Small Form Factor PCs

Hi everybody,

I've been a relatively happy sager user for two years now and I feel like I could use another machine in the range of the next six months, but I need some time to make the right decision.
I've used laptops for a while and I'm a little sick of them now. They're not bad, but they're considerably slower when compared to their desktop coutnerparts, even with the same specs. I know it's the way they work, but it's not the way I want my next system to be.
At the same time, I do need mobility, because I fly a lot during the year and I need a powerful computer I could bring with me.
This is why I figured out that a small-form-factor system would be optimal for me. I checked a few options so far, but most of the so called "shuttles" come with integrated on-board gfx cards (nForce 4) and no AGP slots, a not particularly interesting solution even though nforce is not bad.
The only model I found satisfying is the one offered by hypersonic pc at this address. It has AGP slots for and amd dual core support, although currently it doesn't go over nForce4 (which is a prerequisite for the GeForce 7x cards?)

I expect hypersonic to release a SFF with GeForce 7xxx cards soon, so I was wondring about one issue. Since everything is so cramped inside them, is the effect going to be similar to that of the laptops, where because of the heat issues, everything is clocked down to prevent self-combustion
In other words, is the SFF going to be slower than a desktop with the same "equipment" or is it going to be pretty much as fast?

Thank you.

Most of those forums are for people who are building their own custom SFFs. I don't have time nor paricular desire to build one myself and I trust that a brand like hypersonics (it's just an example, I don't know other ones) would do a better job But yeah, from what people say, these small desktops perform at 98% of their bigger brothers.

heh, I guess you're right. Need to keep up with the new technology

actually screw the AGP. For some reason I thought it still was the standard slot for the most recent gfx cards but apparently PCI-E took its place.

the problem is, even if you build up your custom shuttle, how are you supposed to know what size your processor cooler should be? It's all so cramped inside that I'm sure one would have to try 10 coolers before finding the right one.