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Mini PC

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For the NSA project, see NetTop.

A Nettop is a type of mini desktop or small form factor computer designed for performing basic computation tasks such as surfing the Internet, accessing web-based applications and rich internet applications, document processing and audio/video playback etc..[1] The word Nettop is a portmanteau of Internet and desktop, similar to the portmanteau "netizen."[2] Compared to ordinary desktop computers, nettops are not only smaller, lighter and cheaper[3], they also consume much less power. For example, ASUS's Eee Box nettop computers consume as little as 36 watts of power[1] whereas a typical desktop would easily consume more than 100 watts of power. The trade off to this is that the hardware specifications and processing power are usually reduced[4] and hence make nettops less appropriate for running complex or resource intensive applications.[5]

ASUS Eee Box in white with customized skin.

Models

Some nettops are designed to have stylish cases and run Windows operating systems in order to attract ordinary customers. Others are designed more towards business and experienced computer users. These models are typically running a variety of Linux to allow better customization and cut costs. The following list contains a number of computers that are designed and marketed as Nettop today.

File:Linutop polo.jpg
Linutop 1
Manufacturer Product Power consumption
CompuLab fit-PC 6W
CherryPal CherryPal
Koolu Koolu
ASUS Eee Box 36W
Acer AspireRevo
Linutop Linutop 2 8W [6]
Everex Everex gPC mini
Zonbu Zonbu 10-15W
Aleutia E2
MSI Wind Box
System76 Meerkat
Lemote Fuloong 2F 10W [7]
Zonbu Mini PC

Hardware

There are mainly three platforms that are intended to be used on nettops and netbooks. They are Intel's Centrino Atom platform,[8] Nvidia's Ion platform[9] and VIA's Trinity Platform.[10] Some nettops have also adopted SoC designs. Although many major parts such as chipsets, video card and storage devices can also be found on desktops, the CPUs that are put inside nettops are the fundamental component that differ them from normal desktops. The list below contains a range of hardware components that a typical nettop may be assembled from.

CherryPal

Being first released to the market, Intel's Atom platform has been adopted by the majority of 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 Intel's Atom processor to provide better high definition video playback ability and lower power consumption.[11] In addition, Nvidia has announced that its will support VIA's CPUs this year.[12] 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 System

There is a wide selections of operating systems can be chose from to put onto a nettop. Windows XP has been one of the popular choices as it can run on very low-end hardware by today's standards. Some high-end nettops and upcoming models are even capable of running Windows Vista and Windows 7.[2] Linux has also been adopted by many nettops as it cost little to no money to install and supports a wide range of CPU architectures. Although Google's Android was originally announced for smart phones, it has also taken a seat in nettop market.[3]

The original Eee device from Asus ran Linux. In response, Microsoft extended the availability of Windows XP for ultra-low cost personal computers (ULCPC's) from June 2008 until June 2010,[13] possibly to keep netbooks from gaining market share at the expense of desktops and "value" laptops[14] and to avoid increased use of Linux installations on netbooks.[15] Microsoft is also testing[16] and has demonstrated[17] a 'Starter' edition of Windows 7 for this class of devices[18] which is limited to running 3 applications.[19] Microsoft qualifies ultra-low cost personal computers (ULCPCs) as systems matching the following hardware classification requirements:[20]

  • Memory: Shipped with 1 GB RAM or less
  • Screen: 10.2" or smaller
  • Storage: 80 GB (although this limit seems to be increased up to 160 GB for HDD by now) or 16 GB SSD
  • No tablet PC functionality
  • DirectX version 9 graphics processing unit (GPU) or below
  • Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) S4 sleep state is optional

Comparison between Nettop and Desktop

The following chart illustrate how nettops differ from desktops in terms of productivity, applications and entertainment experience.

Nettop Entry level Desktop Mainstream Desktop
Productivity Web browsing, document processing Computational spreadsheets and database Premium office suite
Photo Photo viewing, minor editing Minor to advanced photo editing Professional Grade photo editing
Video SD playback, limited (choppy/laggy) HD playback HD playback with little choppiness Full HD playback, PVR
Gaming Legacy/classic/online games Casual games 3D hardware accelerated games
System Price <= $299 > $300 > $900

Market

Nettops fall into Intel's category of "Basic PC", which usually cost from $100 to $299.[4]. The growth opportunity of nettops is considered to be huge. A nettop can become an affordable choice for the first computer for people in developing countries. It can also become a green choice for the second computer for people in developed countries.[21] As nettops are cheap and power-saving, they can also help business users improve profitability.[22] According to the same slides, Intel cites a forecast of 60 million "Basic Nettop" units by 2011.

See also

References

  1. ^ 'Netbooks,' 'Nettops' target secondary PC users
  2. ^ Intel.com: Thoughts on Netbooks
  3. ^ Intel Nettop is all about cost cutting
  4. ^ Is a Nettop Right for You?
  5. ^ "Cheap PCs Weigh on Microsoft". Business Technologies, The Wall Street Journal, December 8, 2008.
  6. ^ http://www.linutop.com/pdf/Linutop2_Data_Sheet.pdf
  7. ^ http://www.lemote.com/english/fuloong.html
  8. ^ http://www.intel.com/pressroom/archive/releases/20080302comp.htm?iid=tech_atom+pr
  9. ^ http://www.nvidia.com/object/sff_ion.html
  10. ^ http://www.via.com.tw/en/resources/pressroom/pressrelease.jsp?press_release_no=3007
  11. ^ http://techreport.com/articles.x/16340/1
  12. ^ http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/20/nivida-ion-platform-to-support-via-nano-processors-this-year/
  13. ^ Microsoft Announces Extended Availability of Windows XP Home for ULCPCs, April 3, 2008 Press release
  14. ^ Microsoft to limit capabilities of cheap laptops, IT World May 12, 2008
  15. ^ Microsoft U-turn to stop Linux dominating ultra low cost PC
  16. ^ Microsoft seeking Win 7 testers for netbooks?
  17. ^ Ars@PDC: Steven Sinofsky on Windows 7 and netbooks
  18. ^ Confirmed: Windows 7 'netbook edition'
  19. ^ Windows 7 to Ship In Six Different Versions
  20. ^ Windows XP Logo Program
  21. ^ Netbooks and Nettops New category of emerging Internet Devices
  22. ^ Intel 2008 Investors Meeting
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