Post by unleashed on Oct 5, 2009 1:07:53 GMT -5
Just like we sniggered, yet marvelled at pictures of the earliest computers that occupied entire floors of buildings, future generations will laugh at the monstrosities that we allowed onto our desks for most of the 90s and ‘00s. Let me clarify, that by “future generations”, I mean those who’re going to purchase computers in 2010!
Seriously , if you think about it, we call the part of the desktop that houses the motherboard, CPU and disk drives a “cabinet”, and then plonk it on top (or underneath) our desks! Well, the next generation of sleek and small computers are ready to become mainstream.
Mac Mini
Apple was the first to jump onto the small desktop bandwagon with the gorgeous looking, compact Mac Mini in 2005. After a few upgrades and then a period of stagnation, the latest Mini launched in March ‘09, is truly worthy of being called a fully powered Macintosh computer.
It’s got an Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0 GHz chip, and the hardware specs have been beefed up and the more powerful 802.11n Wi-Fi has been thrown in. This is the only small desktop that has an optical drive for CDs and DVDs and which can support dual display (ie two monitors simultaneously). Rs 36,600 (including taxes) for the 120GB hard drive version is a tad steep but it’s the cheapest way to experience the Mac! (PS: No monitor, keyboard or mouse included)
Acer Aspire Revo
Think of this as the Mac Mini for Windows! Slightly larger but much slimmer than the Mac Mini, the Revo also comes with a base that allows you to place it in a standing position.
While some are dubbing this a “nettop” in keeping with the “netbook” nomenclature for low-spec notebooks, its enhanced graphics card and HDMI port, in my opinion, elevates it to the status of full fledged desktop.
Even though it may only have 8GB of solid-state hard drive space, it’s got enough USB ports and surprisingly even memory card slots for you to add more data. Unlike the Mac Mini they’ve thrown in a webcam and wireless keyboard-mouse combo, which at Rs 25,235 (including taxes) sounds like a great deal. If only they’d stuck with XP instead of Windows Vista! (PS: No monitor included)
Nivio & Novatium
The other interesting trend is of broadband providers bundling cheap devices -- basically stripped down, barebones machines -- that allow you to browse the internet and use web-based versions of popular software for a monthly fee.
Airtel bundles one such device called the Nivio Companion while BSNL/MTNL have tied up with Novatium for a similar box called the Navigator. Both these devices are in the Rs 6000-8000 range but have no hard disk or optical drive and store everything on the network. While in theory, these are ideal for folks who “just want to surf the net”, do they really suffice in practice?
-- Unleashed
