Entertainment and gaming desktops that come with built-in Blu-ray drive aren’t rare these days, but nettops—usually low-priced, low-power PCs that offer basic entertainment and productivity capabilities—traditionally never bothered with the high-end optical drive. Zotac just bucked the trend on their two new ZBOX Mini-PCs though; while they’re still powered by Intel Atom processors, they also come with a Blu-ray drive that turns them into full-blown (but still small) HD-playing Home Theater PCs.

Looking more like consoles than PCs, the two models mostly similar with a 1.8GHz Intel Atom D525 processor and NM10 Express chipset, Nvidia’s Ion graphics, and 2GBs of DDR2 memory. The ZBOX HD-ID33BR ships with a vacant 2.5-inch hard drive bay, while the HD-ID34BR ships with a 250GB hard drive. That looks like the only difference though. Both run on Windows 7, and feature USB 3.0 ports and card readers for expansion, and Wi-fi and Gigabit Ethernet networking. an HDMI-out port and 8-channel audio rounds out the entertainment features.

No word on pricing just yet, but because of the Blu-ray drive, don’t expect them to be priced the same as your regular nettop.

Sorry if it confused your brain-grapes, but that slim, diamond-shaped thing in front of the keyboard isn’t an oddly-shaped flatscreen display. It’s a whole nettop PC by eMachines, actually. Called the Mini-e, this is the first system sold in the US to rock AMD’s new low-power Athlon II Neo processor. Probably not the most powerful nettop around (which should be fine, since if you’re buying a nettop, power shouldn’t be one of your top concerns), but it does look cool, considering what they managed to pack into it.

So here’s the list: for $300, you get a 1.7GHz Athlon II Neo processor with Nvidia’s GeForce 9200 integrated graphics, 2GBs of memory, a 160GB hard drive, and a wireless keyboard and mouse. The system comes with a Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit operating system, and connects to just about everything with USB, HDMI, VGA, S/PDIF, Ethernet and Wi-fi b/g/n, plus a multi-card reader along one of the edges. Flush feature set for a compact nettop, and it does sound pretty cheap for $300. Just remember to add the cost of a display to that price, since this won’t come with one.

Most likely counted as one of the slimmest netbooks ever, the IdeaPad S10-3s is designed with rounded chiclet keys, plus a trackpad that extends down to the edge to give it a MacBook-looking buttonless trackpad design. The spec can be customized with either a 1.66GHz or 1.83GHz Atom processor, optional 3G modem, and storage options that includes hard drives from 160GB to 320GB, or SSD drives that range from 16GB to 32GBs.

Shipping this month, the IdeaPad’s price starts out at $380 and comes installed with a Windows 7 Home Starter or Home Basic OS plus a Linux quick-boot app.

The C200 nettop is a compact all-in-one built around an 18.5-inch touchscreen display. The system is built around an Atom processor (with a choice between a 1.6GHz D410 or a faster 1.66GHz D510) and Nvidia’s Ion platform that can handle HD-quality graphics. The nettop’s spec includes an integrated side-loading DVD burner, plus more options for fitting up to 4GBs of memory and up to 500GBs of storage.

The C200 is set to be released this month; prices start at $399 for the base configuration.

That’s not an external optical drive you’re looking at. It’s actually Shuttle’s upcoming Windows-based nettop that runs on Intel’s Atom D510 dual core processor. The fact that it measures only 3.3cm? That’s not what makes it awesome (although the size does add to its overall awesome-factor)—it’s that this small desktop kit comes with Nvidia’s ION2 graphics, making for a really compact desktop kit that can handle HD videos and streaming 3D.

The rest of the spec spells out a desktop that saves on both power and space, with the previously-mentioned 1.66GHz dual-core D510 processor running the show on Intel’s NM10 Express chipset. The actual capabilities of Nvidia’s GT218 graphics processor hasn’t been proven yet, but the fact that the GPU is paired with an HDMI connector, well that pretty much means more than your average entertainment option: An HD-capable multimedia computer that’s small enough to fit on a shelf along with the rest of your home entertainment system’s components. And without any fans, it should be as quiet as your DVD player.

The rest of its connections include the usual set: USB, VGA, LAN and built-in audio, plus a multi card-reader, a notebook-sized (2.5-inch) hard drive, and enough free space to fit a slim optical drive.

A list of “more specific” specifications (along with this kit’s price) isn’t available yet, but it’s set to launch around the second quarter of 2010. We should know more when Shuttle unveils it during the CeBIT show.

MSI has announced that they will be showing off several new desktops on the CES showroom floor in January. Three models have been announced: the Wind Top AP1920, an All-in-one PC built around an 18.5-inch touchscreen display, and two Wind Box Mini PCs, the DE220 and DC500.

All three systems boast low energy consumption, thanks to the new Intel Pine Trail Atom platforms they all run on. The AP1920 All-in-one offers a choice between Intel’s Atom D510 dual core processor, or the D410 single core CPU for nettops.

The two Wind Box systems also run on either Atom Pine Trail platform and tout small footprints to save on space. The smaller DE220 features a compact 2L box (described to be about the size of a sheet of A4 paper) that can be mounted behind a display to turn the system into an all-in-one. The DC500’s chassis is a bit bigger at 4.7L, but still around 60% smaller than a conventional desktop PC.

More details should be available when they’re officially unveiled at CES.

Intel has just officially announced new Atom processors that should be seen running next year’s batch of netbooks. Codenamed “Pine Trail”, the new processors are based on a 45nm process that’s listed to offer 20% less power consumption than the previous generation of Atom CPUs, which translates to less heat (and a reduced need for cooling) in a smaller package.

The new Atom chips also feature integrated graphics and a memory controller into the CPU to give the system a lower TDP (Thermal Design Power), as well as reduced cost, space requirements, and power requirements. These advantages should translate to more compact, power-efficient, (and possibly cheaper) netbook and desktop designs for next year.

Intel has lined up three new processor models up for use in upcoming systems: the N450, D510, and D410. The N450 is designed for use on netbooks, with a 1.66GHz clock, 512K cache, support for DDR2-667 memory, and a low cooling requirement of 5.5W TDP. The D510 and D410 are meant for use on entry level desktops (or “nettops”), with 1.66GHz clocks and support for DDR2-600/667 memory. The D510 is the higher-performing model of the two, featuring dual cores, a larger 1M cache, but with a higher 13W TDP. The D410 sports a single core, a smaller 512K cache, and a 10W TDP.

The new cores have been delivered to Intel’s partners, and systems running on the next-gen Atoms are expected to start shipping by January 4th. Intel has announced that over 80 netbook designs from brands such as Asus, Acer, Dell, Toshiba, Fujitsu, Lenovo, Samsung, and MSI are lined up for next year.

In the video below, Cindy Ng from Intel’s Netbook Marketing Team demonstrates the Intel Atom Processors for netbooks and entry-level desktops.

Acer has just announced that they’ll be coming out with the compact AspireReve 3610 nettop in the US by the end of the month. One of the first to run Nvidia;s ION platform, the US-headed system is also set to ship with a Windows 7 operating system.

The rest of the spec will still remain unchanged from the model that was first announced back in April: a 1.6GHz dual core Intel Atom processor, 2GBs of memory, and a 160GB hard drive on an ION platform that promises HD playback on a low-power system.

The AspireRevo is set to arrive when Windows 7 gets launched on October 22nd for $330.

Lenovo has just announced a new all-in-one PC along their value line of desktop systems, the C100. Technically a net-top, the C100 runs on Intel Atom processors and an entry-level configuration to keep the price down.

Built for students and everyday computing needs, the C100 features a neat and slim design that measures only 2 inches thick, the system packs everything behind the 18.5-inch widescreen display. The package has options for either a single core Intel Atom 230 or a dual core Atom 330, plus a basic configuration that includes 1GB of memory, a 160GB hard drive, and Intel GMA 950 integrated graphics.

The standard kit also comes with a DVD burner and 1.3MP webcam, and a software pack that adds Lenovo’s OneKey Antivirus and Recovery system.

Available now, the Lenovo C100’s price starts at $399.

Asus has just announced three of its new EeeTop all-in-one PCs to the US market, the 20-inch ET2002 and ET2002T, and the 22-inch ET2203T. Both ET2002 models are basically energy (and space)-efficient nettops that run on Intel’s Atom processors and Nvidia’s ION integrated graphics, while the ET2203 is set up for high-end HD entertainment with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor and a dedicated ATI Radeon HD 4570 graphics card.

The 20-inch ET2002 and ET2002T feature similar specs with a Dual-Core Intel atom 330 processor, Nvidia ION graphics, 2GBs of DDR2 memory, and a 20-inch 16:9 widescreen display, but the ET2002T adds a touch-sensitive screen (hence the “T” at the end).

Options for a 250 or 320GB SATA II hard drive are available for storage, while Gigabit LAN, Wi-fi b/g/n, and a Windows Vista Home Premium OS come with the standard package. Both are also set up for multimedia entertainment, with SRS sound and built-in 3W speakers, a slot-in Super Multi DVD drive at the side, and an HDMI input port at the back for using the screen as a standalone display.

Extras for both systems include a card reader, wireless keyboard and mouse, and a built-in webcam.

The ET2203T is built around a HD 1080p-capable 22-inch wide touchscreen for premium entertainment. The system runs on an Intel Core 2 Duo (T4300 or T6500) processor, 4GBs of DDR2 memory, and a good-for-gaming graphics card with the ATI Radeon HD 4570. Like the 20-inchers, the ET2203T also comes standard with Gigabit LAN and Wi-fi connectivity, built-in SRS-quality audio and 3W speakers, card reader, wireless keyboard and mouse, and an HDMI port, but comes with larger hard drive options (320 or 500GB), and a slot-in Blue-ray/ super-multi DVD drive.

Shipping dates or prices for all three models are unavailable at this time.

Acer’s Veriton Z280G is a space-saving all-in-one nettop that runs on a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor and 2GBs of DDR2 memory. Designed for business use, the entire system is mounted on an 18.5-inch widescreen LCD, leaving only a three-piece stand (along with the detached mouse and keyboard) to save on desk space.

The display sports a 1366 x 768 max resolution with a 1,000:1 contrast ratio and a 5ms response time, supported by the platform’s integrated Intel GMA 950 graphics; not necessarily great for 3D graphics performance, but is certainly good enough for everyday office tasks. It’s power-efficient too (something that any office should appreciate), with a power supply that runs a maximum 65W.

The rest of the standard spec includes a 160GB hard drive, a side-loading DVD drive, and an integrated multi-card reader for storage, plus Gigabit LAN, and 802.11 b/g Wi-fi for connecting to a network.

The Veriton Z280G’s price start at $499, and comes preloaded with a Windows XP operating system.