MSI Media Live HTPC

MSI Computer on Friday afternoon previewed its new Media Live home theater PC. The system builder hopes to break away from the conventional focus on analog TV for media center PCs by incorporating an HDMI output, guaranteeing 1080p playback for future encrypted movies. A combination of support for dual-core Athlon 64 X2 processors with built-in NVIDIA graphics will help drive both 3D games and HD video, MSI claims. The computer is capable of 7.1-channel surround and includes a hidden 12-in-1 card reader for directly loading and viewing photos. Pricing is unavailable, though MSI should offer Media Live as a barebones model with power supply and mainboard soon.

Click through for details and photos of the company's crystalized notebooks.

Accompanying the Media Live are two designer notebooks catering to women. Both the 13.3-inch S300 and 15.4-inch M677 Crystal Collection portables feature inlaid Austrian crystals around the logo as well as a UV-treated black finish meant to convey a sense of luxury. Beyond size, the company separates the two notebooks through processors and media focus. The larger M677 uses the highest-grade AMD Turion 64 X2 processor and builds in a 1.3-megapixel webcam for video chats; the S300 abandons both of these in favor of a 2GHz Core 2 Duo and a four-satellite speaker system that MSI says produce far better sound than expected from a notebook this small. The company declined to give pricing or launch dates for either notebooks, citing configurations and prices that can vary by reseller.

S300 Crystal Collection


M677 Crystal Collection

By Electronista Staff