14 DAY TRIAL // Barebone PCs are an odd breed of computer, featuring a small and thin form factor while lacking some really essential internal parts, but that's the whole point: to let buyers choose themselves the CPU and how much memory and storage space to install. The Barebone DS81 is the latest to leave Shuttle's labs.
Shuttle is a pretty well-known maker of mini personal computers and barebones, though it occasionally dabbles in accessories as well.
Its line of barebone systems is, perhaps, not very originally named, but it is a practical term, all told. It ensures that no confusion can happen, especially when photos might be misleading.
Not that the company photoshopped the new Barebone DS81 in any way. It's just that the thing resembles a blade server quite a bit until you look closer and realize it's too small, given the size of the I/O ports compared to it.
Speaking of input/output support, you'll find more than the standard breed of connectors here, although Gigabit Ethernet is, of course, supported (two ports instead of one though), along with Universal Serial Bus (USB 3.0 and USB 2.0, 8 in total).
So what's unusual, you might ask? The two serial RS-232 interfaces for device control, for example. One of them can switch to RS-422/RS-485.
There's a “remote Power-On” connector on the back panel as well, which lets you link a second button that can turn the machine on. There's also an Always-On jumper on the motherboard (automatically switches the nettop on when a PSU goes on.
So if, say, power drops and you're not home, the barebone will go back on when it returns, even without anyone nearby to press the start button again.
And this is the point where we say what holds everything together: a motherboard featuring the Intel H81 chipset and, thus, support for Haswell central processing units, including Celeron, Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7. The TDP (thermal design power) can't go over 65W though.
You'll have to figure out yourself which CPU to buy from the many available in retail. The same goes for the memory (up to 16 GB DDR3) and storage (one 2.5-inch bay available, connected to the mainboard via SATA III 6.0 Gbps).
As for video ports, there are a pair of DisplayPort outputs available, along with an HDMI connector. There is no slot for a video board. Fortunately, the iGPs in Haswell CPUs can play video well, even 4K in the case of the newest Core-series. There are a pair of mini-PCIe slots included though, for Wireless LAN cards, mSATA-SSD, etc.
Shuttle should already be selling the Barebon DS81 for €179 / $246.
