It's bordering on the ridiculous how long I've waited. The old computer that I've used as a media PC is sick. very sick. It's taking up space behind the TV in the living room. Well before we spent the winter away, the ancient desktop was acting up. It may have a bad RAM chip but Windows diagnostics always says they're okay. Perhaps, there's a fault with the motherboard itself. Regardless, we can seldom get through an entire Netflix movie without a sudden reboot. Considering all the years that old computer has run, I feel as though I most assuredly have gotten my money's worth. Right now the current beast is still running an evaluation copy of Windows 8. It nags me to upgrade every time it's switched on.
I have been on the look out for a mini-pc or net-top as a replacement. Asus doesn't seem to have any Windows 8 models selling in Canada yet. To me, Win8 is the perfect OS for a TV screen. I can continue to run a VPN to access media without geographic restriction. Also, the new user-interface seems ideal on a modern widescreen that's more than two meters away. It seemed there were very few devices which met my needs.
Just minutes ago, I noticed that Lenovo builds an Ideacentre Q190. At first looks, it seems exactly what I desire. I'll have to spend a little time searching around to see if, indeed, it's what I need. I hope so. I'd so like to enjoy an entire evening of entertainment without interruption.