I am planning to cut the cord finally after having enough of paying Cox 100 bucks a month for sub-standard entertainment. I contemplated Roku, WDTV, Apple TV etc. but it seems a dedicated Windows/XBMC box would best cover my needs.
My budget is about $300
1. I already have a spare 500 gb hybrid laptop hard drive and a 3 tb external hard drive and therefore need a system that can accommodate a 2.5" hard drive and has USB 3.0 ports. I do not need an optical drive.
2. Ideally I'd like a pre-assembled box that has everything but a hard drive. However I am not averse to assembling everything if it gives me better price/performance.
3. I would like Windows 7/8 on it with XBMC. My primary uses are uTorrent, Netflix, Amazon Prime and streaming online tv (CNN etc.) through my parents' Verizon FIOS login. I would also like to record some of the shows if possible.
What would be the best hardware for these requirements. I have just started my research and am hoping the experts here can point me in the right direction so I do not make any rookie mistakes just as I begin my cable-less journey.
My budget is about $300
1. I already have a spare 500 gb hybrid laptop hard drive and a 3 tb external hard drive and therefore need a system that can accommodate a 2.5" hard drive and has USB 3.0 ports. I do not need an optical drive.
2. Ideally I'd like a pre-assembled box that has everything but a hard drive. However I am not averse to assembling everything if it gives me better price/performance.
3. I would like Windows 7/8 on it with XBMC. My primary uses are uTorrent, Netflix, Amazon Prime and streaming online tv (CNN etc.) through my parents' Verizon FIOS login. I would also like to record some of the shows if possible.
What would be the best hardware for these requirements. I have just started my research and am hoping the experts here can point me in the right direction so I do not make any rookie mistakes just as I begin my cable-less journey.