Shuttle computer with handle

[Phil_Stein]

OK, I know I've seen pictures of a shuttle computer case with a handle (very small form factor desktop). Basically, I'm looking for the smallest, most portable desktop that I can max out in desktop manner (i.e., top notch CPU, RAM, ATI 9800, etc.)

I've searched the 'net, and now all I can locate is shuttle sized computer without handle (cramps portability), and emphasizing crappy Intel integrated chipsets. Anybody know where I can find a pre-assembled, top of the line shuttle, preferably with handle?

Thanks,
Phil

[Case]

OK, I know I've seen pictures of a shuttle computer case with a handle (very small form factor desktop). Basically, I'm looking for the smallest, most portable desktop that I can max out in desktop manner (i.e., top notch CPU, RAM, ATI 9800, etc.)

I've searched the 'net, and now all I can locate is shuttle sized computer without handle (cramps portability), and emphasizing crappy Intel integrated chipsets. Anybody know where I can find a pre-assembled, top of the line shuttle, preferably with handle?

Thanks,
Phil

Falcon Northwest is selling something like this:


http://www.falcon-nw.com/fragbox

The entry level version is less than $1k, the Pro version is something like $1795.

Of course, Shuttle also sells carrying cases and backpacks for their line of SFF PCs, which lack handles.

[steve]

Basically, I'm looking for the smallest, most portable desktop that I can max out in desktop manner (i.e., top notch CPU, RAM, ATI 9800, etc.)
It's not a Shuttle, but it is a small form-factor machine. The Falcon Northwest Fragbox (www.falcon-nw.com/fragbox.asp). Very, very nice.

[Alan Dunkin]

Maximum PC mentions another small form-factor box called the built by FIC called the Ice Cube which apparently has a handle (is also made out of plastic and not aluminum).

--- Alan

[DennyA]

If you're in to the "build it yourself" thing, the Falcon NW FragBox (www.falcon-nw.com/fragbox.asp) is actually an FIC Ice Cube (www.fica.com/site/html/products/pc/detail.asp?cat_id=240000183&C_ID=240000816) SFF PC that's been loaded up, configured, and tested.

The IC-VL67 (the 800MHz FSB version that Falcon uses in the $1795 Pro version) is about $269. Pricing the parts to configure a rig identically to the Fragbox Pro on NewEgg, the total is $1,375 including a legal copy of Windows XP Home.

The extra $420 buys you Falcon's support, testing, and warranty, of course.

[steve]

Woah, dupe city. I hate you Loyd for beating me to the post by a minute.

[Phil_Stein]

Cool - that's what I was looking for. Anybody got any hands on experience with this kind of thing? Is it reliable with a lot of hot parts packed into a small form factor? Is it loud? Is there any accelerated way to hook it into and out of home and work situation (i.e. a docking station). I'm thinking about this as a daily use machine.

[DennyA]

Cool - that's what I was looking for. Anybody got any hands on experience with this kind of thing?
I have a Biostar iDEQ 200N, a similar rig but without the cool handle.


Is it reliable with a lot of hot parts packed into a small form factor?
Heat can be an issue, but they're engineered with special heat sinks and cooling to address it. Running a hot video card can be the biggest problem -- you want a card with good cooling.


Is it loud?
Generally these things are designed for use as home media PCs, so most of them are quiet. I can't hear my Biostar over anything else in the room. :-)


Is there any accelerated way to hook it into and out of home and work situation (i.e. a docking station). I'm thinking about this as a daily use machine.
Sure. Just get all USB peripherals (keyboard, mouse, etc.) and put them on a hub. Then you just have to connect the USB cable, monitor, and speaker cord when swap it around. (You could even go USB audio, but yuck.)

[Case]

Cool - that's what I was looking for. Anybody got any hands on experience with this kind of thing? Is it reliable with a lot of hot parts packed into a small form factor? Is it loud? Is there any accelerated way to hook it into and out of home and work situation (i.e. a docking station). I'm thinking about this as a daily use machine.

We use them almost exclusively for our LAN parties these days. Most have cooling solutions designed for small spaces, whether it be heat pipes (Shuttle) or heavily ventilated cases. We've successfully run them for extended periods with Radeon 9800 Pros and Audigy2's, + 3.0GHz P4's, with no heat issues.

In fact, I have an Athlon 64 cube here, and it does run a bit warmer, but the fan chugs along and keeps it cool. Plus, all of these have aluminum cases that bleed heat a bit more efficiently.

[steve]

Cool - that's what I was looking for. Anybody got any hands on experience with this kind of thing? Is it reliable with a lot of hot parts packed into a small form factor? Is it loud? Is there any accelerated way to hook it into and out of home and work situation (i.e. a docking station). I'm thinking about this as a daily use machine.
I ran the FragBox Pro for over 24 hours straight running the 3D Mark 2003 demo with no heat issues whatsoever. It's not particularly noisy, or particularly quiet.

There's no docking station that I'm aware of.

[Greenie]

FYI - AMS makes a shuttle-esque barebones SFF box that still has the handle:

http://www.american-media.com/