Acer X1200 Shrinks the Desktop

Acer has turned its size-shrinking ways to desktop computers, with its X1200 SFF sporting AMD dual core CPUs, Nvidia graphics, and attractive prices.

Tawian’s Acer—now owners of American computer maker Gateway—are looking to expand the popular size-shrinking motif they have running in their popular Eee line to desktop computers, starting with the new X1200 SFF. The new diminutive desktop systems are designed to offer the power and expandability of a conventional desktop, without taking up all the space, making all that noise, or costing all that money.

"Our innovative, low energy consumption desktop is a no-compromise solution providing desktop power, performance, and value in a compact form factor," said Acer America’s senior manager for retail desktops Stephanie Hatchel, in a statement. "Aspire X1200 was designed to be an appealing, easy to use media hub for making the most of entertainment."

The X1200 SFFs measure just 10.4 inches tall, 4 inches wide, and 14.4 inches deep, yet still manages to pack two PCI Express slots (X and X16). The system will be available in a range of configurations, running up to AMD Athlon X2 500 processors and 4 GB of RAM, but also including more energy-efficient setups with AMD Athlon X2 Dual Core 4850e processors. The X1200 SFF also sports Nvidia GeForce 8200 graphics with DirectX 10 support and PureVideo HD technology. The systems also pack five USB 2.0 ports (in front—four more in back!), a 14-in-1 media card reader, a IEEE 1394 port, and front-mounted audio output, hard drives from 320 to 500 GB, and 16× dual-layer DVD burners. The systems ship with Windows Vista Premium 64.

Two models of the Acer X1200 SFF are available now at major retailers at suggested prices of $449.99 and $459.99; a third model packaged with a 22-inch widescreen LCD display is due to go on sale July 13 for $699.99.