MSI MEGA PC

...It should be noted that MSI doesn't guarantee compatibility for drives other than the ones they make. One caveat in the whole HiFi experience is that the moment you turn on your PC, the HiFi component turns off and the LCD turns into nothing more than a clock. It's true that the FM tuner can still be accessed under Windows by installing the software included in the Mega PC's bundle, but I find it more convenient to be able to just turn on the HiFi ...
...The Mega PC is an indication that MSI is in the right track when it comes to SFF PCs. It runs on a novel concept but is far from perfect. It's a good first try, but it's not yet enough.


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This is your normal SFF(small form-factor) PC with an integrated AM/FM and CD player that allows you to listen to the radio and play MP3 and CD Audio while your computer is turned off. Yes, you read that right.

Externally, what sets the Mega PC apart from other SFF PCs is its LCD display. The LCD functions as in an ordinary stereo. It shows status information such as volume, equalizer settings, station frequency and the like. It also comes with an infrared remote to control the stereo functions (though none of the PC functions).

The front of the Mega PC is filled with switches for the stereo functions such as play, rewind, fast forward, power and mode. Also at the front bezel is a lid to cover the CD-ROM drive. It works by being pushed by the optical drive's tray when ejecting a disc. When the tray retracts, a spring in the lid puts it back into position.
Below the LCD is the card reader to which several types of media can be plugged, including memory sticks and memory cards (MMC/CF/SD). You can choose to install a floppy drive by replacing the card reader with the included front panel. Below the card reader is a lid that hides connectors to sound, USB and Firewire.

The rear of the MegaPC is filled with connections as well. Serial and parallel ports are included for legacy support and the standard keyboard and mouse ports are present. Also present are ports for video output (from the onboard graphics), network, modem, USB and sound. Unique to the MegaPC is the AM/FM connection sitting at the rear top right of the case.

An optional part is the PAL TV Tuner from MSI. But unless you find yourself with a TV that can do both PAL and NTSC, it's practically useless for us living in an NTSC-using country. This seriously handicaps the Mega PC's chances as an HTPC platform out of the box, but it can be easily remedied by installing your favorite TV tuner into the PCI slot.

Now let us take a look at the innards of the Mega PC. Its motherboard is based on the antiquated SiS 651 chipset which is already a year old. It supports only up to a 2.8GHz processor and 533MHz FSB. It also supports PC2700 DDR-SDRAM. There is an AGP slot and a PCI slot available for expanding the Mega PC's functionality and two DDR-SDRAM slots with a maximum of 2GB total capacity. The AGP slot allows the Mega PC to be used by enthusiasts as it allows them to plug in their favorite 3D Accelerator. It's true that the integrated video can do 3D, but it's far from fast.

Installation is pretty simple, contrary to popular belief, assembling an SFF PC is just the same as assembling a full desktop PC, only you get to handle cramped spaces. If you've built Micro-ATX computers before, then you should know what to expect. The Mega PC comes with a quick install guide that is idiot proof (at least to this idiot). They even tell you what screw to use.

First off, I switched on HiFi on the Mega PC to try out its FM tuner. The antenna is good enough and the reception is about the same as that of your regular FM radio. My attempts at playing CDs were fruitless, though, as I found out that my Afreey DVD-ROM refuses to cooperate. The drive functions flawlessly in PC functions. It should be noted that MSI doesn't guarantee compatibility for drives other than the ones they make. One caveat in the whole HiFi experience is that the moment you turn on your PC, the HiFi component turns off and the LCD turns into nothing more than a clock. It's true that the FM tuner can still be accessed under Windows by installing the software included in the Mega PC's bundle, but I find it more convenient to be able to just turn on the HiFi to listen or just use the remote for example. In this respect, the Mega PC falls short as it doesn't allow for one to use the PC and the HiFi at the same time.

Now we go to the PC features. The BIOS is nothing new. It's as intuitive and easy to use as that of today's motherboards. Installing Windows is a breeze and there are no special drivers needed during installation. I used Windows XP SP1 for testing. Installing the drivers is a breeze as only one CD contains all of them. The card reader is plug and play as I found out when I put a Smart Media card from my digital camera into a slot.

This PC does what no other SFF PC has done before it. It essentially doubles as a stereo with FM/AM and CD playing capabilities. This and the extended connectivity of the Mega PC coupled with its capability of graphics upgrade makes it appealing to enthusiasts who want a powerful PC on the go.

The Mega PC is successful at bringing home entertainment to the desktop but fails at bringing the PC to the home theater. Face it, the onboard sound totally makes the Mega PC unviable as a replacement for your favorite living room MP3/CD player. The lack of TV input and output out of the box also adds to that. What good is an HTPC if you can't plug it to your TV outright?

As an SFF PC it also falls short with its bad choice of motherboards. The SiS 651 is certainly old and does not support HyperThreading or 800MHz FSB. This can make enthusiasts looking for an easy-to-stow-away gaming rig turn their heads to the competition's direction.
The last blow to the Mega PC's hopes is MSI's own answer to this PC's critics which was unveiled at the recent QuakeCon. Certainly, the upcoming nForce2 IGP version of the Mega PC is a much more viable option for HTPC purposes provided that it succeeds where the Mega PC 651 falls short.

The Mega PC is an indication that MSI is in the right track when it comes to SFF PCs. It runs on a novel concept but is far from perfect. It's a good first try, but it's not yet enough.

 

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