Saturday, October 31, 2009 | 
 | MSI Wind Nettop CS120 Desktop PC - Black Brand : MSI Model : WindNettopCS120 Overall Rating :  From : 14 Reviews Color : / Size : |
Technical Details
- Intel Atom 230 1.6 GHz Processor, 512 KB L2 Cache, 533 MHz Bus speed
- 1024 MB RAM, Max - 2 GB
- 160 GB SATA Hard Drive, SuperMulti DVD Drive
- SuperMulti DVD Drive
- Box Contents - MSI Wind Nettop CS120, 65W Power Adapter; Software Bundle - Windows XP Home, 1-Year Limited Warranty
Product Description
Intel Atom230 1.6G Intel GMA950 1GB DDR2 (2GB max). 160GB Hard Drive DVD/Super-Multi Drive 6 x USB 2.0 ports 1 VGA port LAN 802.11 B/G PCIe mini card. WiFi Antenna Black Foot Stand Includes Windows XP Home.
Customer Reviews (see all-reviews)
T. D. Ryther ( Texas ) Not bad for a small box.
This MSI computer seems to be a good machine. I couldn't get the built in Wi-Fi to work though. Fortunately I have a Linksys /Cisco router, and I don't need the Wi-Fi on this box. It's a bit slow to boot up, but for the price it does a good job. I wish they would put a Firewire port on these little machines, because I would want to load stuff from a video camera or a good DSLR in the future. They should have put a DVD+RW drive on it. I had to buy an external DVD+RW drive. So far, no breakdowns, knock on wood. I don't trust the hard drive they installed, so I bought a Seagate Replica backup drive, and it works well. If something goes wrong, I should be able to get it running again myself.
......................................................
WinCrazy ( near Philadelphia, PA ) HAS A DUAL CORE PROCESSOR !!
The Wind PC is ***NOT*** intended to play videos or games. How foolish can anyone be to assume so when it has a 1.6GHz dual core processor ? This CPU *typically* uses less than 1.0 watt of power. It is intended to be used as either a basic web-surfing/email/basic tasks utility PC appliance or else a perfect platform for creating a home file server (can stream videos, but *not* play them). Look into FreeNAS. Its *really* easy to set up. Did I mention that FreeNAS is free ? No knowledge of *any* Unix/Linux/BSD is required.
If you are really into green machines then choose a green HDD for slightly less total system power consumption. For use as a server, temporarily hook up a USB external or SATA internal optical drive and any old monitor. For less than 250 bucks TOTAL for adding a hard drive (+50 to 75 bucks) and less than 30 bucks for a single 2GB memory stick you will have a great and complete home server with a 100Mbit or 1Gbit wired LAN connection. Or, add a good USB wireless-N or -G adapter to eliminate the LAN cable. There are *very* many bad ones out there, so do your homework and thoroughly research to find a good one.
There is no cheaper complete solution using brand new (waranteed) hardware.
Unlike the Wind PC 100 model, this one does *not* have a PCI expansion card slot. There will never be a Compact Flash G or N wireless adapter.
Using a USB FLASH drive to hold the OS and boot from is definitely a bad idea. The FLASH technology used has a limited write-cycle lifetime and it is *guaranteed to wear out*. However, solid state disk (SSD) drives (also known as MLC FLASH) use a better technology and will never wear out (in your lifetime).
SSDs are still new technology and the performance differences between early models that are still being sold and the newest ones are great. The newest large capacity SSD drives add a big RAM cache buffer to speed up the overall operation (just like HDDs and CPUs). Shop carefully, read the user reviews and look for the best performing models.
Almost all SSDs come in the 2.5 inch hard drive form factor that is intended for laptop PCs. However, they all have the standard SATA power and data connectors. To install in a non-laptop PC a 2.5"-to-3.5" adapter bracket is needed.
Remember that the OS drive needs to be only 32GB or less !!! Prices for the large SSDs are *very* high due to current production techniques for this technology. Like LCD displays prices will fall rapidly in time.
Some Recommended models (i.e., many good user reviews):
RiDATA RDESSD16G-R-BX 16GB USB 2.0 & eSATA EXTERNAL THUMB DRIVE ***MLC*** SSD ~$70
This model's interfaces appears to be unique at the moment. Good for FreeNAS, Freebsd and XP. Linux ??? Too small for Vista and Win7 (they are pigs !).
OCZ Vertex Series OCZSSD2-1VTX30G 2.5" 30GB SATA II MLC ~$140 w- $20 mail-in rebate
OCZ Agility Series OCZSSD2-1AGT30G 2.5" 30GB SATA II MLC (64MB On-board Cache) w- $20 mail-in rebate
Transcend TS32GSSD25-M 2.5" 32GB PATA MLC SSD ~$120
SUPER TALENT UltraDrive ME FTM32GX25H 2.5" 32GB SATA II MLC ~$120
SUPER TALENT MasterDrive EX2 FHM32GF25H 2.5" 32GB PATA/IDE MLC ~$125
This model's interface (IDE) appears to be unique at the moment.
Corsair Extreme Series CMFSSD-32D1 2.5" 32GB SATA II MLC ~$150 w- $15 mail-in rebate
SUPER TALENT MasterDrive SX SAM64GM25S 2.5" 64GB SATA II MLC ~$172
Corsair Extreme Series CMFSSD-64D1 2.5" 64GB SATA II MLC $210 w- $30 mail-in rebate
Patriot Torqx PFZ64GS25SSDR 2.5" 64GB SATA II SSD ~$235
OCZ Vertex OCZSSD2-1VTXA60G 2.5" 60GB SATA II (On-board Cache: 64MB) ~$230
Kingston SSDNow V-Series SNV125-S2BN/128GB 2.5" 128GB SATA II MLC SSD ~$285
Crucial CT128M225 2.5" 128GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid state disk (SSD) (64MB DRAM Cache) ~$320
Patriot Torqx PFZ128GS25SSDR 2.5" 128GB SATA II SSD ~$340
OCZ Summit OCZSSD2-1SUM120G 2.5" 120GB SATA II MLC (128MB On-board Cache) ~$370
Patriot Torqx M28 Series PTX128GS25SSDR 2.5" 128GB SATA II SSD (128MB DRAM Cache) ~$365
Most users seem to love the OCZ "Vertex" series. Certain other competitor's models are equivalent. I think it has to do with the large on-board caches for these large capacity models.
If you are really into green machines then choose a green HDD for slightly less total system power consumption. For use as a server, temporarily hook up a USB external or SATA internal optical drive and any old monitor. For less than 250 bucks TOTAL for adding a hard drive (+50 to 75 bucks) and less than 30 bucks for a single 2GB memory stick you will have a great and complete home server with a 100Mbit or 1Gbit wired LAN connection. Or, add a good USB wireless-N or -G adapter to eliminate the LAN cable. There are *very* many bad ones out there, so do your homework and thoroughly research to find a good one.
There is no cheaper complete solution using brand new (waranteed) hardware.
Unlike the Wind PC 100 model, this one does *not* have a PCI expansion card slot. There will never be a Compact Flash G or N wireless adapter.
Using a USB FLASH drive to hold the OS and boot from is definitely a bad idea. The FLASH technology used has a limited write-cycle lifetime and it is *guaranteed to wear out*. However, solid state disk (SSD) drives (also known as MLC FLASH) use a better technology and will never wear out (in your lifetime).
SSDs are still new technology and the performance differences between early models that are still being sold and the newest ones are great. The newest large capacity SSD drives add a big RAM cache buffer to speed up the overall operation (just like HDDs and CPUs). Shop carefully, read the user reviews and look for the best performing models.
Almost all SSDs come in the 2.5 inch hard drive form factor that is intended for laptop PCs. However, they all have the standard SATA power and data connectors. To install in a non-laptop PC a 2.5"-to-3.5" adapter bracket is needed.
Remember that the OS drive needs to be only 32GB or less !!! Prices for the large SSDs are *very* high due to current production techniques for this technology. Like LCD displays prices will fall rapidly in time.
Some Recommended models (i.e., many good user reviews):
RiDATA RDESSD16G-R-BX 16GB USB 2.0 & eSATA EXTERNAL THUMB DRIVE ***MLC*** SSD ~$70
This model's interfaces appears to be unique at the moment. Good for FreeNAS, Freebsd and XP. Linux ??? Too small for Vista and Win7 (they are pigs !).
OCZ Vertex Series OCZSSD2-1VTX30G 2.5" 30GB SATA II MLC ~$140 w- $20 mail-in rebate
OCZ Agility Series OCZSSD2-1AGT30G 2.5" 30GB SATA II MLC (64MB On-board Cache) w- $20 mail-in rebate
Transcend TS32GSSD25-M 2.5" 32GB PATA MLC SSD ~$120
SUPER TALENT UltraDrive ME FTM32GX25H 2.5" 32GB SATA II MLC ~$120
SUPER TALENT MasterDrive EX2 FHM32GF25H 2.5" 32GB PATA/IDE MLC ~$125
This model's interface (IDE) appears to be unique at the moment.
Corsair Extreme Series CMFSSD-32D1 2.5" 32GB SATA II MLC ~$150 w- $15 mail-in rebate
SUPER TALENT MasterDrive SX SAM64GM25S 2.5" 64GB SATA II MLC ~$172
Corsair Extreme Series CMFSSD-64D1 2.5" 64GB SATA II MLC $210 w- $30 mail-in rebate
Patriot Torqx PFZ64GS25SSDR 2.5" 64GB SATA II SSD ~$235
OCZ Vertex OCZSSD2-1VTXA60G 2.5" 60GB SATA II (On-board Cache: 64MB) ~$230
Kingston SSDNow V-Series SNV125-S2BN/128GB 2.5" 128GB SATA II MLC SSD ~$285
Crucial CT128M225 2.5" 128GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid state disk (SSD) (64MB DRAM Cache) ~$320
Patriot Torqx PFZ128GS25SSDR 2.5" 128GB SATA II SSD ~$340
OCZ Summit OCZSSD2-1SUM120G 2.5" 120GB SATA II MLC (128MB On-board Cache) ~$370
Patriot Torqx M28 Series PTX128GS25SSDR 2.5" 128GB SATA II SSD (128MB DRAM Cache) ~$365
Most users seem to love the OCZ "Vertex" series. Certain other competitor's models are equivalent. I think it has to do with the large on-board caches for these large capacity models.
......................................................
Erik Elmore It's my Linux router-on-a-stick
Good: Small form factor, reasonably fast, lower power consumption than the micro-ATX PC that it replaced, compatible with Debian and boots from a SDHC card.
Bad: Could still be smaller (the drive bays are unnecessary for my purposes). It could draw even less power if the chipset were so optimized (none of its competitors are, either). The blue LED on the front blinds me with the light of a thousand suns.
Overall, this is the best choice I could have made.
Bad: Could still be smaller (the drive bays are unnecessary for my purposes). It could draw even less power if the chipset were so optimized (none of its competitors are, either). The blue LED on the front blinds me with the light of a thousand suns.
Overall, this is the best choice I could have made.
......................................................
CJC Gets the job done, low powered
I needed something that could run 24/7 as a file server that could be occasionally used as a Desktop. While I would not recommend this as an everyday desktop, it gets the job done.
Pros:
Size
Solid Build - High quality contruction, feels like a mini business class desktop.
Low Power Usage
Took only 10 minutes to install ram, hard drive and dvd burner.
External power supply reduces heat (laptop type ac adapter).
For much less than $300 I was able to build a 1tb file server that will outperform just about any NAS in that price range.
Cons:
No WDDM 1.1 support for the 945 chipset. This cripples Aero performance when using Windows 7. No linux drivers for this chipset, forcing VESA drivers.
Loud - The single fan is louder than I expected. I'm looking into replacing the fan.
You can not run 2 hard drives at the same time due to power limitations. Not an issue for most people, but worth a mention if somebody is planning on using the ODD sata port for a 2nd hard drive...
___________________
Other thoughts:
After reading rave reviews of Windows 7's performance on netbooks I thought this would be a no brainer. I did not take into consideration the low netbook resolution which is much easier on the graphic chip than my 19" monitor is. Disabling some visual effects like transparent windows and animations helps, but Windows XP may be a better option for everday use.
Edit: After trying everything from Ubuntu to Windows 7, I've found that Windows XP runs better than anything else on this. Everything works the way you would expect it to in XP, while everything else either suffered from less than full hardware support or inconsistent performance. (end edit)
Built in CF slot is perfect for a permanent ready boost solution.
Performance is exactly what I expected. A quieter fan and a chipset that supports WDDM 1.1 would have earned it a 5th star. No regrets here...
___________________
Notes on Amazon:
My first order was dead on arrival. Amazon got a replacement to me less than 17 hours after I submitted the return request. They paid for the return shipping and overnight shipping for the replacement. I can't say enough good things about Amazon.
Pros:
Size
Solid Build - High quality contruction, feels like a mini business class desktop.
Low Power Usage
Took only 10 minutes to install ram, hard drive and dvd burner.
External power supply reduces heat (laptop type ac adapter).
For much less than $300 I was able to build a 1tb file server that will outperform just about any NAS in that price range.
Cons:
No WDDM 1.1 support for the 945 chipset. This cripples Aero performance when using Windows 7. No linux drivers for this chipset, forcing VESA drivers.
Loud - The single fan is louder than I expected. I'm looking into replacing the fan.
You can not run 2 hard drives at the same time due to power limitations. Not an issue for most people, but worth a mention if somebody is planning on using the ODD sata port for a 2nd hard drive...
___________________
Other thoughts:
After reading rave reviews of Windows 7's performance on netbooks I thought this would be a no brainer. I did not take into consideration the low netbook resolution which is much easier on the graphic chip than my 19" monitor is. Disabling some visual effects like transparent windows and animations helps, but Windows XP may be a better option for everday use.
Edit: After trying everything from Ubuntu to Windows 7, I've found that Windows XP runs better than anything else on this. Everything works the way you would expect it to in XP, while everything else either suffered from less than full hardware support or inconsistent performance. (end edit)
Built in CF slot is perfect for a permanent ready boost solution.
Performance is exactly what I expected. A quieter fan and a chipset that supports WDDM 1.1 would have earned it a 5th star. No regrets here...
___________________
Notes on Amazon:
My first order was dead on arrival. Amazon got a replacement to me less than 17 hours after I submitted the return request. They paid for the return shipping and overnight shipping for the replacement. I can't say enough good things about Amazon.
......................................................
R. Ortega ( HI, USA ) This thing ROCKS!
I work for a company that rents PC's. We needed to bring some newer, faster, smaller PC's into our fleet and this fit the bill perfect. Small and compact yet still easy to work on. We built 15 to start with and they have been out in the field 2x with no problems. I plan on building 40 more here shortly. I liked it so much I built one for my good friend. To get a bare bones system (case, CPU, MB) all for less than the cost of most motherboards today is a great value. I put together a complete PC for less than $300.00 (not including monitor). I am running Windows XP Pro with SP3 and it runs great. The on board video was even better than expected.
......................................................
Accessories
Similar
- Crucial 2GB 667 Mhz CT25664AC667 DDR2 200-Pin SODIMM Laptop Memory
- Western Digital 1 TB Caviar Green SATA Intellipower 32 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive WD10EADS
- Wireless Wifi Link Mini Card
- Samsung Internal Half Height DVD-W Supermulti SATA 22X Lightscribe (Black)
- Addonics Hard Drive Mounting Bracket (AAHDMK53)
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Thank for your comment about Desktop PC