SmoothCreations
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Intel Core i7 desktop roundup: the rest of what's new
You likely don't need any reminders that the likes of Gateway and Dell (and Alienware) have released some new systems based around Intel's flagship Core i7 processor, but it's a whole other matter to sort out the multitude of options available from some of the smaller PC manufacturers out there, and we thought we'd take this opportunity to shed a bit light on some of those slightly lower profile contenders for the desktop throne. Ready to get started? Then check your bank account and head on past the break.
Smooth Creations' LAN Shark reviewed, well loved
Tweak Town has given the new LAN Shark gaming PC by Smooth Creations a thorough once-over and they really seem to like what they see. The review machine (priced at $1,343.75) arrived kitted out with a 3.0 GHz Core 2 Quad processor, 4GB RAM, Diamond HD 4870 1GB graphics and Western Digital Raptor 150GB storage. The whole shebang is housed in an elegant acrylic case with a subtle, yet understated "flame" motif (as pictured above) and gently illuminated by a full compliment of LEDs and cold cathodes. In fact, the only real complaint they lodged about the case was that the fans were too loud. When it came time to roll out the benchmarks the reviewer remained pretty upbeat, citing "very good" processor calculation scores, "fairly smooth" game play at 1900 x 1200 and the machine's making short work of World in Conflict as among the reasons to give this machine some serious consideration. But don't take our word for it -- for the intense, 14-page review hit that read link.
Smooth Creations intros customizable Wedge netbook
Smooth Creations' custom paint jobs certainly aren't for everybody, but if you're a bit tired of the current netbook sameness, you might want to consider its new Wedge model, which questionably promises to make a "powerful yet subtle statement." Apparently, you can either take your chances with a one of a kind design like the one above (seemingly from before they settled on the name "Wedge"), or you can shell out some extra bucks for a completely custom design. The netbook's insides, on the other hand, are considerably more in line with the usual netbook fare, and include a 10-inch display, a 1.6GHz Atom processor, 1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, and Windows XP as standard (Vista is apparently also available if you really want to push things). Look for this one to set you back about $500, and no doubt quite a bit more if you want get one to match the paint job on your 1975 Dodge van.[Via jkkmobile]
Shuttle, Smooth Creations beat new gear with the ugly stick
While Shuttle and Smooth Creations are apparently both still in the business of selling PCs, they sure seem to be going about it in a strange way, with each company recently busting out systems that appear to be the result of some disgruntled designers in their ranks. If you can get past its blinding mass of orangeness, Smooth Creations' Diablo PC (above, obviously) does look to be a pretty decent system, with a Core 2 Duo E6700 Processor, 2GB of RAM, two 250GB hard drives in a RAID array, and twin GeForce 8800 GTX graphics cards. Thankfully, they'll also let you pick another color if you don't share their taste, with prices starting at $5,000. For those not willing to give up quite so much desk space for so much ugliness, Shuttle's got an eyesore of its own for you in the form of a new XPC (check it out after the break). Available in your choice of three "designs," you can load it up with your choice of Core 2 Duo processors, a max 4GB of RAM, and up to 500GB of hard drive space -- no matching peripherals here though, so you may need to bust out the finger paints.Read - Smooth Creations Diablo [Via Chip Chick]Read - Core Duo News, "Shuttle XPC gets spring color makeover"
