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Acer Veriton N260G  (Source: Acer)
Acer rolls out nettop for business users on a budget

A big company with hundreds or thousands of computers spends a significant amount of money on electricity with much of that being consumed by computers used in the office. Many of the workers in an office only use a small portion of the power their computer offers.

For the user that does basic data entry or tasks not needing a high-performance PC, Acer has unveiled a slick little nettop called the Veriton N260G for the professional market. The little nettop sells for $399 and is designed with a retractable stand that allows it to stand on a desktop and it can be fitted onto the rear of an LCD monitor as well.

The tiny machine has a chassis that is about a liter in size. Inside the nettop chassis sits the innards of a netbook with an Intel Atom N280 CPU paired with an Intel GN40 chipset. The machine runs Windows XP Pro and has a recovery CD with Vista Business as well.

Other specifications include 2GB of RAM, 160GB HDD, Intel GMA 4500M graphics, a memory card reader, six USB ports, and an HDMI output. The nettop also has an internal PCI Express Mini 1.1 x 1 slot for expansion and has integrated Wi-Fi along with a Gigabit Ethernet port. Acer ships the machine with its own mouse and keyboard.

“Combining a sleek form factor with power saving technology, the Veriton N260G is a convenient, low-maintenance device for accomplishing basic computing tasks in areas where there is little desk space,” said Leila Axelle Robert, Acer Commercial Systems Business Manager. “Whether the Veriton N260G is leveraged for classrooms, libraries or administrative purposes, this nettop delivers a streamlined solution for a small investment with a low total cost of ownership.”

The chassis is screwless for easy maintenance and the machine supports HD video.

With the introduction of some very popular netbooks and other computer systems, Acer is set to overtake Dell for the second spot in the global PC shippers list.


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By Bateluer on 8/19/2009 2:19:34 PM , Rating: 4
The article is 100% right. Most users don't use even a fraction of their computers processing power, and its sitting there sucking down electricity most of the day.

A nettop device like thing could easily replace 3/4ths of the PCs in many offices. Its 399 price tag seems to cost more than some entry level desktop configurations, but I imagine you could save on the electrical costs in the longer term.




By XZerg on 8/19/2009 4:16:30 PM , Rating: 3
The thing is businesses don't upgrade their workers' systems for 3 years. And the nettop's atom processor's performance is like stepping back 7-10 years. Most software have matured to accept the higher performance hardware and are utilizing them to provide better features, details and more information.

Add to this the nasty habit of all businesses to put many security related applications such as encryption, virus scanners, ... Yes those applications are for security purpose but nonetheless the point is they are hogging system resources.

So nettops' performance make them totally useless in business world imho. They will do good for cash registers, libraries, photo booths, remote desktops, ... Just not for normal corporate work that requires editing documents (pictures, word, excel, ...), browsing internet, definitely a no for programming, ...


By Bateluer on 8/19/2009 5:57:07 PM , Rating: 2
I would generally agree. I was thinking of the point of sale machines on our sales floor. There are several hundred machines up there, which are waaay overpowered for what they're being used for.

Still, I think a lot of regular users would be fine using one as well. Data entry people, I think, would be fine with a net top. I've seen some massive Excel spread sheets in use because people won't bother to learn Access. From my own experience with my old Eee PC, I don't think an Atom is going to handle those to well.


By Oralen on 8/20/2009 4:40:26 AM , Rating: 2
You're right. I can't tell you how many times I have noticed a full tower poorly hidden behind the counter of a shop, when those small machines could do the trick.

I think the most interesting, with Atom, is that for years, the desktop machine was untouchable in the computer business.

You just couldn't buy anything else.

It was a one-size-fits-all-approach that worked because of the absolute need for application compatibility. Even Macs had problems getting in most offices, because everybody had to run the same apps, and same versions.

But now...

I see three things that could really end classic desktop dominance:

Atom.

Cloud applications. (the fact that these run in a browser means platform becomes irrelevant)

Ipod, Iphone, and all the portable browsing machines you can carry in your pocket.

(I know that every time you say Mac, you invite the flame war, but let me explain: I bought an ipod touch one year ago.

And recently I have noticed that when I am home, and just want to read a few articles on the net... I do it less and less on my computer and more and more on my ipod: I can do it in my couch, it's faster than to boot my computer for just five minutes of use, and so on. Of course, I suppose it's the same if you have a Pre, or whatever brand suits you, I don't have stock, ok?

I'm just saying I see myself using less and less my desktop for that reason, and I can see the same thing happening in the office in a few years time.)

What is interesting is that all of those thing could really cause Microsoft some grief: where will you install Win 7, if there are less and less run of the mill PC, and more and more connected appliances who will not run Windows 7 that well, if at all?

Big changes in the scenery could be coming.

What do you think?

Is it the end of an era?


By jvillaro on 8/19/2009 10:18:17 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Just not for normal corporate work that requires editing documents (pictures, word, excel, ...), browsing internet, definitely a no for programming, ...


You may have not had the chance to really use these nettops or even netbooks (at least with these components, the asus 1000HE is similar). You can use every peace of the office suite just fine... If you have a big part of employees using this type of software or even your tipical company ERP software you could replace their computers for these.
And just so you know, a friend of mine has his Asus 100HE with Visual Studio 2008 and SQL Server 2005, its just for when he's on a trip or emergencies but he has programmed on it. Of course its kind of slow at times like when compiling but it is usable... Just to show that these netbooks/nettops can handle much more than you give it credit for.


By skaaman on 8/19/2009 10:40:50 PM , Rating: 2
Actually it has a bit more pop than you give it. The Atom N270 processor is about the equivalent of the 1.6 gHZ Pentium M processor. For comparisons, its about the same as running on a Dell Latitude 600 or Inspiron 600m series laptop (only a couple gazillion of these were sold.) The N280 isn't so much of a performance boost over the N270, but the incorporation of the new chipset and IGP yields a nice boost. Add to that your running in 2GB of Ram and this system easily give handles a the duties of a typical office. Now, it really comes down to how it is used. I could not deploy these in my office since my users regularly have 8 to 10 windows open. That would probably start to stretch these little guys. I wouldn't want to run photoshop on it and Visual studio would be a bit arduous, but it is a pretty capable little unit.


By Xaser04 on 8/20/2009 6:52:57 AM , Rating: 2
An Atom N270 performs similarly to a 1 - 1.2ghz Pentium M (Dothan) depending on the application (according to AnAndTechs own results). A 1.6ghz Pentium M would be noticably faster, again depending on the application, although having owned both I would say the latter would fell much snappier in general use.

I know from experience that my wifes Advent 4211 (MSI wind clone) with an N270 performs 'ok' when running open office / Microsoft office, although anything remotely intensive (say large datasets in excel) brings it to its knees. (Mind you my usage probably isn't the norm, I can bring my overclocked Core i7 920 to its knees when manipulating some very large datasets in excel 2007 (500k+ lines/ 50+ columns of data extracted from SAP)).

I would imagine these nettops would be ok for light office use (say basic data entry / accounts use (sage etc)) but not great for anyone who requires a resonable amount of processing power.


By NordicNINE on 8/19/2009 11:29:41 PM , Rating: 2
What about Citrix, Terminal Server, etc?
It would be a great thin client that would also have the option to run some apps locally.


Aye, one liter !!
By DotNetGuru on 8/19/2009 6:47:11 PM , Rating: 1
quote:
The tiny machine has a chassis that is about a liter in size.


Seriously, who measures a computer chassis in liters?!?
I'm even willing to deal with CM or whatever, but liters tells me nothing other than I might be able to fit two of them in a bottle of Coke.




RE: Aye, one liter !!
By rbfowler9lfc on 8/19/2009 11:47:23 PM , Rating: 2
Well, since most people can't tell cubic centimeters from linear centimeters, measuring it in litres seems like a good call. A car might have a 2.0 litre engine, but it doesn't mean one could stick a bottle of soda into it.


RE: Aye, one liter !!
By Visual on 8/20/2009 3:49:09 AM , Rating: 2
but liters are already "CM" as you put it. cubic decimeters, actually, so 1000 cm3. now can you really deal with it as you said?

it actually seems huge to me. the mac mini for comparison is slightly above half a liter, and noone would think of fixing it to a monitor. this thing is a bit thinner, but way wider - i see a site list it at 7.6 in x 7.6 in x 1.4 in, that's actually one and a third liters, huge.


Does this have a Trackpoint
By acx on 8/19/2009 9:31:55 PM , Rating: 1
Does this thing have a trackpoint? I can't imagine using a business laptop without a trackpoint after being spoiled on Thinkpads for so long.




By rbfowler9lfc on 8/19/2009 11:37:20 PM , Rating: 2
It is a nettop, not a netbook. No trackpoint, it comes with a standard computer mouse....


RE: Does this have a Trackpoint
By Visual on 8/20/2009 3:51:24 AM , Rating: 2
way to ignore not just the article, but the pretty pictures too.


Big Surprise
By Einy0 on 8/19/2009 2:12:07 PM , Rating: 2
"With the introduction of some very popular netbooks and other computer systems, Acer is set to overtake Dell for the second spot in the global PC shippers list."

That's because Dell always sold computers based on great service and support. You paid a premium price but if you had an issue their top of line support staff took care of you. Now they have a bunch of people in India that no one can understand. To top it off they charge even more for a decent warranty. Why pay a Dell premium price for the same piece of crap you'll get from Acer...




I don't get it
By rbfowler9lfc on 8/19/2009 11:53:51 PM , Rating: 2
Really, I don't quite see the purpose of this hardware.

You might wanna run Windows on it, but then it's quite underpowered. Or you'd want it to be a thin client for TS, but then it's more expensive than a standard thin client.

OTOH, one might build a similar configuration with a mini-ITX motherboard and dirt cheap memory, HD and PSU for little more than half of the Acer's price.

So, apart from the smaller footprint, what's the real benefit?




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