Nettop

For the NSA project, see NetTop.
The Acer Aspire Revo nettop

A nettop (or miniature PC, Mini PC or Smart Micro PC) is a small-sized, inexpensive, low-power, legacy-free desktop computer designed for basic tasks such as Internet surfing, accessing web-based applications, document processing, and audio/video playback.[1][2][3][4] The word nettop is a portmanteau of Internet and desktop.

Compared to ordinary desktop computers, nettops are not only smaller and cheaper,[5] but they also consume much less power. For example, CompuLab's fit-PC2 consumes no more than 8 watts of power[6] whereas a typical desktop would easily consume more than 100 watts of power; consequently, nettops require significantly less cooling and may even be completely fanless. Some do not have an optical disk drive and use a solid state disk, making them completely silent. The tradeoff is that the hardware specifications and processing power are usually reduced[7] and hence make nettops less appropriate for running complex or resource-intensive applications.

Models

Some nettops are designed to have stylish cases or run Windows operating systems in order to target the mainstream. Others are designed more towards business and experienced computer users. These models typically run a version of Linux to allow better customization and cut costs. The following list identifies some computers that are designed and marketed as nettops.

Manufacturer Product Chipset Processor Power consumption (Watts) HDD Wi-Fi Video Output
Abaco Dual Atom (x86) 35–45 W[8]
Acer AspireRevo ION Atom (x86) 21–29 W[9] Yes Yes VGA, HDMI
Acer Veriton N260G GN40 Atom N280 65 W[10] Yes Optional
Acropio TE VIA/Atmel 24 W[11] Optional Optional 17" LCD Touchscreen
Aleutia Aleutia T1[12] 945GSE Atom N270 (x86) 10 W or less Yes mSATA Optional
Aleutia Aleutia H1[13] ION Atom (x86) 10 W Yes mSATA Yes
ASRock ION 330[14] ION Atom (x86) 31–39.8 W[15] Yes Yes[16]
Asus Eee Box 945GSE Atom (x86) 36 W Yes Yes
Asus Eee Box EB1012 Nvidia ION (GF9400) Atom 330 (x86) 40 W[17] Yes Yes VGA / HDMI
Asus Eee Box EB1006 ATI HD4530 Atom N270(x86) 36 W[18] Yes Yes
Asus Eee Box B202 945GSE Atom N270 (x86) 25 W or less [19] Yes Yes
Asus Eee Box 204, 206 ION(?)[20] Atom (x86) 36 W[21] Yes Yes VGA / HDMI
Asus EeeBox PC EB1007P Intel NM10 Intel Atom D425 12-16 W[22] Yes Yes VGA
Asus EeeBox PC EB1021 AMD Hudson A50M AMD E-350/E-450 11-28 W[23] Yes Yes VGA, HDMI
Asus EeeBox PC EB1033 Intel NM10 Intel Atom D2550 27 W[24] Yes Yes VGA, HDMI
Asus EeeBox PC EB1503 Intel NM10 Intel Atom D2550 21-31 W[25] Yes Yes VGA, HDMI
CompuLab fit-PC AMD CS5536 Geode companion Geode (x86) 05 W Yes No VGA (up to 1440p)
CompuLab fit-PC Slim AMD CS5536 Geode companion Geode (x86) 06 W Yes Yes VGA (up to 1440p)
CompuLab fit-PC2 Intel US15W SCH Atom Z550/Z530/Z510 (x86) 01(standby)–8 W[26] Optional Optional
CompuLab fit-PC2i Intel US15W SCH Atom Z550/Z530/Z510 (x86) 01(standby)–8 W[26] Optional Optional
CompuLab fit-PC3 AMD Embedded A55E Controller Hub AMD Fusion G-T40E or G-T56N (x86) 06-18 W Yes Optional HDMI & DisplayPort
CompuLab Trim-Slice Nvidia Tegra 2 (ARM) 03 W[27] Optional Optional HDMI, DVI-D
Dell Studio Hybrid 140G GM965 Core 2 Duo (x86) mobile 65 W[28] Yes Yes
Dell Zino HD AMD RS780G AMD Athlon 64 29–40 W[29] Yes Optional
ECS MD100/MD110/MD120/MD210 945GC / ION / G41(C2D&Q) Atom (x86)3L mini box 65 W with 3.5 HDD / slim optical drive Optional Optional
eMachines ER1401 & ER1402 nVidia nForce 8200 / Geforce 9200 / AMD Athlon II Neo (ER1401: dual-core K325 at 1.3 GHz; ER1402 single-core K125 at 1.7 GHz) Yes Yes VGA, HDMI
Everex gPC mini 945GM Core 2 Duo (x86) mobile 25–33 W[30] Yes Yes DVI, S-Video
Evo Technologies ECOPC N.1 945GSE Atom N270 (x86) 10–16W with 2.5 SSD (18W with 2.5 HDD)[31] Yes Optional VGA, DVI-D
FIC ION A603 mini PC Geode (x86)
Foxconn NT-a3500 AMD HD6310 AMD E350 (x86) 23 W or less Yes DVI / HDMI
Foxconn NT-510 Intel GMA 3150 with Broadcom Crystal HD video accelerator Atom D510 (x86) Yes (2.5") 802.11n DVI / VGA
Garlach44 Kilkenny 945GC Atom x86 20/35 W[32] Yes
Genesi Efika MX Freescale i.MX515 (ARM) 05 W [33] Yes Yes
Giada Slim N10 Nvidia ION (GF9400) Atom 330 (x86) 20–26 W[34] Yes Yes
Koolu Works Everywhere Appliance Geode (x86)
Lemote Fuloong 2F Loongson (MIPS) 10 W[35]
Lenovo IdeaCentre Q100/Q110 ION Atom (x86) 14–45 W Yes
Linutop Linutop 2 Geode (x86) 08 W[36] VGA
Linutop Linutop 3 Atom N270 (x86) 16 W VGA/DVI
Linutop Linutop 4 Atom N270 (x86) 14 W VGA/DVI
Litesoft Infinity X130 Intel NM10 Express Atom D525 (x86) Yes Yes VGA
Monix PC E-2012 Base Intel NM10 Express Atom D525 20–33 W Yes Yes VGA
Monix PC E-2012 i Serie Intel H61 / H67 Intel i3, i5, i7 30–90 W Yes Yes HDMI, DVI, VGA
Monix PC E-2012 AMD E350 AMD A50M Hudson M1 AMD E-350 APU 22–45 W Yes Yes HDMI, DVI, VGA
Monix PC E-Q5 Base Intel NM10 Express Atom D525 20–33 W Yes Yes VGA
Monix PC E-Q5 i Serie Intel H61 / H67 Intel i3, i5, i7 30–90 W Yes Yes HDMI, DVI, VGA
Monix PC E-Q5 AMD E350 AMD A50M Hudson M1 AMD E-350 APU 22–45 W Yes Yes HDMI, DVI, VGA
Monix PC E-Q6 Base Intel NM10 Express Atom D525 20–33 W Yes Yes VGA
Monix PC E-Q6 i Serie Intel H61 / H67 Intel i3, i5, i7 30–90 W Yes Yes HDMI, DVI, VGA
Monix PC E-Q6 AMD E350 AMD A50M Hudson M1 AMD E-350 APU 22–45 W Yes Yes HDMI, DVI, VGA
MSI Wind Box 945GC Atom (x86) 30–35 W
Packard Bell iMedia XS 3610 NVIDIA MCP7A ION Atom 330 (Intel), 1.6 GHz Yes VGA / HDMI
Think Penguin[37] Penguin Pocket Wee ? Intel Core i3 or i5 64 W or less Yes VGA / HDMI
Prestigio ION 230 Super Slim [38] Nvidia MCP79 Atom 230 20 W Yes Yes
Prestigio Super Slim Nettop on Kubuntu [39] Nvidia MCP79 Atom 330 20 W Yes Yes
Sapphire Technology SAPPHIRE Edge-HD Mini-PC [40] Nvidia ION 2 Atom D510 22 W Yes Yes HDMI, VGA, DVI via HDMI2DVI Adapter
SOL Industry Solmate Atom 230 40 W[41] Yes Yes
System76 Meerkat Atom (x86) 84 W
ViewSonic VOT120 PC Mini 945GSE Atom (x86) 30 W[42] Yes
ViewSonic VOT132 PC Mini ION Atom 330 (x86) 65 W[43] Yes Yes
WDL Systems Ebox-3300 Vortext86DX MSTI PDX-600 (x86) 10 W Optional
WDL Systems Ebox-4300 CX700M Eden ULV 500 (x86) 15 W Optional Optional
WDL Systems Ebox-4800 CX700M Eden Esther 1.2 GHz (x86) 20 W Optional Optional
DMP electronics Ebox-3310MX Vortext86MX+ Vortext86MX+ (x86) 10 W Optional Optional
Zareason Ion Breeze 3770 ION Atom (x86)
RDP XL-700 intel H61 intel i3 90 w Optional Yes
Zonbu Zonbu Mini VIA Eden (x86) 10–15 W
Zotac Mag[44] ION Atom 230/330 (x86) 24–28 W Yes Yes

Hardware

There are three platforms that are primarily intended for nettops and netbooks:

Some nettops have also adopted system-on-a-chip designs. Although many major parts such as chipsets, video cards and storage devices can also be found on desktops, the CPUs that are put inside nettops are the fundamental component that differentiate them from normal desktops. The list below contains a range of hardware components that a typical nettop may be assembled from.

Intel's Atom processor has been adopted by several hardware manufacturers, such as ASUS, MSI, and Sony, for nettops. Nvidia has also released its first generation ION platform, which puts GeForce 9400M Motherboard GPU alongside the Atom processor to provide better high definition video playback ability and lower power consumption.[48] In addition, Nvidia has announced that it will support VIA's CPUs this year.[49] To further reduce the manufacturing cost and improve power efficiency, many manufacturers and start-up companies have chosen to use CPUs that were originally targeted at embedded computing devices such as AMD's Geode and ARM Cortex-based CPUs.

Operating systems

Many net-top models are x86-processor-based and as such are capable of running standard PC OSs. There are also operating systems designed specifically for nettops and other machines in the same performance class. Linux distribution supporting nettops is Ubuntu; previously supported Ubuntu Netbook Edition, Moblin, and Joli OS. Some high-end nettops and upcoming models are capable of running Windows Vista and Windows 7.[50] Linux has also been adopted by nettop manufacturers as it costs little to no money to install and supports a wide range of CPU architectures. Google's Android Linux distribution is another option. Although Google's Android was originally designed for smartphones, it has also taken a seat in the nettop market.[51]

Market

Nettops fall into Intel's category of "Basic PC", which usually cost from $100 to $299.[52] Intel describes nettops as a large potential market. Nettops can serve as an affordable first computer for people in developing countries, or as an environmentally friendly choice as a secondary computer for people in developed countries.[53]

See also

References

  1. http://techreport.com/articles.x/21556 Zotac's Zbox Nano AD10 Plus nettop - Zacate in the palm of your hand
  2. 'Netbooks,' 'Nettops' target secondary PC users
  3. hexus.net: What is a nettop
  4. whatis.com: Entry for nettop
  5. Intel Nettop is all about cost cutting
  6. Fit-PC2 Specifications
  7. Is a Nettop Right for You?
  8. "Abaco Computers". Abaco Computers. 2007-12-16. Retrieved 2010-04-15.
  9. "Acer Aspire Revo SFF NVIDIA Ion PC". HotHardware. 2009-04-28. Retrieved 2010-04-15.
  10. "Acer Home". Us.acer.com. Retrieved 2010-04-15.
  11. "Energy Efficient Touch Enabled Computer Hits US Market". FinancialContent.com. 2011-10-11. Retrieved 2011-12-08.
  12. "T1 PC". Aleutia. Retrieved 2010-04-15.
  13. "H1 Hotel PC". Aleutia. Retrieved 2010-04-15.
  14. "> Products > Nettop Series > ION 330". ASRock. Retrieved 2010-04-15.
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  16. "Ion 330ht". 2010-02-02.
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  18. "ASUSTeK Computer Inc". Asus.com. 2009-10-30. Retrieved 2010-04-15.
  19. "Asus Eee Box B202: An Atom-based mini PC". silentpcreview.com. 2008-09-08. Retrieved 2010-04-15.
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  21. "ASUSTeK Computer Inc". Asus.com. 2009-10-30. Retrieved 2010-04-15.
  22. "EeeBox PC EB1007P Flexible 1L-sized Energy Efficient Commercial PC". Asus.com. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  23. "EeeBox PC EB1021 Full HD Entertainment in a 1Liter-Sized PC". Asus.com. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  24. "EeeBox PC EB1033 1L-sized Eco-Design Commercial PC–Enhance Your Productivity". Asus.com. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  25. "EeeBox PC EB1503 Experience HD Entertainment Enjoyment with NVIDIA GeForce 610M". Asus.com. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  26. 1 2 "Fit-PC2 Specifications - fit-PC2 Wiki". Fit-pc2.com. 2009-10-28. Retrieved 2010-04-15.
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  28. "Dell Studio Hybrid specs and Desktop specifications - CNET Reviews". Reviews.cnet.com. Retrieved 2010-04-15.
  29. "Something wicked this way comes…the Dell Inspiron Zino HD". AMD. 2009-11-12. Retrieved 2010-06-07.
  30. "Review: Everex gPCmini with gOS Linux". Desktoplinux.com. 2008-05-16. Retrieved 2010-04-15.
  31. Evo Technologies - Products
  32. http://www.garlach44.eu/it/index.php/computer-desktop/computer-desktop-kilkenny.html
  33. http://www.genesi-usa.com/products/efika
  34. "Giada Slim-N10 NVIDIA Ion Nettop - Extremely Small and Stylish Power Consumption & Boot Time Testing". TweakTown. 2009-12-07. Retrieved 2010-04-15.
  35. Archived March 28, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
  36. http://www.linutop.com/pdf/Linutop2_Data_Sheet.pdf
  37. ThinkPenguin Pocket Wee
  38. "Prestigio Ion Nettop". Prestigioplaza.com. Retrieved 2010-07-16.
  39. on K "Prestigio Ion Nettop on Kubuntu" Check |url= value (help). Prestigioplaza.com. Retrieved 2010-07-16.
  40. on K "SAPPHIRE Edge-HD Mini-PC" Check |url= value (help). Retrieved 2011-02-25.
  41. "Solmate | Sol Industry Co". Solmatepc.com. Retrieved 2010-04-15.
  42. "VOT120 PC Mini". Viewsonic. Retrieved 2010-04-15.
  43. "VOT132 PC Mini". Viewsonic. Retrieved 2010-05-11.
  44. "It's time to play! - mini-PC". ZOTAC. Retrieved 2010-04-15.
  45. Archived January 22, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
  46. "Next-Generation NVIDIA ION Graphics Processors". Nvidia.com. Retrieved 2010-04-15.
  47. "News Release VIA Trinity Platform Brings Hi-Def to Small Spaces - VIA Technologies, Inc". Via.com.tw. 2008-12-18. Retrieved 2010-04-15.
  48. "Nvidia's Ion platform - The Tech Report - Page 1". The Tech Report. 2009-02-03. Retrieved 2010-04-15.
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  50. "Microsoft places stamp of approval on Vista-based Ion SFF PCs". Engadget. Retrieved 2010-04-15.
  51. "Asustek to Make Google Android Netbook, Says Report". PCWorld. 2009-02-20. Retrieved 2010-04-15.
  52. CNet article
  53. Netbooks and Nettops New category of emerging Internet Devices

External links

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