shipping Holiday Shipping Details & Extended Holiday Returns
cover
Michael J.

Michael J.

Joined on 02/22/05

0
0

Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 28
Most Favorable Review

Tips and My Current Configuration

Jetway HBJC200C91-230B Intel 945GC Black Mini / Booksize Barebone System
Jetway HBJC200C91-230B Intel 945GC Black Mini / Booksize Barebone System

Pros: For tips see below. Now that we've got the MSI Wind, Foxconn RS233, and this 945GC Jetway in production I can compare the three. And I'd like to add some more pluses for this system. -The BIOS is decent, and much better than the Wind. A job well done Jetway. -Runs 10c cooler than the Wind for system temperature and CPU temperature. The Wind's passive cooling and case/fan arrangement contributes to its higher numbers.

Cons: see below

Overall Review: Here are some tips to assembly that worked for me: Rotate the SATA cable one turn counter clockwise (the flat side of course) before connecting the HD. This relieves a lot of tension on the SATA connector. Buying a SATA ODD and the "Slimline SATA Cable" off of 3b4y made for a particularly easy assembly. Highly recommended. If you go with the PATA IDE drive then here is a tip to help with clearances (fan and case). Notice that the ribbon cable that comes with the system is split and wrapped by black tape. Twist this cable several times counter clockwise until the cable is wound snuggly. If you turned it the right way it will rest nicely on the drive carrier without pushing up on the case lid. Plus there will be enough clearance between the system board fan and ribbon cable. Of course you don't want to over wind the cable so that it won't seat into the PATA connectors.

Most Critical Review

Surprised and Mystified

Android 4.1 OS Rk3066 Dual Core 1.2-1.6G 1GB DDR3 and 8GB Nand Flash Built in Dual Antenna Multi-language Supported WIFI TF Card Slot LED Mini HDMI Port Mini PC Smart TV Stick
Android 4.1 OS Rk3066 Dual Core 1.2-1.6G 1GB DDR3 and 8GB Nand Flash Built in Dual Antenna Multi-language Supported WIFI TF Card Slot LED Mini HDMI Port Mini PC Smart TV Stick

Pros: Nothing to report.

Cons: Extremely over priced.

Overall Review: I've been looking at the many RK3066 "PC's on a Stick" variants out there, and this same product is listed elsewhere for a fraction of the cost here. It almost seems like a scam.

All About the Case

Foxconn R20-i4100 Intel NM10 1 x HDMI Barebone
Foxconn R20-i4100 Intel NM10 1 x HDMI Barebone

Pros: The case has rolled edges, good air flow, and is compatible with many low profile mini-ITX boards. The power supplies last a good long time. Fans are quiet and also last a long time.

Cons: None

Overall Review: In truth I really just wanted the case. I've used variations on this case for several years and the air flow and arrangement work for many solutions. Newegg didn't list the case separately and other sites were selling the bare case for ridiculous prices. I've used other small form factor cases, and each one had their good points and bad points. This case for me has the best balance of good to bad. The most significant "bad" point is that the optical drive extends too deep within the case and any processor that uses a non-low profile heat sink and fan the optical drive will hit it. If this case were lengthened by at least a half an inch to maybe an inch it would make the case near perfect. I bought two of these systems pulled the motherboard (Foxconn D270S, an eighty dollar board), and replaced it with the ASUS C8HM70-I/HDMI MB I bought. A perfect fit and 64 bit compatible. I'm likely to keep these cases for many years to come and just replace the components.

10/22/2013

Runs Windows 8.1 64bit

ASUS C8HM70-I/HDMI Intel Celeron BGA1023 Intel HM70 Mini ITX Motherboard / CPU / VGA Combo
ASUS C8HM70-I/HDMI Intel Celeron BGA1023 Intel HM70 Mini ITX Motherboard / CPU / VGA Combo

Pros: Everything I've stated before. Plus Windows 8.1 detects all components and easily installs the drivers.

Cons: None

Overall Review: Since my first review I've bought a couple more of these boards. I got a slightly better WEI on the next board with a 3.9 processor rating (and obviously that was from a Win7 installation since MS has removed this feature from Win 8.1). I'll probably not buy another one though, because the Celeron 1007U mini-ITX boards are about twice as fast for just a little money.

10/22/2013

Works

Team Elite 2GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Laptop Memory Model TED32GM1333C9-S01
Team Elite 2GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Laptop Memory Model TED32GM1333C9-S01

Pros: Works

Cons: None

Overall Review: Combined with an ASUS C8HM70-I/HDMI (found on newegg). Scored a Windows Experienced Index of 5.9 on that board.

10/21/2013

Windows Experience Index

Seagate Samsung Spinpoint M8 ST320LM001 320GB 5400 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 2.5" Internal Notebook Hard Drive Bare Drive
Seagate Samsung Spinpoint M8 ST320LM001 320GB 5400 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 2.5" Internal Notebook Hard Drive Bare Drive

Pros: Quiet Fast enough Price/bit value

Cons: None

Overall Review: WEI is 5.8. For my application this exceeds my expectation.

10/21/2013