Pcalchemy, a relatively unproven entrant into the computer hardware market, is trying to make more room on your desk. With its new M1B, M1S, and M2B media center models, you can hold one powerful, teeny-weeny computer in the palm of your hand. The smallest of the slick MiniMCE models, the M1B comes in at a mere 6.5-inches square and 2 inches high. Although the M1S and M2B do increase in size a bit, the difference is  negligible considering the size of comparable products in the wild.

But size isn't Pcalchemy's only selling point. Each model ships with the 1.83-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5600, a wireless keyboard, and a small IR remote. The company also throws in 1GB of RAM and a 100-GB SATA hard drive to store the countless movies and music people will want to store in this miniature powerhouse. An added bonus: The machine will ship with Nero 6.6 Suite 3 and a powered USB 2.0 port expander, so you can burn and plug all day long. But for all the nice options Pcalchemy included in the MiniMCE, it includes just an analog tuner. You can get an HDTV tuner separately, but it connects via USB only, and it'll run you an extra 60 bucks.

With a price of $1,199 for each model and a nice set of components, Pcalchemy looks like it is on the right track to gaining market share in a largely Apple-controlled market. But for all of the good (and there is quite a bit of that), a standard HDTV tuner sure would have been nice.

Post by Don Reisinger.