Media Centers in disguise |
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![]() Dan Ackerman Senior associate editor |
Updated October 24, 2005 Not all Media Center PCs come in horizontal rack-mount cases--despite what some of our recent reviews would have you believe. There are still plenty of traditional-looking systems that can record TV, play movies, and otherwise manage your out-of-control media collection, without having to sit in your living room next to the cable box and the PS2. Some are standard desktop systems that are configured by default with Windows XP Media Center Edition. The Dell XPS 200 we reviewed came equipped with MCE, and its small size and dual-core CPU make it ideal for an entertainment PC, although you'll have to shell out extra for the optional TV tuner card. While the Shuttle XPC G5 8300mc didn't really impress us with its middling performance, it's one of the only small-form-factor systems we've seen with Media Center and a TV tuner card. Moving up to a larger midtower system, the HP Media Center m7070n is one of the more impressive desktop entertainment PCs we've seen recently. Along with HP's handy Personal Media Drive slot (for hot-swappable hard drives), it has a ton of A/V connections and offers solid performance for media tasks while remaining a very capable system for everyday computing. Also in the plain-Jane midtower category resides the budget eMachines T6524, which doesn't include a TV tuner (it supplies the room to add one later) but is otherwise a well-rounded PC for the price. More resources
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| Product name |
HP Pavilion Media Center m7070n |
HP Pavilion Media Center m7070n |
| Review date | July 7, 2005 | July 7, 2005 |
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Editors' rating (Editors' rating explained) |
Very good |
Very good |
| Buying choices |
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| Review summary | The HP Media Center m7070n Photosmart PC is a solid bet for users looking to add some PC muscle to their living room. | The HP Media Center m7070n Photosmart PC is a solid bet for users looking to add some PC muscle to their living room. |
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| User comments | Be one of the first to rate this product! | Be one of the first to rate this product! |
| Basic Specs | ||
| Product Description | HP Pavilion Media Center M7070n Photosmart PC - Pentium 4 640 3.2 GHz | HP Pavilion Media Center M7070n Photosmart PC - Pentium 4 640 3.2 GHz |
| Type | Media center | Media center |
| Product Form Factor | Tower | Tower |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 7.6 in x 16.5 in x 15.2 in | 7.6 in x 16.5 in x 15.2 in |
| Localization | English / United States | English / United States |
| Processor | 1 x Intel Pentium 4 640 / 3.2 GHz | 1 x Intel Pentium 4 640 / 3.2 GHz |
| Processor Main Features | Hyper-Threading Technology , Intel Execute Disable Bit , Intel Extended Memory 64 Technology , Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology | Hyper-Threading Technology , Intel Execute Disable Bit , Intel Extended Memory 64 Technology , Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology |
| Cache Memory | 2 MB L2 cache | 2 MB L2 cache |
| Cache Per Processor | 2 MB | 2 MB |
| RAM | 1 GB (installed) / 4 GB (max) - DDR2 SDRAM - 400 MHz - PC2-3200 | 1 GB (installed) / 4 GB (max) - DDR2 SDRAM - 400 MHz - PC2-3200 |
| Storage Controller | Serial ATA ( Serial ATA-150 ) ; IDE ( ATA-100 ) | Serial ATA ( Serial ATA-150 ) ; IDE ( ATA-100 ) |
| Floppy Drive | None | None |
| Hard Drive | 1 x 250 GB - Standard - Serial ATA-150 | 1 x 250 GB - Standard - Serial ATA-150 |
| Hard Drive (2nd) | - None | - None |
| Optical Storage | DVD?RW (+R DL) | DVD?RW (+R DL) |
| Optical Storage (2nd) | DVD-ROM | DVD-ROM |
| Card Reader | 9 in 1 card reader | 9 in 1 card reader |
| Storage Removable | None | None |
| Monitor | None. | None. |
| Printer | None | None |
| Graphics Controller | PCI Express x16 - ATI Radeon X300 SE - 128 MB | PCI Express x16 - ATI Radeon X300 SE - 128 MB |
| TV Tuner Type | Analog TV | Analog TV |
| Audio Output | Sound card - 7.1 channel surround | Sound card - 7.1 channel surround |
| Communications | Fax / modem - PCI - Plug-in card - 56 Kbps | Fax / modem - PCI - Plug-in card - 56 Kbps |
| OS Provided | Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 | Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 |
| Manufacturer Warranty | 1 year warranty | 1 year warranty |
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| Product name | HP Pavilion Media Center m7070n | HP Pavilion Media Center m7070n |
| Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications |
| Price range |
This configuration is no longer available from HP.
Click here to view HP's latest offers. |
This configuration is no longer available from HP.
Click here to view HP's latest offers. |