The Shuttle KPC K-4500 is not only compact in size, but is price tag is fairly compact as well. Due to the flexibility of the operating system - Foresight Linux - this PC is flexible enough to be used as a Media Center or as an everyday desktop for kids, students, or even work. This is one of the smallest, decently priced PC's on the market, with only a few quirks that user's should be aware of; this just might be the PC to fit your needs.



This compact design only measures in at 7.5 (height) x 6.7 (wide) x 11 (depth) inches ? which makes it the perfect size to conceal by a television or on a desk. Surprisingly, the interior leaves plenty of room to upgrade the system and add cards into the free PCI, ATA-100, and SATA-300 slots. The KPC K-4500 also comes with 4 USB 2.0 ports, a parallel port, along with a serial port - all available on the backside of the unit.

Built eloquently, into the machine, are the backbones that provide decent performance for users. This system incorporates a 1.8GHz Intel Celeron D 439 CPU, 512MB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory, 224MB (shared) Intel GMA 950 graphics, and 80GB, 7,200rpm hard drive. This being said, the PC has sufficient equipment to run as a typical desktop or even a media center. (Heads up: if using the KPC K-4500 as a media center, codec files must be installed in order to effectively run any audio or video files.)

The standard system comes with Foresight Linux as the operating system, typically running around $230. When the KPC K-4500 is ordered, with the operating system, you will also get messenger (Pidgin), web browser (Firefox), photo organization (F-Spot), desktop effects (Compiz), music (Banshee), and movie (Totem) player applications. The system is also available with no operating system, also known as barebones, for around $199. Purchasing the system barebones gives you the flexibility of operating systems and allows you to do as you wish with it.

Unfortunately there are a few missing pieces to the K-4500. There is not an optical drive, no digital video or audio outputs, nor does the system ship with a keyboard and mouse. These may be minor issues; however, in order to install additional software / applications, you will need to use an external drive. The option of installing an optical drive is null-in-void, as the internal drive bays are not accessible from the outside.

Users should also be aware that there are no digital or video outputs on this machine, the unit does not come with a mouse and keyboard, and there are no optical drives. External drives will need to be used as there is no way to install an optical drive on the Shuttle KPC K-4500.

Surprisingly this compact unit, with a price tag just as small, offers a good platform for any use. Those who are comfortable with Linux, and computers, will have no problems maneuvering this PC and getting it to do what you need.

Those who are not as computer literate may find this unit intimidating and a waste of time. Overall it's a great deal for a good computer, it has some quirks, but knowing them ahead allows you to work around them.