ASUS intros mini PC with full HD support

ASUS on Monday revealed its Mini PC Nova Lite PX24, a computer it claims is the world's smallest to offer 1080p, or full HD, playback capability thanks to a dedicated graphics card. Combined with its compact 9.5 by 7.2 by 2 inch size, low 26dB sound levels and touch-button interface, ASUS hopes the PX24 will find its way into living rooms as a high-performance home entertainment center in a small package.

The video capabilities combine with a built-in speaker and 5.1-channel audio support via dedicated optical outputs and a subwoofer connection, while Realtek's Azalia ALC888 sound card enables DTS Connect and Dolby Digital Live support. The former converts PC audio signals into the 5.1-channel DTS format and transports it via a single S/PDIF cable, while the latter does the same for Dolby formats into home theater systems.

The PX24 uses ATI's 620LE VGA graphics chipset, along with NVIDIA's MXM module expansion format for upgrades, making the PX24 a capable gaming platform as well. The 1.2GHz Intel Celeron 220 CPU works with 2GB of memory, while available SATA II hard drives can be had in either 160GB or 250GB capacities. A Windows Vista OS includes Media Center software for navigating multimedia content.

The PX24 offers an HDMI output and DVI-I port that also allows a VGA connection via an adapter. Network and Wi-Fi connections are built-in.

No Blu-Ray optical drive is offered for the PX24, however, as it makes do with a Super Multi DVD drive instead. Neither pricing nor release dates have been announced for the PX24.

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Other story tags: ASUS, HD, home theater, entertainment, PC