(Credit:
Shuttle)
Shuttle is at it again with its oh-so-adorable and affordable mini desktops. Late Tuesday night, the KPC 4800 popped up on the company's Web site.
It's similar to the original KPC, the $199 4500, which was introduced at CES earlier this year. The main difference is that the 4800 has an optical drive and dual-monitor support. Also, your color choice this time is, well, there really isn't one. So far, only black is available on Shuttle's site.
Rear view of the KPC 4800.
(Credit: Shuttle)It runs Foresight Linux, but has an option to upgrade to 32-bit Windows Vista. The Linux version starts at $279; the Vista machine at $479. Monitor, speakers, keyboard, mouse, and other necessary computing accoutrements are sold separately.
Last week my esteemed colleague Rich Brown made an excellent case for why buying a cheap desktop isn't necessarily the most practical choice for the average PC buyer. First, they're not that much cheaper than what Hewlett-Packard, Dell, and Acer are offering in traditional, more robust desktop systems. And second, "While the Mac Minis and Eee Boxes of the world have visual appeal by themselves, customers still have to figure out how to use them, and their aesthetic and space-saving benefits can vanish once you connect them to a display, and a mouse and keyboard."
But the Shuttle KPC is just so dang cute. Even more so, I daresay, than Dell's mini desktop offering announced earlier this week, the Studio Hybrid, which starts at $499 with Vista.
But looks aren't everything. It's hard to tell just how big a demand there is for this class of desktop. Is this something you'd be interested in? Let us know in the comments.
The Kyocera KR2 Mobile router is the successor of the KR1 router.
(Credit: Dong Ngo/CNET Networks)
I recently reviewed the Windy31, a USB wireless router that allows for sharing your computer's existing internet connection with others, and found it a very cool device. Today I got my hands on the Kyocera KR2 Mobile router and its companion, the Kyocera KPC680 CDMA ExpressCard, and I have to admit, I never thought mobile internet access could be that good. Still, of course, it's far from perfect.
The KR2 equipped with the Kyocera KPC680 ExpressCard. It also supports CDMA cellular PC Cards and USB modems as well as regular DSL/cable modems.
(Credit: Dong Ngo/CNET Networks)
Let's talk the good first. The KR2 is actually the upgrade to the Kyocera KR1. Significant improvements include: a better design (though still I found it a little bulky and I never like the fact that its antenna crowd the network ports on the back), Draft N 2.0 compliance, Wi-Fi Protected Setup, ExpressCard support and a few other features. The KR2 can also be used as a regular router by having a WAN port for a cable or DSL modem. By supporting ExpressCard, the router now can offer mobile Internet access to multiple users with speed up to 3.1Mbps download and 1.8Mbps upload for each user. This is the fastest speed that the CP680 ExpressCard offers over a Verizon Wireless data plan and about as fast as most regular DSL connections. I tried it out and it was indeed very fast, enough to stream CNET TV video to multiple computers at a time without much delay.
The KR2, on the other hand, has its own shortcomings. For one, it supports only 32 wireless clients at a time (as opposed to 254 by other regular nonmobile routers). Considering its size and specs, I don't see why it can't support more. Secondly, it's expensive: at $250 (though you might get a 15% off for the first purchase), it's about twice the price of most high-end non-mobile Draft N 2.0 routers. Last but not least, the support only CDMA cellular technology, this means two things: First, those with GSM services (like ATT or T-Mobile) won't be able to use it and, second: if you're in an area not covered by one of the CDMA providers, you're out of luck when being mobile.
Obviously, the KR2 isn't for everyone. I found it best suit those who travel in a group like a construction team, people who live or travel in RVs or remote area, where regular broadband services aren't an available. And if you don't need the high Wi-Fi speed of the Draft N 2.0, you can ignore the bulky KR2 and couple the Kyocera CP680 ExpressCard with the tiny Windy31. Those two will do you well, too, in making your mobile cellular Internet connection available to your group.
Small PC maker Shuttle drew an outsize share of attention at the Consumer Electronics Shows earlier this year when it announced a $199 Linux-based desktop PC.
Shuttle said Monday that it still plans to offer the KPC for $199, in addition to a $299 upgraded version. A $99 bare-bones version will also be available. The company is taking preorders on its Web site, and says the KPC should begin shipping in mid-April.
The KPC from Shuttle is available in mid-April starting at $199.
(Credit: Shuttle)The $199 KPC will get you an Intel Celeron 430 processor, 512MB of memory, and an 80GB hard drive. That version will be available at retail--the only outlet announced so far is NewEgg.com--but note that doesn't include a monitor or keyboard, or an optical drive or PCI Express slot.
And for $299, ordering directly from Shuttle, will buy an Intel dual core processor, 1GB of memory, 160GB hard drive (the upgrade to 160GB is free if you pre-order), and a 2GB flash drive installer for Linux.
Inexpensive Linux-based PC offerings are on the rise of late, but it still remains a smaller niche of computing. Though Wal-Mart Stores began offering the Linux-based gPC from Everex for $198 last fall, and reported that it quickly ran out of its stock, last week the retail giant announced it would be pulling the gPC from its store shelves because it "wasn't what (its) customers were looking for."
Note: The guys at CNET Reviews have informed me they have the KPC in hand and are poring over it. Look for their full review next week.
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