I purchased one of the single core models like this for personal use, and was so impressed, I got one of these dual core models to use in my “day job.” I wanted to experiment to see how well these beasties stood up against the other full sized PCs we use. I started out using Ubuntu Linux, but plan to try XP on it as well.
This barebone computer is NOT complete; minus RAM, a hard drive or Compact Flash card, an optical drive, monitor, keyboard and mouse, and operating system. Adding all those items can easily cost more than the basic machine, depending on how much you have sitting around. Since I had plenty of monitors, keyboards, and mice, I only needed to add RAM, hard drive, and optical drive to be ready to install Unbuntu. (I actually had a spare new SATA hard drive as well.)
Installing the parts was about a 20-30 minute task. The case and motherboard are quite well made and solid. I haven’t installed a Compact Flash card on the motherboard, but that would require removing the motherboard due to the case size and positioning of the connector. Installing, updating, and running Ubuntu on it is a breeze. The wired network connection works quite well. I rarely use wireless, so haven’t tried that.
While some people like to complain about fan noise, I come from an era where computers were a lot more noisy than they are today, and that doesn’t make much difference to me. I don’t find the fan to be a problem.
Benchmark tests I have seen rate the overall average performance gains from the dual core model at about 30% over the single core Atom. I can say that I noticed a very clear difference in how the Flightgear flight simulator worked on the different models. The dual core performance gain with that software was very apparent.
This is NOT a game machine or a 3D rendering machine, so don’t compare it to those. It is a small, low power, basic computer that works well for most desktop uses, as well as many media uses. I have run photo slide shows while also playing WA
MSI Wind Nettop 100