Free (!) Media Centre

Rather than sell my baby for a paltry $300 (if I can get that), I think I'm going to do this with it:

12-inch PowerBook made into a Media Center

- clean install of the basic Mac OS 10.4 (no printer drivers, no language packs, nothing but the basic stuff). Then install only the iPhoto part of the iLife suite and download iTunes.

- thanks to the Front Row Enabler, install Front Row in the 12-inch PowerBook.

- improvise and install Darwiin Remote for using a Wii remote on the Mac, which works perfectly on Front Row! (There are plenty of options that are even compatible with Front Row — this Keyspan remote being one of the best.)

- remove battery and plug in Powerbook in a well-ventilated area.

Issue: Front Row’s (and iTunes’) inability to stream content from other computers (when it should do so!). Alternative: add an external HD so that the content is stored locally in the computer.

The basics of a media center Mac are explained right here.