Asrock CoreHT 252B Review

The Core i5-2520M driving the ASRock nettop is much quicker than the competition, and can even compete against some desktops for processing power. It far exceeds the rest in the Tom's Hardware test, without being much louder or more power hungry. It even handles Blu-ray 3D and comes with a remote control. There is a premium to pay for the compact size and power though.

The CoreHT 252B combines NAS functionality, an entertainment hub and the innards of a 'proper' PC, making it a superb, if pricey, one-box digital media solution. TechRadar loved its dinky size, near silent operation and performance, but also had some reservations concerning the lack of an IR receiver or of any kind of Blu-ray software, as well as pointing out that it runs very hot.