[itsr0y]

I'm looking to buy a machine for XBMC and I want to spend as little money as possible. Here are my priorities:

• CHEAP - I would like to spend less than $200, preferable much less.
  
• DVD - I want to play DVD movies. No need for writing.
  
• AVI - I want to play standard definition AVIs (DivX, Xvid, etc)
  
• Composite Video - My TV's old, so all I have is composite. An adapter is fine, but that must factor into the cost.
  
• WiFi - I want to easily connect to my WiFi network. 802.11n would be nice, but g is fine.
  

The following would be nice, but are not required:

• Fast Boot - I don't want to wait and wait...
  
• Small - Maybe the size of an Acer Revo.
  
• Cooling / Power - I don't want it to overheat, and low power would be nice.
  
• YouTube / Hulu - would be nice, but not necessary
  

The following are things I don't need:

• HD, Digital audio, hdmi, etc. - I have a 12 year old TV
  
• Fancy skins - simple is better
  
• Ripping capabilities - I already have a PC
  
• New - buying used is fine
  

Here are my thoughts, but none seem ideal:

• Used Mac Mini - You can get a G4 mac mini for like $200 - will this meet my requirements?
  
• AppleTV - seems great, but no DVD player
  
• ION-based Nettops - ones with DVD players are at least $300
  

Any ideas?

[darkscout]

Sounds like the perfect and cheap machine for you would be an XBOX you find on craigslist for $50 with a network bridge.

[sircube]

Sounds like the perfect and cheap machine for you would be an XBOX you find on craigslist for $50 with a network bridge.

Yeah, agree. Go for a crystal-cased xbox1, it is less noisy than the black ones. Just replace the only fan (case fan) with low noise-level fan. Cost you less than 15$. I have this: http://geizhals.at/a375816.html.

XBCM on xbox (as well) have nice features on fan speed and temperature control.

About harddisk: you can switch off spinning quite nicely after certain idle time.

Noise level: have not measured it, but barely hear-able from 2 meters.
Lot of modding stuff at www.xbox-scene.com. Good luck!

[prae5]

Xbox and wifi bridge

[itsr0y]

Thanks for the replies. I thought about an Xbox, but with the wifi card it'll probably be over $100, and I'll still have to do some modding to make it work. Plus, it is much larger than current nettop systems. If I'm spending that much, is there anything better I can get?

[itsr0y]

Will a G4 Mac Mini work for SD?

[Geeba]

My last Xbox was £3 off ebay..... you wont get a better solution.... modding it by following one of the guides is almost as simple as booting a game disk...

With an HD component cable (£8) and running 720p the Xbox will blow you away with its functionality and smoothness...

For wireless the original Xbox G adapter is only $24....

http://cgi.ebay.com/MICROSOFT-Xbox-Wirel...5636f9f711

Been down this road and the Xbox bang for buck isnt compairable.... its still my weapon of choice in the lounge!