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this post was submitted on 08 Apr 2024
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Great video. Haven't finished it yet, but did he ever explain why you'd want your media center to be luggable? I feel like if they'd ditched the screen and keyboard they would have something better than a modern streaming box except in 2006, but maybe they sold something like that too.
The keyboard was designed for using on the couch, so that makes sense to include. The battery doesn't make sense, but the rest of it sorta does. It's trying to be a uni-tasker device, and act as both your main desktop computer, as well as a couch-based media center, and even a music player to use from anywhere in the house thanks to the Bluetooth remote.
I guess it doesn't specifically need to be luggable to do those tasks, but the integrated monitor and small size isn't unwanted in a living room PC. But definitely not critical.
I'm trying to picture how the other room music is supposed to work. Are you cranking the volume on your TV speakers loud enough to hear in the other toom, or using the PC to control an extra set or far away speakers, or did people used to wire their houses with everywhere speakers controlled from a single receiver?
For your last question: some people still do. For the rest: Bluetooth remote, Bluetooth speakers. This was back when the Bluetooth emphasis was on range, versus now its on power savings. Building materials are still the biggest issue affecting the range and quality experience, but reaching the next room or two was usually no big deal when this thing was made.