on the end of a desk or workstation. That's what I'm looking for. so, what would you suggest as a good machine that fits that form factor and isn't particularly expensive? Thanks!
David Veeneman www.veeneman.com
It really depends on what you are going to do with the machine. Dual-screen probably means you're developing and/or running office apps on it. In that case, the cheaper Intel Atom desktops won't be able to cut it. They can be had for 300 EUR and are suitable for internet surfing and basic office use, but not for games and CPU-heavy apps. The Via Nano and Nvidia Ion series are a _little_ higher end, but any Core2Duo will beat those anyway. I'd check out a few barebones, but the only manufacturer coming to mind is Shuttle - which you want to avoid. Hmm. You could check out the Mini-ITX-boards the web has to offer, as well as the corresponding cases.
Cheers, Sebastian -- "If it was two men, the non-driver would have challenged the driver to simply crash through the gates. The macho image thing, you know." - Marc Clifton