XPC SS51G

"Digital...from the disc to the pojection screen. One system with concept that exceeds and differentiates from the ones that can be found in the market, putting our magazine in the first position in the image market. One proposal that will be discussed... Can your projector stand it? "
It obtains rating 1A for the Wife Approval Factor (WAF, or how much your Mrs is going to like it).

(...) When we first reviewed the SS50, we were amazed at the number of features Shuttle managed to pack into the tiny chassis. Incredibly, though, the SS51G's feature set is even better. The FlexATX Pentium 4 motherboard uses the SiS651 chipset, which boasts key changes such as support for PC2700 memory and Intel's latest Pentium 4 CPUs with a 533MHz front side bus.

One complaint we had about the SS50 was that it was noisy, mainly due to the huge Pentium 4 cooler. Shuttle has tackled this with a new ICE (Integrated Cooling Engine) heatpipe system that uses the PSU fan to provide cooling without the need for a separate CPU fan, significantly reducing noise.

Perhaps the most important new feature, though, is an AGP 4x slot, which can accommodate a typical AGP graphics card. There's still the option to use the integrated SiS315 graphics chip too, which will be fine for normal 2D use. Shuttle has recognised the need to provide modern outputs by including a partnering AGP card with DVI, S-Video and composite video outputs. (...)

The Shuttle XPC SS51G proves that small dimensions don't necessarily mean restricted performance or features. The issue with the GeForce4 Ti and PC2700 is a concern, but the XPC's mix of features and style is compelling. 

Unlike other Barebone systems, Spacewalker SS51G System is a true chameleon. It’s mask can easily be changed to suit any room or table color. Functionality on the other hand is still there. It has 5.25” and 3.5” drive bay, audio and firewire plugs at both, rear and front sides. It has competitive speed, reasonable price, and the most important thing is that you will not have to listen to noisy processor and case fans any more

Artikel auch online erschienen bei:
ZDNet Reviews
www.zdnet.be/...
18. September 2002

Translation: The Shuttle SpaceWalker SS51G is the most compact and complete mini-pc with AGP-slot, and presents itself as a true powermachine.

Das Design der Desktop-Systeme ist seit Jahren gleichgeblieben. Wenige Hersteller haben sich von den großen beige-farbenen Kästen losgelöst. Mit der Tatsache, daß der PC in absehbarer Zeit ein Wohnzimmer-fähiges Gerät wird, sind Design und Größe Eigenschaften von großer Bedeutung, die jedoch nicht von den üblichen typischen Rechne befriedigt werden. Es gibt aber auch Lösungen. (...) Obwohl es klein und tragbar ist, kann es eins der leistungsstärksten PCs werden, den man kaufen kann. Zusammen mit einer Pentium 4 mit hoher Taktfrequenz und einer Radeon 9700 Grafikkarte kann dieses kleine Wunderding viele Tower PCs mit voller Bauhöhe schlagen. Und durch seinen speziellen Kühler für CPU und Gehäuse ist es ist tatsächlich sehr leise.

+ Abmessungen wie ein Mini-Hifi-Gerät
+ ausgezeichnetes 200W-Netzteil
+ geräuscharmes Kühlsystem zur Wärmeabfuhr
+ höhere Performance
+ günstige Standard-Komponenten, kein Slim-CDROM, 2,5" Festplatte, SO-DIMM-Speicher
+ günstiger Preis

Editor's Choice Award

Although it is small and portable, it can become one of the most powerful PCs you can buy. Installing a high Frequency Pentium 4 CPU and a Radeon 9700 VGA, this small miracle can beat many of those full tower PCs. And it is very quiet indeed due to the special cooler for the CPU and case.

"Nicht alle Produkte lassen sich einwandfrei in eine einzige spezielle Kategorie einordnen. Also haben wir eine neue für alle Weisenkinder, Mischlinge und Hardware-Freaks geschaffen, die im Laufe des Jahres unsere Herzen gewonnen haben. Und dieses Jahr gibt es kein besseres Beispiel als das Shuttle SS51G. Ist es ein Gehäuse? Ist es ein Mini-PC? Ist ein Barebone-System? Ist es ein PC im Mac-Gewand?
Nunja, es ist etwas von all diesen Dingen und eine Menge mehr. Shuttle hat eine erfinderische Meisterleistung mit diesem kleingefalteten PC vollbracht, indem sie in diesem winzigen Würfel genug Platz schufen für einen 4X AGP-Steckplatz, onboard USB 2.0 und einen 533MHz-Bus. Brauchst du einen Cube für eine LAN-Party? Dann hau dir ne Radeon 9700 rein! Brauchst du ein Entertainment-Center für daheim? Dann füge ein DVD-ROM hinzu und schließe es an die 5.1-Anlage an. Außerdem ist das Shuttle-Gerät stapelbar, falls Sie auf schwedischer Möbel-Ästhetik stehen. (erhält Kick Ass Preis im Oktober 2002)

SS51G won Maximum PC's "Gear of the year" annual award:

"Not all products fit neatly into a single, specific category. So we created a new one for all the orphans, hybrids and hardware freaks that win our hearts throughout the year. And this year, there's no better example than the Shuttle SS51. Is it a case? Is it a mini-PC? Is it a bare-bones system? Is it a PC in Mac-drag? 
Well, it's a little of all those things and a whole lot more. In a feat of ingenious PC origami, the Shuttle group managed to make enough space in it's tiny cube for a 4x AGP slot, onboard USB 2.0 and a 533 Mhz bus. Want a portable Lan party cube? Throw in your Radeon 9700! Need a home entertainment center? Add a DVD-Rom and wire it up with 5.1s. Plus, the Shuttle is stackable, if you're into that Swedish furniture aesthetic. (received a 9 verdict and Kick Ass award in October 2002)" 

Innovation, elegance + good performance

• External AGP and PCI port
• The integrated technologies
• The internal and external design
• The ports/jacks on the front
• Integrated graphics
• You can take out the unit-holder
• Well though-out high quality product

Shuttle has done it again! Their SS51G is an impressive piece of hardware; good looking, cool, clever, full of features and very compact. Onboard features include six-channel sound, 10/100Mbit LAN, FireWire, USB2.0, optical in/out and SiS315 VGA. This makes the SS51G superior compared to most (maybe even everyone) mainboards on the market, when it comes to features. (...) The SS51G has an external AGP port, which makes you able of putting some raw 3D power inside it. This is a real advantage if you are into some of the new games. The barebones can now appeal to gamers, which is why I really can’t criticize the SS51G for a rather slow 3D chip. (...)

When it comes to the design the SS51G surpasses former barebones. It looks professional, but also kind of cool. This isn’t n object that needs to be hidden under the desk, but it should rather be shown off to your friends. Shuttle has been improving their barebone design through the years and the SS51G is the result of this. Almost everywhere you look at the barebone you are going to find some in/out ports, especially on the front of it. I found it very luxurious that your can plug-in your earphones, microphone, a headset, USB units, Firewire units and optical on the front. (...) the internal design is very compact! Luckily you can take out the unit holder so you can install the RAM and IDE cables without a hitch. The CPU cooler is incredibly easy to remove, efficient and silent. The BIOS is quite good and I especially liked the “FAN speed up” function. (..)