Desktop PCs are generally intended to last two to five years, so when my desktop turned seven I started to worry. It’s a great computer (home-built using D.J. Bernstein’s standard workstation specifications), but it’s getting a little slow, it sounds like a 747 taking off when it boots up, the front USB ports have fallen slightly inside the case and the hard drive is about 80% full. Everything on the computer is backed up on a RAID 1 system and in my online backups, but I was starting to get nervous about the possibility of a catastrophic failure. Time to go shopping!
I used to be a little skeptical about tiny computers until I bought an Asus Eee netbook and fell in love with it. So when my husband in-house tech support suggested a nettop (Internet+desktop, it took me a minute to get it!), it seemed worth a look. After comparing various machines and their capabilities and features, we settled on an ASRock Ion (I purchased mine from NewEgg but that exact model seems to be sold out). We purchased a second internal hard drive to set up a RAID 1 system and also ordered a video cable to support my second monitor. Here’s the new setup: I posed my glasses case on top of it to show how small it is:
As with most nettops, the ASRock Ion machines consume very little electricity as compared to a standard desktop. This machine was about $400 total, and we estimated that it will pay for itself in about three years through decreased electricity usage. So far I’m extremely happy with it; any other translators out there making the nettop switch?
I also treated myself to a Unicomp ultra-clicky keyboard. The model I purchased is similar to an old-style IBM keyboard and treats you to a very audible “click” when you strike the keys. I don’t mind the sound and I find that the hard-strike keys improve my typing accuracy and cause less hand strain than my old “mushy” keyboard. Plus you sound very productive when you use a keyboard that makes that much noise!
Interesting way to go. I love the diminutive size of the machine. When the processor of my 5 year old custom-built desktop failed last February, I felt overwhelmed by all the different choices that are out there now. So I replaced the motherboard.
One additional thought (since I am in the process of preparing my presentation on data security for the upcoming MICATA conference in Kansas City): I love RAID 1 and had it for about 5 years. But it is not really a backup solution (http://is.gd/bKw9Y). It guarantees uninterrupted availability in case of hard drive failure, and that alone is worth the cost of RAID. To keep your data safe, however, you need a different, real backup solution.
Which on-line backup are you using?
Thanks, Michael! I’m really happy with the nettop; it is also very quiet. Just the fact that I’m not cringing and praying while the desktop does its “wop wop wop wop” startup is a big win. Thanks for the excellent point about RAID; it definitely does not protect against the house burning down (or me spilling a cup of coffee onto the computer for that matter). We use RSync.net for online backups. It’s not dirt cheap, I think I pay 80 cents per gig per month, but they have been around forever and seem quite reliable.
Interesting (and tempting) post, Corinne! I know next to nothing about these systems. I’ve always had laptops (always two of them running well) and never took the space-taking desktop route. You’ve made me rethink this.
From what I read on your wikipedia link, it seems nettops are less powerful. I have the (bad) habit of running many applications at the same time (including some resource-hungry ones like Photoshop). Sometimes, even my 2.26 GHz dual core 4 Go RAM number starts to beg for mercy. Wonder how a nettop would handle that, and how you deal with its apparent limited connectivity.
Lucky you to have at-home on-call IT service!
Interesting post, thanks.
How is it performing in terms of cooling, is it noisy? Are the fans quiet ? (i ask the question because you added a 2nd hard disk drive, which also generates more heat that has to be extracted out of the case.)
Great it has a dual core Intel Atom 330.
Did you upgrade to 4GB of RAM?
I’m fascinated, but dumbfounded! Keep us posted!