AOpen XC Cube AV P3.4 Media PC review

Whether this system appeals or not will hinge largely on the buyer’s graphics demands. If even occasional gaming is on the to-do list, then JAL’s Daphne is more suitable, and it’s cheaper too. But doing without the graphics card allows InstantON in return, and this makes the XC Cube a versatile and attractive entertainer. It’s let down by the screen, though, so it’s worth considering PC Nextday’s cheaper 3GHz Pentium version with 512MB of storage and a 160GB hard disk (£495), and adding your own monitor and peripherals. And for those interested in DIY, the chassis is also available in a barebones form for £207.