SFF or Small Form Factor, is the term used to describe the revolutionary new class of compact sized desktop computers. They can be used in any application where normal PCs are used but with the added bonus of being small, stylish, quiet, economical and portable!

Small
The small and cube-like shape of a ShoeBox SFF PC means that it effortlessly blends into any room or situation. As it is of less volume of a typical desktop PC - at a third of the size of a standard tower - a SFF PC cannot be kept hidden under a desk. A SFF PC even fits into the living room environment, where complemented with Microsoft Media Center you can combine all your audio and cable appliances with the power of high performance desktop PC. They are also incredibly light weight.

Stylish
The focus on aesthetics is apparent when looking at the design of a ShoeBox SFF PC. Compare a SFF PC to a typical beige box PC, and the difference in quality is clear. SFF PCs are available in all kinds of styles, colours and finishes to suit any budget and taste. Some combine a sleek brushed metal finish, some velvet black, some illuminated white, and others are available with customisable covers.

High Performance
SFF PCs have been designed from the outset to support the newest and the fastest components available. A SFF PC features capacity for the latest Intel or AMD processors, dual channel memory, and nVidia or ATI video cards. This ultimately means that your SFF PC performs better during demanding applications such as 3D gaming, media creation (movies, music, projects) and multitasking.
SFF has set a new standard for cool and silent operation. Recent power supply design is lighter than previous models yet increases the peak wattage to 250W in order to accommodate ever more demanding components. The power supply of a SFF PC is so quiet that when running at a regular idle, you have to put your ear up to it to make sure that the fans are still working!

Versatile
A SFF PC is powerful and flexible enough to completely replace multiple devices in your home; this can include TV, VHS, Personal Video Recorder, game console, HiFi speaker system, and traditional PC. A ShoeBox Media Center enabled PC complete with a Microsoft remote control allows you to watch, pause, and record TV shows, as well as play 3D games, MP3's, manage your music, photo and film collections and use PC applications, such as send an email; all from the comfort of your sofa.

Portable
Best of all, the SFF PC is easily transportable. A SFF PC has multiple uses; for example, you can take a high spec ShoeBox to a LAN party. It's also perfect for home working, DJing, VJing, or as a portable music studio. With a ShoeBox SFF System, the possibilities are endless in any situation where a powerful PC is required. For those who need more that just a Laptop, get a power inverter to run your SFF PC from any 12v battery; from your car, campervan, caravan, boat, anywhere!
Enjoy the portability of your ShoeBox SFF PC even further with an optional carrying bag or backpack, usually only the size of a large camcorder bag.
You can take your SFF PC to school or to work, to your friends house or even take it on holiday. With the correct travel adapter, SFF is compatible with electrical standards throughout the world.

Quiet Cooling
The world of computing has seen incredible developments in CPU and bus speeds in recent years. This intense acceleration combined with the drive to squeeze even more functionality into ever smaller spaces, means that there is now an equally huge increase in the amount of heat generated by components inside the PC.
Most PC manufacturers only increased the size of the heat sinks along with the number and power of fans located inside the chassis in an attempt to combat this problem. However, the noise this creates is an issue. Imagine a continuous low hum. The difference between a SFF and old PC is obvious. Many performance systems, complete with numerous high-speed fans, can output more than 60 decibels, which is about the same level of noise as a regular conversation. Knowing that few PC users want this sort of noise pollution, SFF manufacturers have built better ways of cooling. The idea is simple, and this is how it works. Heat from the CPU, which is the system's hottest component, transfers into a heat sink. The heat travels up a series of pipes and into an array of radiator fins screwed into the back of the chassis. A single, whisper-quiet fan mounted just behind this blows air through the fins, thus carrying the heat outside and away from the system. Every ShoeBox SFF PC uses this patented cooling technology to prevent heat damage to your computer. This design delivers some of the quietest computers in the world.

Aluminium Chassis

Shuttle was one of the first PC hardware manufacturers to make popular the use of brushed aluminium cases, and once you get to know the advantages of aluminium you'll know why the rest of the world is sitting up and taking notice. Aluminium alloys are harder and stronger than steel, and aluminium has the best strength-to-weight ratio of any metal. One of the advantages of this is that unlike many sheet metal cases, SFF PCs won't warp or twist out of shape through repeated openings or when you place weight on them, such as an LCD monitor. In all, a SFF PC combines ultimate durability, whilst remaining light and small enough for easy portability.
Aluminium also has other bonuses:

• Aluminium is four times better at conducting heat than steel. This means that when your PC begins to run too hot during extended 'always-on'
  periods, the chassis itself can act like a giant heat sink which helps to drive heat away from the computer. Excessive heat within the chassis can prematurely age and damage PC components as well as slow down your system's performance.

• As it forms a tiny protective oxide coating upon exposure to the atmosphere, aluminium doesn't need any further treatment in ordinary environments. This means that the chassis inside and outside will not corrode, rust, or discolour. This makes for an extremely durable computer that will last for many years and remain in excellent condition if cared for properly.

• Aluminium is the preferred metal where magnetism may be a problem. In the confined space of a small apartment, or even a home theatre centre, for example, powered speakers and CRT monitors can detect magnetic interference from an unshielded computer. While SFF PCs already use quality components that block magnetic distortion, an aluminium exterior helps to add another layer of protection.