Typical price: £900
What is it: Ultra-slim Viiv-certified Media Center PC
What we think: A hugely stylish and capable multimedia system with plenty of connectivity options
What you need to know
Reviewed on: 13 July 2006
Tags: acer, silver, section, ports
We like:
Styling; plenty of connectors; quiet operation
We don't like:
Poor 3D graphics performance; lack of hardware upgradeability
You might also need:
External hard drive for backing up or quick transfer of media
CNET.co.uk judgement:
The Acer Aspire iDea 500 is the best Media Center PC we've seen. Aesthetically it's inspired by traditional AV equipment, so it'll sit alongside or replace your existing DVD player without looking out of place. It's not very upgradeable, but it's packed with just the right multimedia components to make the most of the Intel Viiv platform
Acer Aspire iDea 500 History
28 Jul 2006 in Reviews
Windows Media Center (Viiv) PCs
If you're after an all-round PC with an ability to record television and harvest your extensive multimedia collection in one handy location, your best bet is a Windows Media Center or Intel Viiv-certified PC. Here we show you the best of the best
14 Jul 2006 in Digital Living
Gear Envy: Acer Aspire iDea 500
Sleek, powerful and blessed with everything from a standard aerial socket to an HDMI output, the Acer Aspire iDea is the acceptable face of the Media Center PC concept -- but would you have one under your telly?
23 Jun 2006 in Crave
Acer Aspire iDea: Viiv la revolution
We spent some quality time alone with the Acer iDea -- the sexiest, loveliest, most stylish Media Center PC in the world
Latest user reviews
January 1, 2007
Posted by: Maurice Camp
"What a cracking piece of kit"
November 21, 2006
Posted by: David Marc
"Good looking and does the job of a media hub for my living room. Excellent Windows Media Centre"
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