Gateway SX 2850-33 (Core i3 550 3.2 GHz)

Pros: Fast processor, good specs, has everything I need and looks great on my entertainment system.

Cons: Few expansion slots, a little concerned about the heat.

Summary: I picked up one of these little guys for $550 from CompUSA about a week ago, for use as a media PC and DVR (actually got the SX2850-01 since I preferred the 1TB harddrive and 3.0 GHz processor over the 640GB harddrive and 3.2 GHz processor found in the SX2850-33). I decided to buy the Gateway because the specs/price far outweighed what was available in the other SFF PCs like the Dell Zino. So far everything is working great. The i3 processor is fast, and Windows 7 seems adequate for running a DVR. I picked up a Hauppauge HVR-1250 TV tuner card for $50 from NewEgg, and plugged it into the vacant PCI-e x16 slot. I had considered replacing the included wireless card from the PCI-e x1 slot with the TV tuner card instead, which would free up the PCI-e x16 for a video card, but so far the on-board graphics seem fine. I'm using the HDMI port to display to a 40" Samsung LCD, and everything looks clear and crisp... except for non-HD internet content, which still looks pretty great. With the WinTV software from Hauppauge, I am up and running a basic DVR without any additional software purchases. Thanks CNET, for finding the perfect SFF PC to make my media center set-up easy!