Silicon Mountain outs TV/PC hybrids with Blu-ray
updated 11:05 am EST, Mon November 10, 2008
Silicon Mountain Allio
Silicon Mountain today leapt into the US and released the Allio series of hybrid HDTVs and PCs. The screens include the regular features of TVs such as a built-in HD tuner and HDMI input but also have full desktop-class PCs inside. The feature gives the option of Blu-ray or DVD playback built into the TV but also PVR features rare in US-shipped TVs. It also access to web-only video services like Hulu and picture-in-picture viewing of TV and software on the same large picture.
All systems also carry 802.11g Wi-Fi and a wireless keyboard and mouse combo to avoid stringing cables throughout the living room.
A base Allio carries just enough for standard TV use with a 2.5GHz Core 2 Duo, a 250GB hard drive, 2GB of memory and a DVD burner for either $1,599 in a 32-inch version or $1,999 for a 42-inch model. Stepping up to a 2.53GHz model with Blu-ray and PVR recording boosts the prices to $2,199 and $2,399, while a top-range version with 4GB of RAM and 1TB of disk space costs either $2,399 and $2,799.
These systems should all be available now and are preloaded with Windows Vista Home Premium. Lower-cost models using Ubuntu Linux should also be available sometime in the future.
