ViewSonic M2000 DIGITAL MEDIA CENTER 2.8GHZ 160GB DVD RW/CD RW (ViewSonic-M2000)

WHAT'S HOT: ViewSonic, better known as a monitor manufacturer, has released its first PC, the M2000, an entertainment system with Windows XP Media Center Edition. Its silver compact case is small enough to fit onto the shelf of a typical stereo cabinet. Alternatively, a support base allows the case to stand vertically like a typical minitower system.

As with other Media Center PCs, this M2000 has TiVo-like functionality. It can record and play digital music, as well as manage digital images. A wireless keyboard and remote control lets you surf and click from the comfort of your recliner.

ViewSonic includes a beefy array of components to take advantage of the operating system. To record TV shows or store video or music files, the system provides a 160GB hard drive--a bit more storage than you'll find on a personal video recorder like a TiVo. According to ViewSonic, it's enough to record up to 140 hours of TV. To save room, the M2000 has no floppy drive, but it includes a DVD-R/RW drive, and like many PCs we've reviewed lately, it has a front-mounted card reader that accepts CompactFlash, SD/MMC, SmartMedia, and Memory Stick cards.

No Media Center PC would be worth much without a high-performing monitor. The Viewsonic VX900 19-inch LCD delivered splendid colors even from side angles (unlike many LCDs).

The PC comes equipped with plenty of input and output ports, too, for hooking up a veritable electronic paradise of entertainment devices. Our review model came with no less than ten different kinds of cables to accommodate a television, a cable or satellite set-top box, a camcorder, a digital camera, or a VCR. The system has three USB 2.0 ports (one up front; two on back) and two FireWire ports (one on front; one on back).

WHAT'S NOT: Getting inside our test model proved a bit frustrating and more than a little time consuming. You'll need to remove several small screws, one on each corner of the back, before lifting off the case. Once inside, the interior is stuffed to the gills with components and wires. Because its case is so compact, the system doesn't have any open slots or drive bays for additional memory, an extra hard drive, or a removable media drive.

The wireless keyboard's built-in mouse functions will likely frustrate many users. The three primary control buttons--located in the top corners of the smaller-than-average keyboard--are sensitive to the touch, but aren't precise enough when selecting tasks or desktop items such as the Start menu. The buttons were especially frustrating during a session of Return to Castle Wolfenstein, when we couldn't respond quickly enough to fire off accurate shots in battle. Plus, we found that we could easily block the keyboard's line-of-site transmission when we propped up our feet in front of the system. If you want to play games, invest in a traditional mouse--you'll have more control and a better gaming experience.

Unlike many Media Center PCs we've tested, the M2000 doesn't include a set of speakers. If you plan to connect it to an existing home theatre setup, you won't need them; otherwise, expect to pay $200 to $400 for a high-end set that supports 5.1-channel sound.

WHAT ELSE: Equipped with a 2.8-GHz Pentium 4 CPU and 512MB of 266-MHz DDR SDRAM, the M2000 earned a score of 118 on our PC WorldBench 4 tests--seven points behind the only similarly configured system we've tested, the ABS Media Center PC 8500, which uses the same processor but DDR333 memory.

Considering that some of its features will be new for many buyers, we expected a better user's manual. ViewSonic's documentation consists of a setup poster and a hardware user's guide that outlines major components and features; however, it lacks detailed instructions. The manual does provide basic illustrations for setting up a TV, VCR, plasma display, and a set of 5.1 surround-sound speakers.

UPSHOT: ViewSonic's spiffy new Media Center PC suits homes looking for an entertainment center at a relatively low price. Just bring your own speakers and a USB mouse.

SUMMARY

ViewSonic M2000 PC WorldBench 4 score of 118, 2.8-GHz Pentium 4 CPU, 512MB of DDR266 SDRAM, Windows XP Media Center Edition, 160GB hard drive, DVD-R/RW drive, EVGA GeForce4 MX 440 graphics with 64MB of DDR SDRAM, 19-inch ViewSonic VX900 LCD monitor, network adapter, compact case. One-year warranty on parts and labor; free 24-hour toll-free support. $2345 888/881-8781 www.viewsonic.com