ASUS S-presso SFF System Review Posted!

[config]

Originally Posted by peaz

THe higher end version of the S-presso comes with a TV Card! So, it definately can do output to a TV for sure! However, the only video input is the TV antenna in. No S-video or RCA input.... therefore, using the Cable TV won't work unless you get a converter... but that's gonna lower the picture quality any day.

Thanks for the update. I passed the link to your review around the office, as we're always interested in new HEPC and SFF machines.

We'd all be interested to know how things go with the machine in use! What is instant-on experience like for playing CDs and DVDs without the machine being powered up? How much of that remote control is used in this mode. What's the home theatre software like? etc etc

Perhaps a follow-up review?

Great work. Thanks. Can't wait 'til we get these machines in the UK

[peaz]

Hi there again config.

Unfortunately, the review unit was only loaned to us for a very short time. And during that short stint, I was unable to truly test out the machine's instant-on features. As such, I can't really tell you much on that.

I'll see if I am able to get hold of the S-presso unit again from ASUS, if so, then yes.. perhaps a follow-up review of that unit

But from my experience with the Instant-On-like feature on a Fujitsu notebook I recently was able to check out, it's really cool. The machine booted into that media player software which I believe was on ROM and was immediately able to play CDs and DVDs. Well, if ASUS's implementation of that feature is as good as Fujitsu's then I'd say that it's one darn good feature... otherwise, well, we'll need to look further ourselves to evaluate it...

Sorry that I can't help you here...

[David]

Originally Posted by config

Great work. Thanks. Can't wait 'til we get these machines in the UK

They have now arrived! The first few were delivered this morning... one had my name on it, and I will be receiving it tomorrow. (Wednesday)

I am very much looking forward to giving it a close examination!

-David-

[peaz]

that's cool David! Hope you enjoy it very much!

[Jerome]

Hello
Thanks a lot for your review, the very first one available on the internet. Many interesting information indeed !
One question however...
You said that the mothercard does not support wireless LAN by default and that you have not heard about an option.
On the other hand, according to S1-P111 specifications (http://uk.asus.com/prog/spec.asp?m=S-presso&langs=11) it is compliant with wireless LAN 802.11g...

[David]

Hi,

To expand on a point 'Config' made earlier, I am a little concerned about a yellow sticker on the box saying "Instant on Software does not support external add on Graphic card".

I take it that they are refering to an AGP card here, rather than an actual 'external' card... I expect I will find out in due course!

-David-

[Koen]

This is the first review I found aftwer months. I ordered my s-presso back in december and was told that it would be there by the end of december. I hope it will now finally arrive. Still my main questions about the s-presso remain: how does the tv-tuner perform (what chipset is it, does it have hardware encoding etc). Also how is the software? On their last multimedia barebone (digimatrix) the software (also InterVideo Hometheator) was a mess. I wonder if it improved or if we are off again in search of drivers for other softwares. I'll probably end up replacing the tv-tuner by something serious and adding an agp card (I want dvi out) and so I'll probably don't have much use for the InstantOn software. I sure hope to read something more here before I get my s-presso.

[ZuePhok]

Originally Posted by config

Thanks for the update. I passed the link to your review around the office, as we're always interested in new HEPC and SFF machines.

We'd all be interested to know how things go with the machine in use! What is instant-on experience like for playing CDs and DVDs without the machine being powered up? How much of that remote control is used in this mode. What's the home theatre software like? etc etc

Perhaps a follow-up review?

Great work. Thanks. Can't wait 'til we get these machines in the UK

I can see the Instant-On CD comes bundled with this SFF unit, so I think Asus follows Aopen's (FYI, Aopen is the first one to implement instant-on) way in implementing the instant-on feature to use instant-on, you will have to first install a linux based operating system (instant-on CD). unlike the usual linux OS installation, the installation for instant-on is pretty straight forward and easy. the linux operating system for Aopen Xcube is about 110+MB, but Im not sure what changes asus has made to their vresion of instant-on but it should be more or less the same. 110mb is nothing so it shouldn't be a concern if you have a..eerermm...say..120gb HD once it's installed, the system boots up in less than 10seconds (i think is around 5seconds..sorry too lazy to reboot my xcube now) and you will be greeted with a beautiful and simple interface that allows you to play whatever media you want you can boot up the system by pressing the control buttons in the front panel. Do take note that this linux OS is self-independent so you will not have to boot into windows prior to booting up the linux os. This is why you only need 5-10seconds to get the sff unit up and sing you song, make some noise and show some porn.., hence the name instand-on

this linux operating system comes together with all the drivers for the integrated graphics, chipset and sound card to work. you can't make any changes into it, which explains why external graphics card is not supported because this customized linux operating system doesn't allow you can't install the driver for your agp card manually.

[David]

Hi Folks,

Just a few initial impressions (and hints!) before I start building!

1) The external packaging is now in full colour, as opposed to just black & white!

2) The Software Information User Guide Manual is now E1933 Revised Edition V2, published in Jan 2005.

3) The BIOS is the latest revision, namely 1004.

4) The two bags containing the drive mounting screws are now labeled 'HDD screw' and 'ODD screw' respectively!

5) The Support CD is now Rev. 1.3

6) I have found a MUCH easier (& safer) way to remove the front panel:-

First, disengage the lower portion of the panel, as per the instructions, but leave the top clips still attached.

Then, unscrew the rear thumbscrew, and carefully swing the entire cover forward and upwards. (Again, as per the manual.)

It is then so easy just to reach inside to disengage those nasty top clips... job done, with no scratches (or swearing!)

I hope that others will also find this tip of some help.

Enjoy,

-David-

PS: It would appear that (unlike the last one I received!) this is obviously a VERY recent production model.

[orion23]

Hi,
Great review, very detailed. Very cool pictures!

A few questions for someone who can help:

1: I would like to install Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 in this barebone. Is the Included TV Tuner supported by MCE 2005?

2: What model is this FM/TV tuner?

3: Anyone knows if replacing the TV tuner with one supported by MCE 2005 will cause the instant on to stop working?

4: In one of the pictures, the back of the Spresso shows FM, TV and S-video imputs. But someone said before that there was no S-video IN. What about the VIVO Cable?

Thanks for your help!