What do we think ?
After using the Tranquil PC for a few days, what do we really think ?. In an age where almost every PC component is geared towards maximum performance without paying due heed to noise, a near-silent PC is a refreshing, invigorating change. The bottom line is that even low-end PCs have become powerful enough to laugh at common tasks such as word processing, e-mailing and spreadsheets. If we consider that a vast majority of users, and we're talking about mom and pop here, barely scratch the surface of modern PCs' abilities, the general need for insane speeds isn't as great as one might imagine.
We often sit at our PCs for hours on end, day after day. The drone of a gaggle of fans can and does become annoying after a period of time, and only long-term conditioning to the noise helps block it out. If you don't necessarily need a monster of a machine, you shouldn't need the endure the high sound levels associated with fan-cooled components. That, we feel, is exactly how Tranquil PC think.
The trendy, hi-fi-esque, fan-less PC was a definite break from the norm. It showed that with expert engineering, careful component selection and an eye for style, one could construct an almost inaudible PC, one was more than good enough to run through everyday activities. The number of ports and sockets hinted at its ability to be the centre of a multimedia setup, and only the slight problem with high bit-rate DivXs caused us any concern.
The problem is that this PC is after a very niche, selective market; one that lies between, say, midrange laptops and standard base units. Laptops can do almost everything the Tranquil can, save for the size of hard drive, and quiet, midrange base units offer more grunt for the pound. Our sample, carrying a 1GHz VIA Nehemiah CPU, EPIA M10000 motherboard, 80GB Hard Drive, 8x DVD-ROM and 256MB of RAM retails at around the £600 mark. That kind of money would buy a reasonable laptop or base unit.
However, the Tranquil's exquisite design and looks, near-silent operation, and multitude of uses makes us think that it'll appeal to its intended market. Highly recommended if true quietness is high on your list of priorities. Power users need to look elsewhere, though. An excellent example of how to engineer and deliver a product that's aimed at a niche, exclusive market.
- If quietness is a major factor
- If quietness is further down your list
of priorities
