Shuttle DS77U7 review: This mini PC is a little unsecure

The Shuttle DS77U7 isn’t your everyday PC. Its three display outputs – two HDMI, one DisplayPort – spell a system ideal for digital signage usage, while the two front-facing serial ports (one RS232 only and the other a triple-function RS232/RS422/RS485 port) will be of most interest to industrial and embedded users.

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Shuttle DS77U7 review: Design

The black chassis is easy to open, thanks to two bottom panels secured by a single screw each: the first unveils the user-upgradeable RAM and M.2 storage, the other a mounting point for a 2.5in SATA hard drive or SSD. Assuming a sensible choice of components, the DS77U7 claims to support fairly hostile environments.

With suitable RAM and storage, the passively cooled and silent system can operate at load 24/7 in ambient temperatures of up to 40°C – and while we weren’t able to test near that level, it showed no signs of stability issues in prolonged testing at more reasonable room temperatures.

If there’s a problem with the DS77U7’s design, though, it’s from a security aspect. For a system that’s designed to be used as an embedded platform, the presence of a Kensington Security Slot at the rear is welcome but rendered less useful by the fact that there’s no way to secure the two access panels. Nobody’s going to walk off with the box, but with a screwdriver and a minute or two, they can pocket the storage and RAM.

Shuttle DS77U7 review: Performance

The Shuttle DS77U7’s performance in our multitasking benchmark reveals that there’s a surprising amount of compute available at a very reasonable power draw, but it’s certainly not a machine for gaming workloads. The dual network ports are a nice touch, as is the ability to connect an external power button, and the bundled VESA bracket and vertical stand provide a range of mounting options.

Shuttle DS77U7 review: Verdict

For those who don’t need the high temperature range and guaranteed 24/7 stability, though, the price – north of £1,000 as reviewed – and outdated single-band 802.11n Wi-Fi may be tough to swallow, especially with such stiff competition.