INTERACT FORUM

Devices => PC's and Other Hardware => Topic started by: glynor on September 28, 2006, 08:18:10 am

Title: Somewhat OT - Guide to Small Form Factor PCs
Post by: glynor on September 28, 2006, 08:18:10 am

Ars Technica just put up a great, multi-page guide to SFF (Small Form Factor) PCs.  These are the "little machines" that are becoming more and more popular, and which are great for HTPCs...

http://arstechnica.com/guides/buyer/guide-200609.ars

Quote

Small Form Factor (SFF) represents the latest footprint for computers, one that allows them to be small enough to disappear from the desk, or the exact opposite: often considered attractive enough in their brushed-aluminum and anodized-black finishes with bright blue LEDs to be a showpiece of status.

One theme that kept coming to the forefront in our discussions of the hows and whys of SFF systems was that of sexiness. With their brushed aluminum, sleek black, or pearl white exteriors, SFF boxes have a certain visual appeal that other cases lack. So for some, the choice of an SFF system can be just as much about aesthetics as it is performance. With the multitude of SFF choices available, there is seldom any need to sacrifice performance for a looks.

Title: Re: Somewhat OT - Guide to Small Form Factor PCs
Post by: Griff on September 28, 2006, 11:07:54 am

This is what I call a "little mach."

http://www.pcalchemy.com/product_info.php/cPath/413/products_id/643

6.5" w, 2" h, 6.5" deep

They get smaller and smaller.

Title: Re: Somewhat OT - Guide to Small Form Factor PCs
Post by: Krazykanuck on September 30, 2006, 08:16:00 pm

The problem with building a HTPC is finding a case that doesn't look out of place on your equipment rack.
Here is a case I have been looking at. http://www.silverstonetek.com/products-lc16m.htm

Title: Re: Somewhat OT - Guide to Small Form Factor PCs
Post by: glynor on October 01, 2006, 01:23:32 am

Zalman and Lian Li also make some very sleek and nice HTPC cases.  I particularly like the Zalman HD160 (http://www.anandtech.com/casecooling/showdoc.aspx?i=2731) and the Lian Li PC-C35 (http://www.lian-li.com/Product/Chassis/Desktop/D_PC-C35.htm).  Sleek stuff...

Title: Re: Somewhat OT - Guide to Small Form Factor PCs
Post by: Mr ChriZ on October 01, 2006, 03:17:45 am

Quote from: Griff on September 28, 2006, 11:07:54 am

This is what I call a "little mach."

http://www.pcalchemy.com/product_info.php/cPath/413/products_id/643

6.5" w, 2" h, 6.5" deep

They get smaller and smaller.

I've been looking at these for a while, and they seem fantastic.
Aopen do a bare system http://minipc.aopen.com/Global/spec.htm
Intend to see if I can get my hands on one in the new year...

Edit:
Hmm... Just found they only take 2.5" hard disks...
and recommend no 7200 rpm drives, thats slightly offputting...

Title: Re: Somewhat OT - Guide to Small Form Factor PCs
Post by: benn600 on October 02, 2006, 11:34:46 pm

You wouldn't actually store media on it, obviously.  I personally keep a server running and that way, you can actually use a lower-end, slower computer and have it running 24/7.  A HTPC probably takes a lot of power if you get the latest.  I personally have multiple P4 2.4GHz systems because they are enough to run everything we need.  I actually bought 3 of those about a month ago and just bought a 2.0GHz system to become my new, dedicated server so it doesn't have to share a used computer.  The first 3 were $300 each w/ wireless keyboard & mouse (not bad) and the last was $185...eBay.  Hope it works well.  You're never guaranteed success on eBay!