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Line 1: {{Short description\|Low power, small and cheap computer meant for light tasks}} {{For\|the NSA project\|NetTop}} {{About-distinguish\|Mini PC\|microcomputer\|microcontroller}} {{Use dmy dates\|date=~~August~~March ~~2022~~2024}} {{Multiple issues\| {{Update\|reason=refers to legacy technology\|date=February 2020}} {{More citations needed\|date=February 2020}} }} [[File:2009 Taipei IT Month Day1 Acer Aspire Revo.jpg\|thumb\|The [[Acer AspireRevo]] nettop]] A '''nettop''' (or '''miniature PC''', '''Mini PC''' or '''Smart Micro PC''') is a small-sized, inexpensive, low-power, [[Legacy free PC\|legacy-free]] [[desktop computer\|desktop]] computer designed for basic tasks such as [[Web navigation\|web browsing]], accessing [[web application\|web-based applications]], document processing, and audio/video playback.<ref>http://techreport.com/articles.x/21556 Zotac's Zbox Nano AD10 Plus nettop - Zacate in the palm of your hand</ref><ref>[http://technology.inquirer.net/infotech/infotech/view/20080404-128374/Netbooks-Nettops-target-secondary-PC-users 'Netbooks,' 'Nettops' target secondary PC users] {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611164811/http://technology.inquirer.net/infotech/infotech/view/20080404-128374/Netbooks-Nettops-target-secondary-PC-users \|date=11 June 2008 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=17078 hexus.net: What is a nettop]</ref><ref>[http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/nettop.html whatis.com: Entry for nettop]</ref> The word ''nettop'' is a [[portmanteau]] of ''[[Telecommunications network\|network]]'' and ''[[desktop computer\|desktop]]''. It is the desktop counterpart of the [[netbook]]. Modern ({{circa}} 2020) mini PCs or [[Small form factor (desktop and motherboard)\|small form factor]] PCs can be much more powerful, being equipped with high-end laptop components or mid-range desktop components.<ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-mini-desktop-pcs/\|title = The Best Mini Desktop PCS\|newspaper = The New York Times\|date = 7 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-windows-mini-pcs\|title = The Best Windows Mini PCS for 2021}}</ref> ▼ ▲A '''~~nettop~~mini PC''' (or '''miniature PC''', '''~~Mini PC~~nettop''', or '''Smart Micro PC''') is a small-sized, inexpensive, low-power,{{Citation needed\|date=May 2023}} [[Legacy free PC\|legacy-free]] [[desktop computer\|desktop]] computer designed for basic tasks such as [[Web navigation\|web browsing]], accessing [[web application\|web-based applications]], document processing, and audio/video playback.<ref>http://techreport.com/articles.x/21556 Zotac's Zbox Nano AD10 Plus nettop -– Zacate in the palm of your hand</ref><ref>[http://technology.inquirer.net/infotech/infotech/view/20080404-128374/Netbooks-Nettops-target-secondary-PC-users 'Netbooks,' 'Nettops' target secondary PC users] {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611164811/http://technology.inquirer.net/infotech/infotech/view/20080404-128374/Netbooks-Nettops-target-secondary-PC-users \|date=11 June 2008 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=17078 hexus.net: What is a nettop]</ref><ref>[http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/nettop.html whatis.com: Entry for nettop]</ref> The word ''nettop'' is a [[portmanteau]] of ''[[Telecommunications network\|network]]'' and ''[[desktop computer\|desktop]]''. It is the desktop counterpart of the [[netbook]]. Modern ({{circa}} 2020) mini PCs or [[Small form factor (desktop and motherboard)\|small form factor]] PCs can be much more powerful, being equipped with high-end laptop components or mid-range desktop components.<ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-mini-desktop-pcs/\|title = The Best Mini Desktop PCS\|newspaper = The New York Times\|date = 7 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-windows-mini-pcs\|title = The Best Windows Mini PCS for 2021}}</ref> Compared with ordinary desktop computers, nettops are not only smaller and less expensive,<ref>[http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9891780-7.html Intel Nettop is all about cost cutting]</ref> but they also consume much less power. For example, CompuLab's [[fit-PC]]2 consumes no more than 8 watts of power<ref>[http://www.fit-pc.com/web/fit-pc2/fit-pc2-specifications/ Fit-PC2 Specifications]</ref> whereas a typical desktop would easily consume more than 100 watts of power; consequently, nettops require significantly less cooling and may even be completely fanless. Some do not have an [[optical disk drive]] and use a [[solid state drive]], making them completely silent. The tradeoff is that the hardware specifications and processing power are usually reduced<ref>[https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2341100,00.asp Is a Nettop Right for You?]</ref> and hence make nettops less appropriate for running complex or resource-intensive [[application program\|application]]s.▼ The word ''nettop'' is a [[portmanteau]] of ''[[Telecommunications network\|network]]'' and ''[[desktop computer\|desktop]]''. It is the desktop counterpart of the [[netbook]]. Modern ({{circa}} 2020) mini PCs or [[Small form factor (desktop and motherboard)\|small form factor]] PCs can be much more powerful, being equipped with high-end laptop components or mid-range desktop components.<ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-mini-desktop-pcs/\|title = The Best Mini Desktop PCS\|newspaper = The New York Times\|date = 7 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-windows-mini-pcs\|title = The Best Windows Mini PCS for 2021}}</ref> ▲Compared with ordinary desktop computers, nettops are not only smaller and less expensive,<ref>[https://archive.today/20120906072917/http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9891780-7.html Intel Nettop is all about cost cutting]</ref> but they also consume much less power. For example, CompuLab's [[fit-PC]]2 consumes no more than 8 watts of power<ref>[http://www.fit-pc.com/web/fit-pc2/fit-pc2-specifications/ Fit-PC2 Specifications]</ref> whereas a typical desktop would easily consume more than 100 watts of power; consequently, nettops require significantly less cooling and may even be completely fanless. Some do not have an [[optical disk drive]] and use a [[solid -state drive]], making them completely silent. The tradeoff is that the hardware specifications and processing power are usually reduced<ref>[{{Cite web \|url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2341100,00.asp \|title=Is a Nettop Right for You?] \|access-date=6 September 2017 \|archive-date=19 February 2013 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130219061530/http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2341100,00.asp \|url-status=dead }}</ref> and hence make nettops less appropriate for running complex or resource-intensive [[application program\|application]]s. ==History== {{unreferenced section\|date=December 2017}} ~~Nettops~~During ~~and mini PCs have what could be considered an unusual history. The~~the "first wave" of ~~such~~mini PC devices, which occurred in the mid to late 2000s, they were commonly referred to as "nettops". These included devices such as the Acer AspireRevo seen above, and were commonly considered to be a kind of "temporary substitute" PC of a lower cost for users needing a second PC or for use in [[developing countries]]. Another commonly held view at the time was their use as a stepping stone towards a [[Thin client\|thin-client]]–based always online computer that would "replace inefficient PCs". ===Netbooks as predecessors=== ~~===Development of netbooks and the cannibalisation of laptop sales===~~ [[File:Gigabyte BRIX.jpg\|thumb\|A [[Gigabyte Technology\|Gigabyte]] BRIX]] As demand for these devices quickly waned, the industry responded by addressing the chief complaint that these devices would be better as portable devices such as a new form of [[laptop]]. The result was the [[netbook]], a device which was considered the true future of the nettop. However, prevailing attitudes and [[Great Recession\|economic issues]] in 2008 onward made these popular due to their low cost and portability along with the then-expanding feature-set. In August 2009, reports from reviewers were that a netbook of the time and a traditional laptop of the same price were otherwise identical. The implications that the price of standard notebooks should be dropped was a financial liability, due to huge unsold inventories of standard laptops in retail chains and an unfavorable market in which to unload them meant that cannibalisation of laptop sales by netbooks would be financially undesirable for the industry. A clearance sale was also not an option under these conditions, especially [[Price-based selling#Price slashing\|among multiple retail chains and online shopping sites]]. These factors, along with a desire to keep netbook sales going to recoup R&D, design and manufacturing costs, were all likely contributing factors of an industry-wide effort to sabotage [[netbook]]s through purposefully limited devices that could be sold cheaply while acting as a form of [[social engineering (security)\|social engineering]] towards discrediting netbook devices. The direct lineage between ~~nettops~~netbooks and ~~netbooks~~nettops meant that the concept of a "net-" prefix was considered a failed idea. Devices such as Chromebooks, tablet PCs, Ultrabooks and other devices responded by branding themselves as a different type of device such as [[~~Chrome OS~~ChromeOS]] being exclusively a pure [[thin client#Web Client\|web client]] or the proposal that the [[ultrabook]] succeeded by compensating for its lighter weight and otherwise equal-performance parts with a higher price tag, but in 2015, a revival of the concept came about from a likely unrelated source, a technological form of [[convergent evolution]]. Via the likely-observed success of the [[stick PC]], the idea of combining a [[system on a chip]] with a [[single-board computer]] has led to a continuation of the nettop's original product goals. Mini PCs such as the MINIX Z83-4 or the Azulle Access Plus are exclusively referred to as "mini PCs", despite being identical or near-identical on paper to the nettop architecture. In 2015, a revival of the concept came about from a likely unrelated source, a technological form of [[convergent evolution]]. Via the likely-observed success of the [[stick PC]], the idea of combining a [[system on a chip]] with a [[single-board computer]] has led to a continuation of the nettop's original product goals. Mini PCs such as the MINIX Z83-4 or the Azulle Access Plus are exclusively referred to as "mini PCs", despite being identical or near-identical on paper to the nettop architecture. ==Hardware== [[File:Mac mini 2020 (M1) Anschlüsse.jpg\|thumb\|[[Mac Mini]] 2020 ([[Apple M1\|M1]])]] There are ~~three~~several platforms that are primarily intended for nettops and netbooks: * Intel's ~~Centrino~~ Atom platform<ref>[http://www.intel.com/pressroom/archive/releases/20080302comp.htm?iid=tech_atom+pr ] {{webarchive \|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122030705/http://www.intel.com/pressroom/archive/releases/20080302comp.htm?iid=tech_atom+pr \|date=22 January 2009 }}</ref> * Nvidia's Ion platform<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.nvidia.com/object/sff_ion.html \|title=Next-Generation NVIDIA ION Graphics Processors \|publisher=Nvidia.com \|access-date=15 April 2010}}</ref> * Intel's Core platform * VIA's Trinity Platform<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.via.com.tw/en/resources/pressroom/pressrelease.jsp?press_release_no=3007 \|title=News Release VIA Trinity Platform Brings Hi-Def to Small Spaces - VIA Technologies, Inc \|publisher=Via.com.tw \|date=18 December 2008 \|access-date=15 April 2010 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029021953/http://www.via.com.tw/en/resources/pressroom/pressrelease.jsp?press_release_no=3007 \|archive-date=29 October 2010 }}</ref>▼ * AMD's APU platform * Apple's [[Mac Mini]] ▲* VIA's Trinity Platform<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.via.com.tw/en/resources/pressroom/pressrelease.jsp?press_release_no=3007 \|title=News Release VIA Trinity Platform Brings Hi-Def to Small Spaces -– VIA Technologies, Inc \|publisher=Via.com.tw \|date=18 December 2008 \|access-date=15 April 2010 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029021953/http://www.via.com.tw/en/resources/pressroom/pressrelease.jsp?press_release_no=3007 \|archive-date=29 October 2010 }}</ref> Some nettops have also adopted [[system-on-a-chip]] designs. Although many major parts such as chipsets, video cards and storage devices can also be found on desktops, the CPUs that are put inside nettops are the fundamental component that differentiate them from normal desktops. The list below contains a range of hardware components that a typical nettop may be assembled from. * CPU : [[Intel Atom]], ~~Core~~[[Intel i3Core]] ([[x86]]) : [[VIA Nano]] and [[VIA C7]] processors (x86) : [[AMD ~~Fusion~~APU]] (x86) : [[Geode (processor)\|AMD Geode]] (x86) : [[Texas Instruments OMAP\|ARM Cortex-based CPU]] ([[ARM architecture\|ARM]]) Line 42 ⟶ 49: GPU : Intel [[GMA 950]] : [[Intel UHD Graphics]] : S3 Graphics Chrome : [[Comparison of Nvidia graphics processing units#GeForce 9M (9xxxM) series\|GeForce 9400M G]] (integrated into MCP79MX; [[Nvidia Ion~~\|Nvidia ION~~]] platform) : [[AMD Radeon HD 6310]] : [[ATI Radeon HD 4000\|ATI ~~HD4530~~Radeon HD 4530]] : [[PowerVR]] Chipset :[[List of Intel chipsets\|945GSE and 945GC Express chipsets]] : [[Comparison of Nvidia graphics processing units#GeForce 9M (9xxxM) series\|MCP79MX]] (integrated GeForce 9400M G GPU; [[Nvidia Ion~~\|Nvidia ION~~]] platform) : VIA VX800 IGP Chipset RAM : typically 512 MB to 2 GB SDRAM, DDR or DDR2 memory Storage devices : 2.5" [[hard disk drive]] : at least 1 GB flash memory : ~~2.5" [[hard disk drive]] or~~ [[Solid-state drive\|~~solid~~Solid-state drive (SSD)]] Network : [[Ethernet]] and/or [[Wi-Fi]] I/O ports : [[local area network\|LAN]], [[USB ~~2.0~~]], video out, audio out [[Intel]]'s Atom processor has been adopted by several hardware manufacturers, such as ASUS, MSI, and Sony, for nettops. Nvidia has also released its first generation ION platform, which puts GeForce 9400M Motherboard [[graphics processing unit\|GPU]] alongside the Atom processor to provide better [[high definition video]] playback ability and lower power consumption.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://techreport.com/articles.x/16340/1 \|title=Nvidia's Ion platform -– The Tech Report -– Page 1 \|publisher=The Tech Report \|date=3 February 2009 \|access-date=15 April 2010}}</ref> In addition, Nvidia has announced that it will support VIA's CPUs this year.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.engadget.com/2009/02/20/nivida-ion-platform-to-support-via-nano-processors-this-year/ \|title=NVIDIA Ion platform to support VIA Nano processors this year \|publisher=Engadget \|access-date=15 April 2010}}</ref> To further reduce the manufacturing cost and improve power efficiency, many manufacturers and start-up companies have chosen to use CPUs that were originally targeted at embedded computing devices such as AMD's Geode and ARM Cortex-based CPUs. ==Operating systems== Many net-top models are x86-processor-based and as such are capable of running standard PC OSes. There are also operating systems designed specifically for nettops and other machines in the same performance class. Some high-end nettops are capable of running [[Windows 10]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.lifewire.com/best-mini-pcs-4047271 \|title=The 9 Best Mini PCs to Buy in 2018 \|publisher=lifewire \|access-date=14 October 2018}}</ref> Google's [[~~Chrome OS~~ChromeOS]] and [[Android (operating system)\|Android]] are other options. Although Google's Android was originally designed for [[smartphone]]s, it has also taken a seat in the nettop market.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/159945/asustek_to_make_google_android_netbook_says_report.html \|title=Asustek to Make Google Android Netbook, Says Report \|publisher=PCWorld \|date=20 February 2009 \|access-date=15 April 2010~~}}</ref>~~ ~~Another~~\|archive-date=5 ~~Linux~~September ~~distribution suitable for nettops is~~2010 ~~[[Ubuntu (operating system)~~\|~~Ubuntu]]~~archive-url=https://web.~~{{citation~~archive.org/web/20100905220525/http://www.pcworld.com/article/159945/asustek_to_make_google_android_netbook_says_report.html ~~needed~~\|~~date~~url-status=~~February~~dead ~~2020~~}}</ref> [[Linux]] is beginning to be the favorite choice of ~~Nettop~~nettop ~~Users~~users (~~Considering~~considering the ~~High~~high ~~Commercial~~commercial ~~Use~~use of these machines), the flexibility and low-requirement capabilities of the [[Operating system\|OS]] are perfect for the product.{{citation needed\|date=March 2024}} ==Market== Nettops fell into Intel's category of "Basic PC", which usually cost from $100 to $299.<ref>[http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9891780-7.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20 CNet article]</ref> Intel described nettops as a large potential market at that time. Nettops were said to be able serve as an affordable first computer for people in developing countries, or as an environmentally friendly choice as a secondary computer for people in developed countries.<ref name="Briefing">[http://download.intel.com/pressroom/kits/events/idfspr_2008/Netbook-Nettop_briefing.pdf Netbooks and Nettops New category of emerging Internet Devices]</ref> As a result of successes with Stick PCs and [[Linux Mint]]-based Nettop-like computers, as well as continued success of the [[Mac Mini]], the idea was possibly unintentionally revived as Mini PCs, which continue to be sold through online retailers as of August 2017.{{citation needed\|date=February 2020}} == See also == Line 81 ⟶ 85: [[Tablet computer]] * [[PC-on-a-stick]] * [[Desktop computer#Form factor\|Desktop form factor]] * [[Chromebox]] and [[Apple TV]] * [[AMD ~~Fusion~~APU]] and [[Intel Atom]] * [[Cloud computing]] Line 92 ⟶ 96: {{Commons category\|Nettops}} * {{cite web\|url=http://www.linuxdevices.com/news/NS4808339076.html\|title=Touch-enabled net-top boots Linux fast\|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130127194826/http://www.linuxfordevices.com/c/a/News/Touchenabled-nettop-boots-Linux-fast/\|archive-date=27 January 2013}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20090603230016/http://www.upenn.edu/computing/provider/docs/hardware/powerusage.html Approximate computer power usages list] by the Univ. of Pennsylvania] (archived 3 June 2009) * Russian portal of [https://web.archive.org/web/20180324100446/http://nettop.ru/ ~~nettops~~Nettops.ru] * [https://www.robadainformatici.it/migliori-mini-pc/ ''Mini PC''], on ''robadainformatici.it''. {{Cloud computing}} {{Computer sizes}} [[Category:~~Nettop~~Mini PC\| ]] [[Category:Personal computers]] [[Category:Appropriate technology]]