A Media Center digital entertainment and automation console is not a PC.  You won't be using it for Microsoft Word or email.  A Media Center is a purpose-built appliance that's dedicated to running your home entertainment and automation controls.  In the article, "Life|ware Ready Program Sets Benchmarks for Media Center Consoles", eHomeUpgrade is reporting on a new benchmark and rating system for dealers, like Red Atom Networks, that will guide the choice of Media Center appliance hardware from appropriate vendors.

The rating system breaksdown as follows:

50%- System Performance (speed, sound, image rendering, video processing, etc.)

25%- Environmental Impacts (heat, noise and Media Center Extender performance)

25%- AV Inputs and Outputs (TV tuner cards, HDMI, optical audio, etc.)

This rating system will ensure that your Media Center hardware will be reliable and scalable and also perform to your satisfaction.