Desktop (literally) Units (Alternatives to Desktop PC's)

[zigojacko]

We want to replace all our office computers (desktop PC's) to small units that actually sit on your desktop - a fraction of the size but still of adequate spec.

Does anyone know of something such as this or can you make any recommendations at all?

The ultimate aim is so that we don't have tons of desktop computers all under desks and to significantly free / tidy up office space.

Thanks in advance.

 

[zigojacko]

I'm aware of the all in one touchscreen PC's that have everything built into the monitors as one option by the way. We will be considering these.

 

[Faevilangel]

The Acer Revo brand is exceptional and available at under £200.

They are tiny (they can be screwed to the back of a TV), and they will play almost any software BUT they aren't for doing heavy graphics etc as they only run Intel Atom processors.

If you wanted something more workable, then the Acer Apire's are also recommended, they are compact desktops and have a much better spec than the Revo (they are for different uses).

This is the kind of style - although will be cheaper elsewhere

A good place to get Acer's is Ebuyer.com, competitively priced and good support

 

[Faevilangel]

I'm aware of the all in one touchscreen PC's that have everything built into the monitors as one option by the way. We will be considering these.

From a PC technical point (I build pc's in my spare time), I would stay away from these for the following reasons:

-Expensive for the spec of the PC - You could get a decent desktop and a monitor for less than a touch screen
- Repairs / Upgrades will be a right pain in the ass, sending back to Acer in the far east
- Damages are rife, especially on the screen, and the hard drives are prone to failure

The Apple Imac's are the only all-in-one's I would recommend due to the exceptional spec you get and the customer support.

 

[Posilan]

Dell offer most of the desktop range in a SFF (small form factor) case which might be what you are looking for?

Steve

 

[zigojacko]

Great thanks for the feedback so far.

Is it possible to get a Nettop without an Atom processor?

Thanks.

 

[zigojacko]

Dell offer most of the desktop range in a SFF (small form factor) case which might be what you are looking for?

Steve

I'm trying to avoid using desktop cases full stop preferably (if Dell just does small versions of standard desktop PC's). Thanks.

 

[Faevilangel]

The only net top on ebuyer with a non-atom processor is the Mac mini which has a Core I5, so will be super quick.

There is a HP net top which has an ageing pentium processor.

You may find others, as I only checked Ebuyer, but there will be a lack of them due to the market the net tops are aimed at.

 

[Posilan]

I'm trying to avoid using desktop cases full stop preferably (if Dell just does small versions of standard desktop PC's). Thanks.

The SFF cases are much smaller than standard desktops and are designed to fit in the all in one monitor stand.

The SFF is at the bottom of this page for the dimensions etc:

http://www.dell.com/uk/business/p/optiplex-390/pd?oc=x0839005&model_id=optiplex-390

Steve

 

[zigojacko]

The SFF cases are much smaller than standard desktops and are designed to fit in the all in one monitor stand.

The SFF is at the bottom of this page for the dimensions etc:

http://www.dell.com/uk/business/p/optiplex-390/pd?oc=x0839005&model_id=optiplex-390

Steve

Ah, I see now. Thanks.

I don't like the look of them fitted to the back of the All in One's but this could be an option, nice one.

 

[zigojacko]

Quite tempted by the Acer Aspire Revo RL70.

I used to work for Acer as well so know the entire Acer setup, install and recovery module inside out too and the nearest Acer technical repair centre is only 5 miles from our office - not that I would ever send it there anyway.

Getting a few options together now though

 

[10032012]

The only net top on ebuyer with a non-atom processor is the Mac mini which has a Core I5, so will be super quick.

There is a HP net top which has an ageing pentium processor.

You may find others, as I only checked Ebuyer, but there will be a lack of them due to the market the net tops are aimed at.

What spec is the pentium? Ironically enough it could probably out perform the Atom. They can be rather disappointing to say the least.

I have an old pentium shuttle thats quite slow (running 32bit XP, 512mb ram I think) but manages to outperform the dual core atom net top I got off amazon (64 bit, win 7, 4gb ram) most of the time. Of course, there are many different kinds of Atom processor to complicate matters.

 

[10032012]

Quite tempted by the Acer Aspire Revo RL70.

I used to work for Acer as well so know the entire Acer setup, install and recovery module inside out too and the nearest Acer technical repair centre is only 5 miles from our office - not that I would ever send it there anyway.

Getting a few options together now though

I think net tops are replacing them due to cost but you could always consider a thin client (high range) with all processing done on a powerful server?

I guess it depends whether you are talking mostly Microsoft Office (or OO/LO) or Adobe Creative Suite.

I think ideally you are looking at something in between a SFF (smaller than traditional PCs but still quite big) and a net top (effectively a laptop without screen - not providing desktop performance). I am not sure any such thing exists. You have the Zino which is quite small but same performance as a net top.

 

[deadgoodundies]

What about Shuttles ?
http://uk.shuttle.com/products/products

 

[terryuk]

Mac Mini small and tidy

 

[nightmare99]

Go with a dell or hp SFF solution that has an integrated monitor & stand.