When did desktops start using power bricks?

[bigboxes]

I do computer work on the side on my days off. Customer brings me two year old HP desktop computer. I tell them to leave everything at home. They arrive and I go to plug in my extra ATX power cable that I have neatly folded up behind my main rig and it's UPS. I grab the end and go to plug it into the back of the computer. I feel stupid looking for the damn hole. I ask the customer where she plugs the power into her computer. She keeps on pointing to the DVI port and such. I'm thinking she's stupid. LOL. So stupid me takes off his glasses and there below the DVI port is a DC power port like you find on a laptop. I'm like fuuuuudge (except I didn't say fudge) (and I didn't say the other word out loud ). I apologize for telling her to leave the power cable at home and send her on her way.

So... when did this become common for the new appliances we now call desktop computers?

 

[mikeymikec]

At the same time that they started backing laptop/netbook-class hardware into a desktop chassis and called it a desktop.

I once had a scenario like the one you described, luckily for me I had a 90W universal laptop charger with the correct adapter.

 

[bigboxes]

Heh. Found this thread from a month ago. Looks like I'm not the only one that was thinking WTF. :\

http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1270673

 

[bigboxes]

At the same time that they started backing laptop/netbook-class hardware into a desktop chassis and called it a desktop.

I once had a scenario like the one you described, luckily for me I had a 90W universal laptop charger with the correct adapter.

She was complaining about performance and I basically said you get what you pay for. Funny stuff. She said she spent $600 on that POS. I know I am not the only one that hates these "toasters", as I call them.

I guess I need to invest in a universal laptop charger. I have three tablets, multiple smartphones and absolutely no need for a laptop.

 

[WackyWRZ]

At the same time that they started backing laptop/netbook-class hardware into a desktop chassis and called it a desktop.

I once had a scenario like the one you described, luckily for me I had a 90W universal laptop charger with the correct adapter.

We run Lenovo machines here at work and our new "tiny" desktops use the same 65W power brick that the laptops do. They are very similar to a laptop internally - pretty much the same CPU, mini WiFi card, and 2.5" SSHD. They have proven to be reliable, quiet, and efficient - plus it's easier to swap out one of those cords than an entire PSU. I've also seen these bricks running the AIO machines as well.

It makes sense in a small device or an AIO - but no idea why the hell they'd do it on a minitower!

 

[maddogchen]

I've seen those for at least 5 years now, with HP small form factor desktops. Kinda annoying for users because if you jar the desktop, the power plug pops off easily and your computer snaps off.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

At the same time that they started backing laptop/netbook-class hardware into a desktop chassis and called it a desktop.

I once had a scenario like the one you described, luckily for me I had a 90W universal laptop charger with the correct adapter.

Apple loves to use laptop motherboards for their expensive iMacs. But they do use a standard EIC cable to keep you from knowing better.

 

[piasabird]

Looks like a low profile Thin Mini-ITX or maybe a cheap and older motherboard. Doesnt even have HDMI?? Just VGA and DVI. It is like the cheepest of the cheep. I wonder what kind of processor it had? Might be an embedded motherboard or maybe one of those Jetway J series celerons.

 

[mikeymikec]

One SFF machine I encountered recently has a J-series Pentium and a grand total of THREE rear USB ports and no PS/2 ports. The customer had to get a USB hub to allow them to plug in all of their USB devices (keyboard, mouse, printer, webcam - I can't remember if the PC came with separate corded USB keyboard and mouse, which would leave the user with one USB port on the back).

It's like a PC dropped out of a time-warp from 2001... wait, even the lowest-end PCs from that era were far better equipped (I/O panel ports)!

 

[myocardia]

Nettops have been using laptop power bricks since MSI invented the form factor, around 2005 or 2006, with the MSI Wind nettop. You can see here just how awesome its specs were.

 

[XavierMace]

One SFF machine I encountered recently has a J-series Pentium and a grand total of THREE rear USB ports and no PS/2 ports. The customer had to get a USB hub to allow them to plug in all of their USB devices (keyboard, mouse, printer, webcam - I can't remember if the PC came with separate corded USB keyboard and mouse, which would leave the user with one USB port on the back).

It's like a PC dropped out of a time-warp from 2001... wait, even the lowest-end PCs from that era were far better equipped (I/O panel ports)!

3 is enough for many business usage cases which is what a lot of the SFF's are geared for.

 

[JimmiG]

Heh. Found this thread from a month ago. Looks like I'm not the only one that was thinking WTF. :\

http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1270673

LOL that's just stupid. I guess it's justified with an SFF box but that's a normal desktop case. You can even see where the internal PSU is supposed to go.

 

[bigboxes]

LOL that's just stupid. I guess it's justified with an SFF box but that's a normal desktop case. You can even see where the internal PSU is supposed to go.

Exactly. I've seen many thin clients. Customer says desktop and I'm thinking ATX, not laptop/net book. The customer remarks how light the computer is. Duh.