In the back of my mind, I always knew that the desktop case form factor -- the ugly, boxy, and completely useless form factor that was popular in the early 90s, where the case would sit on your desk, with the monitor sitting on it -- would make a comeback.

Fortunately, it's Shuttle that is responsible for making it come back, and that relieves my tension. Shuttle has been creative with their designs, and I have yet to find myself disliking them. Their next-generation small-form-factor design has the footprint of an A4 sheet of paper, and is just over 5 centimeters tall. There's no word on pricing yet, but I would assume it will be on the higher end, considering the punch it packs:

The XPC X100 is pitched at a new era of home entertainment computers based on Windows XP Media Center Edition. A typical spec, said Shuttle, is a 1.83GHz Core Duo T2400 processor; 512MB of dual-channel DDR 2 SDRAM; ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics on an MXM module so it's upgradeable; 250GB Serial ATA II hard drive; HD Audio; Gigabit Ethernet; 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi; four-in-one memory card reader; one front- and three rear-mounted USB 2.0 ports; DVI, TV-out and S/P DIF ports; and a six-pin Firewire connector.

Yes! Upgradeability! Thank you, Shuttle! However, now is the time for the obligatory "I still prefer my Mac Mini". It's true, I do -- but there's no use denying it, the XPC X100 is definitely a Goliath to my David, and it has the upgradeability factor to boot.

I can easily see this thing being put in an HTPC-like environment. It is just the perfect length and height, though not as wide as the typical VCR/DVD player. The less-appealing ATX chassis sitting behind my TV is crying now.