[Lester Jacobs]

I usually advocate the "build your own" approach when it comes to HTPCs. However the new Compaq 8000T seems like quite a nice machine for someone who wants to avoid the potential gotchas which might be encountered when pursuing the do-it-yourself approach. Of course, as with all computer vendors, they do put a lot of useless stuff on there but if you sift through the trash a surpising amount of gems turn up.


Here's some positive features:

- Comes with Windows XP home installed

- Has both WinDVD and ATI DVD players included

- Can get ATI AIW 8500 (non DV) card included

- 3 DV ports (one in front)

- USB 2.0

- Attractive tower case (not on par with Callisto but definitely nice)

- Intel P4 chip and i845 chipset

- all parts standard (no Compaq specific gotchas)

- Includes network card and high speed modem (56k)

- DVD-R drive and software (Sonic DVDit)

- DDR RAM

- Pinnacle Studio 7

- Roxio Easy CD creator

- SBLive 5.1

- up to 120GB hard drive



Note: I don't represent Compaq nor is this a sales pitch. I simply think that this package may represent a nice value for someone trying to start off in the HTPC world



Cheers

Lester

 

[Namlemez]

Not bad except for the SB Live What versions of the DVD players does it have?

 

[Lester Jacobs]

Comes with ATI DVD 7.6 which is the latest but a non-issue anyways since you can always download the latest from ATI.


The WinDVD version is 4.




Cheers

Lester