Get a Small HTPC with Blu-Ray…
For an extremely reasonable price!
AOpen’s latest MiniPC, the MP45-DR, is pretty neat. Not only do most of the employees at Logic Supply use these computers as their desktop machines, but they also buy them as gifts for their family and friends. And with good reason. These systems offer HDMI (both digital audio and video via an included DVI to HDMI adapter), bootable eSATA port, and wireless connectivity. Not to mention, the MP45 series is designed around Intel’s Montevina platform (45nm processing technology, improved integrated graphics, faster FSB, GM45 chipset with DDR2 800 and DDR3 800/1066 support etc.). And, the MiniPC is super energy-efficient for a HTPC platform, drawing less than 90W of power.
For a limited time, AOpen is offering these systems with an integrated Blu-ray drive (see the MP45-BDR). We received quite a good deal on these, and we are sharing that with our customers. It’s the holidays, what can we say? For about $30 more than the cost of an MP45-DR, you can get a Blu-ray drive (DVD readable/writable, too). Not too bad, considering the price of Blu-ray drives.
AOpen has posted a video clip on its site featuring the MP45 on YouTube here.
As I look outside at the Nor’easter currently dumping snow on the ground, curling up in front of one these with a copy of Dark Knight on Blu-ray sounds mighty fine right now.
I have a problem with the MP45-D, purchased from you, in that the optical drive slot is level with the rough metal outer casing, causing the lower, optical face of a disc to scrape on it when inserted or removed, causing severe scratches. Have you seen this problem? Is there some modification I can perform to raise the DVD drive a little? Even a millimeter or two would do it. Raising the entire drive assembly might work but I think it could cause a problem with the gold fingers of the drive connector not fully inserting into the motherboard slot — they barely go in now. Otherwise it’s a terrific machine.
Hi Dan,
Thanks for the comment. One of our computer techs ran into this issue the other day. He loosened the screws that hold the drive and pushed the entire drive as high up into the tray as possible. He then re-tightened the screws. The screw holes don’t allow too much room for movement, but just enough to make a small difference.
The other thing is to make sure that the edges on the drive mounting tray aren’t bent. This might create an issue as well.
Hope this helps!
Kristina,
That worked, thanks! Since they’re simply aligned holes it didn’t seem like there was any possibility of adjustment there so it was the one thing I didn’t try. Just as you said: I flipped over the drive assembly, loosened the optical drive screws, applied slight pressure with my fingers while retightening. The difference was undetectable until I reinstalled and saw that there is indeed a proper amount of clearance there now.
This is a tremendous little machine and now I couldn’t be happier with it.