Soldam EX Series

[gr00vy0ne]

Soldam is selling a new EX barebones line of systems that use their EX350 power supply which externalizes the power supply (350W) for the system using a very quiet PSU unit. This is neat because you can stuff this under your desk or somewhere where it will barely make any noise. The systems can then reside on your desk and make even less noise than a traditional regular or SFF system.

There are four styles and here they are listed by size (smallest to largest):

Cream Style

Baron Style

Paradox Style

Paradox Cube Style

The first three two the Shuttle FB51 motherboard while the last two uses a MicroATX motherboard. You actually have choice between an ASUS P4GE-VM+A/L or an Intel D845GERG2L. Personally, I like the Cream Style since it's the smallest. I hope they offer these to North American customers...or at least other manufacturers see these and take note.

[gr00vy0ne]

Soldam EX Series

[SamTheMan]

Nice boxes. Cream Style is the best looking. I would get it, if it only had internal PS. I am just not into those external bricks. Hope they make a version with internal PS.

[xflw]

I like the Soldam boxes very much and the external psu is a fantastic idea I think. I don't think i will be able to get one, living in Germany, though.

Does anyone know a shop which ship/sell them to/in Germany?

[awx]

Soldam.com will ship to Europe. It's expensive of course but that is most likely the only way. Exchange rates favor this type of purchase now.

Seems like many of these Japenese companies don't really care to sell anywhere else. Maybe they feel like the market in other parts of the world doesn't want their stuff. Maybe they just don't care.

Soldam seems to refresh their product line so often it might be hard for them to manage inventory globaly. They should ship the leftovers to us at low prices.

[SamTheMan]

Dam, I am starting to sweat that Cream Style in Black. I think I will get it actualy when it comes to Soldam US site

[gr00vy0ne]

Yeah, I'm definitely digging the Cream one too...except that I'd go for White Pearl Mica or Silver. I'll bug my contact over at Soldam to see if they can give me a clue of when they might be considering to release it to non-Japanese customers.

Also, I'm wondering if they'll be releasing any nForce2 based products in the future as those boards become more readily available...

[SamTheMan]

gr00vy0ne, I wonder if they could custumize it with internal PS in it. Unlikly tho. Also, any ideas how much does that external PS cost on it's own, if needed to replace?

[gr00vy0ne]

The Varius EX350 by itself is 17800 yen which is roughly $120-130. I guess this is pricey in itself...but it is an "external" supply. The price for the unit internally is 10000 yen.

We'll see if they come up with alternative designs for the new cases. Yeah, it would be nice to have an option to get the systems with different types of power supplies. That would make it pretty interesting. I do know that you can install the external power supply to many of their existing SFF systems: ALTIUMs included...

I know...I know....you'd prefer an internal solution...   ;-p

Gotta love all these choices...all other vendors please take note! Let's see some more unique designs like Soldam's and less copycat designs!

[SamTheMan]

Just thinking out laude. Wish they made something same size as Cream Style with duel 5.25" bays  

[xflw]

<< Soldam.com will ship to Europe. It's expensive of course but that is most likely the only way. Exchange rates favor this type of purchase now.

Seems like many of these Japenese companies don't really care to sell anywhere else. Maybe they feel like the market in other parts of the world doesn't want their stuff. Maybe they just don't care.

Soldam seems to refresh their product line so often it might be hard for them to manage inventory globaly. They should ship the leftovers to us at low prices. >>



I can't find anything on their website, that they will ship to Europe :/ If I try to purchase them via web i can only choose american states.

So HOW to order them to Europe then? And how much would you think it wll cost to ship it to Germany?

[awx]

Just email them and tell them what you want. They will do it but you must make special arrangements with them.

You will not get a warrenty and you must agree to that before they will sell it to you.

[xflw]

<< Just email them and tell them what you want. They will do it but you must make special arrangements with them.

You will not get a warrenty and you must agree to that before they will sell it to you. >>




Yes you are right I already emailed them before I read this answer That's what they answered me:

Dear Mr. ,

Thank you for your inquiry of Feb. 3rd.

We appreciate your interest in our products but,
because we do not have the Product Liability in
non U.S. countries, we are not able to sell our products
to those areas of the world.

But if you are able to accept no warranty service agreement,
we believe we can make a special arrangement for you.

If no-warranty is acceptable for you please get back to us
with the name of the product (including the color scheme)
that you are interested in as well as your shipping address.
And we will be more than happy to get back to you with the
quotation/fax order sheet.

Thank you again for contacting us and we look forward to
hearing from you again soon.

Best regards,

Miho Takei
Soldam Oversea Sales&Marketing Team

SOLDAM CORPORATION
652-1 Niijima-cho, Ota City,
Gunma 373-0819 JAPAN
Tel: 81-276-30-3773
Fax: 81-276-30-3775
E-mail: us_customer@soldam.co.jp
URL: http://www.soldam.com



-----Original Message-----
From: Flow N4Ge [mailto:xphlow@hotmail.com]
Sent: Monday, February 03, 2003 9:00 AM
To: us_customer@soldam.co.jp
Subject: Shipping to Europe



Hi,

i would like to know if it's possible to purchase your products in Europe.
Would your company sned it directly to Europe especcially Germany through
UPS?

I would really like to see that, cause I'm very interested in some of your
products and I know some more people who are interested in it too.

I hope it is possible.

Thx in advance for your answer.


Greetings from Germany


So I just have to find out how much the new Bones with external psu cost Thx alot awx

[awx]

Remember that Japan uses 110 like the US (I think) not 220-230 so make sure your PSU will work

[Platypus]

Soldam PSU's are switchable- 110/230v.. HOWEVER - it will come set to 110 - MAKE SURE YOU SWITCH IT OVER BEFORE TURNING IT ON!!!

The no-warranty issue has bugged me a little when importing Soldam products, however I've not experienced any problems other than a motherboard which blew on an old Polo T2 (after about 9 months), but Shuttle replacement boards are easily available in most EU countries.

[Platypus]

GroovyOne - Thoughts on the PoloR? I'm thinking about replacing my current Polo with one of these - they look rather nice. Is it a noisy beast?, as it may well find it's way into my living room!

[xflw]

Thx for the advice on the psu. I thought about that too and guessed that it will be switchable to 230v. I will check that again before getting me one. I will purchase the Cream Style i guess. It looks really sweet

I'm so excited

[gr00vy0ne]

The Polo R is a very nice looking machine. Most people can't believe it's a computer.

In terms of acoustics, it's pretty quiet depending on what you put in there. Depending on the speed of your CPU you can choose lower spinning RPM fans. Personally, I installed a Shuttle Heat Pipe into it (needed some modifications) and changed the Soldam fan (a very quiet Panaflo fan) with a Verax fan (even more quiet). Additionally, I installed some resistors on the ATI 8500 fan to kill the noise from that fan. Now, the noisest fan in the system is the PSU fan (which I may change soon if I have time). Overall, it's pretty darn quiet already...a gentle hum with a little bit of air flow sound.

[SoloMalee]

<< I like the Soldam boxes very much and the external psu is a fantastic idea I think. I don't think i will be able to get one, living in Germany, though. Does anyone know a shop which ship/sell them to/in Germany? >>



Crossflow, it seems you may be in luck (if you are a rich person) I found this site http://www.pc-mac2000.com/index_fr.html which seems to be selling the Soldam's. Confusingly, the address is in Germany, but the guy only speaks French and English that I have been in contact with.

They only have the Polo's Quatro's listed (Those are no longer on Soldam's site and use the Shuttle FS51 board), but I enquired if they could supply a Pandora and he says they can, the next delivery would be March / April.

It seems they are doing some special imports from Japan. I know nothing about the company at all so I am hesitant at the moment to do business with them.

Their prices are also pretty high (at least compared to a similar shuttle) so I am also following the order direct from Soldam route to see how that compares...why fund the middle man.

The Polo Quatro 2 from PC-Mac2000 costs:                 699EUR
The Polo Figaro (Higher spec) from Soldam costs:        443EUR

Of course, there is no shipping included in the Soldam cost but that still seems expensive).

Hope this is all still useful for you.