Small form factor computer maker Shuttle is preparing to launch three new XS-Series nettop PCs based on the desktop version of the Intel Atom Cedar Trail platform.

All three models, dubbed the XS35V3, XS35GT V3, and XS36V, use the same Intel Atom D2700 processor which, thanks to its 2.13GHz operating clocks and dual-core design, happens to be the fastest Cedarview CPU introduced by Intel.

Despite its “high” base clocks, the D2700 still manages to be extremely power frugal, which allowed Shuttle to cool its PC’s passively.

As far as the rest of the configuration is concerned, the systems are designed to support up to 4GB of DDR3 system memory, can accommodate a single SATA 3Gbps 2.5-inch hard drive or SSD and select models can also feature a silm-line DVD burner or Blu-ray ODD.

A mini PCI Express x1 expansion slot is also available, while the XS35GT V3 even comes with a discrete AMD Radeon HD 6430M graphics card.

Moving on to connectivity, all of Shuttle’s SFF systems come with integrated 802.11 b/g/n wireless (150Mbps), feature one Gigabit LAN port as well as HDMI and D-Sub video outputs, four USB 2.0 ports, and a multi-format memory card reader.

The Shuttle XS-series nettops are powered via an external adapter, which is rated at 40 Watts.

No details regarding the launch date or the pricing of these systems are available so far, but since they were spotted in Shuttle’s own product catalog we expect them to make their way into retail quite soon.

Intel’s Cedar Trail platform comprises Atom Cedarview processors and the NM10 chipset, which is the same controller logic used by its predecessor.

These are the first Atom processors to be built using the 32nm fabrication process and feature a unified architecture that packs both the computing cores and the GPU in the same die.

• Sunday, February 12th, 2012 • Techno • RSS 2.0