Hello,
I need some help from you expert computer users in order to advise me on the following tricky subject.
I need a computer that meets the following requirements :
1. It must be as small as possible (the Mac Mini format is ideal)
2. Without either integrated screen or keyboard (therefore a laptop doesn't suit me)
3. It must be able to run Windows XP as a best-selling PC would (that is without specific trouble)
4. It must be able to play a DVD video without any jerk or slowdown (but stereo sound is enough)
5. It must have at least 32 Mb of graphic memory, 512 Mb of RAM, and a 80 Gb hard drive
6. It must have a built-in DVD burner
7. I don't need a wireless network transmitter, but if it has one I must be able to switch it off
8. It must be a reliable system
But according to what I read :
a. The first models of the AOpen Mini-PC series (
http://minipc.aopen.com/Global/spec.htm) could be too slow to play DVDs perfectly because of their old chipset, but I don't know if it is still a topical question, and I don't know if the current models have at least 32 Mb of graphic memory (two years ago they had only 8 !).
b. The Acer Power 1000 series of small computers (
http://www.acer.co.uk/acereuro/page4.do?sp=page3&dau22.oid=19537&UserCtxParam=0&GroupCtxParam=0&dctx1=17&CountryISOCtxParam=UK&LanguageISOCtxParam=en&ctx3=-1&ctx4=United+Kingdom&crc=2885386556) neither is reliable nor well enough supported by Acer.
c. I can't tell if Windows XP runs perfectly on a Mac Mini (
http://www.apple.com/macmini).
Could somebody advise me or share his experience with such small computers ?
Thank you very much for any help !