Asus makes big push into small form factor market

ASUS IS MOVING into small form factor PCs in a big way. For the company, once known only as a motherboard manufacturer, it's part of a diversification strategy that helps Asus extend its reach into the consolidating - and increasingly competitive - market for PCs and related consumer electronics.

Asus's barebone team, based at the company's headquarters in Taipei, has already developed a number of small PCs based around MicroATX motherboards, but recently turned out its first cube-shaped SFF PC, following a trail originally blazed by Shuttle Computer.

The S-presso is immediately distinguishable from competitors by features like a moulded plastic case that give it a rounder, albeit slightly wider, shape than most other SFF PCs. The two models currently available both use the same motherboard, based around an Intel 865G/ICH5 integrated graphics chipset. The more feature laden S1-P111 includes a TV/FM Tuner card, and Linux-based instant-on software that can play DVD, CD, MP3 music or FM radio within a few seconds of power on.

"We started work on the design around the end of 2003," said engineer, Daniel Lin, who has been co-ordinating the project from the beginning. Asus was able to show mock-ups of the S-presso at Computex last Summer. However, a lot more work needed to be done to get it ready for mass production. Indeed, when the INQUIRER visited Asus in Taipei a few days ago, the company still didn't have a fully-working S1-P111 available to demonstrate. New procedures take time to merge into the manufacturing process. For example, the three-layer outer plastic case has to be moulded and coated in a dust-free clean room, to ensure a smooth, glossy finish - similar in appearance and durability to automotive paintwork.

One version of the product, the S1-112, is already on the market, priced at around $220 online, but the instant-on features and front panel display of the S1-111 needed a little more work. It should be on sale before Christmas, Lin said.

Although these are gaming and entertainment systems, and the S1-112 even includes a remote control, Asus isn't trying to position them as living room PCs, says Lin. The company has a couple of flat, MicroATX-based PCs, the DigiMatrix and Pundit, that it hopes will appeal to that market.

The S-presso is acting as a test bed for ideas that Asus will bring to other products in future. The scratch-proof moulded plastic outer shell, for example, also appears in the recently announced Vento 3600, a Ferrari-red desktop PC. And S-presso's case hinges open to provide very fast - around five seconds - tool-free access to the motherboard. The power supply, optical drive and hard disk drive are all fastened in with a single quick-release clip. All very useful for people who like to tinker with their PCs, but that isn't really the main point, said Lin - quicker and easier servicing by Asus and its distributors is.

The S-presso PCs are just the first of a series of SFF PCs planned by Asus, said company sources. µ

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