Da Box is coming- mATX box of power, THE END for Desktop Replacement Gaming Notebooks?

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1455817&page=25

Alright, the name is lame. But for the first time in history, it is here: an SFF with full throttle gaming components:

http://www.lan-gear.com/products.php





Will this make gaming Laptops obsolete? Not entirely, but I think it will make 17" + gaming laptops which are desktop replacements (and spend 100% of their lifetimes sitting on a desk hooked up to a monitor) nearly worthless in comparison.

 

While impressive, I still doubt it will make 17" notebooks "worthless." I mean, that's still about 25% as portable as the largest laptop. And that doesn't include the screen and keyboard.

Laptop users deal with three significant things they need to plug in when going to LAN parties: Power supply, mouse, headset.

 

Oh no, not... DA BOX.

While impressive, I can't really see how this can be compared to a laptop in terms of portability given that you still need to lug around all the other junk with you. I can't imaging easily being able to cram it all into my backpack.

 

lanboxes have been around for a while, haven't they?

While it'll outperform a laptop, I'm sure, it's not nearly as portable.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but most 17"+ Laptops remain stationary for virtually their entire lifespans. The advantage of 17" gaming Laptops have always been move-ability (rather than mobility or portability), so this solves that problem.

You do give up screen and keyboard (keyboard not as a big deal), so that's the trade off for 3x the power.

 

Never before anything this powerful in this size. This is Crossfire 5970, 4ghz Core i7 power in the size of a Shuttle for less than a Shuttle.

For comparison, this is Alienware's size:

 

Fair enough, this is more for people like me who haven't used a backpack (aka who don't use public transportation) for years. Yea, my car is my "backpack"...

 

Oh well. In any case, I'm not giving up laptops anytime soon.

 

Same here, but I definitely won't be considering a 17"+ laptop ever again. 15" and smaller types like ours serve their purpose perfectly for their size (though my screen size is technically a 16", it's in a 15.6" chassis )

 

I meant desktop replacement notebooks, which Da Box (lol) claims to end. It's common knowledge that a desktop will beat a laptop in power (and the lanbox uses desktop parts, after all), but I still haven't given up on laptops.

 

I don't understand, it has neither a display, mouse or keyboard and has barely any hope of fitting into a backpack, let alone a slim sleeve... so with none of the advantages of a laptop and size improvements a desktop doesn't need anyways, how is going to replace anything/

 

I'd buy that case more for its small profile than to replace a 17" gaming laptop. LANers will not give up the convenience of a laptop. At any rate, this is drawing far too much fire for its focus. It still seems like a very nice case. We've established that it will not replace 17" gaming laptops, but it is surely still very nice and convenient for people who want the full power of the desktop.

 

It will replace Laptops that are used exclusively as a Desktop. I have had my share of 17"s and even a 20" that never moved from the desk and were hooked up to a Keyboard, Mouse and 24" - 37" Screens, so I am basically exhibit A. It probably won't replace Lan Gamers who bring their 17"s around in backpacks.

Actually, my G60Vx is currently hooked to a 24", a Sidewinder X6 and Sidewinder Mouse, but I do unplug it and bring to work on occasion.

 

that thing is going to overheat. you just know it.

 

Ah well the world of desktops is an entirely different thing than Laptops. It has 5 fans pushing air (including a 140mm option), that isn't even including the CPU Fan and Heatsinks (which are massive) and each individual GPU fan. There is nothing to overheat, since 5970s run extremely cool (Mid to high 30s for idle) and you'll never see a Desktop CPU go over maybe 40 or 50C.

 

this is nothing new, I can make my own box and buy desktop parts to put inside.....

 

"never before" = was done years ago already by other manufacturers Don't be a victim to manufacturer's advertising

That case is actually quite a lot bigger than Shuttle cases are (about 1.25" taller, 3,5" wider and 3" longer, measured by hand my G5 case). And of course it should cost less than a Shuttle barebone, since it's just a case without motherboard (my server's Shuttle K45 was less than 100 euros, and it includes motherboard already)

I would rather compare that case with Thermaltake Lanbox series, it's a little bigger but packs one external 3.5" and 5.25" expansion slot more. For example Lanbox VF6000BNS is 99 euros in retail, with 22% Finnish VAT included. I'm curious to see how this new product will be priced, I couldn't find any details yet.

 

You're asking idiot computer users to build a computer in that tiny box when they could buy a ready made laptop that has the selling points of portability, more efficient power usage probably, not to mention it can work for a short term without external power which is otherwise circumvented by a pricey backup battery?

Hmm, I don't see it happening, especially when plenty of those small footprint computers from HP and Dell already fit the bill of being small, quite powerful for their size (especially if built to order). Yes, they don't usually have the graphics horsepower, nor the proper power supply for higher end graphics if they are even upgradeable in the first place (HP low footprint desktops do have PCI-E x16s). Even better yet, a better simple desktop replacement solution, would just be an all-in-one computer which many companies have been trying to push alot more lately, many of whom are touchscreen such as the HP Touchsmart 300z at ~$800. I would totally be into buying one if it only had dedicated graphics available in the US sold models(I can't understand why HP only foreign models of the 300z series with dedicated graphics. Must note, the machine is MXM 3.0 equiped!). Even in the US market you can't even custom order it with dedicated graphics, which is so LAME >>>>>:/ $800 is a great price for a pretty decent all-in-one computer, Apple's new 21.5 and 27 in iMacs are certainly much better values than previous generations especially with those wonderful new LED screens, but it would be better if the 21.5 inchers could accept display port input like the 27s do (Steve Jobs-you jerk!). HP has also introduced a new $600 uncustomizable all in one as well, which while not as cool as the Touchsmart, is still very well priced for a decent desktop computer with screen built in and ready to go out of the box as is.

 

i dont see this replacing anything and heres why some claim itll replace 17" laptops because they claim they stay put(mine goes everywhere with me) i dont see how this will replace something that stays put because thats what a desktop is. think about it my laptop for example when i go somewhere i take it in a backpack and also carry a laptop table thing with me as well. when i arrive i unfold my table thing and pull the laptop out open it up push power then as it boots find the power cable, mouse, headset and plug em in. there im fully set up. with this box thing and any desktop for that matter. you have to carry a table for the monitor and a board for the tower so it isnt on bare carpet. not only that you also have to plug in monitor to computer the worry about audio if your monitor has speakers or you use you own speakers. you have to plug in keyboard then plug in psu and flick it on. now you can press the power to boot. my point is by the time your done setting up your desktop and ready to push power ill be playing my game already.

on a side note looking for one free power socket is much easier then looking for two in my experience although i do see the advantages to this box i consider it a mere distraction to steer people away from what should really be done... a completely upgradeable laptop in which all manufacturers follow a certain spec for example the mxm spec. dont you think it would be cool to build your own laptop from the ground up like you do with desktops?(whitebooks are a sorry attempt at this freedom) of course this is my opinion so take it as you will

 

It's in manufacturers best interest to not make their machines user upgradeable to major extent, because they want you to buy a whole new computer instead. By following a set standard, a manufacturer is in ways making a laptop even more limited in scope/design/usability/portability by using a standardized way of design as well. Even large notebooks are still custom designed by the manufacturer with specifics in mind, and they tend to adhere to them. Desktop design usually isn't about size and portability so we can go all crazy about expansion in them.

 

4 fans on the chasis if you have a 5970 in there. any gaming case would have 3+ fans on it. and alot more space too. it's either going to be hot or very loud.

 

Laptops won´t end anytime soon, just see sales notebooks vs desktops. Notebooks is the future, they sell more and more. Performance wise they are always behind desktops, however that doesn´t mean the fastest notebooks out there can´t max out games at native resolutions.

 

Shuttles have been around forever in a much smaller form factor that accommodates gaming components. Like others have said, it's not a replacement for a DTR laptop. It is an option if you DO need to reduce the space needed for a desktop.

 

Nope. It's going to be cool and silent. If you are going to use hot running components or loud fans, perhaps, but you can put 2x 5970s and it will still be silent:

http://anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3679&p=16

At Load, the GPU will be the loudest for sure (but that's a universally true for all gaming GPUs, Laptop or Desktop).

This ain't Kansas (Laptops) Dorothy.

 

I'd still easily take a laptop over that though,

Im not really fussed about ub3r power boxes, i can play my games, move around, do all sorts, im happy.

 

If Shuttle made anything Crossfire 5970 capable or If Thermaltake LanBoxes fit cards up to the size of GTX 295s and 5970s, this thread wouldn't even be here. Those "gaming" SFFS with smaller cards in there would be barely faster than gaming Laptops.

What happened to common sense?

 

This would be a more suitable option to replace a desktop replacement notebook. Of course, make it more refined.

http://eeepc.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/suitcase-netbook.jpg

I wish I had the skills to build that sort of machine.

The portability of a laptop, even a desktop replacement one, is very convenient. And yet the lower cost, upgradability and power of a desktop is alluring as well.

Laptops have come close to desktops in most terms except for graphics cards, at least on Nvidia's end.

 

Yep, this is not a replacement for any Laptop users who actually moves their Laptops around.

 

Not even close...

4-5ghz Quad Core i7 is easy on a Desktop vs a $2500-$3000 2ghz Quad Core i7 Laptop.

Actually, for gaming purposes, I am almost certain that my 3.5ghz Core 2 Duo is faster than any Core i7 Laptop setup with an equivalent GPU (with the exception of some highly threaded games).

 

Barely faster than gaming laptops? Where's your common sense? Anything with a desktop card is going to be worlds faster than a gaming notebook. Look at the P-series Shuttles. They accommodate SLI too.

Plus the thread of this title was something to eliminate the DTR notebook. Not to be a top of the line gaming machine.

 

so, how about the display? 1920x1200? and battery life? 0minutes? wow I'm impressed.

IMO this is offtopic, this belongs to desktopreview. I'm surprised this topic wasn't deleted.

 

Id hate to have to do repairs on that thing, its hard enough to work in my MATX case...

Its a nice concept but really it has a nitch market to fill.

The 17" laptop is all in one and lighter and more portable. Taking my 24" monitor and keyboard and stuff with me to use with the Da Box would require enough effort that I could care less if I was taking my whole MATX case with it.

The gain here over a laptop is not portability but power, but still with this power your probably going to lack the upgradability of a standard pc due to the size. So is it worth it for that bit of power? In a lan party you dont need to play crysis at ultra high, you just need the game to run and I find usually they play older games because others will have slower pc's too.

So when all is said and done, you didnt really gain much here with this box of a computer and I am sure the small size is going to come with a bigger price.

 

A GTX 260 Desktop card is not going be "worlds" faster than a GTX 280M (significantly or up to 50%, perhaps), and an HD 4850 may be barely faster than the GTX 280M.

An HD5970? Yes that is TWICE or THREE times as fast as the fastest Notebook GTX 280M. Crossfire it or SLI either, it doesn't matter.

 

It looks like every components slides out of trays, so it shouldn't be any worse.

Yea, these are not for Lanparties. Well, not the poor kind anyway.

 

This is the real reason to run one of these: 3x Screens (6 max I think with Cross Fire) and EyeFinity.

http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/dragonage/video/6240861/ati-radeon-hd-5970-tots-demo

Yes, that's a 5970. Yes, it's about the size of a Netbook.

 

Oh look another X-Qpack clone.

To be honest spending that much money you likely have room for a proper case with no compromises.

 

Not even close. I couldnt bring this, my monitor and my IO with me the subway/bus.

 

Also the weight in my pc is the cooling, not the case anyway and thats a full tower.

 

It might be the replacement for a few, but many people looking to buy DTR notebooks, are usually looking to buy them simply because they are notebooks.

 

There is quite a difference between a GTX 260 GT200 core and the so called GTX 280m with a G92b core. Even the old 8800GTX kicks the GTX 280m´s butt.

 

Yes, the GTX 280M is an 8800 GTS while the GTX 260M is an 8800 GT. The 8800 GTX is faster, but it doesn't blow the other 8800s out of the water.

The GTX 260 is significantly faster than the last generation (and thus, significantly faster than the GTX 280M)

 

So if I got this right the real reason you need a SFF chassis is so you can make room for the two extra monitors in your car's trunk?

[Engadget]

 

lol i needed a 6 foot long desk for my 3 22' monitors and full ATX desktop ....

 

Hmm, in terms of a great SFF case though, I'm kinda diggin it, having built several SFF systems:

pros:

1). fits big cpu heatsinks, unlike some of the other mainstream SFF cases (SG01, SG04)
2). fits full length power supplies
3). fits longer cd-rom drives (those LG blu-ray drives are longer than standard cd-rom drives)
4). side ventilation with fans

cons:

1). price, lian-li A05N is a nice mATX/ATX case for under $100
2). no extra 3.5 slot (media card reader), this is a very small gripe =)

Still, overall, I like the design and features it provides versus other SFF cases. Yes, better for the lan gamer, but it's not so easy checking it in at the airport =)

 

They are also working on accessories for the case, they will release a fan controller with a card reader to fit in the front of the case.

http://www.lan-gear.com/img/dabox/fancontroller.JPG

 

What about heat?
Cramming a speedy CPU and a ATI HD 5870 would surely melt it.