Shuttle is a company that specializes in designing and developing small-sized desktop computer systems. Most of the models made by it are built using Intel's desktop processors, ranging from dual-core Pentiums to Quad-core Xeon CPUs. Just recently, Shuttle has announced a new, smaller computer system that will be powered by Intel's highly successful Atom processor.

 

The new system is meant to compete with all the other Atom-powered desktop computer systems, in the nettop niche of the market. The X27 is said to arrive in mid-September and will be about the same size as one its main competitors, namely the $350 ASUS Eee Box. The X27 is approximately 10-inches long, 7-inches wide, and 2.75-inches tall.

 

The system is built on an Intel 945GC-based mobo, and is equipped with an integrated Intel GMA 950 graphics solution. It features 4 USB 2.0 ports, one Gigabit Ethernet port and an analog 5.1-channel audio. Essentially, the Shuttle X27 system will offer users the very basic computing features. According to the company, the new system uses just 23 watts of power in idle mode and 36 watts in operating mode. Furthermore, Shuttle claims that, at full speed, this Atom-powered desktop system reaches only 23 decibels, which makes it hardly noticeable from an acoustical point of view.

 

The company informed Cnet that the X27 nettop would come with a starting price tag of $189, which doesn't include the system's monitor and peripherals. This pricing is clearly astounding, considering that ASUS will sell its stylish, small-sized, Atom-powered Eee Box for approximately $350, while newcomer CherryPal will charge you a good $249 for its small cloud computer system. At only $189, the X27 could possibly be the cheapest nettop on the market.

 

As mentioned above, the new system is expected to launch in mid-September, and will probably become one of the main alternatives for ASUS' higher priced, but better looking, nettop.