Gateway Media Center XL

[dang]

Check out our latest review of Gateway Media Center XL (http://reviews.designtechnica.com/review170.html)

Gateway’s Media Center XL is representative of a system new to this genre. While performance is above average, more fit and polish would have made this system more intuitive to consumers new to the Media Center idea. The fact that there are two separate programs for writing both CD-R and DVD-R media as well as two separate DVD player programs means that there will just be that much more confusion to the end user. The design of the Gateway Media Center XL matches the rest of Gateway’s desktop computer line and other than the remote control; there is nothing that distinguishes the Media Center XL from the rest. Those who decide to purchase the Media Center XL should be more than happy, but make sure to do some research first as there may be features on other brand Media Center PC’s which you may find more attractive.

[RageSlave]

Do you really think that it deserves a 7! Wow, I thought archon reviewed it for a minute!

[Ioman]

Overall I feel like a lot of manufacturers are adding Microsoft's Media Center operating system to existing systems and calling them media PC's. In my opinion they need to create an environment for the end user where we can feel good watching television on a computer. Better noise concelation techniques, wireless keyboard and mouse, from I/O ports and a sleeker system would help this market tremendously.

I called Alienware today to inquire about their Media Center PC, they have canceled it due to slumping sales, but plan on releasing a better version, so at least they are not giving up.

[questionlp]

For me, I just don't see a regular tower PC being a "media PC" that would somehow fit into my living room. The form factor of the Shuttle is better bit kind of limiting when it comes to expansion (well, not as bad as some of the Mini-ITX systems out there, which are nice in that they can be quite small and placed into elegant cases).

I'd rather see a media PC built in a Micro-ATX desktop form factor (I know Coolermaster makes some nice Aluminum cases for that purpose) that can fit into a home theater setup like my TiVo or my DVD player.

A wireless keyboard and pointer/mouse/etc. would also be critical (but no IR based crap... RF like the ATI Remote Wonder)... as well as good quality audio out (surround sound via analog plus multiple digital in/out ports) and front mounted USB 2.0 (480Mbps ones) and FireWire ports... maybe even front mounted RCA audio/video like a VCR.

That would be something that I would call a media PC.

[Cloud]

Originally posted by Ioman
Overall I feel like a lot of manufacturers are adding Microsoft's Media Center operating system to existing systems and calling them media PC's. In my opinion they need to create an environment for the end user where we can feel good watching television on a computer. Better noise concelation techniques, wireless keyboard and mouse, from I/O ports and a sleeker system would help this market tremendously.

I called Alienware today to inquire about their Media Center PC, they have canceled it due to slumping sales, but plan on releasing a better version, so at least they are not giving up.

Good point, companeis need to understand what a media center PC is. Has anyone seen the Viewsonic media center PC? It looks freaking awsome.

[Archon]

cloud, I do like your new avatar.

Rage, wtf u talkin bout? I woulda given this GarbageWay like 2 stars

[Unregistered]

Originally posted by dang
Check out our latest review of Gateway Media Center XL (http://reviews.designtechnica.com/review170.html)

[Cloud]

Originally posted by Unregistered

umm you didnt post anything sir!