First Ever PicoBTX PC Barebone Reviewed

Web-Site Tests Shuttle’s SB86i

by Yaroslav Lyssenko

[ 02/03/2005 | 09:49 AM ]

The first ever picoBTX form-factor PC from Shuttle Computer, a top maker of small form-factor PC barebones, emerged for sale during the weekend in Tokyo, Japan. Furthermore, the product had been reportedly available in Europe for some time and some web-sites, like Matbe.com, even managed to review the part.

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Shuttle’s XPC SB86i small form-factor computer barebone is based on Intel’s i915G core-logic that supports Intel’s Pentium 4 and Celeron processors with 533MHz and 800MHz processor system bus. The system can install a PCI Express x16 graphics card, a PCI add-in card and up to 2GB of dual-channel PC3200 DDR memory. The chassis allow installing one 5.25” optical drive and two 3.5” hard disk drives to utilize Intel’s Matrix RAID capabilities. The XPC SB86i also sports a number of multimedia enhancements, such as 8-channel Intel’s high-definition audio, Gigabit Ethernet, USB 2.0, FireWire and 8-in-1 card reader.

While this is not the first ever BTX form-factor personal computer in retail, this is the first BTX product oriented on do-it-yourself (DIY) market, but how good it actually is?

“Indeed, SB86i must face a wild competition from its Shuttle brothers. Currently available starting from 399 euros, it finds on its way the less expensive SB83G5 (333 euros) and the SB81P quoted 399 euros. Furthermore, you have to keep in mind that these two direct competitors are smaller and lighter,” web-site Matbe.com reports.

• Shuttle SB86i: The BTX in a Barebone (in French).
• Babel Fish Translator.
• X-bit labs: Shuttle Pushes First PicoBTX PC Barebone into Retail.