Building a Media Centre computer...

[Kurt_eh]

There's always this one:

http://www.hp.ca/products/static/mediapc/m7170n/index.php

But I was wondering if I could custom-build something better for less...

Anyone in the know here?

And if so, what would you build (specifics please)? :D

[MrVesham]

Well, I'll tell ya once I get Acrobat installed (new system here) and check out the full specs. Still, I dont really know what kind of cooling HP is using in these suckers (not a mention of the word 'heatpipe' yet) and plus, I dont really like HP's home systems.

But, I'm willing to give it a look with an open mind.

[Kurt_eh]

Well, what I'm looking for is a PVR/Media-ready computer.

Something with a hard-drive that's actually bigger than my iPod, and a bit newer than my 3 or 4 year old notebook. (I really want to play the new Pirates! game! :D)

[BaseLine]

Maybe this (http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=1820&page=1) article will help. I've never built a custom one myself, but that article does seem to cover every base.

[MrVesham]

Ok, a couple questions:

Are you wanting the little bastard to blaze all hell in games too, or just be a decent secondary gaming machine that's primarily just for video?

Are you wanting to capture (and be able to playback at full quality) HD content?

[Kurt_eh]

I've got PS2 games on the shelf I've barely even played (and some I haven't even touched), so the gaming isn't really a priority.

Enough to run some of the SW games, I suppose...

I've got a digital cable box at the moment (no HD), the condo board is installing a system where I live, so that'll be available by the time I'm back from vacation. Hopefully by year-end I'll have HD, wether it's via the satellite or from a new HD/digital cable box, I'm not sure yet... So "yes" for the second question.

[AgentSun]

size isn't really an issue but you might want to look into a shuttle box...basically, something that looks like the Apple G4 cube. it's cool and it saves space and you'd be surprised at how much you can pack into it...

but if you want a laptop, ive heard good things about Asus' W1 series

[MrVesham]

Oh... fun. HD makes things a little more interesting. I need to bone up on Canada and see what restrictions you guys have on HD to have to work around. It can get messy here in the US.