Tranquil PC have today launched a refresh of their Windows Home Server range, replacing the previous T7-HSA and T2-WHS-A3 with two new models, the T7-HSAi and the T2-WHS-A3i.
So, what’s the “i” all about? At first glance, the systems looks the same on the outside, but inside, Trannquil have swapped the old model’s Via C7 based motherboard and processor for the sparkling new Intel Atom processor, a 1.6GHz 45nM chip which provides faster performance and a lower power consumption, from just 29W. The processor is also 64-bit ready, so you can take advantage of extra processing power in the future.
The T7-HSAi also now has a multi-drive option - whether this is due to a smaller motherboard profile, I’m not sure, but is officially a good thing, as the original was very limited with a single drive.
Tranquil have also dropped the price of the T7-HSAi to £278 ex VAT (£326) whilst the T2-WHA-A3i remains at £299 ex VAT (£351).
Revised specs as follows:
T7-HSAi
| Dimensions | 224 (d) x 232 (h) x 57 (w) |
| Unit construction | Aluminium and steel (typically >70% recycled materials) |
| System heat sink | Aluminium with custom heat pipe cooling system (TranCool3) |
| CPU | 64 bit ready Intel Atom 230 (1.6GHz) |
| Memory | 512MB (expandable) |
| HDD | 3.5″ Western Digital (Green Power) or 2.5″ Western Digital (Scorpio) |
| Colour options | Satin Black |
| Front panel | Power switch and Power / HDD activity LEDs |
| Rear panel | 12V DC power in / 4x USB2.0 / 10/100 LAN |
| Weight | Base unit (nett) 4Kg |
| Power supply | External AC/DC with country specific power cord Aux Power output for external HDDs |
| HDD support | 1x 3.5” HDD support or 2x 2.5″ HDD support |
| Working temp | Maximum 48’C ambient |
| Mounting options | Desk or Wall |
| Power consumption | 29W (base unit) |
| Software | Windows Home Server pre-installed Media Pack, with Connector, Restore CDs and Installation DVD |
T2-WHS-A3i
| Dimensions | 387 (w) x 356 (d) x 66 (h) mm |
| Unit construction | Steel, aluminium, Polycarbonate (typically >70% recycled materials) |
| System heat sink | Aluminium with custom heat pipe cooling system (TranCool2) |
| CPU | 64 bit ready Intel Atom 230 (1.6GHz) |
| Memory | 512MB (expandable) |
| HDDs | Western Digital (Green Power) |
| Colour options | Satin Black |
| Front panel | 10mm ‘glass effect’ with cool lighting and laser etching (Power / HDD activity LEDs) |
| Rear panel | 12V DC power in / 4x USB2.0 / 10/100 LAN |
| Weight | Base unit (nett) 7Kg |
| Power supply | External AC/DC with country specific power cord |
| PCI expansion | 2x slots (spare or populated with Gbe LAN or eSATA 4 port cards) |
| HDD support | 2x 3.5” HDD support, in cooled, shock resistant sub system |
| Working temp | Maximum 48’C ambient |
| Mounting options | Desk, Rack, Wall or floor |
| Power consumption | 29W (base unit) |
| Software | Windows Home Server pre-installed Media Pack, with Connector, Restore CDs and Installation DVD |
Check out our reviews of the previous models, the T7-HSA and T2-WHS-A3.
More Info: Tranquil PC | Tranquil PC Blog
May 26th, 2008 at 10:16 am
They can fit two inside because they are using 2.5″ drives. While you get two drives for backup, you can’t get anywhere near a good space.
Disappointing but the fact they are now using the Intel Atom is great!
May 26th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
I’m a big fan of the Tranquil platforms. Great to see they’re moving forward on the processing side and storage. Two drive bays with 1TB drives seems like a great start, and external expansion options are sure expansive. Too bad they didn’t include a esata port on the T7-HSAi. Any chance of upgrading my T7 motherboard with this one?
May 27th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Gutted… just ordered one of the “old A3″ servers from Scan and its been discontinued ALREADY :(((
May 27th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
This looks great — price drop, and the 1TB upgrade price has been massively slashed too!
Seems a shame about only 100mbps LAN and no eSATA though. If it’s essentially the same as the D945GCLF board that’s also appeared on their site, then it looks like there’ll be a free SATA port internally, and also PCI, so maybe pseudo-eSATA and gigabit LAN aren’t totally out of the picture yet…