ACi Neo PC

The computer is quite attractive and has been stylishly built. It has a very small footprint and can fit into the smallest of spaces.

But perhaps the biggest surprise will be when you switch on the PC. It comes with RedHat Linux 7.2, instead of Windows XP or any other Windows version. Coming to the actual specifications of the machine - the machine has a P4 2.4 GHz CPU at its heart, coupled with 256 MB DDR memory on a SiS m650 chipset equipped motherboard. This chipset provides onboard video, using shared memory, which can be chosen between 32 and 64 MB. Obviously, depending on the amount of memory that you dedicate to the video hardware, the main memory available to the operating system will correspondingly decrease. The computer can look deceptively stripped down, but provides a wide range of ports for different connections at its back and on the sides. 

The CD-ROM and floppy drives are built in to the left side of the LCD and can be accessed easily. On the right side, are the volume and brightness controls. And, the big goodie, two PCMCIA slots, are also on this side. These slots should be very useful for connecting devices like wireless Ethernet cards, since there are no PCI slots as such. At the back of the monitor are the modem and Ethernet connectors, speaker out, line-in and mic input from the onboard sound card, two USB and one FireWire ports, and a parallel and serial port each. There is a monitor out for connecting an external monitor, and two USB ports on the base of the machine. All in all, this computer is quite feature-rich, even compared to many full sized desktop counterparts. 

As far as performance goes, we tested the machine after installing Windows since there aren't any suitable benchmarks for testing PC performance in Linux. In Windows, we got moderately good scores in both Content Creation and Business Winstone 2001, which suggests that this machine should satisfy most office and home needs easily. Don't expect to play too many 3D games on it though, since not only does Linux have a scarcity of those, but we also got just 20.8 fps at 1024x768x32 resolution in Quake III Arena. However, some basic gaming should be possible at lower resolution and color depths. 

Overall, this little machine left us quite impressed. Most computers like this one, usually sacrifice performance or usability to achieve such a small form factor, but this machine seems to have struck a pretty good balance. Perhaps the only thing we missed was WiFi, but it is not too big a complaint. Fitting in a Linux machine on an existing network might be a bit difficult for the inexperienced, but is an easy job for someone used to administering Linux machines. The in-built speakers are not too powerful, but they serve their purpose. At Rs 84,990, the PC might initially appear expensive, but once you consider its features (LCD, FireWire, PCMCIA, wireless mouse and keyboard, etc) and the compact design, the cost seems worth it.

S N   A   P   S   H O   T
Price	:	Rs 84,990
Key Specs	:	Redhat 7.2, small footprint, LCD, built-in speakers, FireWire, USB 2.0, Ethernet/modem ports, PCMCIA slots
Contact	:	Allied Computer, Delhi.
Tel	:	25861475
E-mail	:	sales.delhi@aci-asia.com

For those of us who just can't live without Windows, ACi offers Win XP Home and Professional at retail costs, which are currently Rs 3,800 and Rs 6,900,respectively. 

Anuj Jain