Shuttle's XPC SK83G SFF

Zitat

Shuttle's web site claims that the SK83G delivers "64-bit value," but I think that sells the cube a little short. The value is no doubt there, especially considering that the UniChrome Pro integrated graphics doesn't significantly impede 2D application performance. However, given the SK83G's competitive benchmark scores with a Radeon 9800 XT, the cube's south bridge Serial ATA RAID controller, and its 16-bit/800MHz HyperTransport link, the SK83G is also a capable option for performance-oriented gamers and enthusiasts.

Of course, as much as I like the SK83G, there are a few things I have to gripe about. The first is the cube's lack of Gigabit Ethernet, which could make it a tantalizing option for inexpensive Athlon 64 clusters. The benefits of GigE would probably be lost on value markets, but it would be a nice forward-looking feature for corporate applications and bandwidth-hungry enthusiasts. Second, the external 3.5" drive bay seems like a waste. At the very least, Shuttle could bundle the SK83G with its PC12 USB card reader to give users a more complete package out of the box. Finally, there's the drive bay cover, or lack thereof. If XPCs weren't so darn attractive, I wouldn't mind marring their exterior with a beige optical drive. However, the more visually appealing XPCs get, the worse they look with beige.