Xi3 Miniature Modular PC Scales Up

By Thomas Soderstrom
published

Xi3’s dual-core Athlon-based PC appeared at CES, with the company showing off a modular design that allows traditional upgrades in a nontraditional form factor.

It may not be an ATX derivative, but potential buyers will be happy to note that most of its modules will be upgradeable for $50 to $100 as more-powerful versions are released.

Stackable for easier cluster building, buyers who prefer simplicity to power can also go the other way by adding up to three “Zero” modules, or terminals, to allow a single PC to support multiple stations.

Xi3’s base system is already available for under $900, while its Zero modules are scheduled for release in late March.

Thomas Soderstrom
Thomas Soderstrom
Thomas Soderstrom is a Senior Staff Editor at Tom's Hardware US. He tests and reviews cases, cooling, memory and motherboards.
6 Comments Comment from the forums
  • sykozis
    I just don't understanding paying a premium price, for outdated technology....especially processors that were EOL'd...
    Reply
  • 11796pcs
    So you build the PC together with these independent modules? Anyway, they probably chose the processor they did to limit heat output and cost.
    Reply
  • ProDigit10
    Niiicceooo!!!

    No fan?

    Where's the RAM?

    Me like!
    Reply
  • loomis86
    Where's the power supply?
    Reply
  • alyoshka
    Genuinely lovely piece of equipment......
    It'd be great to have more modules..... I'd love it even more if they attach a module to power it with a solar panel..... :)
    I'll , hopefully get myself one ..... just for kicks....
    Reply
  • david politis
    For sykozis: The Xi3 Modular Computer (5 Series model) described/shown here, is a middle of the road device, not designed to be bleeding edge or trailing edge (and clearly not for everyone). However, we believe the ability to update, modify and upgrade the Modular Computer by swapping out one of the I/O cards will make it quite attractive to many people.

    To clear-up one point from the write-up, however, the Xi3 Modular Computer (5 Series model) is available today to prospective customers on a limited proof-of-concept/evaluation basis only, with general availability in March 2011 for it (and for the Xi3 Z3RO thin client, and for the Storage SLID3 and Hybrid SLID3 external hard-drives).

    Dave Politis,
    Chief Marketing Officer,
    Xi3 Corporation
    Reply