For the last few years I've been using my Xbox 360 to steam media from my main PC. It's no longer used to play games so I've decided to sell the lot and buy an HTPC.
My requirements are;
1) Fairly quiet - no louder than my aging Xbox 360
2) Needs to lay flat (e.g. no towers) and not be too much bigger than a 360
2) Fast wireless - enough to play HD videos from my main PC (router is 300mbps)
3) HDMI connectivity
4) Able to play Blu-Ray discs
5) Media Card Reader if there is space, although not essential
It would be great to also use it for some basic internet surfing, facebook, iPlayer, youtube etc. A compact keyboard and mouse/trackpad would be good and I wouldn't say no to a remote control either.
Space isn't an issue as everything will be streamed from my main PC which has plenty of space. A small SSD is fine.
I have no knowledge of HTPC so assume I'm clueless
I have Windows 7 already, is this what most people use or is there a better OS for HTPCs?
I don't really have a budget in mind, but obviously cheaper the better. £400 would be my absolute limit, although I'm hoping for the £200-300 mark.
My requirements are;
1) Fairly quiet - no louder than my aging Xbox 360
2) Needs to lay flat (e.g. no towers) and not be too much bigger than a 360
2) Fast wireless - enough to play HD videos from my main PC (router is 300mbps)
3) HDMI connectivity
4) Able to play Blu-Ray discs
5) Media Card Reader if there is space, although not essential
It would be great to also use it for some basic internet surfing, facebook, iPlayer, youtube etc. A compact keyboard and mouse/trackpad would be good and I wouldn't say no to a remote control either.
Space isn't an issue as everything will be streamed from my main PC which has plenty of space. A small SSD is fine.
I have no knowledge of HTPC so assume I'm clueless
I have Windows 7 already, is this what most people use or is there a better OS for HTPCs?I don't really have a budget in mind, but obviously cheaper the better. £400 would be my absolute limit, although I'm hoping for the £200-300 mark.
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