Asus A33: Media Center PC with integrated hi-fi amp

You can always count on Asus to come up with interesting twists on old themes. Leather laptops? Check. Lamborghini-branded machines? Got 'em. External graphics cards for 3D-deficient laptops? Yup.

Its latest innovation comes in the form of a Media Center desktop with a built-in 500W amplifier. The A33 is designed to connect to your high-end hi-fi speakers, at which point it can chuck out some serious 7.1 surround sound. Also interesting is the fact it has one HDMI input and a pair of HDMI outs, so you can connect it to other AV kit, such as a PlayStation 3.

It doesn't end there, either. The A33 will ship with Windows Vista Home Premium, which has Media Center, but there will also be an alternative OS -- Linux plus Moxi.

This boots up in no time flat, runs reliably and works a little like the TiVo PVR.

The A33 will cost around €1500 (about £1,000) and will, fingers crossed, launch before summer.

Update: A full review of the Asus A33 is now available on the site. -RR