ViewSonic outs energy efficient, earth-friendly VOT125 nettop -- won't help that there oil spill
By Laura June 
posted May 18th 2010 12:58PM
posted May 18th 2010 12:58PM
ViewSonic® Leads the Way to Smarter, Greener Computing with New PC Mini
ViewSonic's VOT125 PC Mini provides compact, energy saving solution for business and home users
WALNUT, Calif. - May 18, 2010
ViewSonic® Corp., a leading global provider of computing, consumer electronics and communications solutions, today announced that the VOT125 PC Mini – the latest compact and energy efficient computing solutions – is now available for order.
Providing an ideal compact and space-saving solution for home and business, the VOT125 provides the ultimate in smarter, greener computing. With a green-centric design, this compact and sleek PC mini uses up to 90% less plastic and consumes up to 90% less energy than traditional tower PCs. With an Intel® ULV processor and 0.6L form factor specifically designed for less power usage, less plastic and less cables, the VOT125 allows green-conscious users to reduce their carbon footprint. And with Windows® 7 installed, the VOT125 presents an ideal product for businesses looking to transition from Windows XP® or Vista®.
With a compact design and trim 1.5" x 5.1" x 4.5" specifications, the VOT125 helps create an efficient and clutter-free workspace. Whether placed on the desktop or mounted to the back of an LCD monitor with the included VESA® mount kit, this petite device is an ideal space-saving solution for an organized home or business space.
Powered by ultra low voltage, Intel® ULV processors, the VOT125 offers high performance and flexible computing in a compact package. Including 2GB internal memory, 250GB hard drive, four USB 2.0 ports, DVI/HDMI outputs and Ethernet/wireless Internet connections, this model provides powerful and adaptable computing solutions with a green conscience.
For further information on ViewSonic products, please visit ViewSonic.com or follow ViewSonic on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
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Trademark footnote: All corporate names and trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.
This news release contains forward-looking statements that reflect the Company's expectations with regard to future events. Actual events could differ significantly from those anticipated in this document.
Executive quote
"Saving space and reducing energy spending are key priorities for our customers" said Sally Wang, senior director product marketing, ViewSonic. "We're proud to help achieve both goals with the VOT125 PC Mini, and truly deliver a smarter, greener solution for your desktop."
Pricing and availability
The VOT125 PC Mini is available with a choice of Intel® Celeron® M Processor ULV 743, Intel® Celeron® Processor SU2300, Intel® Pentium® Processor SU4100 and Intel® Core 2 Duo Processor SU7300, and is currently available for order at an ESP starting at $499.
interesting how everyone is trying to profit from "green mother earth saving" tech. Shame
@nk Why is it a shame? If a company can make bigger profits while helping keep plastic out of junkyards, I'd call that a win-win.
@nk
That's a good thing, isn't it? The alternative would be a huge power hungry hog that would cost an arm an a leg and uses up natural resources like there's no tomorrow.
@nk
if it's a decision between comparable specs and price but one pc uses less material and power- I'd choose the earth friendly pc.
It's not as if they're charging big taxes to to have a "green" pc. If two pc's perform the same and cost relatively the same yet one is better on the environment- why not choose choose the "green" pc?
It MAY be to distinguish their computer from others- but everyone stills wins.
@think before you react I want a green, earth friendly (and if possible fanless) pc as well, but I dont want to pay that extream premium for it. 499?! I mean com'on it probably costs them a 100 bucks to make this thing (ok maybe not 100 but U get the picture)
@nk
Yeah, good point. Let's get back to profiting from the destruction of our planet...
@Bully
U are missing a point, Im for a green tech as well, but Im not for a 250$ tax for it that companies are charging.
@nk
No, you're totally right in your train of thought. It's best we get consumer goods to market as cheap as possible, even if it means destroying our planet. Because remember NK, it's not YOUR responsibility to help save the planet, someone else will do that for you.
You just won the Ignorant MoFo of the Day award. Grats!
@think before you react
It looks like they're just charging more for less. You can nearly get a mini for that pricetag and the specs might not even be on par with a Revo.
@Bully
U really think that making this thing green costs 250$ extra? Cuz if U do Im really sry for U.
@jedi
my toughts exactly
@nk The MSRP of my tiny Inspiron Zino HD that I'm actually typing on right now was around $850.
Unless your company logo is a fruit, 99% of the time your product doesn't sell for MSRP with third party retailers, sometimes intentionally inflated so people feel they are getting an awesome deal.
My $850 Dell cost me I believe $402 maxed out thanks to the discount from Dell along with a 25% bing cashback at the time. Its silent, plays blurays, and has a neat dedicated 512mb ATI card for 1080P videos and light gaming w/ 7.1DTS over HDMI. I couldn't be happier.
So wait for the true street price on Amazon or Tiger before bitching and moaning. =)
@Ducman69
I know the Zino isn't meant for that, but how is gaming on it? Could I run something like L4D2 or MW2 on low with it and have it be playable?
@Ducman69
so in a way U agree with me that 499$ for this thing is a lil 2 much :)
@Bully
You are completely missing nk's point. If companies continue to charge ridiculous prices under the guise of 'saving the earth' then people will continue to look at the movement as a huge money making scam, and rightfully so. How about stop making the exhorbiant profits on 'green' technology so it can become mainstream instead of screwing both humans and the earth?
@Wowzers
TYVM thats what Im trying to say
@Wowzers
I don't think they're upping the price as a green markup tax, but the cost to acquire some materials may be more expensive. But it is not just the green aspect. You also need to consider the small form factor, and the customized boards necessary to build this. Don't play smoke and mirrors and make the price tag solely about the green aspects of this. That is just foolish.
And please, someone provide a link to a computer of similar size and specs for $250 as NK claims. Can't? Thought so.
@Bully do U even know what U're getting for those 499? No? Thought so, I see last years tech and there isnt any special material mentioned. So...U still want that link? But first read the press release (last part)
At first glance I thought this was an external hard drive, oops.
OOOOOh looks nice and compact. Plus low energy consumption. Might get one for my parents.
Is there any way to bitstream HD audio out of ANY of the newer nettops?
@palehorse
While this has the form factor of a Nettop it's packin an Intel ULV NOT an Atom processor so I would guess it has the horsepower.
@ArhcAngel
it's not a matter of horsepower. Bitstreaming untouched HD audio is a capability limited to a very select few component options these days. There are a few PCI soundcards that can do it, but they've mostly been usurped by specific CPU or video chipsets that can do it. AFAIK, only the Clarkdale intel CPU and the ATI 5xxx series can handle it, and I haven't seen ANY of the newer "htpc" nettops offer either of those.
I won't bother with a htpc these days that can't handle bitstreamed HD audio from ripped blurays, so my only option remains building my own rig... :(
@palehorse
Why is building your own rig a bad thing?
@archkron
building one isn't a big problem, but the TV-mountable form factor is tough to match, which is why I've been looking for a nettop capable of bitstreaming HD audio for a while now...
me want, when is it out?
@tehslax
nvm found it
Am I the only one not understanding why these are more expensive than similar netbooks? It's sort of like the opposite of the notebook/desktop pricing
@SilentStryk09
the CPU isnt an ATOM
there is one with an ATOM, its price is $349
@SilentStryk09 yea, and for $500, you can get a netbook with keyboard, camera and screen with similar performance that runs on less than 1/2 the power... still, for a desktop internet browser (appliance)- rather than something portable like a netbook; this looks cool. I agree with others that it looks a lot like a previous version of a WD Mybook black.... with that the move to very low power consumption, material conserving, space saving computers is a good move by all accounts; especially if the digital divide is soon to be bridged, granting billions of people access to consume computers who currently only rock a radio or less.
The information age is bound to proliferate into the developing world; and if that is the case, the equipment should follow this kind of model where less is more.
As for price; what can you expect- Viewsonic is not exactly a big PC maker; to really leverage the buying power, they need big volume, and as of yet, this device has only nitchesch market appeal to a very small segment of consumers will to drop 1/2G$ on something with these kind of specs.
If they made it monitor mountable this would be perfect for a dorm. (or other tiny place, lol)
@SniPerfidy read the press release.
"...mounted to the back of an LCD monitor with the included VESA® mount kit"
@tmarks11 Silly mortal! I don't read press releases, lol. You would think they would have put that in the original article... it's an awesome feature.
Does it have a PCI-e slot for a Nvidia GeForce GTX 480? :/
@FriskyQ32
Yeah, it's actually got 3 for a 3 way SLI :)
@SilentStryk09 In this case they use ULV processors which cost more (and are more powerful) than Atom processors. That said, I still think $499 is expensive. You can get a more powerful desktop for that price easily. (but I guess you pay for the form-factor to some degree)
@tosvus
(but I guess you pay for the form-factor to some degree)
There ya' go!
Nice to take on the road too.
I actually stayed at a Hampton Inn last week that had a flat screen HDTV and WiFi. :-)
I recently helped an elderly client upgrade from his buggy WIndows 95 computer that he used for basic e-mailing and web browsing on dial-up. The one he liked the most at the store happened to have a quad-core AMD with 6gb of DDR3 RAM and a 1tb HDD. I'd say this nettop would be a much better choice for his needs since what he got was way overkill.
And why the mention of the situation in the Gulf?
@hikeskool Engadget loves buzz.
Ion?
@netsql No, I think the reasoning is that "at least its not Atom."
@Dshark
Ion is crap, not necessarily nVidia's fault. I had high expectations for Ion 2 and now am reluctantly looking for an alternative.
Cool, but I got an Asus desktop 8 gigs, Quad core, and terabyte hard drive for the same price.... this might be good for hooking up to the tv but I think I'll stick with something bigger for regular use.
FINALLY!
Hope this works so I can permanently disconnect my laptop from my HDTV.
Net boxes are all a joke IMO. This looks very very enticing. It's pretty too!
@rickay
It's pretty cheap to make your own HTPC these days (especially if you ignore the case aesthetics). Cheaper than buying this thing. I just ordered from NewEgg:
AMD Sempron 140 (unlocks to a dual core w/the right mobo) - $33
Gigabyte mobo (can unlock Sempron, has Radeon HD 4250 with HDMI) - $65 with promo code
2x1GB dual channel DDR2-800 - $50
I cannibalized an old computer for the case, power supply, and hard drive, though I also initially priced a configuration that included all of those and came in under $250. (I have a Windows Media Center remote already - those can be had for ~$15.)
Seems to me that the Acer Revo R3610 would be better computer at a much lower price.
@Jay Evans It might be, but:
1) We don't know what the REAL street price of this product is.
2) We don't have detailed specs
3) Remember the Revo is using netbook components, and this does not appear to.
An atom processor I believe costs OEMs $27 right now, so obviously you put a better Core ULV in there and the like and the prices are going to go up.
@Ducman69
Type Intel Celeron 743 / 1.3 GHz
Mainboard
Chipset Type Mobile Intel GS40 Express
Data Bus Speed 800 MHz
RAM
Installed Size 2 GB
Technology DDR2 SDRAM
Storage Controller
Type Serial ATA - integrated
Storage
Hard Drive 1 x 250 GB - standard - Serial ATA-150
Expansion / Connectivity
Interfaces 1 x audio / video - HDMI
1 x display / video - DVI-Analog/Digital
1 x microphone - mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm
1 x headphones - output - mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm
4 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A
Operating System / Software
OS Provided Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
No keyboard or Mouse
For $329 I'll take the Acer with the Atom 330 and ION. Wireless Keyboard/ Mouse and 802.11n
@Jay Evans I agree with you. :-)