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Fwd Tech  Friday 28 August 2009

Netbooks? Pah! Nettops are the next big 'little' thing in computing...

What do you get when you take the ultra-portability of a netbook and mash it up with the power of a desktop PC? More often than not a rather nasty cut-and-shunt job. But when done properly you get the appealing outcome of the nettop – a computer that’s been designed specifically not to eat up your desk space, but still provide you with the necessary oomph for work applications and what not.

Traditionally low in power consumption, cost, and overall size nettops have also a comparatively low processing power to desktop computers. But that doesn’t mean they’re completely stripped back. Yes, invariably they lack a monitor and a keyboard, but that just helps to keep the price down. Spec-wise, though, they can rival some dedicated desktops (albeit ones at the more affordable end of the scale).

Invariably nettops run on low-powered Intel chips, a bit like those found in netbooks, and will have operating systems such as Linux, Windows XP and even Vista on board. More recent models entering the stage, such as the Acer Aspire Revo, have taken nettops to the next level with better graphics, larger hard drives and even HDMI ports.

So why should you care? Well, because of their low-power consumption (up to 90 per cent less in some cases) they’re more eco-friendly than their full-fat desktop buddies. And because they’re so small (we’re talking more petite than a shoebox here), they can be put pretty much wherever without eating up too much of your precious space. And because they’re so small, they’re also invariably super-quiet.

What does the future hold for nettops? Faster low-powered processors certainly, and better multimedia usage. Perhaps the route of the all-in-one PC beckons: the Asus Eee Top and Shuttle X 5000T are two such examples, sporting touchscreens (with the option of keyboard and mouse) in their iMac-style bodies.

Whatever direction nettops take in the future they’re an ideal solution for today’s common usage of a computer. Cost-effective, small and eco-friendly. Are you ready for the next big-little thing?

Three of the best nettops…

Acer Aspire Revo (From £150) The Acer Aspire Revo is as cheap as they come. For a mere £150 you can get a Linux version with 1GB of RAM and 8GB solid state drive. Not enough? Fork out an extra ton and you get Windows Vista, 2GB RAM and a 160GB hard drive. NVIDIA’s Ion chipset and an HDMI port mean it’ll also play high definition video on your flatscreen. There’s no CD/DVD drive, but for that price we’ll forgive it. Especially as it has a VESA bracket that allows it to piggyback the rear of your TV. Nice.

Apple Mac Mini (From £499) The Mac Mini was the original nettop. The latest incarnation can be upgraded with a 2.0GHz processor, 2GB of memory and a whopping 320GB hard drive. You also get Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and a multi-format DVD writer. An NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics chip supplies some decent 3D graphics too. iLife O9 is also included, providing the latest versions of iMovie, iDVD and iWeb.

Asus Eee Box B206 (£330) Not quite as cheap as the Revo, but still cheap as Dvid Dickinson’s chips, the Asus Eee Box B206 is still worth the outlay. It has HDMI and a VESA bracket (which means you can hook it up to the back of your monitor), which is a neat touch. Specs-wise it’s pretty standard – Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz processor, 1GB of memory and a 160GB hard drive.

And don’t forget to check out Jon’s nettop round-up