Shuttle launches XPC X200 mini PC, goes Core 2 Duo

While tossing an Intel Core 2 Duo chip into last year's rig isn't enough to impress anyone anymore, Shuttle's hoping to catch the eye of studio-bound media freaks who need that HTPC flexibility in a very tight space. Upping the ante on last year's X100, the XPC X200 comes in two flavors (X200MA and X200BA), and measures in at just 5.5-centimeters tall and taking up "no more space an A4 sheet of paper." Externally, the form factor has remained similar, but this rendition has received a trendy black makeover (including a vertical stand) on the outside, and a whole new lineup of hardware on the inside. Powered by your choice of dual-core / Celeron M Intel processors, this wee machine also touts Intel's GMA950 integrated graphics set, a hybrid TV tuner for analog / DVB-T reception, SATA hard drive, up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM, 7.1-channel HD audio, FM radio tuner, dual-layer DVD burner, built-in 802.11b/g, PS/2 connectors, DVI output, multi-format flash card reader, an audio input jack, and an IR remote to boot. Notably, it managed to lose the FireWire and S-Video ports found on the X100, but it does boast five USB 2.0 ports in a feeble attempt to compensate. Both versions should be hitting the market soon, and while the somewhat stripped X200BA will run you just £499 ($972), the beefed-up X200MA will demand at least £637 ($1,240) depending on options.

[Via RegHardware]

[... @ Jan 3rd 2007 12:23PM]

There is no way I will pay $1000 for a computer (aimed at media freaks) with intel integrated graphics... I mean, for that kind of coinage couldn't we get some type of real graphics card?

[js @ Jan 3rd 2007 12:38PM]

I am not impressed since this is after all, a notebook computer without the monitor.

[shirizaki @ Jan 3rd 2007 12:42PM]

Micro ATX boards come with Pentium D processors at least. Then buy a media center case and fill it wwith hard drives and an AGP video card. No it won't beat the pants off the gamer's rig, but it'll perform in half the space and can be outputted to a TV.

[Mak @ Jan 4th 2007 3:34PM]

What am I missing? It sounds like this is a downgrade from the X100, not an upgrade. No ATI video card, no firewire. I would want this more than the X100 why? So I can get a chip upgrade that will make little real world difference? I hope this knocks the price of the X100 down, because that sounds like a better choice to me.

[Tony C @ Jan 3rd 2007 1:36PM]

Due to the size, it's likely using all notebook-type hardware, so don't expect Pentium D or much more than integrated graphics, unless they get ATI or nVIDIA to solder a GPU onto their mainboard.

However, I'd expect the US price *not* to just be a simple conversion from Pounds Sterling. The X200 appears on Shuttle's US splash page, but is currently nowhere to be found on the rest of their site.

Stay tuned.

[Leonard Nimrod @ Jan 3rd 2007 1:37PM]

Why are people bitching about a 5.5c tall PC? This fits a particular niche market. If you are interested in a large tower with high specs for a low price then this surely isn't the machine for you.

[SOCOMRAIDER @ Jan 3rd 2007 1:39PM]

It kind of reminds me of an NES.

[Jason W @ Jan 3rd 2007 2:47PM]

it compares somewhat with the winbook jiv mini and pcalchemy's m2b. I actually think the m2b is the better product and shuttle is way late to the party on this.

[Rick Lyon @ Jan 3rd 2007 3:01PM]

No HDMI?? No Firewire?? Looks nice tho.

[Eric V @ Jan 3rd 2007 3:17PM]

I like the design but the specs sound just like that of my Mac Mini. I really wish one of these "mini" computer manufacturers would realize we are all just waiting for a graphics card upgrade. o.0

[Eric @ Jan 3rd 2007 3:37PM]

@SOCOMRAIDER

That's what I thought about the last gen. This has RCA video out if I recall. Paint this thing like a NES, use a retropad USB controller and you have emulation nirvana.

[aural @ Jan 3rd 2007 5:53PM]

looks awesome, but WAAAAAAAAAAAAY overpriced. No one in their right mind would fork that much out for what you get.

[E @ Jan 3rd 2007 6:15PM]

Looks good, compact, inconspicuous among all the other black components...

I don't know what anyone would need with a serious graphics card, after all, you're not doing 3D modeling or playing hard-core 3D games on it. Even as a desktop replacement, this wouldn't be bad for most people.

For media playback, this will be more than fine. Your DVD player doesn't have a GeForce card in it afterall.

[Huw @ Jan 3rd 2007 8:09PM]

The biggest problem with this device is form-factor.
Its too deep! You are paying all that money for a small/slim PC but where can you actually put it? You have exactly the same restrictions as a regular Shuttle case or even a mini-tower. Except now you can rest some papers / books ontop of it.

That and the integrated graphics makes this an expensive alternative to the Mac Mini/AOpen mini.

Integrated TV tuner is nice.

[smoke Tetsu @ Jan 3rd 2007 8:35PM]

Now that this mini has the same integrated graphics the Mac Mini has I have no reason to get it. The previous models where nicer with the ATI MXM Modules. They lowered the ante with this "upgrade".

[E @ Jan 3rd 2007 9:28PM]

"The biggest problem with this device is form-factor.
Its too deep! You are paying all that money for a small/slim PC but where can you actually put it? You have exactly the same restrictions as a regular Shuttle case or even a mini-tower. Except now you can rest some papers / books ontop of it."

WTF? How else should it be shaped? It'll fit on a shelf/rack with the DVD player, AV tuners, amp etc. It's the perfect form factor, it's as deep as most standard components.

Hey I have a novel idea for all of you, don't buy it if it's not what you're looking for. If you want a game machine, go buy one. This isn't a game machine, nor is it a laptop.

Geeks are so high maintenance.

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Jan 3rd 2007 11:41PM]

If you are that space constrained, why not just buy a laptop? It's cheaper than $1,200 and comes with a monitor.

[arcsine @ Jan 4th 2007 12:03PM]

Looks suspiciously like a Wii. Does it come with a X200mote?

[jeff @ Jan 3rd 2007 4:16PM]

Same thing I was thinking black wii