ECS MD120: Barebones nettop with NVIDIA ION

The ECS MD120 is a classy looking nettop that packs a dual core Intel Atom 330 processor and NVIDIA ION graphics with DirectX 10 support. What the MD120 doesn’t have is a hard drive, RAM, or operating system. But it also doesn’t have a high price. Newegg is selling it for $269.99.

The nettop supports up to 4GB of RAM and has room for a 3.5 inch SATA II hard drive. There’s also space for a DVD burner. You also get a total of 6 USB ports, HDMI and DVI ports, 6-channel audio, and a D-Sub port as well as a multi-format flash card reader.

There are also two Mini PCIe card slots on the inside which you can use to add WiFi, a TV tuner, or other peripherals.

The ECS MD120 measures 10.6″ x 7.9″ x 2.4″.

via Netbooked

Posted on Tuesday, December 29th, 2009, 6:02 pm by Brad Linder

Awake

What the heck is the point? A non-portable with no hard drive, OS, RAM or optical drive for $270? PT Barnum said a sucker is born every minute so I guess there may be a market for this.
Rico San

I disagree. Something like this, when combined with a BD-ROM drive and Win7/Vista, would make a great all-in-one media center & Blu-Ray player capable of doing 1080p over HDMI. Play Blu-Rays, run XBMC/Boxee, use it as a automatic Bit Torrent box, Netflix streamer, etc.

BD-ROM drives can be had for around $40, and Windows 7 cheaply, depending on the channels you use.
lightsout565

Totally Disagree with Awake. Some people, like myself, have tons of computer parts lying around. This way, I can repurpose some of my these old parts and get a good, reliable, cheap system.
http://www.facebook.com/david.gosnell David Gosnell

I'd love to see one of these boxes with a CF or LCD character display (at least as an option). I'm used to having one on our PVR, and as such it would be a pre-req for the MythTV or similar media-centre system I plan to replace it with at some point. You listening, ECS et al? :O)
Mock Outrage

Awake,

I like the restraint you used with the Barnum reference. Most internet pontificators go right to the Hitler comparisons. Well played.

Most would be buyers have their reasons for liking this device. The public is not being duped. All is well.
http://www.bitsfortheboat.com/ ropes

Great Offer. The price of the MD120 is really affordable. I like to buy this product. Any stores in California???
Kobaljov

TV Tuner in PCIe Mini Card format?
Kobaljov

Slim BD-ROM for 40 ?
HP

Agree w/ Awake. Basically, it's a case+MB w/ integrated CPU barebone. The reason to not go DIY is convenience (get everything in one package). But if you have to go DIY in the first place, then there are better choices. The Zotac 330 Ion board + a fanless Morex mini-ITX case will cost you less, and at least you know that the Zotac board has been around with semi-decent drivers, whereas you know nothing about the ECS board. ECS historically has been crap board, the kind that's bundled w/ CPU at Fry's, and good luck with hoping for driver updates from them. Driver support is important, much more than cost.

For DIY, there are other options as well, eg getting a Zotac board w/ Nvidia 9300 and low-power C2D CPU.

To append to the PT Barnum comment: If a sucker knows that he's a sucker, then there wouldn't be any sucker to get sucked.
Kobaljov

TV Tuner in PCIe Mini Card format?
Kobaljov

Slim BD-ROM for 40 ?
HP

Agree w/ Awake. Basically, it's a case+MB w/ integrated CPU barebone. The reason to not go DIY is convenience (get everything in one package). But if you have to go DIY in the first place, then there are better choices. The Zotac 330 Ion board + a fanless Morex mini-ITX case will cost you less, and at least you know that the Zotac board has been around with semi-decent drivers, whereas you know nothing about the ECS board. ECS historically has been crap board, the kind that's bundled w/ CPU at Fry's, and good luck with hoping for driver updates from them. Driver support is important, much more than cost.

For DIY, there are other options as well, eg getting a Zotac board w/ Nvidia 9300 and low-power C2D CPU.

To append to the PT Barnum comment: If a sucker knows that he's a sucker, then there wouldn't be any sucker to get sucked.
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ECS MD120: Barebones nettop with NVIDIA ION

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