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Conclusion
The Soyo SY-P4VAL Version M exceeded all of my
expectations. The new BIOS Multi-Media features worked flawlessly and
you'll be able to take full advantage of them if you opt for the soon to be
released bundle that includes the compatible TV Tuner and Remote. The
ability to gain access to your multi-media devices without the need for an
operating system is quite genius. The
motherboard itself is feature-packed and offers you just about everything
including onboard audio and video. Its performance was good, especially
when compared to other motherboards in its class. For those who crave
the extra power, it supports up to a 3.06GHz Pentium 4 processor.
The only thing I would have liked was for it to be a Micro ATX motherboard.
This is the first in a series of products from Soyo that will target the media
center market so perhaps a future release will be offered in a Micro ATX form
factor. It's an affordable all-in-one multimedia solution that would
make an excellent entertainment PC or even a second PC for the home.
The Soyo SY-P4VAL Version M will have a
standalone price of only $69. It will also be offered complete with a
compatible TV tuner card, remote control and remote receiver for an MSRP of
only $129.99. The motherboard will be available starting March 9th.
More information on this board can be found on
the
SOYO website.
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Pros |
Cons |
- Unique "Instant On" Feature
- No OS required
- Onboard Features
- Good Performance
- User-friendly BIOS
- Bundled Extras
- Affordable
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Coming from someone who is really into
technology, it really does impress me when a company puts forth the extra
effort to release a product that is so innovative and unlike all others on the
market. A company who stays one step ahead of the competition and
listens to what the consumer really wants. For this, the Soyo SY-P4VAL
earns our highest recommendation and Extreme Excellence Award.
Questions? Comments?
Discuss them here!
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