Most Intel based Small Form Factor systems over
the past year have either supported the Intel 845x chipset or a SiS chipset.
With the introduction
of the 800MHz Front Side Bus capable Pentium 4 processor and the Springdale
chipset this past May, it was clear that a whole new upgrade cycle was
in store. In order to support the new hardware from Intel, Shuttle introduced
the XPC SB61G2 which married the Intel 865 chipset with the latest Pentium
4 processor. Today we’re going to spend some time looking at what
is arguably the flagship system from Shuttle (though this will change
in the following month or so). The SB61G2 (and the upcoming SB62G2, SB65G2)
pack the latest in PC technologies in the same form factor that we’ve
all come to love. Let’s see if this high end miniature system is
worth the upgrade.
Packaging
The more I build and use Shuttle systems,
the more I love the overall look and feel of everything about them – from the packaging down
to the actual system itself. A box with a nice handle on top – what
a thought! In any case, nothing has changed in the XPC packaging so we’ll
show some snapshots of what the external box looks like here.
Shuttle always packages everything you’ll need to get your system
up and running. This includes the specially designed IDE cables that
are of exacting lengths, the Serial ATA cable, the floppy drive cable
and the various screws and cable ties.You can attach metal feet to the
front of the XPC to prop the front of the case up a tad. There are a set of
vent holes
along the front of
the underside of the case which could use some extra air flow (though
I really wonder if it makes that much of a difference sometimes).
