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        Nettop moves to dual-core Atom

        Eric Brown | Date: Apr 17, 2009 | Comments: 1


        Shuttle Incorporated is shipping a "nettop" mini-PC built upon its mini-ITX based "X27" design and running Windows Vista. The X2700B (pictured) moves up to a dual-core Intel Atom 330 processor, clocked at 1.6GHz, with 1GB DDR2, and offers gigabit Ethernet and USB connectivity, the company says.



        (Click here for a larger view of Shuttle's X2700B)

        Shuttle announced its "bare bones" X27 nettop last August, equipped with a single-core Atom 230 processor, and claiming 38 Watt power consumption using a passive cooling system. The X2700B and an almost identical Linux version, the X270V, instead move up to the newer dual-core Atom 330 clocked to 1.6GHz, along with the same Intel 945GC + ICH7 Express chipset used by the X27.


        Shuttle X2700B

        Shuttle does not list the power consumption for the new models, but the Atom 330 is said to have a TDP of eight Watts, enabling Shuttle to continue using the same "almost fanless" passively cooled design used by the X27. The X270V is said to be equipped with the same 60W AC adapter.

        The nettop has a single SODIMM slot that is equipped with 1GB of memory, but accepts up to 2GB, says Shuttle. Like the X27, the device measures 9.85 x 7.3 x 2.75 inches. Additional features include a gigabit Ethernet port, four rear-panel and two front-panel USB ports, plus PS/2 connectors for keyboard and mouse, mic in, and line in/out.


        Shuttle X2700B (rear view)

        Building upon the X27's "barebone" configuration, the X2700B fills one of the two empty bays with a 2.5-inch, 160GB hard disk drive (HDD). Shuttle equips the nettop with the Windows Vista Home Basic operating system.

        Features and specifications listed by Shuttle for the X2700B include:
        • Processor -- Intel Atom 330 with dual cores clocked at 1.6GHz; 533MHz FSB; TDP 8 Watts
        • Cache -- 2 x 512KB L2 cache
        • Chipset -- Intel 945GC + ICH7 Express Chipset with Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
        • Memory -- 1GB of DDR2-800 memory, expandable to 2GB
        • Expansion -- PCIe expansion slot
        • Display -- Outputs to DVI
        • Storage -- 2.5-inch 160GB SATA HDD; bay for 5.25-inch optional DVD burner optical drive
        • Networking -- 1 x gigabit Ethernet port, with RJ45 connector
        • Other I/O:
          • 1 x VGA
          • 1 x serial
          • 6 x USB 2.0
          • 2 x SATA
          • 1 x IDE
        • Audio:
          • Realtek ALC 662 6-channel 5:1 High Definition Audio
          • 1 x mic in
          • 1 x line in
          • 1 x line out
        • Dimensions -- 9.85 x 7.3 x 2.75 inches (25 x 18.5 x 7 cm)
        • Power requirements -- 60W AC adapter
        • Operating system -- Windows Vista Home Basic
        Availability

        The X2700B appears to be available now, starting at 394 Euros (roughly $514). The Linux-based X270V costs 299 Euros (about $390 US), says Shuttle. More information may be found here.


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