Stealth launches book-sized LPC-480 PC with mobile Core i7

[Matthew DeCarlo]

Stealth has unveiled a new ultra-compact system that is said to be its most powerful and technologically advanced small form factor offering to date. Geared toward commercial and industrial applications -- or enthusiasts who appreciate the engineering behind a hardcover book-sized PC -- the new LPC-480 crams a third-generation Intel Core mobile processor into a chassis that measures 5.7 x 9.9 x 1.65in (~144 x 251 x 41mm).

Along with its quad-core (eight threads) 2.3-3.3GHz Core i7-3610QE, the LPC-480 packs a hidden slim front-loaded optical drive (Blu-ray is available), support for up to 16GB of DDR3 RAM, various 2.5-inch HDD and SSD storage options including up to a 1TB model of the former and 512GB of the latter. Naturally, there's also plenty of connectivity: four USB 3.0 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, DVI-D, VGA, gigabit Ethernet, RS232 serial and a pair of audio jacks.

Although there are a handful of configuration choices when ordering, the base model reportedly ships with the i7-3610QE, 4GB of DDR3 RAM, a DVD-RW drive, a 500GB mobile hard drive, and no operating system preinstalled, though Windows XP through 8 and Linux are supported and available upon request -- the product page even notes that Stealth can hook you up with Vista if that's a priority for some reason.

The stock unit will set you back $1,795, though it can be pared down to as low as $1,325 if you're willing to settle for downgrades such as a 1.9GHz Intel Celeron B840. Units are shipping now.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/52068-stealth-launches-book-sized-lpc-480-pc-with-mobile-core-i7.html

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

Now that's what I'd call a proper SFF PC. Pity the unit's physical size is too small to stick on a price sticker with that many digit's on it unless they use a really small font that you can't read anyway (not that you'd want to).

 

[dotVezz]

Too rich for my blood =(. I understand that it's largely because of volume restrictions - if they could build and sell more, the price would be driven down. But still, considering I can but a laptop with these specs, a dedicated CPU, screen, and all that (Although much larger) would cost me about 2/3 the cost of this.

Still, cool!

 

[Renrew]

---And, for you Masochists in the crowd, we can hook you up with Vista.

 

[VitalyT]

Just another overpriced crap, it seems. But let's look at the real cost of the components to build a similar, but better, top-notch system:

Mainboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131887

Case + PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108424

Processor of similar performance: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504

Fast, 32GB of RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233237

SSD - Samsung 840, 500GB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147187

Now that's $980 for a far more powerful system than they offer. You will spend some extra change for a Blu-ray player + delivery, and 2 hours for putting it all together.

Now why would somebody want to spend about $1800 on a much more inferior system is beyond me...

CORRECTION: I just went to their website, turns out, if you want that CPU + SSD + 16GB of RAM, it will cost you $2800. What a rip off! For half the price I can buy a system with twice the performance. See the quotes for the actual components I gave above...

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

Just another overpriced crap, it seems. But let's look at the real cost of the components to build a similar, but better, top-notch system:

Mainboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131887

Case + PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108424

Processor of similar performance: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504

Fast, 32GB of RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233237

SSD - Samsung 840, 500GB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147187

Now that's $980 for a far more powerful system than they offer. You will spend some extra change for a Blu-ray player + delivery, and 2 hours for putting it all together.

Now why would somebody want to spend about $1800 on a much more inferior system is beyond me...

CORRECTION: I just went to their website, turns out, if you want that CPU + SSD + 16GB of RAM, it will cost you $2800. What a rip off! For half the price I can buy a system with twice the performance. See the quotes for the actual components I gave above...

It's never going to be a volume seller. It's all about being cool. That's the price you pay for acting cool. As you say... It's a waste of money but some people will buy it then vehemently deny they got ripped.

 

[Renrew]

There must be a market for overpriced crap.

Seems like lately manufacturers are putting out high priced items for the Noobs that that have more money than brains.

Then again, I'm jealous, I can't afford these.

 

[Guest]

But could you put the components into a box that size?

 

[VitalyT]

But could you put the components into a box that size?

The list of components a referred to fits perfectly into the case for which I gave the link. Both main-board and the board are Micro-ATX. What makes it all better, you will end up with a desktop system and a desktop CPU, instead of the inferior laptop CPU, not to mention twice as much (and faster) memory and a better SSD.

 

[cliffordcooley]

The list of components a referred to fits perfectly into the case for which I gave the link.

Thats not what they were referring to. The question was can you make your PC build as small as the one in the article?

 

[VitalyT]

The list of components a referred to fits perfectly into the case for which I gave the link.

Thats not what they were referring to. The question was can you make your PC build as small as the one in the article?

Dimensions of this product are: 5.7" x 1.65" x 9.9"

Dimensions of the product I recommended: 13" x 3.8" x 14.4". The only way to reduce the size further is to go for a laptop board + laptop CPU, which is exactly what they did.

So, effectively you end up with an overpriced half-laptop, whereas my recommendation was for a complete desktop PC. And the real question should be: Who wants to drop the desktop performance, while paying 2-3 times more, just so you can shave a few extra inches off a system that's already very small?

 

[cliffordcooley]

Who wants to drop the desktop performance, while paying 2-3 times more, just so you can shave a few extra inches off a system that's already very small?

I wasn't arguing with you, I completely agree. I was merely rephrasing the question above.

 

[Guest]

What is the deal with things being small? Are people running out of space? I can understand a mobile device where you have to carry around everywhere but if this thing's a "PC" which will most likely be set up somewhere stationary, then what is the purpose? As people have already stated, there are too many options to choose from to receive the same benefits without the high cost.

 

[Guest]

Guys these SFF machines are primarily used in industrial applications where they can be mounted on a machine, in a control panel, data acquisition, HMI control systems etc. They are not consumer electronics devices nor do they use industry standard motherboards and chassis. They are application specific and its a bit unfair to compare them to regular notebooks or desk tops

 

[Guest]

It's all about being cool. That's the price you pay for acting cool. As you say... It's a waste of money but some people will buy it then vehemently deny they got ripped.

Kind of like all Apple products?

Dimensions of this product are: 5.7" x 1.65" x 9.9"
Dimensions of the product I recommended: 13" x 3.8" x 14.4".

Your recommendation is double the size of this unit. The model in the article sells for a premium because of all the power packed into an extremely small size. Most mini pc's on the market are under powered because they can't handle the cooling aspect of the higher performing processors in such a small space but this unit can and is likely desirable to some people with specific uses.

 

[cliffordcooley]

Most mini pc's on the market are under powered because they can't handle the cooling aspect of the higher performing processors in such a small space but this unit can and is likely desirable to some people with specific uses.

You are right, it is desirable but not at 3 times the cost.

 

[2disbetter]

Gentlemen, the are many factors contributing to the price you might not be aware of. Namely, The chassis itself is rugged and designed to be put in situations far outside standard PC placement. The case linked in a competitive build is more than double the size of this, and sadly that IS the reason for the price difference as has already been stated.

It costs a lot and is probably overpriced, but there is more reason for that price than you are probably aware of.