Skin and bones. Overview of modern barebone systems

Probably, a very long time ago there was a time when most of the integrated subsystems could not suit even a very undemanding user. Why, exactly, "probably"? This time has not completely passed even now, although integrated systems are becoming more and more efficient and functional every year, and the quality of their performance is very close to the quality of completely independent pieces of iron. In any case, the period when it was possible to make the integrated subsystem work only through all sorts of shamanic dances with tambourines, and when the lack of additional features meant maximum reliability and bug-free (what is not, cannot break) has long passed. Most of the integrated sound, network, video and other cards are now fully operational, and their capabilities are enough for many users.

And when the board has everything you need, why buy a large and noisy, and besides, a dusty, heavy, and space-consuming case that will fit a board with six PCI slots? Do you really need these PCI slots, or would a small, quiet system with no or minimal expansion options, and not a very fast, cheap, and not very heat dissipating processor, be enough for you?

In a very large number of cases, the user decides not in favor of large bulky cases. This is fully understood by component manufacturers, who over the past year have released a huge number of different kinds of barebone systems of completely different classes, with completely different capabilities, and, accordingly, costing from “very little” to “very much”. In this article, we will try to figure out whether a barebone system is right for you, and if so, which one.

What are barebone systems in general? As a rule, this is a case with dimensions significantly smaller than the dimensions of a standard ATX, and most often even an mATX case in which a standard motherboard (mATX, mini-ITX) or a form factor designed specifically for this system is mounted. The motherboard usually contains the maximum number of integrated devices - sound, video, network, FireWire, sometimes a modem, and in some cases (VIA EPIA boards, for example) - even a tightly soldered processor. It may or may not have expansion slots (PCI, AGP, CNR / AMR), but there are usually few memory slots - one, maximum two. There are few overclocking features, most often they are not at all. In addition to the motherboard, other devices, such as an AM/FM tuner, may be contained inside the case. Often, a special processor cooler is attached to such systems, because not every radiator will fit into a small case. There are very few fans in such systems, there are cases when there are none at all. Accordingly, the thermal regime inside the case, firstly, does not favor overclocking, and secondly, it does not allow installing very powerful devices inside, such as the latest video cards and fast hard drives, but the noise is not very big. The power supplies of barebone systems, by the way, are also not very powerful, and they are unlikely to handle such devices. There is rarely more than one magnetic storage device in such systems. Very often there is no possibility of installing a floppy drive. Particularly small systems (such as the Iwill ZPC) generally use 2.5” hard drives and thin notebook CD-ROMs.

All of the above seems to fully determine the purpose of such machines - light office and home work, such as working with texts and watching movies, but do not rush to draw such conclusions. Below you will understand why this is not always the case.

Now let's see what different manufacturers offer us.

VIA EPIA M10000 - slow and quiet.

The first class of small systems are very quiet, very low-power machines. They rule here systems based on VIA C3 processors and motherboards for them - EPIA M9000 and EPIA M10000. EPIA M boards have an integrated video core with a built-in MPEG2 and TV-out decoder, an audio codec, a FireWire controller, and several USB 2.0 ports. and one PCI slot, which can theoretically be used for, say, a modem. Today, the clock speed of processors in these boards has reached 1 GHz, however, since this is still a C3, not a PIII, the speed of such systems is not very high. You can immediately forget about 3D games and heavy applications, but easy work with office applications, Internet surfing and watching DVDs is quite up to such a system. A low-powered processor has a fan, but it can be removed and replaced with a heatsink, and since the power consumption is very low, it is not necessary to equip the system with a powerful and hot PSU. A high-speed hard drive is also useless here. Based on the EPIA M10000, it is quite possible to assemble a system without a single fan, and therefore almost silent.

No fan needed!

In Russia, many companies assemble such PCs, sometimes using very small and nice cases for this, and of course, you can buy an EPIA M board and assemble such a system yourself. I don't think that an EPIA M based PC, being the only one in the house, is capable of satisfying any user, but as a second system it is good. We do not always need the capabilities of large gigahertz and gigabytes.

The second class of barebone systems are systems without expansion options, primarily without the possibility of using external video. As a rule, such systems are packed in very small and nice cases, in which a video card simply would not fit, and if they have a fan, then only one and slow. The motherboard is completely unique, designed specifically for this system, and cannot be replaced. The power supply, as a rule, is not located inside the case, but outside it. Often in such cases even a full-fledged hard drive is missing, being replaced by a hard drive from a laptop. Such a machine cannot be called a standard PC, since it has very little in common with it. A prominent representative of systems of this class is the recently described PC Iwill ZPC.

Iwill ZPC - small and stylish.

In addition to Iwill, AtoZ Technology has been noticed in the production of such systems with its models E7401SB and E5041D. Such systems are already built on much more powerful processors (usually Pentium 4 medium frequencies) and the corresponding integrated chipsets (i845GV or SiS650), have all the necessary integrated controllers, including good sound, and, in general, are suitable for any work. with applications that do not require a powerful GPU. That is, playing them, again, will not work, or it will work, but at very low resolutions, but everything else is fine. Overclocking, of course, does not smell. The only inconvenience is that upgrading such systems due to the use of mobile PC components in them will be very expensive, and replacing the motherboard is impossible at all.

Mobile hard drives - to desktops!

In addition, the absence of any expansion slots limits you in choosing, say, a sound card with a built-in codec and external systems such as Extigy. But in combination with a small and thin LCD monitor, a system like the ZPC will look extremely stylish, take up little space, and make about the same amount of noise. Suitable for many non-gaming users.

The third, intermediate class of systems are systems that are essentially reduced copies of ordinary PCs, but still do not have the ability to use an external video card. Execution - either a reduced classic tower case, or its slim version, or both, that is, convertible. Such barebones include, for example, the recently described Iwill XP4 system, as well as ASUS Pundit AB-P2600, Shuttle SB52G2, Soltek EQ-3401, MSI Hermes 651, Hermes 845GV and the ultramodern MSI Hetis 865G.

Iwill XP4 - large, but without AGP.

They are built on the same chipsets as the "stylish-compact" class systems, plus the i865G, they have the same integrated capabilities, but the power supply is no longer external, but internal. More space in the case, more fans, sometimes some overclockers. capabilities, and full-fledged three-inch and five-inch drives. Usually there are one or two PCI slots, which is good news - you can use a different sound, modem, or even a PCI video card. The purpose of such systems is purely office, and the reason for this is the built-in video. There is no point in such a system at home, because if you want to reduce noise, then ZPC is more suitable for you, and if dimensions and a non-standard look are simply important to you, then it’s easier to take a no more overall system of a higher class.

MSI MegaPC is the highest class of barebone systems.

And finally, the most numerous class of barebone systems are mini desktops. Such systems are produced by all barebones manufacturers without exception, such as Elitegroup (EZ-Buddie), AOPen (MX4GR), Soltek (EQ-3000W , EQ-3701M), Shuttle (XPC), MSI (Mega PC), Iwill (XP4 -G), and others. This class is so numerous that it is just right to divide it into subclasses, but since it is not very clear on what basis to do this, I will simply tell you what characterizes this class and some of its individual representatives. Firstly, all these systems have an AGP slot, and almost all of them have one or more (up to three - in Aopen MX4GR) PCI slots (the exception is Iwill XP4-G, which has only AGP). The chipsets are the most modern, most often they are Intel 845GE or nForce2 (Shuttle SN41G2, SN45G), sometimes i865G (Shuttle SB61G2) or SiS651 (MSI Mega PC, ECS EZ-Buddie). Accordingly, completely different processors can also be installed in such systems - from medium and junior Pentium 4 to the highest models that support HT. Some systems based on nForce 2 can be equipped with the most powerful Athlon XP with a bus frequency of 400 MHz. Packed with powerful external video, these systems are capable of everything that a typical high-end home PC can do. There are also integrated controllers here: sound, most often AC 97 with the ability to connect a 6-speaker system (MSI Mega PC) or without it (this is more common), a network controller, almost always FireWire, sometimes a modem (MSI Mega PC). Most users will be satisfied with them, and if you're not in that majority, PCI slots are at your service, where you can insert full-sized cards. True, there are systems in whose slots you can put only low-profile devices, but there are few of them. The cases are very different, most often tower-shaped, cubic, or completely slim. Usually there are no case fans, but there is a fan in the power supply and on the processor, and these fans are not always quiet. The motherboard is most often of its own format, however, there are also systems on conventional mATX-boards (ECS EZ-Buddie) Hard drives and CD / DVD are ordinary, most often one at a time, sometimes it is possible to put a second hard drive. Recently, instead of a floppy drive, a memory card reader began to be displayed on the front panel (EZ-Buddie, Mega PC), but older models, such as the Soltek EQ-3000W, did not have them yet. However, fans of working with three-inch floppy disks can remove card readers and replace them with disk drives. There are, however, systems where this is not possible, because there is no external three-inch bay.

Overclocking opportunities are often few, sometimes none at all. This is perhaps the most important difference between barebone systems and large PCs. And such a limitation is justified - the thermal mode of operation of devices inside a small case usually leaves much to be desired, and if these devices are also overclocked, then there will be a bath inside the case, and malfunctions will begin. Actually, these problems are common to all barebone systems, except perhaps the slowest ones, but if other classes simply don't need overclocking, then it wouldn't hurt, but it's impossible.

True, there are exceptions to this rule - for example, in the EZ-Buddie, the FSB frequency changes right on the go from the front panel, but you still won’t get a big increase - there is no function to increase the core supply voltage, and even with cooling, as I already said there are some problems. There are also systems with very advanced overclocking capabilities, such as the Soltek EQ-3701M - the motherboard of this PC can work with all voltages, including even the AGP voltage, and of course, it allows you to change the FSB frequency in 1 MHz steps.

Each system has a zest...

ECS EZ-Buddie also has it.

As a rule, all new barebone systems have a zest, something that distinguishes it from the rest, or at least from a standard PC. The EZ-Buddie has an overclocking knob and front panel indicator, the Mega PC has a built-in mp3 player and AM/FM tuner, as well as a remote control, and the new Shuttle XPC systems (SN45G, SB61G2) have a processor cooling system using heat pipes.

Is it worth building a computer piece by piece from scratch, or maybe a barebone system is right for you? In the latter case, it remains to choose only the processor, memory and drives: the leading Taiwanese companies, such as MSI, Soltek, Iwill, ECS, VIA, tried to provide everything else for you.

Probably, a very long time ago there was a time when most of the integrated subsystems could not suit even a very undemanding user. Why, exactly, "probably"? This time has not completely passed even now, although integrated systems are becoming more and more efficient and functional every year, and the quality of their performance is very close to the quality of completely independent pieces of iron. In any case, the period when it was possible to make the integrated subsystem work only through all sorts of shamanic dances with tambourines, and when the lack of additional features meant maximum reliability and bug-free (what is not, cannot break) has long passed. Most of the integrated sound, network, video - and other cards are now fully operational, and their capabilities are enough for many users.

Now let's see what different manufacturers offer us.

The second class of barebone systems are systems without expansion options, primarily without the possibility of using external video. As a rule, such systems are packed in very small and nice cases, in which a video card simply would not fit, and if they have a fan, then only one and slow. The motherboard is completely unique, designed specifically for this system, and cannot be replaced. The power supply, as a rule, is not located inside the case, but outside it. Often in such cases even a full-fledged hard drive is missing, being replaced by a hard drive from a laptop. Such a machine cannot be called a standard PC, since it has very little in common with it. A striking representative of systems of this class is the recently described Iwill ZPC PC.

And finally, the most numerous class of barebone systems are mini desktops. Such systems are produced by all manufacturers of barebone systems without exception, such as Elitegroup (EZ-Buddie), AOPen (MX4GR), Soltek (EQ-3000W, EQ-3701M), Shuttle (XPC), MSI (Mega PC), Iwill (XP4 -G), and others. This class is so numerous that it is just right to divide it into subclasses, but since it is not very clear on what basis to do this, I will simply tell you what characterizes this class and some of its individual representatives. Firstly, all these systems have an AGP slot, and almost all of them have one or more (up to three - in Aopen MX4GR) PCI slots (the exception is Iwill XP4-G, which has only AGP). The chipsets are the most modern, most often they are Intel 845GE or nForce2 (Shuttle SN41G2, SN45G), sometimes i865G (Shuttle SB61G2) or SiS651 (MSI Mega PC, ECS EZ-Buddie). Accordingly, completely different processors can be installed in such systems - from medium and junior Pentium 4 to the highest models that support HT. Some systems based on nForce 2 can be equipped with the most powerful Athlon XP with a bus frequency of 400 MHz. Packed with powerful external video, these systems are capable of everything that a typical high-end home PC can do. There are also integrated controllers here: sound, most often AC 97 with the ability to connect a 6-speaker system (MSI Mega PC) or without it (this is more common), a network controller, almost always FireWire, sometimes a modem (MSI Mega PC). Most users will be satisfied with them, and if you're not in that majority, PCI slots are at your service, where you can insert full-size cards. True, there are systems in whose slots you can put only low-profile devices, but there are few of them. The cases are very different, most often tower-shaped, cubic, or completely slim. Usually there are no case fans, but there is a fan in the power supply and on the processor, and these fans are not always quiet. The motherboard is most often of its own format, however, there are also systems on conventional mATX-boards (ECS EZ-Buddie) Hard drives and CD / DVD are ordinary, most often one at a time, sometimes it is possible to put a second hard drive. Recently, instead of a floppy drive, a memory card reader began to be displayed on the front panel (EZ-Buddie, Mega PC), but older models, such as the Soltek EQ-3000W, did not have them yet. However, fans of working with three-inch floppy disks can remove card readers and replace them with disk drives. There are, however, systems where this is not possible, because there is no external three-inch bay.

Each system has a zest...

ECS EZ-Buddie also has it.

Sometimes these non-standard features cannot be taken seriously, and sometimes they are very necessary. For example, the same Mega PC is a great heart for a home theater, music center and entertainment center in general. And all thanks to the remote control, built-in tuner and six-channel sound.

Remote control from MSI Mega PC - not every center has one ...

For whom barebone-systems of this class are suitable? Yes, almost everyone, from office workers to gamers. Of course, if you have a need to install, for example, more than one fast hard drive, SCSI controller, or some exotic devices, or you are just a fan of overclocking, then these systems are not for you, but most users will still be satisfied with the integrated controllers, is unlikely to use more than one PCI slot, and will not even think about overclocking. Such users make up 90% of their total number, and barebone systems of this class are just right for them. They successfully replace a regular PC, and they make noise and take up much less space than their older brothers. This is good.

Have you already decided which system is right for you? Still in doubt, do you think that a full-fledged knee-mounted PC is better? Of course, among Russian PCs there are quite worthy ones, however, if you do not have those requirements that exclude the purchase of a barebone (I spoke about them above), then the choice between a standard PC and a barebone system is obvious, and this choice is not in favor of a local PC assemblies. Firstly, we do not have many good cases, and most often they are not used to assemble mass-produced machines. And bad cases are equipped with not very good and very noisy power supplies. Than it threatens - it is clear. The barebone uses mostly worthy power supplies, even such as PSUs manufactured by FSP Group.

In addition, a bad case can lead to many other minor but rather annoying troubles, including a large amount of dust in the air, rattling, unsightly appearance... Secondly, the build quality of PCs from Russian builders can rarely compete with the build quality of a barebone system. And what has not yet been assembled, you can assemble yourself literally in 15 minutes - as a rule, assembling barebone systems takes just that much time, it takes place without damage to the skin of the hands, and most importantly, you rarely need to think, all systems are equipped with detailed instructions, designed for a person who distinguishes a hard drive from a CD-ROM and knows how to hold a screwdriver in his hands, but does not have any other special knowledge.

Well, do you still have doubts? Not? I thought so.

A laptop, in fact, is a well-coordinated computer "organism" in which certain processes are constantly taking place. All hardware components, every screw and detail - this is exactly what makes high-quality and efficient work on a laptop possible. Well, the filling of such a device is generally a separate song! It is selected by the manufacturer according to the form factor of the laptop, that is, in accordance with the tasks for which it is designed.

However, how many users, so many requirements, ideas and desires. It also happens that existing models on the market do not satisfy the needs of the user, and there is nothing reprehensible in this. Especially for such clients there are barebone systems - a very specific and controversial product, but, of course, very interesting.

So, a barebone (from the English barebone - "bare" - naked, "bone" - bone) is a laptop designed to be assembled by the user on his own, taking into account his wishes. That is, relatively speaking, there is a base in the form of a body and some details, and you can choose any filling! Of course, it is possible that for someone the ordeal regarding the choice of filling can turn into a kind of buffet: everything is in abundance, you want to take both this and that, and also the same as the neighbor’s, because it tastes better. But, if you dig a little deeper, you will understand that filling the barebone base is a complex resource-intensive work that should be approached with great care.

Difficulties of choice

What are these nuances? First of all, with the fact that you are unlikely to find a barebone in the nearest hardware store. Usually it is purchased through online stores that specialize in this. By the way, barebone bases exist not only for self-assembly of laptops, but also for desktop computers, monoblocks, you can even buy a server in this way. In short, there are plenty to choose from.

In the process of thinking about the advisability of buying such a custom laptop, there are important points to consider. In particular, keep in mind that no matter which model you choose, some components will already be built into it and you will not be able to change them. Usually we are talking about an optical drive and a motherboard, less often a display. However, the user always has the right to choose a processor, video card, RAM, hard drive, wireless communications. All these components must be purchased independently, while carefully rechecking their compatibility with the laptop motherboard. Thus, by selecting certain components, the user himself can vary the final cost of the resulting laptop.

By the way, for the maximum convenience of users, there are special resources, for example, rjtech.com, which immediately offers a list of all components available for a particular model. So, everyone can choose for themselves a chip of the 4th, 5th or even 6th generation, with an integrated video card or with the most modern discrete one, with 8 GB or 64 GB of RAM, etc. Take, for example, the Clevo P650RE-C, which starts at $1,319. Instead of the basic Full HD screen, you can choose a 4K screen, which will cost an additional $ 200, an Intel Core i7-6820HK chip instead of an Intel Core i7-6700HQ is an additional $ 125, and the maximum possible amount of RAM for this barebone is 64 GB, but for such a luxury will have to pay $ 675. By the way, the most common brands that offer barebones for laptops are Clevo, MSI, Gammatech, Schenker and Eurocom.

Self installation

In principle, filling the device yourself is not so difficult, provided that you already have experience in such matters. In addition, you need to arm yourself with several tools, among which there must be screwdrivers of different sizes, scissors for grabbing small parts, containers for storing screws. It would be useful to make sure that detailed assembly instructions are attached to the barebone base, because you need to be ready for any outcome. After all the components are in place, all that remains is to install the operating system, and then all the necessary drivers.

Is the game worth the candle?

Without a doubt, the barebone base is a very interesting experience, but is it worth the effort? There is no single answer to this question. On the one hand, the user has a huge choice of hardware components: the performance of a laptop can be varied at will, and other technical characteristics will depend solely on the wishes of the user and his ability to pay.

On the other hand, it must be admitted that it will take a lot of time, and perhaps even nerves, to assemble an “ideal” gadget in every sense. If you fill the device yourself, there is still a risk of doing something wrong, damaging the part, etc. In addition, it is difficult to predict how reliable the hand-made assembly of laptop components will be. However, if you still decide to act, despite all the shortcomings, hesitations and delays, a long-awaited reward awaits you ahead: looking at your laptop, you can tell everyone “I made it myself!”.

Everyone is already used to the annual update of the main components of the personal computer platform (in particular, chipsets, memory modules and processors). However, a real surprise for many was the appearance on the market of a whole galaxy of barebone systems that are rapidly gaining popularity. Thus, over 1.6 million barebone systems were sold last year, which is approximately 1.5% of the total number of desktop PCs and almost 5% of the number of home computers.

New "breed"

the same is a barebone system? In fact, this is a kind of semi-finished product for quickly assembling a computer - a small-sized case with a power supply, a motherboard and a cooling system already installed in it. Quite often, the equipment is supplemented with an optical drive and a multi-format card reader.

In order to turn a barebone system into a working computer, it is enough to install a processor, memory modules and a hard disk into it, and even an inexperienced user can perform these operations in just a few minutes.

The current generation of barebone systems (or, as they are sometimes called, MiniPCs) is quite heterogeneous: at this stage, manufacturers are looking for the best options and trying a variety of design solutions. Nevertheless, already now it is possible to single out several distinctive features that are inherent in all representatives of the new "breed" without exception.

One such distinguishing feature of the MiniPC is its small size. Compared to the usual midiTower system blocks, barebone-systems look like dwarfs - their internal volume is three to four times smaller. And some outstanding representatives of a new type (for example, Iwill ZPC) are quite comparable in size to external models of optical drives.

Iwill ZPC is a full-fledged PC in a surprisingly compact package

Comparing with traditional system blocks assembled from a "scatter" of components, a number of important internal differences can be noted. Thus, motherboards used in MiniPCs are usually unique and designed specifically for a given case (or for a line of cases of the same size). The same applies to the cooling system: for many barebone systems, it is designed taking into account the design features of the case and the topology of the motherboard installed in it. To ensure efficient cooling of the system, combined with low noise levels, the most advanced high-tech solutions are used: heat pipes, complex air ducts, etc.

It is quite natural that the small size of the system leads to a high degree of integration of various components. The actual standard for MiniPC is the presence of USB 2.0 and IEEE-1394 controllers integrated on the motherboard, video and sound subsystems, modem, network adapter, etc. There are few expansion slots on such boards: usually there is an AGP and one or two PCI. In some barebone systems there is no AGP slot at all - it is believed that the capabilities of the integrated video adapter are quite enough for a PC of this level. In terms of storage space, the most common options are one 5.25-inch and one 3.5-inch drive bay, as well as one internal 3.5-inch hard drive drive bay.

ASUS DiGiMatrix is the original digital media center/PC hybrid that lets you watch TV, DVD videos, digital photos from a variety of media, listen to radio, audio CDs, and compressed audio files—all without having to boot into an operating system.

The most compact representatives of the MiniPC do not have slots for expansion cards at all - additional boards simply do not fit there. In order to minimize the size, such systems use 2.5-inch hard drives and slim-format optical drives (like in laptops).

The MiniPC concept implies maximum system flexibility and wide possibilities for connecting a wide variety of external devices. Therefore, in addition to a full set of interface connectors on the rear panel of the case, barebone systems provide the ability to quickly connect external devices. As a rule, the front panel has connectors for USB 2.0 and IEEE-1394 ports, as well as a set of analog (and sometimes digital) inputs and outputs of the audio subsystem. An almost obligatory component of the MiniPC is a multi-format card reader, the slots of which are also located on the front panel of the case. With the growing popularity of wireless solutions, Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth adapters are becoming more and more common in barebone systems.

Recently, a lot of barebone-systems have appeared, which are a hybrid of a PC and a digital media center. Such models are equipped with a large number of different multimedia functions, and many of them can be used without loading the operating system - for example, listen to AudioCDs and MP3 files from various media, watch DVDs and VideoCDs, and, with the appropriate expansion modules, receive TV and radio programs. To control the functions of the media player, the corresponding controls (buttons, knobs, etc.) are placed on the front panel of the case, and quite often a wireless remote control is included in the delivery of such systems.

MSI's MEGA barebones are much more like music centers than computers

Characteristic representatives of this subspecies of barebone systems are ASUS DiGiMatrix, Abit DigiDice, as well as a whole series of MSI MEGA models (by the way, MSI produces special acoustic systems and a bag for transportation as additional accessories for the latter).

MiniPC: pros and cons

Having got acquainted with the most characteristic features of barebone-systems, let's consider their main advantages and disadvantages.

Undoubtedly, compact and at the same time low-noise system units look very attractive in the eyes of home users. Almost all currently produced barebone-systems have an original design, which makes it possible to fit the system unit into the interior of the room as organically as possible. Due to its small size, such a system can be easily transferred to another room, and if necessary, immersed in a bag and taken with you.

Flexible options for connecting a variety of external devices and removable media allow you to easily use the MiniPC to work with digital photo and video materials, as well as as a home media center.

One of the representatives of the iDEQ family of barebone systems produced by Biostar

Another advantage of barebone systems is the balanced design. The power of the power supply used and the parameters of the cooling system installed in the case are optimized taking into account the characteristics of the motherboard used and the characteristics of other components. Thus, the probability of overheating and overloads is minimized, and according to this indicator, barebone systems are a much more reliable solution compared to system blocks assembled by homegrown craftsmen from standard cases and components.

The most significant drawbacks of MiniPC (compared to PCs assembled in traditional cases) include limited opportunities for upgrading and increasing the system configuration, as well as lower maintainability. As mentioned above, many barebone systems use unique motherboards and non-standard power supplies, as a result of which it will not be so easy to replace these components in case of failure.

Another disadvantage of barebone systems is their higher cost compared to PCs assembled from separate components. However, it should be noted that a direct comparison in this case is hardly appropriate - due to significant differences regarding both functionality and consumer qualities.

Prospects for miniaturization

At this point, it is still quite difficult to give an unambiguous forecast of whether the MiniPC craze is a sustainable market trend or is it just another fashion fad. The share of barebone systems in the total number of sold PCs for home and office use is still small. True, many analysts predict that twice as many barebone systems will be sold this year than last year.

At this stage, barebone-systems attract many users precisely because of their novelty, a radical difference from the usual image of a PC - a faceless and dull gray box. It is only natural that manufacturers are trying to get the most out of this idea. It's no secret that the increased interest of Taiwanese manufacturers in barebone systems is caused by purely economic reasons. Due to the fierce competition between companies producing components for PCs (mainboards, optical drives, etc.), the profitability of the production of such products is declining year by year, and the market for barebone systems is still far from being fully mastered, and the profit margin of those working in this segment of companies is still relatively high.

Soltek's Qbic series barebones are distinguished by a metal case made of aluminum alloy, as well as a proprietary IcyQ cooling system.

Considering the possible prospects for the development of the MiniPC, it is worth considering that "large" computers are also being improved. Last year, Intel presented its ideas for a personal computer in the near future, in the form of the BTX specification. On closer examination, many MiniPC features can be traced in the BTX: smaller case sizes, the use of motherboards and power supplies of a new form factor (with smaller dimensions), a low-noise cooling system, etc. And what seems new and unusual today may become commonplace tomorrow standard.

You can choose and buy a Barebone for any task from the NIKS online store catalog, which presents popular series of microcomputers from popular brands - ASUS VivoMini, ASRock Beebox, GIGABYTE BRIX and Intel NUC. Barebone is a compact, lightweight and economical computer that can be an equivalent replacement for a desktop PC. Due to their small dimensions, minicomputers will be an ideal option when equipping a workspace that is limited in size. At the same time, their stylish design will perfectly complement and decorate any interior. A distinctive feature of the barebones is flexible configuration - the choice of RAM, operating system and storage subsystem is provided to the user, and to upgrade the platform you only need a screwdriver.

ASUS VivoMini are functional minicomputers for home and office based on Intel processors with a wide range of interfaces. They are made in an attractive design of aluminum and plastic and with a size of 131x131x42 mm have low power consumption and boast a very low noise level. ASUS VivoMini barebones can be mounted on the back of VESA compatible monitors. Due to the functionality, compact platforms can play the role of a work computer, a home multimedia center or a file server. Support for high resolution will allow you to use some Barebone models as part of a home theater.

ASRock Beebox is a concept design microcomputer for home theater, office work or business at competitive prices. Among the advantages, one can single out a productive stuffing, including an Intel processor, a wide range of interfaces that allow you to connect up to 3 monitors and devices with a USB Type C connector for fast charging, as well as zero noise level. Two slots for DDR3 memory modules and a 2.5-inch drive bay greatly expands the possibilities of using a compact platform.

GIGABYTE BRIX is the ideal base for a personal cinema, home or office PC, and a versatile low power digital kiosk platform. Stylish lightweight aluminum chassis, compact form factor and VESA mount for mounting the Barebone on the back of the monitor. These minicomputers based on Intel processors and integrated graphics allow you to install the right amount of RAM and disk drives of the right capacity, display high-quality images on multiple displays and connect mobile devices.

The Intel NUC is a powerful, full-featured 10 x 10 cm minicomputer for entertainment, gaming and productivity. They are based on Intel processors and are individually configurable, allowing you to install memory, storage, and the appropriate operating system. The latest models with powerful 7th generation Intel Core processors support 4K video playback and provide decent performance that is not inferior to desktop PC performance.