- Jan 19, 2004
- 95
- 0
- 18,630
I enjoyed the review "MSI MEGA 180 Mini-PC: Functionality Combined With Beauty". However it left me with more questions. The review appears to be geared toward gaming capabilities and not towards Home Theater integration, which I think is its intended purpose.
I don’t believe the average "hard core gamer” would ever buy this system planning to use it to play the latest 3D games. I just don't see it - it's the hard core gamers driving the self-built, overclocked, liquid cooled systems.
I have discussed this with several co-workers (all certified "geeks", 19 to 61 years old – at a major national defense IT contractor) and we have come to the consensus that MOST computer users, who want to do more than check email, shop on-line, and write papers, have and use more than one computer - depending on its use, and money available.
For example, at home I have my main machine for all "home" related work (taxes, banking, personal letters, etc.). My second computer is used for games (has a CRT monitor) and general use.
I don't pretend to have one computer "do all" - I don't ever see there being one – too many different people with different needs.
Now, I want a PC to integrate in to my HT system. It needs to look good, sure. And it seems this MSI will fit in – although there’s no comment on “fit and finish”, sharp edges, etc. But what’s the quality of the OEM video out to a big screen with a progressive scan DVD?
The reviewer adds, “There are two VGA inputs to split a screen without adding another card”. What does that mean? Even if I assume “inputs” is a typo and it should be “outputs”, I still don’t know exactly what that means.
I go back a few decades and “HiFi” on the cover doesn’t mean crap! Is the sound really high fidelity?
How does the FM tuner work? Is it even stereo?
Does it come with any PVR software? Any software? A driver disk? What about documentation? Did the WiFi work?
How quiet is the system? 40mm fans are notoriously loud and it looks like there are 2 of them on the CPU alone. I don't want to be distracted by fans while watching TV/Movies.
Too many questions left unanswered.
I don’t believe the average "hard core gamer” would ever buy this system planning to use it to play the latest 3D games. I just don't see it - it's the hard core gamers driving the self-built, overclocked, liquid cooled systems.
I have discussed this with several co-workers (all certified "geeks", 19 to 61 years old – at a major national defense IT contractor) and we have come to the consensus that MOST computer users, who want to do more than check email, shop on-line, and write papers, have and use more than one computer - depending on its use, and money available.
For example, at home I have my main machine for all "home" related work (taxes, banking, personal letters, etc.). My second computer is used for games (has a CRT monitor) and general use.
I don't pretend to have one computer "do all" - I don't ever see there being one – too many different people with different needs.
Now, I want a PC to integrate in to my HT system. It needs to look good, sure. And it seems this MSI will fit in – although there’s no comment on “fit and finish”, sharp edges, etc. But what’s the quality of the OEM video out to a big screen with a progressive scan DVD?
The reviewer adds, “There are two VGA inputs to split a screen without adding another card”. What does that mean? Even if I assume “inputs” is a typo and it should be “outputs”, I still don’t know exactly what that means.
I go back a few decades and “HiFi” on the cover doesn’t mean crap! Is the sound really high fidelity?
How does the FM tuner work? Is it even stereo?
Does it come with any PVR software? Any software? A driver disk? What about documentation? Did the WiFi work?
How quiet is the system? 40mm fans are notoriously loud and it looks like there are 2 of them on the CPU alone. I don't want to be distracted by fans while watching TV/Movies.
Too many questions left unanswered.
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