ZOTAC International, a global innovator and channel manufacturer of graphics cards, mainboards and mini-PCs, today refreshes the ZBOX nano with AMD Radeon HD 7340 graphics processing capabilities. The latest ZOTAC ZBOX nano with AMD Radeon HD 7340 graphics boosts graphics and CPU processing capabilities while maintaining energy efficiency to create a palm-sized home theater PC capable of high-definition video playback and lightning-fast system responsiveness.

"Our ZOTAC ZBOX nano series is a user favorite as it enables full-fledged PCs in all rooms and locations. The palm-sized form factor is extremely flexible and with the new AMD E2-1800 APU, we are able to deliver more performance and additional connectivity in the ZOTAC ZBOX nano with AMD Radeon HD 7340 graphics while maintaining the same footprint," said Carsten Berger, marketing director, ZOTAC International.

ZOTAC International, a global innovator and channel manufacturer of graphics cards, mainboards and mini-PCs, today delivers a new ZBOX with NVIDIA GeForce GT 520M graphics processing. The new ZOTAC ZBOX with NVIDIA GeForce GT 520M graphics incorporates class-leading features and stunning visuals to form a perfect home theater PC.

"We're pleased to inject the power of NVIDIA GeForce graphics to our award-winning ZOTAC ZBOX for users that demand energy-efficiency with a graphics kick," said Carsten Berger, marketing director, ZOTAC International. "The new ZOTAC ZBOX with NVIDIA GeForce GT 520M graphics delivers phenomenal high-definition video playback capabilities to make it the perfect home theater PC as well."

Shuttle Computer Handels GmbH, the European subsidiary of Shuttle Inc., one of the leading developers and manufacturers of compact PC solutions such as the world-renowned XPC Mini-PC Barebones, today announces the introduction of a new model in its 3-litre PC product series. The XH61V - an improved version of the previous XH61 - is now available from specialist retailers.

The Shuttle Barebone XH61V is based on an Intel H61 Express chipset and is compatible with the latest Intel processors for the LGA1155 socket. Processors in 32 nm or 22 nm micro architecture and with two to four cores are suitable for use with this new model. These include Intel Core, Pentium and Celeron processors up to 65 W TDP. System cooling is provided by a heatpipe with two extremely quiet 60 mm fans for air circulation. Both SO-DIMM slots on the motherboard work in dual-channel mode and can accommodate up to a total of 16 GB DDR3 memory. An external 90 W power supply is included as well.

Due to the abrupt cancellation of Intel's Atom D2700 processor, Foxconn is forced to alter the specifications of the Intel variant, of its Nano PC nettop. The new Nano AT-5250 fanless nettop by Foxconn features Atom D2550 dual-core processor clocked at 1.83 GHz. The AMD variant, the Nano AT-5600, remains unchanged, and is driven by AMD E-450 dual-core APU.

Processors aside, the Nano PC nettops feature one DDR3 SO-DIMM slot, supporting up to 4 GB of memory, two USB 3.0 and four USB 2.0 ports, one 2.5-inch and one 1.8-inch drive bays; and connectivity that includes 802.11 b/g/n, gigabit Ethernet; multi-format card reader, and display connectivity that includes DVI and HDMI. Measuring 19 cm x 13.5 cm x 3.8 cm, the Foxconn Nano weighs about 600 g. The AMD and Intel variants are priced around $280 and $260, respectively.

Shuttle Computer Handels GmbH, the European subsidiary of Shuttle Inc., one of the leading developers and manufacturers of compact PC solutions such as the world-renowned XPC Mini-PC Barebones, today announces the launch of the third generation of its award-winning and completely fanless XS35 model from their slim PC series.

"Even our dealers keep telling us how impressed they are with the quietness of this model," says Tom Seiffert, Head of Marketing & PR at Shuttle Computer Handels GmbH. "It's very rare that the elimination of a particular component has been greeted with such positive comments. However, we've certainly achieved this by doing away with the use of fans."

MSI launch MS-9893 with the latest Intel Atom Platform. This is the multi-display outputs of mini-ITX form factor board with the latest 32nm process technology for the highest HD graphics quality, and offers lower power consumption and enhanced graphic and media performance.

MSI MS-9893 supports multi-display outputs, including single Channel 18/24 bit LVDS, VGA, one HDMI. It has great graphics performance and support for up to 1080P high definition video.MSI MS-9893 is equipped with single-channel DDR3 1066 MHz memory up to a maximum of 4 GB in 1 x 204 SO-DIMM slots. MS-9893 supports D2550(10W) / N2800(6.5W) two SKU, with VGA, HDMI, Video Output: LVDS/ Single CH 24bit by D2550 (LVDS/ Single CH 18bit by N2800). Power Input support, one ATX for D2550, and another is DC-in 12V for D2550 / N2800. I/O, and expansion connectivity, including 6* COM-ports(2 x Real, 4 x Internal), 6* USB2.0(4 x Real, 2 x Internal), and 8*GPIO(4 x GPI, 4 x GPO), one PCI slot and one Mini-PCIe slot could support the m-SATA/wireless function.

Super Micro Computer, Inc., a global leader in high-performance, high-efficiency server technology and green computing, releases its next generation, ultra low power, compact form factor embedded server platform (5017P-TLN4F) based on their new Mini-ITX (6.7" x 6.7") motherboard (X9SPV-F/LN4F). Compared to the previous generation architecture, this solution delivers 15% more processing performance, up to 50% more 3D graphics performance supporting the latest graphic APIs - DirectX 11, OpenCL 1.1 and OpenGL 3.1 and new features such as Intel Smart Response Technology enabling increased storage I/O performance with SSD caching.

The Pure Platinum Z77i isn't the only new mini-ITX motherboard from Sapphire, the company also has one based on the AMD A75 chipset, supporting upcoming "Trinity APUs from AMD, in the socket FM2 package, called the Pure Platinum A75T. There are quite a few design differences between Sapphire's new mini-ITX motherboards besides the platforms they support. The most significant being, that the Pure Platinum A75T features two DDR3 SO-DIMM slots, instead of standard 240-pin UDIMM ones.

The Pure Platinum A75T draws power from 24-pin ATX + 4-pin ATX connectors. The APU is powered by a 5-phase VRM, with a heatsink cooling the driver-MOSFETs. The APU is wired to two DDR3 SO-DIMM slots supporting up to 16 GB of dual-channel DDR3-1866 MHz memory; a PCI-Express 2.0 x16 slot; and a mini-PCIe 2.0 x1 slot (for WLAN cards). The A75 FCH gives out four SATA 6 Gb/s internal ports. There are four USB 3.0 ports, two each on the rear-panel, and by headers. Display connectivity includes one each of DVI, D-Sub, and HDMI. 6-channel HD audio and gigabit Ethernet make for the rest of the connectivity. The Pure Platinum A75T could feature in the first wave of socket FM2 motherboards.

With the advent of Intel's Core "Ivy Bridge" processors, and DDR3-1600 MHz becoming a standard memory speed, there is a push among memory vendors for affordable memory kits supporting the standard. Princeton Japan launched no less than 12 new memory kits, spanning across standard DIMMs, SO-DIMMs (for notebooks and AIOs); single-module and dual-channel kits, with module densities of 2 GB, 4 GB, and 8 GB. The modules bear basic appearance, and lack fancy heatspreaders. The modules achieve their rated speed of 1600 MHz DDR with a CAS latency as high as 11T, and module voltage of 1.5V. The modules are hence JEDEC PC3-12800 specifications compliant, and don't require XMP profiles to operate at advertised speeds, on compatible platforms. The company is providing lifetime warranty. Prices start at 5,400 JPY (US $68).

Known more for its VIA Nano and Intel Atom-powered fanless IPCs (industrial PCs), Habey is readying BIS-6763, a new IPC model that is driven by a robust Core i3 "Sandy Bridge" dual-core processor. Measuring 190 x 190 x 67 mm, the IPC is made of a metal chassis, a portion of which is ridged, to double up as a heatsink. Beneath it is a pair of cylindrical heat pipes that transport heat to the top panel (heatsink), which cool the Core i3-2367M processor (dual-core, 1.40 GHz, 3 MB L3, 17W TDP), and Intel HM65 Express PCH.

Sadly, the IPC does not take advantage of the processor's dual-channel DDR3 IMC, there's just the one DDR3 SO-DIMM slot, supporting up to 8 GB of DDR3-1333 MHz memory. For expansion, there are two mini-PCIe slots. The sole storage option is a 2.5-inch SATA 6 Gb/s SSD/HDD bay. Connectivity includes one serial RS232 interface, six USB 2.0, gigabit Ethernet, and Intel HD 3000 graphics that gives out an HDMI, and a D-Sub display output. With 2 GB of DDR3 memory included, the BIS-6763 is expected to be priced at US $499. A variant that's powered by Intel Celeron 857 (dual-core, 1.20 GHz, 2 MB L3, 17W TDP), is also expected to be available, at US $299.

As the leading memory module maker, Apacer Technology Inc. has long been devoted to the industrial computer field, particularly the embedded systems. Apacer takes the lead by introducing today a memory module featuring high speed, high capacity and low power consumption as well as full compatibility with the 22-nm Ivy Bridge microprocessor platform released lately by Intel. Compared with the mainstream 8-GB DDR3-1333 memory module, Apacer's high-speed DDR3-1600 memory module dedicated to embedded systems requires a working voltage of only 1.35V, which can be applied into the module either to the fanless design or to the embedded system. Thanks to its 20% higher performance and 11% less power consumption, the module can save considerable power expenditure for enterprise users.

J&W introduced a new fanless nettop and IPC, the M001. Driven by Intel "Cedar Trail" Atom D2550 or N2800 or N2600 processors, the M001 packs a nano-ITX system board. It has one vacant DDR3 SO-DIMM slot, supporting up to 4 GB of memory. For storage, there is one 2.5-inch SATA 3 Gb/s drive bay. Connectivity include 802.11 b/g/n, gigabit Ethernet, three USB 2.0 ports, SD/SDHC/MS/MS Pro/MMC card reader, HDMI and VGA display outputs, and RS232 serial (COM). The ridged metal body doubles up as a heatsink. Minus the antenna and stand, the system measures just 135 x 128 x 45 mm. Pricing and availability information is awaited.

Green House Japan released a pair of new 8 GB DDR3-1333 MHz (PC3-10600) memory modules. These consist of the GH-DRT1333-8GB and GH-DVT1333-8GB, which are 240-pin standard DIMM, and differ by the former having lifetime warranty, while the latter has 5 year warranty; and GH-DNT1333 and GH-DWT1333, which are 204-pin SO-DIMM modules with lifetime and 5-year warranties, respectively. Both kinds of modules are JEDEC standards-compliant, and run at DDR3-1333 MHz speeds with CAS latency of 9T, and 1.50V DRAM voltage.

Team Group Inc. has been invested a great deal of efforts in developing commercial products that catch up with global trends. Now we are expanding our spectrum to industrial markets and dedicate ourselves in the development of industrial products that features high standard and resistance to extreme environmental conditions. This year, Team Group rolls out the new industrial control memory module series, including Registered DIMM, ECC U-DIMM, VLP U-DIMM and Micro-DIMM, in the largest embedded system exhibition, the ESEC, in Japan.

The "industrial control wide-temperature series," the point in the show, is the "mighty warrior" that is able to operate in an environment at a temperature ranging from -40°C to 95°C. It is like operating stably in an extreme environment in the Arctic Circle or a scorching desert. This is absolutely the top choice for your industrial control memories and server memories.

Foxconn's Channel brand introduced a new line of fanless compact PCs under the Nano PC brand. The two newly launched models include the AT-5300, which is driven by Intel Atom D2700, and the AT-5600, which is driven by by AMD E-450 "Brazos" APU. The two are barebones, and require at least one DDR3 SO-DIMM module (up to 4 GB) and a 2.5-inch HDD or SSD. Both models measure just 190 x 135 x 38 mm, and weigh about 600 g. Connectivity includes two USB 3.0 ports, four USB 2.0 ports, an SD/SDHC/MS/MS Pro/MMC card reader, 802.11 b/g/n, gigabit Ethernet, and display outputs that include D-Sub and HDMI. Available soon, the two Nano PC models will be priced under US $200.

Although at a much "smaller" scale, Raspberry Pi did to mini computers what iPad did to tablets (wake up a nearly dead product segment), and now a section of the market likes computers to be as small and potent as the ARM-driven Raspberry Pi. Although at a different end of the price and performance spectrum from the Raspberry Pi, Intel has reason to believe its NUC mini computer could achieve market success. NUC (Next Unit of Computing) is a mini box computer for the retail channel, which is roughly the size of a modern wireless router, but as powerful as a mainstream laptop.

The NUC owes its computing power to Intel Core i3/i5 "Sandy Bridge" dual-core processors (probably in the BGA-1023 package), with Intel HD 3000 graphics, and dual-channel DDR3 memory (SO-DIMMs). The logic board measures 100 x 100 mm, and has all the essential connectivity crammed into it, including umm...10 Gb/s Thunderbolt, USB 3.0, 802.11 b/g/n, and HDMI with multi-channel HD audio. This board is smaller than VIA's NANO-ITX (120 x 120 mm) form-factor. The rest of the ABS plastic enclosure's volume is spent housing the cooling assembly. Informed sources predict that while the NUC won't be priced in the hundereds or thousands of Dollars, it most certainly won't be priced at $25. A starting price of $100 seems realistic.

ECS introduced a new Intel Atom "Cedar Trail" motherboard in the micro-ATX form-factor. The board only slightly steps out of the size specifications of mini-ITX (measuring 190 x 170 mm), yet it wouldn't fit in most mini-ITX cases. The board draws power from a 24-pin ATX power connector. It is driven by Intel Atom D2700 dual-core processor clocked at 2.13 GHz, with HyperThreading technology enabling 4 logical CPUs, and TDP of just 10W; and Intel NM10 chipset.

The CPU is cooled by a chunky passive heatsink.It is wired to two DDR3 SO-DIMM slots, supporting up to 4 GB of single-channel DDR3-1066 MHz memory. Expansion slots include one each of PCI-Express 2.0 x1 and legacy PCI. Storage connectivity includes two internal SATA 3 Gb/s ports. The rest of the connectivity consists of 6-channel HD audio, gigabit Ethernet, serial/COM, eight USB 2.0 ports (four on the rear panel, four via headers), and PS/2. Display outputs include DVI and D-Sub. It is priced at a juicy 7,280 JPY (US $89).

Giada also introduced a tiny nano-ITX system board based on Intel HM65 mobile-on-desktop platform, featuring a low-power "Sandy Bridge" Celeron/Core processor. The board is designed to run off external DC power input. The board can be used as a micro-server. Apart from a standard SATA 6 Gb/s port, it has two slots, a mini PCI-Express (for WLAN+Bluetooth cards), and an mSATA (to hold its OS SSD). SO-DIMM memory slots, we imagine, are on the reverse side of the PCB. The system can be programmed to run headless, or there is a host of connectivity options along the top of the board, including USB, HDMI, D-Sub, Ethernet, and stereo line-out. The PCI-Express interface below is for an additional PCB that expands connectivity.

The versatile new MI-HM65T Mini ITX motherboard from Giada is at home in all environments, including the factory floor, tough monitoring and control applications, embedded computing, office desks, and the home. Built around Intel's HM65 chipset and the Sandy Bridge platform, this motherboard brings users high performance and almost unlimited connectivity, with economical power consumption. It offers all the industry-standard features of a desktop PC in a tiny package, to support a wide range of applications.

Powered by Intel's fast Core i7, i5, i3 or Celeron 867 CPUs, supported by up to 4GB of memory, with onboard integrated graphics and video support, the Giada MI-HM65T can easily take care of almost any task you throw at it. This tough but tiny powerhouse handles industrial control, monitoring and automation applications as well as office and productivity, or home entertainment.

MSC Vertriebs GmbH presents the first COM Express modules based on the 3rd generation Intel Core processor family (formerly codenamed 'Ivy Bridge'). The 3rd generation Intel Core processor family utilizes Intel's advanced 22nm process technology with three-dimensional transistors for higher performance at lower power. The new COM Express modules feature a further leap forward in computing power, graphics and video performance in comparison to modules based on the previous generation Intel platform. Important innovations of this new product generation are lower power consumption at higher clock frequencies and improved graphics and video performance. For the first time, the new Intel platform supports DirectX 11.

Shuttle also launched a new line of slimline, fan-less XPC Mini PC barebones driven by the latest Intel Atom D2700 processor. The XS35V3 and XS36V launched today, succeed the XS35/V2 launched last September, which were based on previous-generation Atom D525 chips. Measuring 252 x 162 x 38.5 mm (WxDxH), the XS35V3 features a slimline optical drive bay apart from a 2.5" SATA drive bay to hold an HDD or SSD. It has two DDR3 SO-DIMM slots, supporting up to 4 GB of single-channel DDR3-1066 MHz memory. Front-panel includes a card-reader (supports SDHC/SD/MS/MS Pro), and a USB 2.0 port. Its rear-panel includes stereo line-out and mic-in audio jacks, four USB 2.0 ports, an Ethernet port, and display outputs that include HDMI 1.3 and D-sub (VGA). It also features wireless b/g/n LAN.

The XS36V has a slightly smaller chassis, measuring 200 x 160 x 36 mm. It lacks a slimline optical drive bay, its only drive bay is a 2.5" SATA. Most of its logic board is identical to that of its sibling. Apart from the a card-reader (SDHC/SD/MS/MS Pro) and a USB 2.0 port, the front-panel features two RS232 serial (COM) ports. Its rear-panel is identical to that of the XS35V3. Both models include a 40W external power brick. The XS35V3 is priced around US $149, while the XS36V is priced slightly higher.

Kingston launched a fleet of new system-specific SO-DIMM memory packages. Each of these packages contain memory that's tested for 100% compatibility and rated performance on the notebook makes they're specific to. These include HP, Dell, Apple, Lenovo, Sony, and Toshiba. The new packages make it easy for ground-store buyers to pick the right memory for their notebooks off the rack, with minimal help from the storekeepers. Newer batches of Kingston DDR3 SO-DIMM memory for notebooks will implement the new packaging.

After last week's launch of nano-ITX Cedartrail motherboards, J&W launched mini-ITX motherboards under its iconic Minix brand. The new motherboards are designed keeping HTPCs and compact desktops in mind. These include the Minix D2700-HD (Atom D2700, HDMI), and Minix Minix D2500-HD (Atom D2500, HDMI). Pictured below is the Minix D2700-HD.

The Minix D2700-HD runs an Atom D2700 dual-core processor clocked at 2.13 GHz, with two SO-DIMM memory slots supporting up to 4 GB of single-channel DDR3-1066 MHz memory. Its lone expansion slot is a PCI-Express 2.0 x1. The board draws power from a 2-pin DC external input, and gives out a 4-pin Molex output to power connected SATA drives. Connectivity includes dual gigabit Ethernet, two SATA 3 Gb/s, two USB 3.0, 6-channel HD audio, and display outputs that include HDMI and D-Sub. The Minix D2500-HD is driven by Atom D2500 dual-core processor clocked at 1.85 GHz, it is largely identical to its bigger sibling, except for the lack of USB 3.0, and the second Ethernet connection. Pricing and availability information is awaited.

Embedded systems and IPC maker J&W unveiled the first Atom "Cedar Trail" motherboard in the nano-ITX form-factor. The board measures just 120 x 120 mm, and is designed for embedded computing devices. It draws power from a 2-pin 12V DC input. It holds a dual-core Intel Atom D2700 (2.13 GHz) or D2500 (1.83 GHz) processor, one DDR3 SO-DIMM slot (reverse side), which supports up to 4 GB of DDR3-1066/800 MHz memory, and basic connectivity. The lone expansion slot is a mini-PCIe, designed to hold WLAN adapters.

Display outputs include D-Sub (by header), LVDS, and HDMI. Connectivity options include one SATA 3 Gb/s (AHCI), five USB 2.0 ports (three type-A connectors, two via headers), gigabit Ethernet, 6-channel HD audio over HDMI and 2-channel analog audio, RS232 Serial, SD/SDHC card reader, SIM card slot (3G option), consumer IR, and PS/2 (header). The CPU and core logic can be passively cooled. The Cedar Trail Nano-ITX board from J&W will be available to embedded systems and IPC markets, soon.

A-Tech Fabrication, a company that specializes in hand-crafted HTPCs, unveiled the HeatSync 1200 fanless HTPC. The part that makes it fanless is the chassis itself, which is made of aluminum, with fins on the sides, that dissipate heat. Copper heat pipes transfer heat from key components such as the CPU and chipset to the sides of the chassis, which takes care of the rest. Although most of the chassis is anodized black, with its front-panel, you can choose between silver and black options.

The HeatSync 1200 internally packs an Intel DH61AG thin mini-ITX motherboard, which seats an Intel Core i3-2100T dual-core 35W processor, clocked at 2.50 GHz. 4 GB Corsair Vengeance SO-DIMM memory comes standard. Also standard is the Intel SSD 310 40 GB mSATA SSD. Considering there are no mechanical hard drives, or a PSU with active-cooling (a 160W power-brick does the job), the HeatSync 1200 is literally silent. A consumer IR (CIR) receiver with Windows Media Center remote, and Windows 7 Home Premium make for the rest of it.