Nettops are becoming very popular as an alternative to more expensive desktop computers. The nettop is basically the desktop equivalent of a netbook. The machines use similar hardware and offer similar performance.

Shuttle is well known for making small form factor computers like the X270v we talked about earlier this year. The company will be unveiling a pair of new nettops at Computex in June that both use the Via Nano processor. The two machines will include the XS92 and the XS92F.

It wasn’t so long ago that if you wanted a HTPC, the best you could hope for was a computer roughly the size of your average cable box and a bit thicker. Today there are a number of very small and thin HTPC systems available that are sized more like a Nintendo Wii.

Shuttle has announced a new machine, that is larger than the Wii for sure, but still compact enough to fit into an entertainment center or onto your desk called the X270V nettop. The little machine is designed to run openSUSE Linux and features an Intel Atom processor.

I keep thinking that this thing should have some snazzy A-Team or Superman graphics on it. Anyhow, Shuttle has gone official with its new X50 all-in-one PC, which takes aim at ASUS’ Eee Top.

With this one you’ll get a 15.6-inch 1,366 x 768 touchscreen, with an Atom 330 processor, 1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, a built-in 1.3-megapixel webcam and microphone, and a five USB 2.0 ports. Sadly it appears that you can’t order one just yet, but it should be available by the end of the month for around $500.

Some leaked Acer slides suggest the company is planning a high-end nettop device with NVIDIA’s Ion graphics chipset. The Acer Hornet is a compact computer with either a dual or single-core Intel Atom processor, together with the 1080p-capable Ion, and be optionally VESA mounted on the back of a monitor.

We don’t have full specifications for the Acer Hornet, but we do know it has an HDMI output and a Wiimote-style motion-sensitive remote that can be used for gaming and and general control. The slides also suggest that the Hornet is “silent” while operating.

Onkyo just released the HDC-1L nettop audio PC, a perfect computer for any small office or room in your home. The computer is specially designed for digital audio playback.

It’s powered by an Intel Atom 1.6GHz processor with Intel 945GC Express chipset, running on Windows XP Home Edition and comes with 1GB RAM, 160GB SATA hard drive, DVD SuperMulti drive, Six USB 2.0 ports, Ethernet connectivity and SN ratio of 120dB. The basic HDC-1L is priced at about $640. You can also get the PC with the optional 15-watt stereo speakers priced at $800 and with a 19 inch LCD monitor for $1,070.