Do you know any PC makers that supply quiet PCs off the shelf? I don't want to use it in a music studio, just in my bedroom. Chris Whitbread
There are a few PC manufacturers that supply quiet PCs for home users, typically Windows Media Center PCs for use in the living room. Good examples include Germany's Hush Technologies, which also supplies quiet business machines, the D.Vine Quiet Media Center recommended by QuietPC and the hi-fi style Elonex Artisan LX.
Otherwise, most new, well-made PCs seem to be pretty quiet, but if you are unlucky enough to get one of the noisier examples, manufacturers could be unwilling to take it back. You can increase your chances of getting a quiet system by choosing one powered by an Intel Pentium M processor (designed for notebooks) and an ITX or BTX motherboard, and by avoiding high-speed graphics cards. Fast chips tend to run hot, which leads to increased fan noise. Apple's Mac Mini is extremely quiet and could be a good option if it runs the software you need.
