Best Front End for XBMC?

I'll be purchasing a NAS in the next few months which will be used almost exclusively for media, and I was wondering what the best front end for XBMC would be. I was looking at the Apple TV 2, but unfortunately, the 2nd gen. is wayy overpriced from 3rd party sellers, and the 3rd gen isn't hackable yet. I don't have much to spend, especially since I already own a PS3, but the folder menu system is just too clunky for the amount of media I have. I was looking for something at under $200. Anyone have any suggestions?

If you're sure you can't spend more than $200, get a Apple TV1, install a crystal HD card, download crystalbuntu for free, and enjoy.

(2012-05-03 06:32)maddog808 Wrote:  If you're sure you can't spend more than $200, get a Apple TV1, install a crystal HD card, download crystalbuntu for free, and enjoy.

If I could spend more than $200, what would you recommend?

I run a Zotac Zbox with 2gb of memory, no hard drive, and boot OpenELEC from a 16gb flash drive. All my media is fed from my unraid server. I think it set me back all of 250 dollars recently. The version of the zbox that I purchased even came with a remote and an ir receiver, so it had everything ready to go. I'm not new to OpenELEC as I've used it in the past for systems for friends, but it's still stupid simple to get up and running in about 10 minutes tops. Plus, it just flat out works, and works really well. If you're just looking for an XBMC appliance type solution and don't need any other means of computing, that would be my recommendation.

(2012-05-03 13:30)TRiddle Wrote:  I run a Zotac Zbox with 2gb of memory, no hard drive, and boot OpenELEC from a 16gb flash drive. All my media is fed from my unraid server. I think it set me back all of 250 dollars recently. The version of the zbox that I purchased even came with a remote and an ir receiver, so it had everything ready to go. I'm not new to OpenELEC as I've used it in the past for systems for friends, but it's still stupid simple to get up and running in about 10 minutes tops. Plus, it just flat out works, and works really well. If you're just looking for an XBMC appliance type solution and don't need any other means of computing, that would be my recommendation.

+10

(2012-05-03 12:39)nolegrl Wrote:  

(2012-05-03 06:32)maddog808 Wrote:  If you're sure you can't spend more than $200, get a Apple TV1, install a crystal HD card, download crystalbuntu for free, and enjoy.

If I could spend more than $200, what would you recommend?

A6 3500 $75
Some mobo around $65 (or $90 if you need itx)
Case and psu around $70
Memory $20
If you can swing it, ~64gb SSD around $70, otherwise just any old HDD

(2012-05-03 13:30)TRiddle Wrote:  I run a Zotac Zbox with 2gb of memory, no hard drive, and boot OpenELEC from a 16gb flash drive. All my media is fed from my unraid server. I think it set me back all of 250 dollars recently. The version of the zbox that I purchased even came with a remote and an ir receiver, so it had everything ready to go. I'm not new to OpenELEC as I've used it in the past for systems for friends, but it's still stupid simple to get up and running in about 10 minutes tops. Plus, it just flat out works, and works really well. If you're just looking for an XBMC appliance type solution and don't need any other means of computing, that would be my recommendation.

Thanks for the suggestion! I was considering the Nettops, but the ones I had looked at (Acer) were all over 300+ and, to me, that's not cheap. I've never heard of that brand, but I found these two on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004WO8...B004WO8O9Y

http://www.amazon.com/Zbox-Sff-Fusion-E3...4KHSRKUK48

I'm leaning towards the one with the hdd since it's not that much more so I can start/store torrents remotely. I'm not sure if a NAS will allow me to do that without a computer running. That's not something I was inititially looking for, but if I'm going to buy a $200 mini desktop, might as well use it for more than a media center.

(2012-05-03 16:00)beetlesnack Wrote:  

(2012-05-03 12:39)nolegrl Wrote:  

(2012-05-03 06:32)maddog808 Wrote:  If you're sure you can't spend more than $200, get a Apple TV1, install a crystal HD card, download crystalbuntu for free, and enjoy.

If I could spend more than $200, what would you recommend?

A6 3500 $75
Some mobo around $65 (or $90 if you need itx)
Case and psu around $70
Memory $20
If you can swing it, ~64gb SSD around $70, otherwise just any old HDD

Thanks for the suggestion, but I'd rather buy something pre-built for that much money.

Just scored a refurb Apple TV 2 from Apple.com for $69! This was my preferred method (since it worked and was cheap), and I can't believe they went back in stock! Thank you for the suggestions everyone!

(2012-05-03 18:24)nolegrl Wrote:  Just scored a refurb Apple TV 2 from Apple.com for $69! This was my preferred method (since it worked and was cheap), and I can't believe they went back in stock! Thank you for the suggestions everyone!

link? i cant find it