Software and Manual
As you can see, a quick check of System Properties shows that we are indeed FX-51 powered and running with 1GB of memory. Here's the relevant device manager shots showing the important system components.
As far as operating system setup went, the machine was setup much like the UltraStation. The hard drive was partitioned as one big single volume, differing from the UltraStation by the fact that a smaller backup and restore partition, with the DriveImage restore image, wasn't present. With no removable reinstallation media provided just like the UltraStation, it's marks off for Time again. I'm yet to confirm whether that's a peculiarity specific to review samples of their hardware, it would be wise calling Time to confirm that reinstallation media comes with a default Platina purchase without any extra support options.
Windows XP Professional is Time's choice of operating system for the Platina and given the hardware specification and the target audience, it's the correct choice. Service Pack 1 was installed, along with all current Windows Update patches, something I'm glad to see again. However in terms of basic user and PC security, the Platina falls down. The Windows XP firewall is disabled by default, something I was hoping Time would enable before shipping. Service Pack 2 will enable it by default. The system was configured with a single Administrator class account with no password, that auto logs in.
The Time user manual, present this time, details creation of new restricted user accounts, along with general system maintenance and a section on getting to know the hardware. The user guide for connecting everything together is hardware specific for the bundle options you choose, a nice touch. It's recommend that new users to Windows XP Professional take a look at the Time manual when they get started, it's a decent introduction to XP and using a PC, well written and specific to the hardware. One of the highlights of the Platina package for sure.
Application software is limited to a copy of Pinnacle InstantCD+DVD and the Audigy user software. There's no configured office suite of any kind, preinstalled or otherwise. At the very least, on this class of system, I'd expect to see even a basic office suite installed and setup for the user. I voiced the same concerns in the UltraStation article, they are valid here too.
The Creative software is worth talking about, if only to cover the fact that the Audigy 2 ZS is THX certified and a natty THX setup panel is available for getting the most out of the card and speaker setup. I'm not sure if the T7700's are THX certified too, but they appear perfectly servicable for that, should the THX certification requirements not dictate the need for an outlandish speaker setup.
All in all a decently setup system out of the box, although majorly light on bundled software, something that's disappointing given the price point. While you can specify extra software options when you buy a Platina, it would have been nice to see some kind of basic video capture software (FireWire is present) and an office suite at the very least, rolled into the overall system cost.
Click for image of Pinnacle InstantCD+DVD (approx. 37KB)
Click for image of the surround sound mixer applet (approx. 31KB)
Click for image of the THX applet (approx. 36KB)
