Looking for alternatives to Shuttle Spacewalkers

[bluemax]

So, what are my options?

The Cyang-Fun system is REALLY cool looking and they have cubes like Shuttle Spacewalkers as well. Right down to the 1AGP+1PCI combos. CF-S668 is a particularly nice looking unit!

There's always a microATX desktop + standard uATX mobo. Like this or this.

Or an all-in-one setup with limited expansion like ECS u-buddie or ECS BookPC II or Microstar SlimPC's

Why not just a Spacewalker? They're bloomin' expensive! $350 Canadian (~$225US) would get an entire "U-buddie" system with CD-ROM/CPU/RAM/HDD. You need to shell out at least another $100 just to get an EMPTY spacewalker! (at around $300US) and there's STILL more expensive models! :Q

So where's the perfect middle? Price, performance, small size, some expansion options....
All opinions welcome. (Though I doubt we need to hear "towers are better" since we're talking mini-PC's not huge towers.)
This thing needs slight portability in mind. Easy to store/lock up when not in use, or take to LAN parties, though high-end 3D isn't a high priority.

 

[HokieESM]

Well, some of the Shuttles aren't as expensive: check out the SK41G. Its $255 (US dollars) at newegg.

As far as alternatives, I think you'll see quite a few out soon. Iwill already has the XP4 (check their webpage)--which is much cheaper than the Shuttles... but only has 1 PCI slot. MSI has the SlimPCs as you noted. Gigabyte has a few similar slim pcs.

They're certainly gaining popularity. I wouldn't be surprised to see someone like Asus come out with one in the near future..... they're GREAT for the average user that doesn't need tons of expandability. I built an SK41 for my parents, and they love it. Now if they can quiet it down, we'll be in business.

 

[bluemax]

Whoa.... that Iwill XP4 is not too shabby... two versions too- one with 1x AGP the other with 1x PCI. That's a tough choice......
Iwill SFF

Any others? Doesn't have to be a Shuttle-Cube-clone...

 

[vetteguy]

I have an AMS GBox (CF-S868) and it's been a great system. It's not quite as "cubical" as the Shuttles, but it's very portable and the built-in handle adds even more to it. My only complaints are heat buildup and difficulty in getting the front audio ports to work. I'm thinking of getting a Shuttle SB51G as my second SFF machine this spring.

 

[bluemax]

Your AMS "Gbox" is actually a relabeled Chyang-Fun system.
CF-S868
Nice looking lil' guy though.

I'm debating just getting a microATX case and loading it up with standard parts, but it's hard to justify when the total cost would be around $400+ Canadian BEFORE taxes are added. $350 gets the U-Buddie with 1GHz C3 Processor (I know, I know...) 10GB and 256MB.
So yeah, it's less money, but less machine. DIY is almost always better.

Still - I wish there was something like those Microstar or Gigabyte "Improvements-upon-a-BookPC" machines that were available for a good price. Noone in Canada seems to sell them.... Or at least, I haven't found one yet.

Either way, any of the above options are MUCH cheaper than the Shuttle Spacewalker. To Shuttle's end, I must say the "Heat Pipe" sure looks like nifty technology, though I don't know how well it works. In the case of the nForce2 machine, it's still too darn loud.

 

[Mingon]

how about this? I have used and ordered from UK no probs

 

[vetteguy]

Originally posted by: bluemax
Your AMS "Gbox" is actually a relabeled Chyang-Fun system.
CF-S868

I know, but I bought mine through AMS, so that's what I call it. I noticed on their site the other day you can now order side panels which have windows and vent holes drilled in the plexiglass...I may have to get at least one of those to help with the GeForce4 cooling.

 

[bluemax]

Originally posted by: Mingon
how about this? I have used and ordered from UK no probs

Hey... now that's a nice price!! Chyang-Fun again, nothing wrong with that. I can't help but want one of those nifty micro-desktops, but that's not a bad deal at all! Provided duties and shipping doesn't kill me......
I can get the same thing in Canada but for about $60US more.... :| I like low prices.

 

[Boogak]

I have the Inwin L545 microATX case for my HTPC. While not as small or cool looking as a Shuttle XPC, it was cheaper and more versatile since you can fit a mATX mobo with 3 pci slots in it. It's still noticable smaller than all my other PCs. You could also take a look at the Aopen H340 mATX case. I originally ordered that one for my HTPC until I found out it only fits low profile expansion cards, which you may or may not require.

 

[Mingon]

I almost ordered one and shipped it to the UK, unfortunately the shipping was $120 and altogether it was not much cheaper than a sn41g. So I have replaced my sv25 / 1.1a @1.466/ 1gb ram with a sn41/1800xp/256mb and a 9100

 

[bluemax]

Originally posted by: Boogak
I have the Inwin L545 microATX case for my HTPC. While not as small or cool looking as a Shuttle XPC, it was cheaper and more versatile since you can fit a mATX mobo with 3 pci slots in it. It's still noticable smaller than all my other PCs. You could also take a look at the Aopen H340 mATX case. I originally ordered that one for my HTPC until I found out it only fits low profile expansion cards, which you may or may not require.

That Inwin case you mentioned is a nice one. I wish it didn't have the round top making it officially a "mini-tower" and you could just dump it sideways and make it a desktop. You still can but you have a flat side on the left and a round side on the right... that would look a little stupid.

Low profile = yecch.

 

[bluemax]

I know I'm posting a lot... sorry. Hoping for more options - especially since the U-Buddie keeps looking better and better...... :Q

U-Buddie in Canadian $
This is about $250US. Nice small package.....

Please stop me from buying a C3 machine.... though the thing that bugs me most is probably the zero expansion (it loooooks like it might have a LP-PCI slot?) and the slim CD-ROM drive that can't be upgraded (slim = expensive.)

 

[Volkspeed]

Well if i dont plan on running major apps like 3dSudioMax, I wouldnt mind hitting up the u-buddie as a second rig.

 

[bluemax]

CHECK IT OUT!
Looks like I've found some good choices! The I-Buddie is a little more expensive here, but they have the MSI systems!
The Metis266 AMD system looks awfully tempting! but it has those darned low-profile slots! 1xAGP + 3xPCI....
OTOH they also have the Hermes 650 (SiS) and 845GL models. No AGP but 2 *regular* PCI slots. And $60 more expensive....
Hermes 650 - - - Hermes 845GL

Tough choice... Advice?

I wonder... if I went with the i-Buddie... could I pry out the C3 and put in a Tulatin Celeron? That would make up for the weak CPU....
But hey, with the price of the AMD micro system I could easily stick in a hard drive, CPU, RAM and CDRW/DVD drive and come out a bit more expensive, but a lot faster than the i-buddie but with more goodies and/or room to grow.

I could get the system and a CPU (new OR used) and hard drive (new/used) and if I can use my old SDRAM I can also pop in my old CD-ROM and add more later. Hmmmm..... This is helping me lean away from the un-expandable i-Buddie.



On a side note.... I hope the ramblings of my badly-battered brain actually helps others who might also be looking for itsy-bitsy, teenie-weenie, yet POWERFUL systems.

 

[bluemax]

Neato! SFF 3-way shootout!

Hope this is a good read... seems short.

also... Hermes training walkthrough! Not sure if we're supposed to have access to that one! Have to find more like it!
35db while under load! When they say silent operation, they mean it! It's got quite a nice copper CPU heatsink and hooded fan setup! I think this may give Shuttle a run for the money... especially at only 2/3 of the cost!

 

[DaveSimmons]

I wanted quiet more than tiny so I'm going with the Coooler Master 620 mATX case ($115 shipped at mwave) -- it takes a full-size power supply like the super-quiet Nexus 300watt ($75 at www.siliconacoustics.com) and has full-size slots in back. I plan to put in an intel i815 mATX w/AGP mobo from compgeeks ($43), for a total "barebones" cost of about $250. Or less if you buy a cheaper PS or fan-mod one you already have.

 

[bluemax]

Another Hermes review

Keeping it quiet:

I have to give major points to MSI for engineering a very quiet Pentium 4 based system. The MSI Hermes when running, even under full load, is more or less silent. Shuttle's SS50, even with the fan guardian enabled in the bios, is no where close to the noise level of the Hermes. MSI claims noise levels of 28.6 dB at Idle and 35.0 dB during usage.
My experience with noise in SFF boxes is usually the result of poor design or cheap fans. Kudos to MSI for a very well engineered cooling and silencing PC. They make use of a magnetic levitation system in their fans which help keep them at a low noise level while still producing good output.

I think I know which direction I'm leaning... even if it doesn't have an AGP slot. Unless I can find a MicroATX desktop/mini that can rival this baby without costing as much.

 

[bluemax]

bump for some more reading.... Any Sudhian people here?

 

[AnitaPeterson]

My fellow Canuck, here's another review you might be interested in:

Shuttle vs. Chyang Fung


I'm thinking about getting one of these myself, but I'd take the Shuttle - the nForce 2 mobo has all I need in terms of AV, and Firewire (which I need), and it's still small and light. Unfortuinately, the price sucks...