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FIC makes play for slimmest media centre PC

GE2 closing on on Aopen?

Computex 2006 First International (FIC) this week demo'd its upcoming bit to displace Aopen at the top of the mini-PC totem pole: the GE2, a 4.2cm high, 17.2 x 22.6cm footprint Viiv-branded Windows Media Center system.

Like Aopen's MP945-VXR, the 1.3kg GE2 is pitched as a 'mobile on desktop' machine. It's based on a Core Duo processor - FIC expects to equip the box with a number of versions of the chip - and Intel's 945GM notebook-oriented integrated chipset. Technically, it's a Centrino box too: there's an Intel ProWireless 3945ABG Wi-Fi adaptor on board too. Bluetooth 2.0 is part of the spec too.

Memory comes courtesy of a pair of 667MHz DDR 2 SO-DIMMs, and the GE2 will also ship with either a DVD±RW drive or a DVD-ROM/CD-RW unit, both of them slot-loading. There's a SATA hard drive in there too.

first international ge2 mini media centre pc

For living-room locations, the GE2 has S-video, composite-video and DVI-I outputs. FIC plans to offer an optional TV tuner add-in. The box also has FireWire, USB, Gigabit Ethernet parts, plus an S/PDIF output and 3.5mm audio sockets. Transfer photos over with the four-in-one memory card reader.

FIC wouldn't say when the GE2 will go on sale - or say how much the machine will cost. However, a company spokeswoman indicated the mini PC will ship very soon. ®

Full Computex coverage at Reg Hardware

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