Mini PC

[rhegedus]

I've been thinking about getting a mini PC for a familiy member and am leaning towards the HP Pavilion Slimline type set-up.



The only thing is that I've been out of the PC loop for while and don't really know the differences between the cut down chips like Celeron, Centrino, Sempron, Turion etc.

For a system that will mostly be used for web surfing and occasional photo editing, what should I look for in a CPU?

[Soopafresh]

If it is only for surfing and a bit of image editing, you're focusing too much on the PC and not enough on the monitor. Actually, spend a bit less for the PC so you can get a decent wide panel flat screen.

[rhegedus]

I've already got a 19" widescreen planned...

I'm just going for the smallest case footprint, most of which have a cut down CPU.

[edDV]

These usually are organized like laptops with fixed graphics display chips but maybe one PCI slot. Not for gamers or people that need expandability except by USB2.

Not the best for a Home Theater.

[rhegedus]

Yeah, I've seen a few pics of the inside of the case and it looks quite pokey but I'm not concerned about any upgrades. The most it would have to deal with is a few DVDs or DivX files.

Laptops with the cut down CPUs seem to handle them OK so it's just a question of CPU choice.

[Super Warrior]

Those mini pcs look great for someone who only requires a nice, basic comp solution(internet, dvd burning, usb stuff, etc). That mini-hp should do nicely.

[edDV]

Video Demo
http://reviews.cnet.com/HP_Pavilion_Slimline_s7600e/4505-3118_7-32074346.html

For MCE DVR type use output is limited to single VGA and analog audio. These really need YPbPr or HDMI as a second monitor and S/PDIF audio out. Input via tuner card for recording is S-Video or RF. At least it can hold a mini tuner and a single full speed SATA hard disk which the Mac Mini cannot.

Makes a good small desktop computer but is limited for DVR.

[jagabo]

For a system that will mostly be used for web surfing and occasional photo editing, what should I look for in a CPU?

The slowest cheapest CPU you can find is fine for those tasks.

If you care about speed: http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu.html

[pfh]

Consider 64bit support as well just in case that might be of future benefit. I think Turion and Centrino would be fine but the Celeron/Sempron line is pretty much dead end.

[ken.bosley]

Video Demo
http://reviews.cnet.com/HP_Pavilion_Slimline_s7600e/4505-3118_7-32074346.html

For MCE DVR type use output is limited to single VGA and analog audio. These really need YPbPr or HDMI as a second monitor and S/PDIF audio out. Input via tuner card for recording is S-Video or RF. At least it can hold a mini tuner and a single full speed SATA hard disk which the Mac Mini cannot.

Makes a good small desktop computer but is limited for DVR.

The s7600e has SPDIF out and (depending on the model) DVI-I or VGA out.

[ahhaa]

Well, as an alternative-
I'm typing this on a 5 year old VIA Epia M10000... still running without a hiccup, a great workhorse. This mobo is about 7" square and had just about everything you could want built-in. People still seek'em out for carputers, building computers into robots, etc.

VIA now has a 13000 mobo; only 5" square, a bit pricey but feature laden. http://www.epiacenter.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=58

ONE THING tho-
I've had some experience with those minicases having hotspots & design compromises (like the inadequate but non-replacable PS)

in a couple weeks the pricing of all sorts of gear is going to start to change due to Vista, make sure you get a very good price if you go for this HP unit!:]

[edDV]

For MCE or other HTPC, a replaceable display card is most important.