New Kitchen PC

[ChuckECheese]

I've been using an old laptop as a kitchen PC. It's dead. I'm looking for something new, but don't want to spend a lot because it doesn't really need to do much.

Budget <$800 for everything (computer, keyboard, monitor), otherwise I might as well just get another laptop and reuse my wireless mouse.

I use it for:
* Web browsing recipes/weather/misc.
* Remote desktop/NoMachine connections to other computers
* SageTV client to watch TV while cooking/etc.
* Kids play Flash, Java, and ActiveX web games on it while cooking (Webkinz, NickJr, etc.)

I need:
* SMALL form factor. Those all-in-one PCs look great, but the ones I've seen are expensive and have more power than I need. The HP ultra-slim ones that can be mounted behind a monitor look like they could do the job. I saw an Asus model that although too expensive could probably be mounted under the counter nicely.
* Quiet.
* Widescreen display at least 15 inches.
* Something that will run the kid's ActiveX games without hiccups.
* Something that will show 1080i feeds from SageTV server without any hiccups, (scaled to whatever native resolution of the display--the server will do the scaling).
* Wireless 802.11G

I'd like:
* Webcam / mic built in to monitor
* Bluetooth
* Wireless keyboard/mouse
* Ability to control with my Harmony 890 remote
* Single power cord (like those all-in-ones)

I don't care about OS. I think I can use IEs4Linux to do ActiveX on Linux and everything else I can do in Linux or Windows.

 

[TheStu]

Well, it sounds like you do care a little about the OS, Windows or Linux which strikes out a used G4 iMac which probably would have done the job alright.

Other than that... I know that Dell business has the little towers as well, not sure how they are priced compared to HP, but I think no matter what you will be getting something more powerful than your needs (assuming you buy new)

 

[bamacre]

Inspiron 530s Open Source
http://www.dell.com/content/to...?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

 

[ChuckECheese]

I thought about a Mac Mini, but 1) I'm not too keen on white, 2) I didn't think it would be easy to run ActiveX, and 3) the video wouldn't keep up with my requirements. Same goes for iMac.

All the Dell's are way too big, (except for the all-in-one, which is way too expensive...)

 

[IlllI]

seems like you might have to make some compromises then

 

[ChuckECheese]

The Acer Veriton VL460 might work...

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: ChuckECheese
I thought about a Mac Mini, but 1) I'm not too keen on white, 2) I didn't think it would be easy to run ActiveX, and 3) the video wouldn't keep up with my requirements. Same goes for iMac.

All the Dell's are way too big, (except for the all-in-one, which is way too expensive...)

1)The Mac Mini is Anodized Aluminum with an opaque white top, most of what you see is the aluminum.
2)Install Windows
3)My MacBook can play back 720p streamed across an 802.11g network, I am sure that the Mini, with it's faster processor can do the same over 802.11n (if you have that)

iMac has no white on it at all, instead it is an all anodized aluminum case with a glass covered black bezel around the display. You can get a refurbished, Apple certified 20" iMac with a 2GHz Core 2 Duo, ATi 2400xt, 1GB RAM and a 250GB HDD for $949 off Apple's website

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: ChuckECheese
All the Dell's are way too big, (except for the all-in-one, which is way too expensive...)

The 530s is too big?

 

[ofacto]

The Shuttle KPC is small and dirt cheap, a barebones costs $99 and the prebuilt linux ones start at $229. There is no internal optical drive (there is actually a slim cd drive bay present, but its blocked by the faceplate).

http://us.shuttle.com/kpc/

 

[Oil]

AOpen MiniPC

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: ChuckECheese
I thought about a Mac Mini, but 1) I'm not too keen on white, 2) I didn't think it would be easy to run ActiveX, and 3) the video wouldn't keep up with my requirements. Same goes for iMac.

All the Dell's are way too big, (except for the all-in-one, which is way too expensive...)

I'm not big on macs, but the mini would be a good pick.

1. small
2. runs xp or linux or mac os
3. solid system


Dell makes a 'behind the monitor' system too. They have a lot of thin clients if you look at their workstation and small business stuff.

 

[ChuckECheese]

I did look at the Macs in person and I take back the "all white" comment. The new iMac looked pretty nice, but I don't think I'm ready to take that plunge. I'll start with a Mac Mini sometime when I have cash to put on something just to try out. If it doesn't work for me, I'm sure my parents would love it.

Dell just released a nice system: the Solo Hybrid. I almost bought one of those, but I ended up with the AOpen XC Mini. The main selling point was that the AOpen had a model with a built-in IR sensor that I can use with my Harmony 890 remote. Of course, adding an IR receiver to the Dell isn't that costly--maybe I just wanted to tinker a little bit...

I ended up about $75 over budget. It could be worse I guess. I probably didn't need the Bluetooth kit and could have probably gotten away with 1G of RAM since I'm not doing Vista which would have cut about $50 off. Going to a T5xxx-series CPU might have been a good move too and would have easily gotten me under budget. I just wasn't sure how the mobile processors mapped to desktop CPUs. I have an E4500 in the basement that I know would be fine and the T7250 looks similar on paper. However, I have no idea how the actual architecture stacks up. So, maybe I went a little overkill there...

System cost (including shipping):

* AOpen MP965-DR - $419.72
* Intel T7250 CPU - $187.70 (I was going to go with the T8100, but I heard the AOpen needs a BIOS flash to take it and didn't know how to do that without a CPU already in it!)
* 2x1G OCZ DDR2 PC-5300 SODIMMs - 36.98 (after $25 MIR)
* AOpen B/G Wireless and Bluetooth kits - $78.91
* Hanns·G HB-191DPB 19" Monitor - 149.99

I'm reusing an 80G SATA notebook drive, an XP Home license, a SageTV client license, a keyboard, and a wireless mouse. When I can, I'll add a swivel wall mount for the monitor and get a wireless keyboard. Now I guess we'll see if it all plays nicely together, (something you don't have to worry about with the Dell...)

 

[TheStu]

That sounds like a pretty good setup and should get the job done. What are the dimension on the AOpen system, will you be able to stash it somewhere out of the way?

 

[ChuckECheese]

It's the same size as the Mac Mini! So, no need to stash it--it'll just sit on the counter.

 

[TheStu]

That's not too bad really, especially considering the price.

 

[ChuckECheese]

Well, it's built. I splurged on a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse combo, and ditched the included USB stick since I bought the internal Bluetooth module for the PC. I may have overengineered since everything including 1080i plays smoothly. My wireless G network caused some stuttering on 1080i, but luckily, I already had a phone jack right behind the computer and just replaced it with CAT5, so no worries or drywall cutting. The fan is silent during it all (except when first turned on, but it spins down in a few seconds). My old notebook's fan was always running at half or full speed, which got annoying and I think is what caused it's death as the fan started making weird noises near the end...

I think the Dell Solo Hybrid is a good deal, but I like that this system is made for tinkering being a barebones and all. When it gets retired and trickles down to the kids or parents, I know I can slap a faster processor and more memory in easily if needed. (BTW, it came with the BIOS able to support the Penryn CPUs, so no flash needed if you wanted to go with a T8xxx model.)

 

[RedWolf]

What software (besides Sage tv) are you running? Did you think about the Asus EEE box or a EEE PC (lenovos s10 looks pretty good). I've been looking at building a kitchen pc for a while. I'd love the HP Touchsmart but $1500 is pretty pricey (even $1250 is pretty steep).

 

[ChuckECheese]

Hm, I didn't see the EEE Box. It looks nice, but I'd be worried that it couldn't handle 1080i streams.

One caveat of the AOpen that I bought is the remote only works under MCE or Vista! So, that (for me) kills any leg up over the Dell Studio Hybrid, (which is a better deal I believe).

I don't run much on this PC other than SageTV, my recipe software, a web browser, and remote desktop software, (Remote Desktop, UltraVNC, and NX client). It has no problem handling all of those things.