Alienware DHS A Series brings style to media PCs

Alienware, our favorite "out-of-this-world" (har) computer maker has just come out with its Media Center PC, the DHS A Series. This newcomer appears to be the line that we first caught wind of earlier this month. The lustrous AMD LIVE! box is loaded up with a D2Audio 1,000 watt amp, HDMI, an Athlon 64 X2 dual-core CPU, a 160GB drive standard and can optionally hold up to 1.5TB. The DHS A Series should start shipping for $1,000 beginning in early 2007, but will certainly cost more if you want to break that terabyte threshold.

[Ian Jardine @ Oct 25th 2006 10:59PM]

Looks prety neat and well priced with all those amps.
But why would you want a media pc (which wouold get out of date in a few years) matched to amps?

[3rdsun @ Oct 25th 2006 11:12PM]

does it have a tape deck

[Eric V @ Oct 25th 2006 11:28PM]

Damn that is sexy.

[bobby koerper @ Oct 25th 2006 11:37PM]

are they for serious?
1$/watt is insane, and that's if there was no computer in there.
seems like they might have a crappy computer combined with an amplifier that might get what, 200w RMS? i mean, a 1000w amplifier /and/ a computer in a case of that size would even pose a huge heat issue even if you could manage the power levels..

so, if you like clean, noise-free power for your speakers, and ease of upgradability in a computer, i think you should stick with a modular system. one that doesnt have an amplifier bringing exaggerated specs in press releases at very least

[Eh @ Oct 25th 2006 11:58PM]

Its nice and classy until your eye wanders to the left and sees that beautiful glowing alien head which Im sure feng shui's your entertainment center to an intergalactic level. Who are they trying to market this thing at?

[hmurchison @ Oct 26th 2006 11:16AM]

Eh you are so correct. I liked the unit until I saw the tacky Alienware head on the left. That faux pas alone will prevent home theatre buffs from putting this in their racks unless it's hidden.

Adding the amp is nice. D2 technology is very efficient and it can reduce the need for that seperate AVR although I doubt this box has decent enough preamp abilities.

[Amnesia @ Oct 26th 2006 12:50AM]

What's the amp for? Why would I want to connect a Media Center PC directly to speakers instead of using my receiver?

[Intrepid @ Oct 26th 2006 4:35AM]

Now that is sexy machinery. Makes a MacBook look like a lunchbox.

[Brian Binnerup @ Oct 26th 2006 7:11AM]

Well, actually maching an amp with a Media Center makes much sense.

If one uses a Media Center for everything related to an amp, then it makes sense at you do not have to power on two units, select inputs, power off both units and so on.

Simplify Digital has amp that turns on and off via. USB, and only is an amp without a receive part - generally this is the same thing, it's just been put into the HTPC case.

With that said, when advertising it as 1000 watt, they sure don't know anything about amps, because that's simpli not possible within that case!

[Lauge @ Oct 26th 2006 7:12AM]

This thing is as sexy as a Rosie'O'Donnell.

[Chuin @ Oct 26th 2006 8:03AM]

Holy frack! I want this in my spaceship asap.

I have an alienware desktop and it never failed or crashed once, like other previous computers. When you are actually working and creating media on the machine it feels like you're rolling down the highway in a mack truck ready to take out anything in the way. The Dell I have at work is a new dual core and doesn't compare. It's more like an Accord crusing down the street that will stop for a pedestrian. That is why Alienware is my top choice for any type of hardware.

[CoolKidd @ Oct 26th 2006 8:38AM]

That is some nice design...

Can I just buy the case? :-)

[SteveB @ Feb 4th 2007 7:21AM]

Doesn't matter you can't buy this anywhere. I always hear about these stupid Alienware Media Centers but who the hell is selling them? You WON'T find this on alienware.com.