NetVista shrinks for business

 

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By Matt Whipp

Posted on 3 Oct 2002 at 10:42

IBM throws the book at PCs

Touted as about the size of a dictionary, IBM has launched the S42, aimed at businesses where space is short.

At about a third of the space of a conventional PC, the NetVista measures little more than a foot square and 3.3in deep.

It's top line stuff inside however, although the exact specification can be tailored to suit. It comes standard with a 1.8Ghz Pentium 4 chip, and up to 2Gb of DDR SDRAM memory, up to 40Gb of disk space and Intel's integrated graphics.

Connectivity comes in the form of integrated Ethernet, plus four front-mounted and two rear USB 2.0 ports. Options are also available to deliver your S42 wireless-enabled via both WLAN and Bluetooth.

Because so much is integrated onto the main board, there is reasonable room for expansion, with three drive bays and two full size PCI slots available.

Bob Galush, vice president of marketing, IBM PC Division, said: 'Given our broad research and design capabilities, we developed a smaller machine that doesn't sacrifice the robust features and functionality IBM is known for.'

Windows XP Pro is the chosen OS and IBM also throws in its ImageUltra -- IBM's signature image management and data migration apps - and Rapid Restore PC software. Security is provided by a Kensington padlock on the hardware side, and Norton Antivirus software.

Pricing starts at £619 ex VAT, and IBM's T560 15in TFT flat panel display can be added for an extra £387 ex VAT.