The Outside
Here's a picture of a few Shuttles showing how the front has changed. On the top ot the stack was the first one to arrive including an AGP slot the SS51G notice the blue front and on the bottom was the next incarnation the SB51G the only difference from the front is the front fascia has changed colour its now a grey/brown colour. Now look in the middle, there are a few changes here. In my opinion changes for the better...
First, gone is the plastic fascia and in with the proper front aluminium panel no more cheating, as under the plastic fascia doesnt reside a proper front on earlier versions, rather a sheet of paper covering the chassis.
Second, although the front connectors remain the same with from left to right S/pdif - Microphone - Headphones - 2 USB 2.0 - Firewire the location of the power button, reset switch and leds have moved to a more central position giving a more balanced image.
So whats changed on the rear? Well quite a bit actually the fan grill covering the ICE Heatpipe system for a start. I'm not sure why they have changed it to the square hole arrangement, but personally I preferred the older version (easier to remove). but look closer at the ports.
Gone is one of the com ports and S/pdif from the back and in their places are a second VGA port and Composite TV-Out. What a bundle... dual monitor support and tv-out without even needing a Gfx card.
What other surprises are we in for?
Lets take the lid off and have a look inside...
