2. Clothes Make The LRPC

We'll start with the case itself, which is an important aspect of a living room PC. The DEC looks a little like a high-quality audio/video amplifier. The form factor and sleek black-metal finish are quite similar, and the quality of the finish is superb - nothing tips you off to the fact that this is actually a computer. The front panel has only an on/off button and controls for direct playback; everything else is hidden behind drop-down doors. Behind those doors are the DVD writer, the front inputs, and a bay for a removable hard disk made by HP.

A very elegant display shows status information and the name of the content being played, when available. The rear panel is more familiar-looking, with what are essentially PC connections. So the external design of the device is a totally successful merging of a PC and a home entertainment unit.

Shhhh!

Since this is a high-powered PC, it needs cooling, a task mainly handled by a large fan located above the processor, which that vents heat through the top. That means you won't be able to sit another device on top of the unit. The noise is fairly loud at startup, but during operation it fades into the background. The Cooler Master fan HP has used is a proven performer. Overall though, the operating noise is still a tad high for living room use.