Thoughts, HEXUS.awards & HEXUS.right2reply
A look at the Cubik GamePro's specifications sheet highlighted a decent array of high-end components housed in one of the best Shuttle XPCs currently available. MV would have to do something drastically wrong not to produce a decent gaming-orientated cube from the impressive barebones beginnings. A sensible choice of additions, comprising of a GeForce 6800 GT graphics card, 250GB SATA hard drive, multi-format, dual-layer DVD ReWriter, card reader, and 1GB Corsair XMS RAM, leave very few weaknesses in the GamePro's armour. MV further allows the customer to increase the GamePro's flexibility by installing Microsoft's slick Media Centre pack, alongside a digital TV tuner and remote control.The £1,127 (inc. VAT) asking price sounds astronomical for just a base unit that's barely larger than a toaster. However, adding up the internal parts and taking software costs into account, MV's charging around £150 for the assembling, installation, and 3-year warranty support that you wouldn't receive with a self-build approach. Is it worth it, then? For an experience builder who likes to go their own way, probably not. For everyone else who wants a sexy, svelte, quiet, small form-factor PC that's ideally geared up towards gaming, and who was £1,100 burning a hole in their wallet, the answer has to be yes.
Being picky, I'd like a dedicated sound card to be included in the asking price, would prefer MV to ship the GamePro with 54g wireless installed, and would pray for a sample that overclocked better than the review model. Being a gaming model, the inclusion of a decent, new gaming title wouldn't hurt the meagre bundle. That aside, MV's component choice and reasonable asking price makes the GamePro an attractive proposition for the consumer that wants both substance and style in one beautiful package. Just add in a TFT and a set of speakers and off you go. £1,100+ is a hell of a lot of money for a base unit, but the MV Cubik GamePro is hell of a looker and performer, too.
HEXUS Awards
HEXUS Right2Reply
Alasdair Bailey, MV Product Manager, provided the following HEXUS Right2Reply response:
We appreciate HEXUS' comments about extras such as discrete soundcard and WiFi but unfortunately the budget doesn't leave any room for these. Our 3 year warranty is insurance backed so is a fixed up front cost to us although it does give our customers peace of mind that warranty will be honoured no matter what may happen to MV.
Alasdair Bailey
Product Manager
MV
