[yeager]

I have an LG 1080p TV, a 6TB NAS using authentication to my Active Directory via SMB shares. I've been using a Java based DNLA server to share content directly to the TV, BUT I recently found XBMC and fell in love. I've got a few spare laptop hard disks I can use and some DDR2 RAM kicking about. I also work at Microsoft, so getting a cheap XBOX remote is easy.

So... I just need to buy the mini PC to install Windows 7 on and then run XBMC. Before I pull the trigger, i've narrowed my search to the following three.

Foxconn NT330i
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6856119042

Giada Cube Series CUBE-N3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6856176001

Zotac ZBOX ZBOXHD-NS21
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6856173011

I want to spend around $200'ish on the unit. I can't really tell which of the above three would be the best buy.

Anyone able to offer some advice?

[natethomas]

I don't normally point people away from Zotac, as they build some pretty stellar machines, but I'm guessing that Intel Celeron is going to be pretty anemic for running XBMC on top of Win7. It might work if you ran the OpenELEC.tv variant of XBMC, but I'd be nervous about running on Windows.

The other two look pretty close to identical. The Foxconn has Wireless N, which is a pretty good bonus, but the Giada (which I always thought was just an attractive cook on the Food Network) looks prettier (which is the reason I watch her on the Food Network).

[jhsrennie]

but I'm guessing that Intel Celeron is going to be pretty anemic for running XBMC on top of Win7.

I was about to say "rubbish, even an Atom 230 runs Win7 fine" when I spotted it was only 1.3GHz single core. I still think XBMC will work, though getting Windows started may take a while. I'd be inclined to choose a dual core Atom over the Celeron 1.3GHz as I know that Atom 330s and above run Win7 fine.

JR

[yeager]

So looking into this in more detail and I have in my parts collection at home 2x2GB DDR3 1066 SODIMM 204 pin modules. (http://www.memoryten.com/pc/014787/DDR3-...-8500-2GB/) and so i'd like to use them.

Looking around it seems that this has everything I need;
Giada Slim Series Slim-N10U-D33W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6856176005

It's got the dual core Atom, DDR3 RAM, NVIDIA GPU. It actually comes with a hard disk and RAM already. I already have these components, would be nice if I could get the barebones. I've done a search and can't seem to find anyone else selling these.

So would this be a good choice? I'm close to pulling the trigger and buying the Giada Slim Series Slim-N10U-D33W

[yeager]

Or it seems my other option is the;

Zotac ZBOX HD-ND02-U Atom 330 NVIDIA ION
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6856173004

However it's only a few bucks cheaper for the lack of hard disk and RAM. From what I can see they are pretty much the same.

[yeager]

Also on the remote question, i'm looking at getting one of these...

http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Universal...B000B6MLSM

Do I need to also get an IR reciever for the MiniPC? Any advice on the best remote to get?

[finish.06]

Rubbish for slow CELERON on Win7;

I currently have three of those boxes in my house, and they run it amazingly quick! I think they are quicker than my Dellmini atom with Win7... maybe it has something to do with that Ion though... IDK.

Anyways, just make sure you rock the dual-core celeron if you want to use those boxes. They work great for me, though I only use the generic skin that comes with XBMC, but my library is 600 movies, and about 30+ TV seasons.

Peace and best of luck!

[jhsrennie]

Also on the remote question, i'm looking at getting one of these...

http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Universal...B000B6MLSM

Do I need to also get an IR reciever for the MiniPC? Any advice on the best remote to get?

See http://wiki.xbmc.org/?title=Remote_Contr...te_Control

Unless the PC you buy has an eHome receiver built in you will need to buy a suitable eHome USB receiver.

I have a 360 universal remote, and unless you have an XBox I would buy a standard MS remote instead, or if you want a universal remote buy a Harmony. I found the 360 remote was pretty useless for controlling my TV so unless you have an XBox there's no point in getting one.

JR

[FishOil]

Also on the remote question, i'm looking at getting one of these...

http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Universal...B000B6MLSM

Do I need to also get an IR reciever for the MiniPC? Any advice on the best remote to get?

Best Buy has that same remote for half the price. I have two and use them exclusively for XBMC. I wouldn't use anything else. Function and fit are perfect for me.

[teknikk7]

Here is one I just built for a friend. It is just above your price point but the performance is far superior to anything you had listed.

SILVERSTONE Black Aluminum skin reinforced plastic front panel, 0.8mm SECC body MILO Series ML03B Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case
$59.99

BIOSTAR A880G+ AM3 AMD 880G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
$54.99

Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
$39.99

AMD Athlon II X2 255 Regor 3.1GHz Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor ADX255OCGMBOX
$62.99

Team Elite 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Desktop Memory Model TED34096M1066C7DC
$39.99

Subtotal: $257.95

[yeager]

I was way too impatient and i've already purchased my equipment. I went down the route of getting most of the kit in one box ready to go. I bought the Giada N10U which so far is working excellently apart from a problem with the HDMI audio only sending 2 channels. I'm trying to hunt down a Windows driver that will get full 5 channel audio working.

[gobba]

The asrock is very good to us XBMC on and it includes a remote with the receiver builtin to the chassi.