New Barebones: AOpen Mini PC MP965-DR with Remote & DVDRW in Black

My company bought one of these a couple months ago which went to my partner. Its a gorgeous bit of kit. Kitted out with a Mobile Core2 Duo and 2GB of ram and its as fast as the equivalent desktop pc (as you'd expect). The onboard graphics are good enough for use with a HDTV to play HD content (up to 1080p stutter free as its mostly CPU reliant). The size of it never ceases to amaze me. All that power in a tiny and silent box. The slot loading DVDRW drive is just the icing on the cake. I also believe its IR sensor is built in.

If you got a high-end HDTV with a nice shiny black bezel, then this will complement it perfectly. Sod media streamers; this is the real deal. Fully upgradeable, smaller, all the functionality of a desktop pc (minus gaming) and as its a regular pc, you control what type of files it can play (via codecs) so no messing about with firmware updates and no expensive paperweight when a newer model comes out that leaves your one unsupported.

I also think it'd make a fantastic work pc or a pc for the kids (can be tucked away in any size desk easily). I believe it also supports dual-monitors via a splitter (included).

I went for the Philips LX3000 for myself which is half the height of this but a little bit wider. Both devices look fantastic and I believe 100% they are worth the premium you pay for them.
 
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Aha! Somewhere that actually sells these things! At last!

Now all you need is a slot-loading Blu-ray/HDDVD drive!

I've been looking for the Blu-ray edition everywhere but haven't been able to find it anywhere.
 
When they become more popular in actual laptops they'll become available. You don't have to get it from the start do you?

Cost wise, it may be better value to get a PS3 for the moment.
 
I already have a DVD player that plays DIVXs, Xvids, etc. so getting another one wouldn't really be the greatest financial decision ever. Yes, I could check my emails on my big TV, but then I have no objections to walking three metres to my computer and using that.

I'm in the market for something that will do everything with either HDDVD or Blu-ray, so...

The only practical alternative is an Xbox 360 which I'll be able to play games on as well...
 
I did consider either a 360 or PS3 myself. I looked at the type of videos I was watching the most at the time (and still am) and neither would play the file types (720p HD rip in .mkv container for example). Dedicated HD streamers were also limited in the same way.

The Philips LX3000 I got also has a digital freeview tuner built in so it has similar functionality to a Sky+ box. The AOpen can be upgraded to have one by using one of the miniPCI slots it has.

If you're desperate for blueray then the PS3 at £270ish isn't a bad deal. I heard it plays games too; can someone confirm this? :D

I highly recommend you check out 720p .mkv rips.
 
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