Mesiro
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Mesiro Merium media PC has sleek, sexy down pat
Those on the hunt for a pre-fabricated HTPC can't complain about a lack of choices these days, but if you've yet to be taken aback by anything out there, why not give Mesiro's Merium a glance? The standout feature here isn't the 1.66GHz Core 2 Duo T5500 processor, 250GB internal HDD, dual-layer DVD burner, GMA950 graphics accelerator, WiFi, 5-in-1 multicard reader or the bundled MCE remote -- oh no, it's the interchangeable chassis covers (weird, right?). Yep, you can swap out the covers on this rig whenever you feel the urge, ensuring that there's a case for every occasion. Unfortunately, those in America who'd like to get in on this won't appreciate the €999 ($1,578) price tag, and those €55 ($87) faceplates aren't any easier to swallow.[Via MoCo Loco]
Intel announces PC design competition winners
Intel seems to be handing out awards left and right these days, following up its co-sponsorship of a competition with Samsung with the announcement of the winners of its Intel Core Processor Challenge today. This one tasked competitors with designing a system based on Intel's Viiv platform and Core 2 Duo processors, with style also counting for more than a few points. Walking away with the top prize was TriGem Computer's "Black Crystal" home theater PC (pictured above), which proved to be enough to net the company $300,000 to put towards the production of the PC and another $400,000 for marketing and promotion. Coming in second place but not leaving empty handed was Norway's Mesiro, which snagged a cool $300,000 for its slightly less flashy "Asono Merium" system (check it out after the break). Anyone thinking they can do better shouldn't waste too much time getting their act together, as Intel's set to do the whole thing all over again later this year.[Via Crave]
