RM One Media Center Edition

It's in this market that the RM One makes the biggest splash though. The chassis may not match the looks of the Advent T1 (see issue 123, p58) but it's attractive enough for the classroom. And with the base model - Celeron 2.4GHz, 128MB RAM, 40GB hard disk - starting at £549 (exc VAT) it's a sound choice.

The case is easy to get into, as it's secured by four screws (which can be changed for non-standard security screws). The standard micro-ATX motherboard and layout make it easy to upgrade and maintain. The keyboard and optical mouse are rugged and solidly built too; the optical mouse is especially useful as tracking ball versions often get clogged with grime.

But, as a Media Center home PC, the RM One Media Center Edition is flawed. The screen isn't terrible, but we've seen much better: the Carrera SSC C-Box T2 with its excellent Sharp LL-171G-B springs to mind. It also underperforms in comparison, with the Carrera being faster in both games and applications. Add to this equivalent storage space and DVD-writing capability, and the £250 extra you pay for the RM One begins to make it look less attractive.

Author: Clive Webster