Amazon.com: HP Media Center m1280n Photosmart PC (Intel Pentium 4 Processor 640, 1 GB RAM, 300 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Drive): Computers & Accessories

Technical Details

Intel Pentium 4 Processor 640, 1 GB RAM
300 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD-RW Drive

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Bring together the worlds of entertainment and information technology with the HP Media Center m1280n desktop PC. This powerful digital entertainment hub enables you to watch and record your favorite TV programs, easily edit digital video, and create your own CDs and DVDs (including 8.5 GB dual layer discs). It also offers a variety of HP multimedia features, including LightScribe direct disc labeling, Image Zone photo editing and management software, and HP camera dock holder. The m1280n features a gargantuan 300 GB hard drive, 1 GB of installed RAM, 3.4 GHz hyper-threaded Pentium 4 processor, and multiformat memory card reader.

The Basics

Hard Drive: The massive 300 GB Serial ATA hard drive (7200 RPM) offers a wealth of storage space, perfect for storing a vast multimedia collection or for editing digital video.
Processor: The hyper-threaded Intel Pentium 4 640 processor (3.4 GHz) allows a single CPU system to behave in some aspects like a dual-CPU system, helping to deliver faster transistors and increased performance. It also features a 512 KB L2 cache and a blazingly fast 800 MHz front-side bus speed, which measures how fast a processor and the main memory communicate. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance.)
A Hyper-Threading processor helps a PC to run multiple demanding applications at the same time. This technology enables the processor to execute two threads (a part of a program) in parallel, boosting performance during key high-drain procedures. This results in more efficient software performance (such as faster reaction times in gaming applications) and enhanced multitasking.
Memory: The 1 GB of installed RAM (PC2700) is a very good start for this multimedia-centric desktop PC, but you'll want to take advantage of the ultra-roomy 4 GB of total RAM capacity (2 x 2 GB) for such multimedia needs as video editing and immersive 3D gaming.
CD/DVD Drive: Offering the latest in DVD writing technology, the multiformat DVD/CD drive is compatible with both DVD+ and DVD- disc formats as well as dual-layer DVD+R discs, which can store up to 8.5 GB of data. It features 16x DVD+R, 8x DVD-R, 4x DVD+/-RW, 2.4x DVD+R DL, 16x DVD-ROM, 40x CDR, 24x CDRW, and 40x CD-ROM ROM speeds. It features the LightScribe direct disc labeling feature, which enables CD, DVD images and disk labels to be permanently etched onto discs--eliminating messy marker-scrawled labels. This desktop also has an additional 48x CD-ROM drive.
Keyboard & Mouse: This desktop comes with an HP two-button, scrolling optical mouse and HP Media Center keyboard with full multimedia control. It also includes a remote control with IR (infrared) receiver.

Graphics and Sound
The ATI Radeon X600 PRO PCI-E is a strong performer, powerful enough to run one large virtual screen across two displays. It features 256 MB of dedicated video RAM, S-Video and the higher-fidelity DVI connections out, and PCI Express x16 support, which enables graphics to process faster. It also features the integrated Intel High Definition audio chip (Azalia), featuring THX certification and 8 channels for full Dolby 5.1/6.1/7.2 surround sound with Dolby Pro Logic IIx.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The m1280n has three PCI expansion slots (one available), two external 5.25 drive bays (occupied), 1 internal 3.5 drive bay (occupied), one AGP (accelerated graphics port, occupied) slot and the following external ports:

6 USB 2.0 ports (2 in front, 4 in rear) for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
2 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link; 1 front and 1 back) ports for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
1 parallel port for connecting older printers and scanners
1 serial port
2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
1 VGA/DVI monitor port
Composite video, S-Video, and audio inputs
HP Personal Media Drive bay (which can accept HP's Personal Media mini hard drive, which slides right into the chassis and provides easy access to all your multimedia files for transfer to a notebook or use with a compatible stereo)
9-in-1 media card reader on the front, compatible with CompactFlash (Type I and II), MicroDrive, SmartMedia, Memory Stick/Memory Stick Pro, MultiMedia Card, Secure Digital, and XD Picture Card

It includes an integrated 56K modem (V.90) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Preloaded System and Software
The pre-installed Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 is essentially Windows XP Professional Edition with a variety of tools to help you to create, organize, and enjoy digital media ranging from music to home movies to photo slide shows. Additionally, it enables you to control your television with the included remote and record and pause programs (much like a DVR--or digital video recorder--such as Tivo or ReplayTV). With the 300 GB hard drive, you'll be able to record and store up to 180 hours of video programming. It's compatible with cable, digital cable, satellite TV and antenna inputs, and it includes an FM tuner.

The included HP Image Zone Plus photo and imaging software makes it easy to organize, edit, share, print, protect, and store your photos and video clips. Organize and find your photos easily by timeline, keywords, and/or location using the unique photo-globe mapping tool. Remove red eye and fix other common problems. Share your photos quickly via e-mails that include thumbnails with links to the full-sized images--without downloading time-consuming attachments.

Other preloaded software includes InterVideo WinDVD Creator and WinDVD SE player, Apple iTunes, Sonic RecordNow, Norton AntiVirus 2005 and Personal Firewall 2004 (with 60 days of live updates), Microsoft Works 8.0, MSN Encarta Standard, Microsoft Money, and Quicken 2004 New User Edition.

What's in the Box
This package contains the HP Media Center m1280n desktop PC, keyboard, mouse, remote control, HP Personal media drive, and power cord. It is backed by a 1-year limited warranty.