Shuttle XPC G5 9500g

If you want a Shuttle based Media Center 2005 machine but don't want the hassle of building one yourself the Shuttle G5 8300M is a very good starting point, being pleassingly designed, well featured and speedy in use. However, the lack of passive...

Compact, portable case

Very limited expansion, Case is awkward to open

Stylish unit offers dual TV tuners

Port selection and expansion is limited

Stylish and compact, this PC offers dual TV tuners, but no second optical drive. Ports are limited.

Nice-looking small-form-factor case; context-sensitive LED; decent upgrade options.

Its Pentium D CPU isn't getting any younger; no room for extra hard drives; much smaller Media Centers are out there; support is strictly B-list.

Shuttle's midrange XPC G5 3600mc is slick-looking and compact, but it falls short of other small-form-factor systems such as the Mac Mini and the WinBook Jiv Mini.

Clean, attractive design; small footprint; built-in wireless networking; efficient mobile Pentium M processor that delivers solid application performance.

Fan on graphics card detracts from silent appeal; relatively pricey; doesn't use Intel's most recent chipset.

Shuttle's smallest system, the XPC G5 1100h, is a stylish and potentially near-silent midrange PC that's a good fit for design-conscious and space-constrained consumers.

Sleek, shiny appearance; wireless keyboard and mouse; double-layer DVD burner.

You'll pay a premium for the small-form-factor design; no setup documentation.

If the setup materials were better and the price sweeter, we'd say the Shuttle XPC G5 8300mc would be a good choice for your first Media Center.