D.Vine D2 Quiet Media Center

After MCE is installed and configured, just sit back and enjoy all those Freeview TV and radio channels. Then you can download the programme guide to start filling the hard disk with the 140 hours of TV it can hold at standard-quality settings. It's a joy to use and will have you shopping for a more comfortable sofa in no time.

However, there's a downside: the A-Listed Elonex Artisan LX costs £60 less. This arrives already built, has a three-year collect-and-return warranty, 802.11g wireless, more powerful graphics and a wireless keyboard. Anything you have to build yourself (no matter how fun that build may be) should really cost less than an equivalent bought ready built; as this kit costs more, the only obvious reason you'd want it is if you don't like the look of the Artisan. However, this is still an excellent kit, and you may feel that the satisfying result and the experience it will give you are worth the extra outlay.

Author: Clive Webster