Alienware rolls out Hangar18 ultimate media center
updated 08:55 am EDT, Tue June 5, 2007
Alienware Hangar18
Alienware this morning launched the Hangar18, the company's first self-proclaimed HD Entertainment Center. The system is based on AMD's LIVE! media center platform and uses Athlon 64 X2 processors to provide an immediate responsiveness for Vista Home Premium's interface and better synchronization with peripherals; it also helps guarantee 720p HD video with basic integrated graphics and as much as 1080p when using NVIDIA dedicated graphics and the PC's built-in HDMI output. Unique to the Hangar18 is a built-in, high power amplifier: each channel can receive as much as 200W of power, bypassing the need for a separate device to help power a larger sound system.
Every system is also equipped with features from other high-end media center PCs, including 802.11g wireless for Internet and local media sharing as well as a Gyration remote control for steering the interface without a mouse.
Systems start from $1,999 with an Athlon 64 X2 4200+ dual-core chip, 2GB of RAM, 250GB of storage, and integrated video; options exist for as much as 4GB of RAM, 2TB of hard disk space, and unnamed dedicated graphics. The Hangar18 is available today and can be bundled with a 37-inch HDTV or 5.1-channel Klipsch speakers.
