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
Compare the Acer Aspire iDea 500
Acer Aspire iDea 500 compared to other Media Center PCs
 Acer Aspire iDea 500 |
 Eee Top |
 Sony Vaio VGX-XL202 |
 Asus A33 |
|
| Review date | 28 Jul 06 | 7 Nov 08 | 15 Nov 06 | 28 Jan 08 |
| Editor's rating |
9.1
|
8.9
|
8.8
|
8.8
|
| Price range | £900 | |||
| Review summary | 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 Read full review |
It's gorgeous to look at, easy and fun to use, and is also affordable. If you're looking for a second PC for multimedia, Web surfing or general tinkering, we'd definitely recommend it. Keep in mind that it slows down when multitasking, but that's rarely a problem Read full review |
It's difficult to find fault with the VGX-XL202. It's powerful, looks good and is packed to the brim with high-performing, but quiet-running components. It's the ideal Media Center PC for anyone who wants to get an early ride on the Blu-ray bandwagon Read full review |
The A33 is one of the most desirable Media Center PCs we've come across. It looks great, it's quiet, it has plenty of input-output options, and the integrated amplifier really helps it stand out from the crowd. Read full review |
| User rating | ||||
| Full specification | Full specification | Full specification | Full specification |
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