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ASUS Barebones: Multimedia Even Sans Hard Drive

Posted by timothy on from the pop-and-play dept.

technomegalomaniac writes "This new stylish barebones combo from ASUS (case+motherboard) is going to outdo Apple in 'the way it looks matters' department. Customizable to your heart content, no OS included (obviously, since you need to buy your own hard drive). Comes with 'Instant On' software that lets you play CDs, DVDs and MP3s without entering the primary OS thus bypassing the long boot process. Definitely a living room toy." Doesn't beat Apple hardware in my eyes, but still looks like a nifty box.

7 of 331 comments (clear)

  1. Similar (better?) one by MSI by lithium100 · · Score: 5, Informative

    MSI make something similar and have a few different models. MSI's look better I think but functionally they're very similar.

    Here's the link

  2. Re:What I don't like.... by kngthdn · · Score: 3, Informative

    It looks like it's going to cost around $250USD, according to Froogle, anyway.

  3. Re:What I don't like.... by qualico · · Score: 4, Informative

    MythTV is a great suggestion.

    Some guys are using the Intel Integrated motherboards with no problem, although I don't think they are using the graphics part.

    Here is a better case in that case.
    http://www.athenatech.us/a100bb.htm

    Also, http://www.byopvr.com/ has dome good case suggestions.

    PC Alchemy has some nice stuff like this:
    http://www.pcalchemy.com/images/silverstone /lc06/l c06-black.jpg

    Now thats something to brag about.

  4. Re:I can't be the only one.... by UniverseIsADoughnut · · Score: 3, Informative

    This has been around for a while, and I think everyone but the person who submitted this would agree it's hideous. This thing has been getting called ugly for a long time now.

  5. Acutally, it runs Linux! by farrellj · · Score: 4, Informative

    According to an article here:

    http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=19922

    It's instant-on software is an embed version of Linux! Supercool! I want one!

    And street pricing seems to be about $250 for it...so it's cheap! Now that's just a bare-bones system, but still, you could have a nice PVR for under $600 USD!

    Sweet!

    ttyl
    Farrell

    --
    CAN-CON 2019 - Ottawa's only book oriented Science Fiction Convention! October 18-20, Sheraton Hotel, Ottawa, Canada h
  6. Re:Outdoing Apple?? by identity0 · · Score: 3, Informative

    I agree. That thing looks really ugly.

    What I don't get is why Sony doesn't get more press on Slashdot, except for their robots and PS2. Among the PC manufacturers, they are the most stylish, and are probobly the most innovative in terms of design. They also are closer to achieving the "digital hub" than Apple, to boot. Too bad their best stuff is relased only in Japan.

    Check out some of their kickass designs:

    http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/VGX-X90P/ - The Type X models, a PC media server with P4/3.6 Ghz, 1920x1080 TV display, 6 simultanious channel TV tuner, 1TB storage (127 hours of high-quality Mpegs), remote control, DVD recorder, network video server, and remote control.

    http://www.vaio.sony.co.jp/Products/VGC-M50B/ - Type M model, a PC that can be used as a TV or a standalone stereo with its keyboard folded.

    Couple of nice notebook designs:
    http://www.dynamism.com/x505/main.shtml
    http://www.dynamism.com/u101/main.shtml

  7. Re:Crappy entertainment centre by schtum · · Score: 3, Informative

    According to Nintendo, the GameCube is 4.3 inches tall. According to Asus, this thing is 7.1 inches. That's freaking huge for an AV component, unless you're talking about a receiver, which this thing is not. So you're half right: it's like a gamecube blown up to x-box proportions.