ShuttleX mini pc or laptop?

[BlueRhino79]

I was about to get a laptop when I found out about the ShuttleX mini pc, and then was torn. Because they both seem like good options. I don't know much about the ShuttleX mini pc, and I would like to know if anyone can give me some pros, con's, suggestions of both a laptop and the shuttleX. BTW, I will be using this for multimedia programs, so I need something that will be able to handle it. My price range is under $1500, I know it's not a lot, but it can be done right?
Thanks!

If you don't know what I'm talking about for the Shuttle X Mini PC here's a link http://www.spacewalker.com/index7.html

 

[AndrewKu]

You might want to check out some of our reviews. SFFs@AnandTech

 

[xizor]

i have both a laptop and shuttle. For $1500 you can make an absolutely awesome machine. The benefits of a Shuttle are just a very cool looking machine, integrated everything, inexpensive and space saving.

For a laptop, mobility and wireless of course. Even more integrated everything, but a tradeoff where upgrading is very hard.

I would suggest a hooked up Shuttle with Radeon and a nice 19" LCD for doing graphics for under $1500

 

[Hoplon]

It depends entirely what you plan to use the system for.

If your a gamer who doesn't need to be mobile than the sff system would be your best bet. It's going to offer much better performance than a laptop for a cheaper price.

 

[saurny]

I'm probably going to buy a Shuttle myself, so have thought about it: laptops come pre-built, so you get more for your money w a SFF because your own labor is not part of the price. Laptops are much lighter & easier to carry around--SFF can go to a party, but not to carry all around every day like a laptop--plus they only run on AC, not batteries as far as I know, so you can't use SFF at all out and about on the train etc., even tho for example the SB65G2 model comes with built-in WIFI.
If you want a big screen you can get one with SFF since only the barebones system is included (case, PSU, mobo, cabling).
both will limit you on optical drives & second HDDs, but in SFF you can put a second HDD in the external 3.5" bay which would normally be the floppy drive bay.
You get your choice of all the cards w the SFF--any compatible graphics & audio cards, tv tuner cards etc etc.

You can customize a SFF with fan lights, plexiglass panels, colored shrouds, your own paint job, or any other case modding--can't really do that w a laptop.
I've never heard of anyone overclocking a laptop, but I'm too much of a newbie to really know if that's possible.

If you really want to do multimedia, why not wait for the ABIT Digidice SFF, which has just been or is just about to be released to market? Look it up at sfftech.com or elsewhere--it is the ultimate multimedia 21st century small computer!! hot keys for every media function, plus room for 2 opticals so you can burn w/o ripping to hard disk with one touch of a button, PLUS all the overclocking options made much easier too.