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New Alienware Media Center

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the send-a-free-alienware-laptop-to-me dept.

Cyno01 writes "Alienware recently introduced a new product that seems to fill the gap between PVRs and PCs. The Navigator Media Center. It runs a new version of XP (Media Center Edition) and displays pictures, movies and plays DVDs. If I had the cash for it i would definitly ditch my 160Gb HD and Radeon AIW card."

6 of 222 comments (clear)

  1. Build it by D+iz+a+n+k+Meister · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Wouldn't it be cheaper to just build one of those?

    Like, a lot cheaper

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    1. Re:Build it by FyRE666 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Wouldn't it be cheaper to just build one of those?
      Looking at the specs, I'd say probably so. But that's not the most important part: I've not check up on Microsoft's "Media centre" edition of XP but I'm betting it includes that marvelous mechanism whereby a broadcaster can prevent you from recording a program (and maybe even force recording for sponsor's programs).

      With a home-built solution you're free to use what you like... Makes you wonder who they're targeting this thing at really - since the tech-types will doubtless have the ability to build this from parts and the average J6P won't splash out $1700 to play DVDs and record programs. They seem to make a big deal of the 3D performance too, but I'd imagine playing Quake with a keyboard and mouse in the lounge is not the ideal gaming environment - and the picture will be crap on most TVs too...

      I do like their laptops though...

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  2. Why can't these things ever be component width? by flsquirrel · · Score: 5, Insightful

    These types of devices will never make it into my home entertainment system until they at east fit in my AV cabinet with my other components. 17 inches people. It's not that hard.

  3. Umm, can't we do this already? by lpret · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Ok, I just looked at this box and laughed. It's the Shuttle SB51g with some stuff shoved in it, totaling (if my Pricewatching is correct) just over 800 dollars. Now, perhaps the new Media Center OS is cool -- but to the tune of 1000 more??? I can't find a reason to buy this because we at Slashdot (yes, a generalisation, deal with it) can build our own boxen. And we can run Mandrake 9.0 with KDE 3 and be very happy. *Sigh* Perhaps it's the alienware t-shirt?

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  4. Re:Amazing! by strictnein · · Score: 4, Insightful

    This is not Microsoft at all. Its just another company (Alienware this time) building micro-atx computers. These are cool but unless you cant do it yourself there is no reason to buy an Alienware

    Incorrect. It is Alienware using an OEM only OS (XP Media Center), that Microsoft is heavily pushing, to build a "media center" box.

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  5. Re:Freevo by mhesseltine · · Score: 2, Insightful
    Why exactly would I pay through the nose, ass and other body cavities for the alienware box?

    Because you'd like to record?

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