2009-11-13, 22:33
@BLKMGK, All:
I am trying to decide which platform to use for xbmc for my home theater setup. I've pretty much settled on the following sff which seems like a very sweet deal. Before I pull the trigger, though, I'd like to ask if anyone sees a problem:
BUY.com is selling the following sff for $280, free shipping; and with a "$10-off-$200" coupon it's be only about $300 shipped!
ASUS Essentio CS5111-AP008
- Intel Pentium Dual Core E5200 2.5GHz,
- 4GB RAM
- 640GB SATA HDD
- HDMI out
- DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM
- Flash card reader
- 7.1 audio / S/PDIF
- Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit
- Gigabit Ethernet
- 802.11 b/g/n(draft)
- GPU: Intel GMA X3500 Dynamic Video Memory Technology 4.0
- 11.2 x 3.1 x 7.9-inches (H x W x D, approximate)
- 120W external power brick
- Refurbished
USEFUL LINKS:
$[email protected] (http://www.buy.com/prod/asus-essentio-cs...46722.html)
BUY.com $10-off-$200 coupon (http://www.buy.com/retail/coupon.asp?prid=82955137)
Asus: CS5111 Dounloads page (http://support.asus.com/download/downloa...uage=en-us)
I definitely consider this a much better / more powerful option than all the Apple-TV-like boxes out there!
An important question: should I just stay with the Vista 64bit that comes with the machine or load Linux (I am definitely a Linux newb)? It just seems that people are always having problems finding Linux drivers for ALL the hardware in most PCs.
Or would XBMC Live! be a better choice?
Thanks!
I am trying to decide which platform to use for xbmc for my home theater setup. I've pretty much settled on the following sff which seems like a very sweet deal. Before I pull the trigger, though, I'd like to ask if anyone sees a problem:
BUY.com is selling the following sff for $280, free shipping; and with a "$10-off-$200" coupon it's be only about $300 shipped!
ASUS Essentio CS5111-AP008
- Intel Pentium Dual Core E5200 2.5GHz,
- 4GB RAM
- 640GB SATA HDD
- HDMI out
- DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM
- Flash card reader
- 7.1 audio / S/PDIF
- Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit
- Gigabit Ethernet
- 802.11 b/g/n(draft)
- GPU: Intel GMA X3500 Dynamic Video Memory Technology 4.0
- 11.2 x 3.1 x 7.9-inches (H x W x D, approximate)
- 120W external power brick
- Refurbished
USEFUL LINKS:
$[email protected] (http://www.buy.com/prod/asus-essentio-cs...46722.html)
BUY.com $10-off-$200 coupon (http://www.buy.com/retail/coupon.asp?prid=82955137)
Asus: CS5111 Dounloads page (http://support.asus.com/download/downloa...uage=en-us)
I definitely consider this a much better / more powerful option than all the Apple-TV-like boxes out there!
An important question: should I just stay with the Vista 64bit that comes with the machine or load Linux (I am definitely a Linux newb)? It just seems that people are always having problems finding Linux drivers for ALL the hardware in most PCs.
Or would XBMC Live! be a better choice?
Thanks!