So we are finally starting to see the desktop version of the netbook computer craze become available. The Shuttle version is similar to the Eee and the MSI products in that they are taking a que from the Apple iMac and becomming an All in one computer and monitor solution.
What’s disappointing to me is that the Shuttle X50 has only a 15.6” screen in it for the $500 price tag, but that’s probably because it’s screen is a full touch screen.
The Touch Screen is a cool feature for this computer. It suddenly makes this the ideal kitchen computer, or hang on the wall communicaiton center for a busy family.
The 5.1 channel audio is a nice touch too, making this an ideal unit for streaming radio, or tv from sites like Pandora, Last.fm or hulu.
But the one feature it’s missing is BlueTooth. The touch screen is nice but you need to be able to pull out a full keyboard and mouse occasionally, and no one is going to want to string a USB cable to a wall mounted computer to do that. Critical oversight, that hopefully they will fix in the next version.
Personally I’d like to see the price cheaper on this, but… With it’s dual Core Atom CPU and touch screen, it’s understandable why it’s not a $299 unit.
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