Best Book PC/HTPC platform?

[donerb]

I'm looking for some help regarding a BPC/HTPC platform. Everything I see on the market in 'Book PC' format uses an i810 or older SIS chipset. Is there anything support something on the AMD Duron side of the field (ala an nForce mATX board)? I love the format, but I am concerned about finding a case that will allow the proper connections and whatnot (i.e. 6 channel sound, room for a HD, DVD, floppy).

Any suggestions, points of reference, appreciated.

 

[ghetto buck]

Bump

I'm interested as well, mainly a good micro atx case to house the abit micro atx nforce board or another micro atx nforce. I think thats what your looking for anyways.

nforce is absolutely perfect for htpc. The only board that does real time dd encoding for 5.1 output and has good built in video for the task.

 

[MadRat]

Book PC is a NLX case format. I don't think anyone but VIA and Intel did them.

 

[donerb]

Book PC, since it is not really a bonafide specification, falls under the FlexATX and NLX realm.

However, I did find a nice, low-profile microATX case that allows a bit more flexibility, albeit less finished appearance, than some of the the BookPC/HTPC all-in-one setups currently available (see PC Chips, etc.).

Aopen H340D microATX / flexATX desktop w/ 180W PS

 

[CrackRabbit]

ya beat me to it donerb, Directron also has the Abit NV7M micro-ATX nForce board here, so you can get it all in one stop.

 

[bluemax]

I have to recommend the Casper II again! Still standard uATX as well as regular sized expansion slots! It's a little bigger than a BookPC, but not by much. The standard (GOOD!) expansion options make it worth it!

 

[donerb]

Not bad, so going on current retail prices (some deals dead, but I got in on them):


Abit NV7M ($138 - Newgg)
Duron 1ghz ($60 - Newegg)
80gb HD ($99 - Compusa/Fry's)
256mb PC2100 ($75)
irDA transmitter ($30 - Directron)
===
AOpen H340D MicroATX case ($53 - Directron)
or
Directron CASPER II A102 Micro ATX ($49 - Directron)
===
Zippy Technology IR-710 wireless kb/trackpoint ($60)
Samsung DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive ($93)

So, ~ $610 for a well-rounded HTPC/Web-surf machine. Ouch. Damn good thing I have a number of those items on-hand already (HD, processor, RAM, DVD).

The Intel Sis630e/i810 BookPC combos will run about $40 less, using the same accessories as above.

The lesson here, of course, is having extra components on hand is a boon to creating an inexpensive HTPC!