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Asus Eee Box B206

For undemanding users who aren't into HD video, Asus' Eee Box B206 is worth a look; however, it's not powerful enough to take on other media-centre PCs.

Power consumption: How much are your gadgets costing you?

With Earth Hour making us aware of the need to conserve electricity, we conduct a real-world test to see just how much our TVs, computers and other home electronics equipment costs to run.

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Reviews

Apple Mac Mini (2009)

Apple's newest Mac Mini is set to be a hit, being both small and powerful. We suspect that if Apple had managed to squeeze Blu-ray support in there, it would take a large chunk of the home theatre PC market.
MSI EX720

MSI's EX720 isn't a bad laptop, but it certainly strikes as one with too many shortcuts taken. Still at AU$1,649 it's affordable, and if you're budget and technically minded you'll likely get some decent mileage out of this laptop.
HP Pavilion s3680a Home PC

Obviously being a small desktop, performance isn't at the super high end of the scale. But being on par with a mid-range laptop these days, we don't know why you wouldn't just buy that for cheaper.
Netgear RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Router WNDR3300

The WNDR3300 looks the part of a shiny, fast 802.11n router. Looks are deceptive; this is a sluggish unit in what should be its best operating mode.
Asus F8Va

It may not be the sexiest notebook in town, but Asus' 14.1-inch laptop is Centrino 2 certified, and sports some excellent multimedia capabilities.
Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 8000

Unless you desperately need a full-sized keyboard covered in silver to match your decor, we'd suggest you pass on the Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 8000, and go for one of the cheaper options.
Sony VAIO LT VCG-LT28G

We're still trying to work out who the target market for the highly expensive LT VAIO is. Design-crazed multimillionaires, perhaps.
Acer Aspire L3600

The Aspire aspires to be one half media center, one half desktop PC, and it's ultimately one half as compelling as a result.

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Features

CES 2008: world's biggest tech show preview

The annual International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is the world's largest, and in the leadup to our exclusive CNET.com.au coverage here's what to expect from CES 2008.
Desktop shopping checklist

Home PCs still have their place in the sun, thanks to falling prices and ease of upgradeability.
PS3's got game: plus Blu-ray, MP3 and more

We take an in-depth look at PS3's non-gaming attributes and cover what you need to know about how it handles Blu-ray and DVD movies, music, photos, Internet browsing and more.
Intel Viiv: what you need to know

CNET.com.au's video feature detailing everything you need to know about Intel's Viiv platform and what it'll do for your digital home.

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News

iRiver's Wave Home

There's been a little bit of buzz at CES here about the iRiver Wave Home, which marries a networked multimedia device with a communications hub to form a kitchen/home office-friendly gadget.
Intel's Viiv low on holiday shopping lists

Almost a year after Intel announced plans to make your PC look like a TV, the company is still searching for the play button.
HD should be wired: Intel

Current wireless networking standards aren't fit for streaming high-definition (HD) content between a media centre PC and multiple extender devices, according to Intel and Microsoft.
HP passes the design baton to users

In a bid to make its media centre PCs more living-room friendly, HP is set to release a new "skinable" mini-PC, dubbed the "HP Pavilion Slimline PC s7540a".

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DIYs and How-to

How to build a wireless network

CNET.com.au's step-by-step guide to using a wireless router to share an Internet connection and build a wireless network at home.

Get (laptop) smart before you buy

Win the numbers game and get the laptop that's perfect your needs as well as your budget!
Microsoft Windows® 7. Your PC, simplified.

Windows® 7 has been designed to be more reliable, more responsive, and to make the things you do every day easier.
Whereis® maps

If you’d like to get to know more of Australia, and do it safely, then check out Whereis® maps.