Giada N20 Review

  • Share
  • Share

By
Posted 9 Nov, 2010 2:11 pm

China based Giada is no stranger to nettops as they’ve been releasing various models over the years, although they’ve yet to break into any western markets just yet. Their latest offering is the Giada N20 Mini PC which is probably the slimmest nettop we’ve seen yet and packs in the latest base specs you’d expect from a nettop these days.

Specs

It’s available in either white or black. RAM and storage will differ by region. Models with Windows 7 or no OS are available.

  • Intel Atom D525 processor (1.8GHz, dual core)
  • Nvidia ION 2 graphics
  • 2GB DDR2 RAM
  • 320GB HDD
  • 802.11b/g/n WiFi
  • Gigabit LAN
  • Bluetooth
  • USB 2.0 x 2, eSATA / USB combo, 4-in 1 card reader
  • HDMI, VGA
  • S/PDIF optical out, headphone, mic jacks
  • built-in IR receiver
  • Windows 7 (optional)
  • 160 x 175 x 23 mm

Box Contents

Unlike most nettops, the Giada N20 includes a remote control to use with the built-in IR receiver, and a HDMI cable. You’ll still need some peripherals as they are not included in the box. Batteries, for the remote, are not included. There’s a also a CD that contains Windows XP / Vista / 7 drivers that we didn’t get in our review sample but we just as easily downloaded them from Giada’s website.

  Design & Ergonomics >>

Contents

  • Noosaheads

    I bought one of these, because it was a better price than an Aspire Revo.
    I didn’t specify Windows 7 (extra $$), so it came (in Australia) preconfigured with Ubuntu 10.04LTS,
    already setup with extra apps, free online backup from Ubuntu One etc.

    It worked out of the box, and I also bought a wireless keyboard and mouse,
    and webcam/microphone, and they all worked without any (major) configuring.
    I’ve since upgraded to 10.10 with the latest nvidia drivers.

    It plays 1080p fine from disk, digital camera picture slideshows are fantastic, browsing, youtube and skype via wireless work well, and it’s quiet, so it’s now on the living room TV via HDMI and my partner is happy…
    3D games such as Cube2:Sauerbraten work well, I’m not a big gamer so haven’t tried any like CS or Halo.
    Overall it does a better job than the eeepc that I used to plugin to the TV (and is much cheaper).

  • Noosaheads

    Also, my intention was to use it as an htpc with XBMC, which is already installed, so the 320GB hard disk is already fairly full with multimedia, but connecting a USB terabyte disk also works well.
    We mainly use it now with a slideshow of photos and a streaming internet radio soundtrack from somewhere exotic. There are many sound programs on it that use shoutcast or xiph, although my favorites are Paris One Deeper or Deep Mix Moscow.
    The only problem I had was that it did not recognise a USB hub, but I’ll try another.

  • Shawky99

    where did you get it without operating system, i need to buy one but it is not that cheap there are many other are cheaper with the same specification.