DFI is coming out with something VERY new and interesting with complex ramifications for those with various pc needs.

Check it out

http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/2928/ ... index.html

More stuff = more stuff that can go wrong. Also depends on the price point...

Like it as a space saving workstation but also don't like it as to Steve-os comment.

Interesting though.

I am in agreement with Steve-o.

I like that DFI is trying new things. The idea is great but...

some things just shouldnt be built as a combo. More to go wrong. poor example but an example nonetheless is a power supply - one failure point for two machines.

Is it that much more expensive to buy a super cheap AMD platform anyways? Everyone seems to have this super fixation on the atom being the end all and be all of processors. I'm sure one can underclock any processor and have it consume very little power. Just put the thing in a carboard box if you wanna save money heh.

tadah!

There's a lot of people out there who have gaming machines who still use them often for minor tasks such as the internet and movies, and I can see how this would be more efficient (in terms of power usage) but I'm not sure if it's the elegant solution that many people will get on board with. I think more efforts should be focused on throttling power usage of devices when not being used, or not being used completely, but there's probably other applications for this that people will like such as having downloads and/or other things done on the Atom system, while gaming on the main one.

*Edit* I guess this could make those dual motherboard cases like the Mozart obsolete now eh?

Why bother. If you have to RMA the motherboard, you'll have 2 systems down instead of one. ITX boards are pretty small and can be wedged into a decent mid-tower or into a tiny ITX case. That motherboard looks like it's E-ATX so you'll need some massive case for it.

Shortcomings aside - its nice to see ideas being put out there. Some people will definately find a use for it. Probably cheaper than building two machines separately.

I say keep that innovation going. Trying new things sometimes lead to strides in other areas. I wont be buying one tho

Can one system be powered and fully functionial without the other? Does that mean 2 power/reset buttons?

Yes - one can be on and the other shut down. They show how they do that in the video.

They use a 3 button controller to switch tween systems. so the pwr button will work on whatever one you want. One pwr button for both machines. You just tell it what machine you wanna power on.

They completely shut down one side, and keep on using the other. They show the board with only the atom side on, idle @ 30watts.

I wouldn't think that would be the case and if it was it would negate all my comments about power efficiency.

Sure it looks great to show the board, one side on and idle.

But cmon - its made so two people can sit at it the SAME TIME and use it.

how often REALLY is one side going to be off and idle.