It'll turn your display into an all-in-one PC, more or less

Dec 12, 2014 10:13 GMT  ·  By

It may have been really hard to give decent graphics capabilities to mini PCs and HTPCs a few years ago, but ever since Intel and AMD managed to install better GPUs inside their CPUs, it's more or less normal for even the tiniest computer to have high-quality video. The new Shuttle DS81L is no exception to this.

We're not saying that home-theater personal computers or smaller systems have high-grade gaming capabilities. Only very rare models manage that, and they're definitely not as small as the DS81L that Shuttle has just revealed.

However, having Full HD video playback support is pretty normal at this stage, and going above that resolution is often doable as well.

Shuttle wanted the new DS81L to be even better than usual, however, so it placed emphasis on 4K support, 3840 x 2160 pixel resolution.

The Shuttle DS81L mini PC

In the press release, the company describes it as a barebones media player, but it's actually a barebone PC. It's true that media playback is the core goal here, but that could be said about any PC under a certain size.

At the heart is an H81 Intel chipset, which is compatible with any fourth-generation Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, Celeron, or Pentium CPU.

Still, whatever central processing unit you choose has to have a TDP (thermal design power) of 65W or less. The case isn't large enough to accommodate coolers capable of dealing with more.

Besides, any chip and related hardware would cost unreasonably much above that threshold. Mini PCs are supposed to be cheap after all, barebones most of all.

Since we're on the subject, the DS81L barebone PC has dual-channel DDR3 1600 slots, two of them, allowing for up to 16 GB to be installed at any time.

All in all, the newcomer should be able to run on 12 Volts and consume no more than 84W, no matter what storage and RAM you place within.

Availability and pricing

The Shuttle DS81L barebone multimedia PC, with its support for two Full HD displays or one Ultra HD monitor / TV, should already be distributed globally. It offers two COM ports, four USB 2.0 ports, one HDMI port, Dual Gigabit LAN, two DisplayPorts, and a pair of USB 3.0 connectors. Unfortunately, the price was not revealed in the announcement.

You can use it as a “decoration” or use the VESA mount to clasp it to the back of your monitor / TV, hiding it from view entirely.

Show Press Release

Shuttle DS81L (6 Images)

Shuttle DS81L
Shuttle DS81L front viewShuttle DS81L back view
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