Asus rolls out its first media center PC: the Viiv-certified Asteio D22

Redirecting those engineering efforts away from svelte notebooks and UMPCs, Asus has unveiled a slightly different beast in the form of its first media center PC. Apparently wanting to grab a piece of the ever-developing market while it still can, the Viiv-certified Asteio D22 is hitting the HTPC realm with a solid reputation and a fairly impressive list of specs. Although the case does indeed resemble a second-generation VCR, it probably won't clash too badly with your other fine AV components, and we all know it's the innards that count. Powered by an Intel E6300 Core 2 Duo processor, the machine also touts 1GB of DDR2 RAM, a 250GB SATA drive, 16x dual-layer DVD burner, "13-in-1" flash card reader, 802.11b/g, gigabit Ethernet, dual TV tuners, and even a discrete nVidia GeForce 7600GS graphics card. It's also packing some serious heat in the port department, as it sports 4-pin FireWire, microphone in, stereo out, a plethora of USB 2.0 connectors, VGA, DVI, composite, component, S-Video, HDMI (1080p-ready), and 7.1 surround sound via the optical / coaxial digital audio outputs. Additionally, Asus throws in a wireless keyboard with touchpad and a Windows XP MCE remote to control your PVR addiction. All these niceties will certainly demand a premium, however, as the Asteio D22 will set you back $2,999 when it hits shelves later this month.

[Via RegHardware]

[telepheedian @ Nov 2nd 2006 2:11PM]

I think it's proof that MCE PCs are overpriced simply for their case. I have a PC that is almost IDENTICAL to that, and it cost $1065 (including taxes and shipping). The only difference is the fact that its a tower, and doesn't have hdmi (but it does have DVI, which is techincally compatible).

[Eric @ Nov 2nd 2006 2:12PM]

Not bad but I'm more interested in their upcoming Moxi integrated product.

[nikox @ Nov 2nd 2006 2:26PM]

It's kind of ironic� "Asteio" in greek means "joke"!

[Moog @ Nov 2nd 2006 2:28PM]

"Asus rolls out its first media center PC"

Apart from its digimatrix of course.

http://www.asus.com/products4.aspx?l1=1&l2=4&l3=0&model=86&modelmenu=1

http://www.anandtech.com/systems/showdoc.aspx?i=1963

[Alwynne @ Nov 2nd 2006 4:08PM]

When/where will this be available in North America?

[Ed @ Nov 2nd 2006 4:31PM]

That price is ridiculous. It also doesn't specify whether those dual tuners are SD or HD tuners.

[Paul @ Nov 2nd 2006 5:06PM]

I would rather just buy the same PC in a beige box for $1,000 and then hide it behind a $2,000 TV.

[Ted B @ Nov 2nd 2006 9:29PM]

Stick with your laptops Asus.

[ScooterJP @ Nov 3rd 2006 4:10AM]

I bid $500.