Leave it to Asus to find the sweet spot where consumer desires and hardware capabilities converge. The Asus Essentio CS5110 is a small form-factor PC with big multi-media tendencies. Thanks to Asus, these tendencies are fully realized with their inclusion of a full-fledged, discrete graphics solution in the maximally-small volume of the Essentio CS5110.

Specifically, Asus has included an 8600M GT MXM module in the Essentio, which by itself is a significant departure from the normal specs and build of this class of super-compact computers. Past SFFs has never failed to stay true to the name, delivering PCs in small-volume casings, but with poor graphics performance. Since most users use SFFs either for normal desktop productivity or as the centerpiece of a PC- based media system, Asus decided to concentrate on making the Essentio capable either way – with the aforementioned mid-range 8600M coupled with2GB of DDR2 800 and a 2.66GHzCore 2 Duo on an Intel G35 chipset motherboard.

                                             There's something about PC stickers that make me feel fuzzy all over.

                                             Below the Essentio is a standard 14" notebook PC - for size comparison.

The G35 is partnered with theICH8 southbridge in this iteration, and delivers connectivity galore, not the least of which is the HDMI, 7.1 channel, and optical outputs – perfect for its intended role of capable multimedia / entertainment server. Other more pedestrian connectors include a VGA connector, four USB, Gigabit Ethernet, and even a Kensington Lock – all at the rear panel. A hidden front panel flips open to reveal a card reader, Firewire B port, two additional USB, plus a headphone and mic-in jack. Bluetooth and 802.11n WiFi are standard. Thanks to the G35’s micro-ATX desktop roots, it also plays host to on-board graphics, which unfortunately does not link up with the MXM module for hot hybrid graphics action. Nevertheless, it is ready to take over if for any reason the 8600M is removed from the unit.

                                             Cool-blue LED accents are cliche-ish but looks good against the glossy exterior.

                                             Front panel flips open for easy access to commonly-used connectors.

To further render it fir for entertainment duties, Asus gives the option of including a Blu-Ray drive on the Essentio, although our own test unit only includes a regular DVD Multidrive. The particular unit on this PC is a Panasonic slot-in DVD drive, making for a neat-looking optical solution in this well-designed PC. Hardisk options are also quite impressive, with up to a maximum of 1 TB supported. Of note, the Essentio uses 3.5” drives instead of the smaller (both dimension and capacity-wise) 2.5” laptop hard disks. The size of the Essentio, while bigger than most other small PCs, becomes a praiseworthy effort when this storage choice is taken into consideration.

                                             Rear access looks fairly crowded - always a good thing.

Asus did not neglect to bestow some design flair on the unit, as the Essentio looks like a pared-down PS3, only sleeker and more compact. Design and cooling is combined in the vents on top, at the bottom, and the dual fans at the rear of the unit. The clear acrylic base also gives the Essentio a break from the glossy but monotonous black of the main body. Lighting elements on the slot-in space, plus blue indicator lights for power, hard disk and wireless LAN finishes off the sleek, commercial living-room applicance-look of the Essentio.

                                             Two outflow fans and strategically - located vents for cooling - be careful not to drip anything onto the top vents.

Asus has not simply created a new and better SFF PC in the Essentio - with smart design choices like the 3.5” hard disk and MXM module compatibility, and good upgradeability for memory and processor, the Essentio looks to change how SFF PCs are designed and built – with an eye towards compatibility with an SFF PC’s typical tasks, and aiming towards hitting a sweet spot of performance and size.