Acer AspireRevo AR3610-U9022 Desktop PC (Dark Blue) Review

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(More customer reviews)I don't normally write reviews, but this little guy blew me away. For $125 more so over the 1600 you'll get dual core, 2GB RAM, Windows 7, wireless keyboard and mouse and the VESA mount (its included). And the dual core will make a difference if you are playing back 1080P source material.
Be sure to download the flash beta 10.1 which uses the Ion processor's hardware acceleration or you will be disappointed. Also need the latest NVIDIA drivers. I'm playing movies both through Media Player Classic - Home Cinema and utilizing the PC to run the latest BOXEE beta which while having some bugs really is fun to play with. Boxee will consolidate your media library on your PC or network share (I'm using an UNRAID server, which is fabulous as a media server) along with content from the internet (TV shows, Movies, Apps, You Tube etc..). Thinking about playing with XBMC next (Which Boxee is based on).
The HDMI out is working great for both Video and Audio (not all HDMI outs on PC's support audio as I found out the hard way). There is a utility with the NVIDIA graphics to size the desktop to exactly your flat screen dimensions (no need to play with aspect ratio on your TV).
While not my use, it would make a great extra PC for the kids or significant other if all they do is surf, with an occasional word document here or there.
The PC is really quiet, I simply can not hear it at all and it stays nice and cool.
Highly recommended, but I guess you knew that already!

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Acer AspireRevo AR3610: Mini Home Entertainment Center Ultra-sleek and about the size of a book, the space-saving and quiet Acer AspireRevo AR3610-U9022 nettop is an easy fit for any room in the house--perfect for use as a fully functional home office PC or as a multimedia hub for casual gaming when connected to an LCD or HDTV. Its compact 1L size makes it easy to stand discreetly on a desk, and you can even attach it to the back of an HDTV or monitor with the included VESA mounting kit.
The space-saving AspireRevo is ideal for streaming movies, TV shows, music and other online media as well as tackling everyday computing needs with ease.

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Zotac MAG Intel Atom N330, NVIDIA ION, 2 GB DDR2, 160 GB HD, eSATA, HDMI HD-ND01-U Mini PC - No OS Review

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(More customer reviews)**************************************************
UPDATE - 10/21/2010
This HTPC is still running fine after almost a year with daily use. A few additions to my previous review:
1. HDMI Audio - The audio channel mapping across HDMI is wrong. The nvidia driver has swapped the side and rear surround channels. To work around this, I am now using the optical out for audio, which is handled by the realtek driver and maps the channels correctly. 5.1 audio seems fine, while the support for 7.1 audio is another matter. I haven't been able to confirm as Media Center doesn't seem to know how to test 7.1.
2. NETFLIX/Silverlight - While Netflix has normally worked flawlessly through Windows Media Center on this unit, the addition of HD streams from Netflix doesn't work well. Apparently Silverlight, the control that Netflix uses to render video, doesn't support FULL hardware acceleration. As a result, the stream has to be manually forced back to standard, or else stuttering and choppiness will occur.
**************************************************The only reason I don't give this five stars is that it doesn't come with Windows 7 like the Acer Revo 3610 does for $29 more.
With that being said, if you have your own OS to put on this little gem, then consider it worthy of 5 stars and save yourself the $29. I don't consider the lack of the wireless keyboard/mouse combo a factor because the set included with the Acer isn't really useful for a HTPC.
The Pros:
* Small form factor - sleek look, packed with capabilities.
* Atom 330 + nVidia ION - a match made in Heaven.
* HDMI out.
* Built in N Wifi.
* 2GB RAM, 160 GB HD included
* Windows 7 Pro 64bit installs without a hitch - driver support is superb.
* Shows 4 CPU's in Task Manager.
* VESA mounting + vertical stand included
* Plenty of ports - USB, digital audio out, HDMI, VGA, card slot, eSATA, audio
The Cons:
* Has small fan on chipset heatsink - makes some noise when in use.
* Gets a little hot.
* Silver plastic is really coated black plastic - can scratch.
* Vertical mounting stand attachment is a little difficult.
* 5400 rpm drive may be a little slow for intensive tasking.
I purchased this unit to act as a HTPC running Windows 7 Media Center to replace the cr*ppy WD HD TV Live and Asus O!Play units that I bought and returned because they don't work.
Within two hours I was watching streaming media on this device. I created a bootable USB key using diskpart, copied the Win7 DVD to the key, and installed from it. I then updated to all the drivers available from the Zotac website, and was in business.
I added a generic Windows MCE remote USB IR key and was streaming recorded HD TV content from one PC to this one, watching flawless 1080p HD with multi-channel audio through HDMI.
Miscellaneous Notes:
* It moves in and out of sleep pretty quickly, and draws little power in any mode.
* The NVidia display drivers as well as Media Center also have the capability for compensating for any HDMI overscan your TV might experience.
* Has a cool orange ring on the side for power status, but also has a lighted power button that indicates power/sleep states.Is this a desktop replacement? No. Is it the perfect HTPC? Just about. If it were silent and included a wireless keyboard/trackball combo, it would be indeed perfect.

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Zotac MAG Intel Atom N330, NVIDIA ION, 2 GB DDR2, 160 GB HD, eSATA, HDMI HD-ND01-U Mini PC - No OS

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