Akasa planning passive push with Galileo, Newton

March 19, 2013 | 10:10

Tags: #aluminium #mini-itx #newton #next-unit-of-computing #nuc #passive-case #passive-cooling #thin-mini-itx

Companies: #akasa #galileo #intel

Akasa is planning to expand its fan-free case linewith the launch of the mini-ITX Galileo and NUC-format Newton, both due to be formally unveiled at Computex Taipei in June.

As yet unannounced by the company itself, the two new cases have been spotted ahead of time by quite computing specialist FanlessTech with some sneak-preview images showing an attractive brushed-aluminium finish that isn't just for show. As with the company's existing Euler product, both Galileo and Newton - following a recognisable theme of naming their fanless cases after famous physicists: Leonhard Euler, Galileo Galilei and Isaac Newton - use the aluminium chassis as a passive heatsink for fan-free operation.

The first case, the Galileo, is designed for use with ultra-thin mini-ITX boards like the Gigabyte H77TN and B75TN. Measuring just 37mm tall, the hi-fi inspired design is capable of cooling a CPU with a thermal design profile (TDP) of up to 35W with no fans required at all. Interestingly, the system also features no vents for internal components - meaning that it's not going to suffer from dust ingress if used in a less than clean environment. To round off the case's feature set is support for mounting on the rear of a display using the standard VESA mount point.

For those who need something a little more compact, there's the Newton. Designed as a replacement, fully-passive case for Intel's Next Unit of Computing (NUC) small form factor systems, the Newton is designed around the same themes as the previous Euler - but on a much smaller scale. As with the Galileo, the system includes support for mounting on the rear of a display with a VESA bracket - suggesting that Akasa is hoping to sell a few of these rugged and dust-proof designs into the lucrative digital signage market.

Akasa is far from the first company to think about making Intel's NUC an entirely passive system: Tranquil PC's NUC-compatible cases are already available, priced at £99 plus £17 for the optional VESA mounting plate, while other manufacturers have promised to launch rival cases in the very near future.

So far, Akasa hasn't offered a hint as to pricing or availability on the Galileo or Newton, with more details expected to come when the cases are formally unveiled at the Computex event in June.
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