The use of Blu-ray on the desktop is expanding and the high definition format is starting to find its way into small form factor (SFF) PCs. Shuttle has launched its XPC G5 3201M model, a custom-build PC available with either a Blu-ray writer or combo drive crammed into its tiny frame.

The combo drive functions as a DVD writer and Blu-ray disc reader, and is able to read a host of disc formats, including BD-Rom and DVD-Rom. It can also write to a number of formats, including CD-R/RW. The Blu-ray writer drive writes to BD-R and BD-RE, and other non-HD formats, and can also read several additional formats, including BD-ROM and BD-R/R/RE. Both drives are manufactured by Pioneer.

The XPC G5 3201M, front on

The XPC G5 3201M comes with Windows Vista and is driven by an Intel Core 2 Duo processor as standard, can accommodate up to 4GB of DDR2 memory and includes Nvidia’s GeForce 8600 GTS PCI Express graphics card. It also ships with a multi-format card reader.

Being an SFF PC, the XPC G5 3201M only measures 31 x 20 x 18.5cm and so also includes SilentX cooling technology to help cool the tiny unit down. Wireless is provided over 802.11g, although it would have been nice to have seen provision for version n.

The XPC G5 3201M, from the rear

At the front of the dinky machine there is access to a microphone and headphone jack, in addition to two USB 2.0 ports, while its backside has four further USB ports and a host of supplementary connections, including two DVI-I ports and an optional TV antenna input.

Shuttle said the basic PC doesn’t ship with any peripherals. It's available now and retails at basic configuration price of £960 (€1,149).

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