Nettop goes Nano - News - Linux for Devices

Nettop goes Nano

By Jonathan Angel
2009-05-28

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Shuttle has released a fanless mini-PC using Via's 1.0GHz Nano U1700 processor. The Shuttle XS29F is said to feature both VGA and DVI video outputs, up to 4GB of RAM, SATA 2 storage options, four USB ports, and total power consumption of less than 50 Watts.

(Click here for a larger view of Shuttle's XS29F)

Apparently set for a formal debut at next week's Computex show in Taipei, the XS29F was announced by Via, not by Shuttle, so details such as dimensions weren't announced. However, photos make plain that the new XS29F uses the same case and layout as previous "nettops" Shuttle has released. These include the X27, released last August with a single-core Atom 230 processor, and the X270V, released in April with a dual-core Atom 330 CPU and OpenSUSE Linux. (Indeed the XS29F's rear panel, pictured later in this story, is visibly identical to the one on the X270V.)

This time out, Shuttle's mini-PC uses a motherboard built around Via's 64-bit Nano processor, and the chipmaker's VX800 integrated northbridge/southbridge. The device's 1.0GHz Nano U1700 CPU provides the system with fanless operation and a maximum power consumption of under 50 Watts, Via says.

Unlike any Atom-based computers we know of, the Shuttle XS29F is said to support up to 4GB of DDR2 memory. Meanwhile, the device also has two bays that can accept disk drives up to 5.25-inch in size. Back-panel I/O, shown below, includes two PS/2 ports, a serial port, four USB 2.0 ports, a 10/100 Ethernet port, and 3.5mm audio connectors.

Shuttle XS29F (rear view)

Features and specifications listed by Shuttle or Via for the XS29F include:

Processor -- Via Nano U1700 clocked at 1.0GHz
Chipset -- Via VX800
Memory -- Supports 4GB of RAM
Display -- Outputs to DVI, VGA, or both
Storage -- Dual bays apparently accept drives up to 5.25 inches
Networking -- 1 x gigabit Ethernet port, with RJ45 connector
Other I/O:
- 1 x VGA
- 1 x DVI
- 1 x serial
- 4 x USB 2.0
- 2 x SATA
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 -- n/s, but X2700B came with 60W AC adapter
Operating system -- n/s

David Yu, chairman of Shuttle Inc, said, "By adopting the Via Nano processor, the Shuttle XS29 Slim series takes advantage of performance and power efficiency that makes it ahead of its kind, and perfectly suited for any modern living room or office."

Availability

Pricing and availability for the Shuttle XS29F was not released, nor was operating system support cited. However, Shuttle's previous mini-PCs have supported Foresight Linux, Windows XP, and Windows Vista.

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