Dropbox, Windows Live Mesh, Splashtop HD, Spotify, Logitech Media Server and other apps ran simultaneously behind Media Center and other apps without stressing the system.

ENGADGET: How-to: Build a multi-talented HTPC for (roughly) $1,000

In contrast, Windows Live Mesh and SplashTop HD ran like a dream and made it easy to access and control the computer from a Windows laptop, Macbook Pro, HTC Flyer and various Android smartphones.

ENGADGET: How-to: Build a multi-talented HTPC for (roughly) $1,000

Microsoft has countered Adobe's AIR and Flex technologies with its own development tools called Live Mesh and Silverlight. (Sun Microsystems in May launched similar technology called JavaFX, and Google has a tool out called Gears.) Microsoft has 4 million software developers already using its .

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