Below the card readers are the inputs and outputs, hidden behind a flap that opens when you press the button on the left. Behind it are an optical S/PDIF digital sound input, a mike input, a headphone output, two USB 2.0 ports and two FireWire sockets. We really appreciated finding two formats for the inputs (6-pin and 4-pin). That way you'll not be caught short when you want to plug in a camcorder that only offers FireWire connectivity.

At the back, the feeling of quality is still there. There are two VGA inputs to split a screen without adding another card. The keyboard and mouse inputs are conventional, as are the audio inputs and outputs that can be switched for 5.1 multi-channel sound. To connect the mini-PC up to an audio/video amplifier, you have to use the optical digital output. There is also an S-Video output beside the two USB 2.0 ports. For communication, there is a 10/100Mb (RJ45) network input and a 56K (R11) analog modem input. And there is still the antique parallel port - we would have preferred to see a a serial port - still used by some devices. Above the parallel port is an aerial input to connect the AM/FM tuner that is provided.