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Atom+ION+Linux = HTPC?

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costi:

--- Quote from: halfelite on July 07, 2010, 01:49:02 AM ---update your post if you do buy everything and tell us how it went.

--- End quote ---
Actually, in the end I went a slightly different route. I bought one of these: http://gizmodo.com/5383094/acer-aspirerevo-upgraded-windows-7-ion-graphics-dual+core-atom-cpu
Second hand, but still under warranty (in fact, the guy claims he bought it two weeks ago - I'll check the receipt as soon as I get it, hopefully by the end of the week). The hardware is practically the same as the Asus board I was keen on buying (Dual-core Atom 330, ION and 2GB RAM). Sure, it does not have RAID support or a PCI-E port, but on the other hand, I get an eSATA port, card reader (limited, but still) in a very compact, great looking case. And I paid less that I would have for the Asus board + case (which would end up 2-3 times larger). I paid 880 PLN for the Acer, while Asus AT3IONT-I DELUXE starts from 630 PLN and 300+ for a good-looking case - and I still need the RAM and HDD.
Also, it already has Windows 7 and a wireless keyboard+mouse, so it's even more cost-effective (Windows 7 Home Premium costs about 350PLN, keyboard + mouse would be another 50).

Ok, the HDD is a bit smallish. But if I really need to, I can always swap it for a bigger one, and for now I'll just keep the external 3.5" enclosure that houses my 1.5TB drive and hook it up to the Acer (I planned to use said HDD together with the Asus board).

And I ended up with spare 2x1GB DDR3 RAM, which I'll prrobably sell since it's kinda useless to me. Or maybe I'll keep it, and if the Acer nettop doesn't satisfy me, I'll sell it and build myself a Core i3 machine :)

So, the current setup means I'll probably use MediaPortal (since I already have Windows on board), tho I'm still tempted to try Linux. Oh well, we'll see.

Now, all I need is a remote - can anyone recommend something, preferably below $20 with shipping?

fohfoh:
Since you have a card reader (I assume it can read SD at the very least) a "small" 8-16GB one can be had for cheap and you can install linux on it. (Sort of like a dual boot). So you can still toy with it. 16GB for sure should be enough to try to play with. 8GB might cut it close. You can also consider installing it to a thumb drive (It says you have 6?) but be wary that your speed may drop if your USB ports become warm. (Which I highly doubt, but you never know)

However, I'd double check the HDD and roll in at least a 7200rpm one in there if it's not at least at that standard. Night and Day. Seriously.

No idea on the remotes. I personally would be served well with a wireless keyboard/mouse set so I have never really considered remotes.

costi:
Yeah, an SD card sounds like a good idea. After installation read and write speeds shouldn't be such a huge problem, given the minimal access time.

The HDD is most probably a 5400rpm one, I wouldn't expect a 7200 one in a budget machine like this one. I'd love to put an SSD in there, but the prices are waaay too high.

As for remote - keyboard and mouse is fine, but a remote is simply something that really makes this stand out as a media device and not your typical computer, at least for me. So I'll probably get one sooner or later, maybe scavenge a Logitech Harmony from my father, who doesn't seem to use his 8)

halfelite:
you can check my post here for a good remote options. just be careful if you order the RII. they were pushing orders out like crazy in the beginning then i herd people started not to receive them anymore.

http://forums.bakabt.me/index.php?topic=24528.msg4442131#msg4442131

agentbad:
anything less than xbmc sounds like suck.

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