Even visually, it makes a high-quality impression: Front of the black XPC from Shuttle

In sales figures, the founder and originator of the mini-bare-bones concept - Shuttle - is well in the lead. No manufacturer offers a larger portfolio of mini-models for almost every taste. Top companies like Asus, MSI and Elitegroup only ventured into the segment some one and a half years later, and lag accordingly. ECS (Elitegroup) takes on the role of the low bidder and offers mini-systems (EZ Buddy with SiS651 chipset).MSI follows a similar strategy with the Hermes series (also SiS651 chipset) at almost the same price. Shuttle is not selling its PC systems on the strength of its prices: Minis from the popular XPC series range in price from $235 (184 euro) to $537 (420 Euro). To note, that is without processor, memory, hard disk and drives.

Test Panel With A History: Mini-PCs Over The Past 2 Years

Our current test panel has fewer beginners and more top models of manufacturers. Aopen presents its firstborn, the XC Cube EZ65, and makes a good impression at first glance. Biostar is starting two new models in the race: the iDEQ 200A for the P4 platform and the iDEQ 200P for the Athlon 64 platform. Shuttle puts its all into the race, sending three models for the Intel platform to the THG lab. The only system for the Athlon XP platform is from Soltek, the EQ3701M. Not a bad offering, especially since it's the only one for the Athlon XP platform.

Mini-PCs are a long-standing tradition for THG. Those who would like to learn extensively about the subject can tackle the following articles:

• Cooler and Quieter Barebones PCs?
• PC Size Means Everything
• The Mailman Has Arrived: Four Mini-PCs on the Test Bench
• Unevenly Matched Mini-Trio: MSI vs. Shuttle vs. Saintsong
• Battle of the Minis: Soltek vs. Shuttle
• Two New Mini-Powerhouses from Shuttle
• The Smallest of Them All: The P4/2400 Micro PC
• Whoohoo! A Mini PC That Goes To The Max
• Goodbye to Hulking PCs: Athlon Mini-PCs Set The Trend
• Build Your Own Mini-PC For The Office

Here is an overview of the current test panel with prices: