Anyone using a studio hybrid with XBMC yet?

[prn_star]

I saw it in the dell flyer today:

Components
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T6400 (2.0GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Basic Service Pack 1
Slate
Microsoft Works 9.0
1 Yr Limited Warranty with 1 Yr NBD Onsite Service and 1 Yr Tech Support
No Monitor (System includes DVI and HDMI ports. VGA is not supported)
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz (2 DIMM)
250GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
Slot Load CD / DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-RW Drive)
Integrated Stereo Audio with 5.1ch digital output (S/P DIF)

http://i.dell.com/images/global/products/314x314/desktop_studio_hybrid_slate_left_314.jpg
Personally I'm not a dell fan in the least but it looks cool, I'm just wondering if this is a better cheaper option then the mini mac?

Does anyone have a guess on how well it would work? For under 700 cnd, is a pretty good deal I think.

[cherwilco]

you can definately spec out a higher performing system using a true htpc case for less than that. not trying to be mean but for the price I would like to know what graphics chipset so I could know what to expect as far as hardware accel for blue ray and general high def playback support because if your stuck relying on the t6400 for hd playback then I would think you would have some stuttering problems. good luck!

[wierd0n3]

From dell's Web Page:

Intel® Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
Not sure what the capabilities are for this chip, but Intel hasn't really been a good choice for ultimate 3D performance, and that is a important part in XBMC. It renders EVERYTHING onscreen in opengl, so skimping on that part kinda drags the rest of the system down.

For around the same cash, you can spec out a part list that includes a 9800 with hdmi out. it may not be as pretty a case, but you cant go wrong with a Nvidia card under XBMC.

[prn_star]

I've been doing some reading on this and I think the biggest issue I have with it is the lack of built in remote control, so I can't turn it on from my couch. I wouldn't even bother with the blue ray, and my TV is only 720p so I feel certain it would meet my playing requirements.

The HP firebird looks pretty but I'm not even going to take a detailed look at it because the price is simply too much.

Can you power on a mini-mac from the remote?

[Dougie Fresh]

There's some discussion in this thread too: http://xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=35329&highlight=studio+hybrid