After spending a little time playing with their configuration page, I have a couple more thoughts. Quite frankly, I'm amazed at a few things related to this announcement:
1. That Shuttle is able to cram this kind of hardware into their XPC system and power it. There is likely a secondary PSU
2. By default, Windows 7 32-bit is included. The system config starts with 4GB RAM and there's a note stating "4GB and above require 64bit OS".
3. They charge $10 to go to 64-bit. It's a drop in the bucket when you're starting with a $1900 system, but it's just a shady move. Besides, it's high time that 32-bit Windows is abandoned for EVERYTHING except netbooks.
1. There's only one 500-watt PSU inside powering the whole thing - but keep in mind that Shuttle PSUs are uber-efficient, this one being 80PLUS, and can handle everything we recommend in terms of system config.
2. Win 7 32-bit works with 4GB RAM just fine, per our tech team. I've requested an edit to "Above 4GB requires 64-bit OS" to clarify the note.
3. Please see comment #2, we're going to revise the wording to clarify the statement more. You do not need to upgrade based on the standard config!
1. There's only one 500-watt PSU inside powering the whole thing - but keep in mind that Shuttle PSUs are uber-efficient, this one being 80PLUS, and can handle everything we recommend in terms of system config.
2. Win 7 32-bit works with 4GB RAM just fine, per our tech team. I've requested an edit to "Above 4GB requires 64-bit OS" to clarify the note.
3. Please see comment #2, we're going to revise the wording to clarify the statement more. You do not need to upgrade based on the standard config!
Hope that helps!
Thanks for the reply! It's nice to see companies that engage the community!
I still question Shuttle's decision to offer a 32-bit version of Windows at all. It just doesn't make sense anymore. If a program works with Windows 7, it's going to work regardless of 32/64 bit. Why even bother with 32-bit?
What is the four pin connection on the back of the tower? It appears to be some sort of additional power connector but I couldn't tell.
While 4GB "works" with Windows 7 32-bit, customers who buy this configuration will lose up to 1.25GB of usable memory! Microsoft's 32-bit OSes are capped at 2.75-3.25GB of usable RAM, no matter how much memory is installed.
I'd hate to see customers disappointed with Shuttle based on this Microsoft problem.
You'd be surprised - there's still a very high demand for 32-bit Win 7, particularly among our corporate customers; as I know, it's a must for them to run their 32-bit apps.
Correct. The four pin connection is a power connector for eSATA
Also wanted to point out that we do have a Shuttle Forum area where you can ask everything you want know know about Shuttle - within reason, of course!
Posts are answered by members of the community and also resident tech gurus at Shuttle
mertesn
I am Bobby MillerYukon, OK Icrontian
Comments
1. That Shuttle is able to cram this kind of hardware into their XPC system and power it. There is likely a secondary PSU
2. By default, Windows 7 32-bit is included. The system config starts with 4GB RAM and there's a note stating "4GB and above require 64bit OS".
3. They charge $10 to go to 64-bit. It's a drop in the bucket when you're starting with a $1900 system, but it's just a shady move. Besides, it's high time that 32-bit Windows is abandoned for EVERYTHING except netbooks.
Just to answer a few of your questions:
1. There's only one 500-watt PSU inside powering the whole thing - but keep in mind that Shuttle PSUs are uber-efficient, this one being 80PLUS, and can handle everything we recommend in terms of system config.
2. Win 7 32-bit works with 4GB RAM just fine, per our tech team. I've requested an edit to "Above 4GB requires 64-bit OS" to clarify the note.
3. Please see comment #2, we're going to revise the wording to clarify the statement more. You do not need to upgrade based on the standard config!
Hope that helps!
Who knows, maybe a Shuttle model that supports that is in the works
"...Very superstitious; writing's on the wall...
I still question Shuttle's decision to offer a 32-bit version of Windows at all. It just doesn't make sense anymore. If a program works with Windows 7, it's going to work regardless of 32/64 bit. Why even bother with 32-bit?
What is the four pin connection on the back of the tower? It appears to be some sort of additional power connector but I couldn't tell.
While 4GB "works" with Windows 7 32-bit, customers who buy this configuration will lose up to 1.25GB of usable memory! Microsoft's 32-bit OSes are capped at 2.75-3.25GB of usable RAM, no matter how much memory is installed.
I'd hate to see customers disappointed with Shuttle based on this Microsoft problem.
You'd be surprised - there's still a very high demand for 32-bit Win 7, particularly among our corporate customers; as I know, it's a must for them to run their 32-bit apps.
Correct. The four pin connection is a power connector for eSATA
@Thrax:
I would hate to see that too. As I recall, it was a issue with Vista but now a non-issue with Win 7.
I actually just confirmed that the system will be able to read - and use - 4GB of memory, so you should be fine =)
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