HP Compaq 8200 Elite Ultra-Slim: The Littlest Desktop
by Dustin Sklavos on September 29, 2011 10:40 AM EST- Posted in
- Systems
- IT Computing
- HP
- SFF
- Enterprise
Introducing the HP Compaq 8200 Elite Ultra-Slim
If you've been following along for a while, it should be pretty clear that around here, we're fans of doing a little computing. Awkward turns of phrase notwithstanding, we thought we'd seen the smallest HP had to offer when we tackled the Z210 SFF desktop not too long ago. But we were wrong, and today we present you with the smallest desktop computer in HP's enterprise lineup. Wearing its power supply on the outside, meet the HP Compaq 8200 Elite Ultra-Slim.
Get a load of that. Admittedly consumer desktops (and nettops) can get just a bit smaller, but the HP Compaq 8200 Elite Ultra-Slim is still pretty impressively diminutive. Once you get this small it's very hard to include any kind of real graphics hardware, so even the entry level Quadro found in the Z210 is absent here, but other than that you'll see it's a surprisingly fully-featured little computer.
HP offers several pre-configured variants of the 8200 Elite Ultra-Slim, and they shipped us the top XZ788UT model. They also have custom-build options available, with a much larger selection of parts on tap. Here's what we received in our review sample.
| HP Compaq 8200 Elite Ultra-Slim Specifications | |
| Chassis | HP Custom |
| Processor |
Intel Core i5-2500S (4x2.7GHz, 32nm, 6MB L3, turbo to 3.7GHz, 65W) |
| Motherboard | HP Proprietary Motherboard with Q67 chipset |
| Memory | 1x4GB Samsung DDR3-1333 SO-DIMM (expandable to 16GB) |
| Graphics |
Intel HD Graphics 2000 (6 EUs, 850-1100MHz) |
| Hard Drive(s) | Western Digital Scorpio Black 250GB 7200-RPM 2.5" SATA 3Gbps HDD |
| Optical Drive(s) | HP DVD+/-RW Combo Drive |
| Networking |
Intel 82579LM Gigabit Ethernet Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 802.11a/b/g/n |
| Audio |
Realtek ALC662 HD Audio Speaker, mic/line-in jacks for stereo sound |
| Front Side |
4x USB 2.0 Headphone and mic jacks Optical drive Card reader |
| Top | - |
| Back Side |
Speaker, mic/line-in 2x PS/2 6x USB 2.0 1x Ethernet 1x DisplayPort VGA AC adaptor |
| Operating System | Windows 7 Professional 64-bit SP1 |
| Dimensions |
9.9" x 10" x 2.6" (WxDxH), 6.8 lbs. 251 x 254 x 66 mm, 3.1 kg |
| Extras |
SD Card Reader 87% Efficient PSU with active PFC |
| Warranty | 3-year parts, labor, and onsite service |
| Pricing |
MSRP starts at $679; review configuration at $914 Available online starting at $770 |
You can immediately tell from the specs that the 8200 Elite Ultra-Slim is the kind of system designed more for mass deployment than any kind of serious, high performance computing. HP includes an MXM slot and Mini-PCIe slot inside the chassis for expansion, and for those that really want some for of discrete graphics a $61 upgrade to an AMD Radeon HD 5450 is available. With 80 Stream Processors, that's not a major upgrade from Intels HD 2000; it's a little dated but it's there if you need it. There's also no USB 3.0 support, but at least HP includes DisplayPort connectivity.
Moving to the CPU, the Intel Core i5-2500S is no slouch. Rated for a TDP of 65 watts instead of 95, it still manages to boast the same impressive top turbo core speed as its non-S-series counterpart. Other options range from basic Pentium CPUs all the way up to the i7-2600S. HP backs the CPU up with two SO-DIMM slots (and no ECC support), one of which is occupied in our review unit by a 4GB DDR3-1333 DIMM.
Keeping up with the "notebook in a desktop shell" motif is the 2.5" Western Digital Scorpio Black 7200-RPM mechanical hard drive and a slimline DVD+/-RW drive. (Note that SSDs are available in the custom configurator if desired.) HP also includes integrated wireless in the form of the Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 wireless chipset, which supports 802.11a/b/g/n connectivity. The 87% efficient PSU is an external power brick rated for 135 watts, more than enough to support this configuration.
None of the specs are going to set the world on fire, but being a business class system there are a few other extras we need to discuss. The major selling point for systems such as this is the warranty and support. The HP Compaq Elite 8200 comes standard with a 3-year onsite warranty, and in our experience business class systems are built and supported better than consumer offerings. Remember also that while HP is talking about selling off their consumer PC division, they want to keep the (more lucrative) business and enterprise lines.
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kritschg - Thursday, September 29, 2011 - link
My company looked at both the 8200 and the 6005 and went with the 6005 with an ATHLON II X4 610E and a 64GB SSD. We have 1200+ call center PCs that are on 24x7x365.Average power draw was around 51W full load, 21 Idle. We also looked at Dell and they were 65/53 load/idle for their smallest enterprise desktop.
Another huge benefit is the dual fan design. The system will run under full load with only one fan, temp goes up 5 degrees. External power supply is also helpful, 3 minute replacement.
When a thin client won’t work add an SSD and a low power CPU and this is the ultimate call center PC.
Don't forget the cable lock, these little guys will grow legs if they're not locked down.
albiglan - Thursday, September 29, 2011 - link
So.. the power supply is external. Not that I don't know what that looks like :-) But a pict showing relative dimensions would be a lovely addition. Nice review of an interesting piece of HW.Shaocaholica - Thursday, September 29, 2011 - link
I like the slim Optiplex better. About the same size but has 4 dimm slots and full size PCIe graphics.Blaze-Senpai - Thursday, September 29, 2011 - link
If they make these available to consumers directly I wouldn't mind too much. That onsite warranty would make a lot of people I know happy. Unless people actually want super flashy looking mess still :Petamin - Thursday, September 29, 2011 - link
Just a suggestion. In the future, do you mind putting up a photo of the box next to some kind of reference object like a coke can? When I read "Get a load of that" I was a bit lost until I saw the optical drive as a reference (but it is still hard to estimate the depth of the box). Would also like to see a photo of the AC adapter too in this case. Other than that, nicely done.Pessimism - Friday, September 30, 2011 - link
Seconded. A pop can for reference would be great for future photos as well as a shot of all associated bricks and dongles.ally003 - Friday, September 30, 2011 - link
We have hundreds of the previous 8000 USD machines, and they are ideal. Real world pricing is different from RRP, we are being offered the 8200 with 4GB and i5 for £345 with a 3 year warranty direct from HP on our contract. I can't see that being topped, and no way can I see an Apple coming close for specification, quality or support for £345. A company like Apple won't give a shit about what your needs or requirements are, it's the Apple way or the highway and that is why they have utterly failed in enterprise and will continue to do so.Lack of USB 3.0 is a non-issue for their intended market. The USB is only ever likely to be used for mice, keyboards, the odd memory stick or scanner/printer. They have lots of options including the quick release bracket that makes them mountable on any surface or even on the back of a screen.
When you are deploying thousands of machines for basic office tasks, this is exactly what you want, end of story.
ultrabay - Tuesday, October 4, 2011 - link
the first time I read that, I read "$8000 machines were ideal"whelp.
DanaG - Wednesday, October 5, 2011 - link
Yeah, that should be "USDT". Makes it clearer, (though it essentially says "DeskTop" with a capital 'T').pervisanathema - Tuesday, October 4, 2011 - link
This used to be a site for the PC geeks. Now it has been reduced to reviewing OEM PCs that their old target audience would sneer at. :(