It is already common knowledge that integration has now become the buzzword where consumer electronics is concerned.

Think about the mobile phones which are out nowadays. These class of phones no longer function as dedicated phones in themselves, but come integrated with other features, allowing them to function as digital cameras, for example, or portable video players. We now have printers, where before these were dedicated to only work as printers, now having scanner features, with some even boasting fax sending and receiving capabilities. We now see portable audio players in digital cameras, whose main function would be that of taking digital pictures. There are also now modems which also function as routers, with some even boasting wireless router connection capabilities.

Bottom line, integration has become the IN thing nowadays, with the area of entertainment systems being positively affected by this reality in the form of home theatre all in one alternative systems boasted in devices, giving consumers a “best buy” value from the products they purchase.

Here are two of the most popular of them:

Video Game Consoles

Though geared for video gaming functions, the latest of video game consoles coming from the top console makers of the world today feature more than just gaming in their products. Take the Microsoft Xbox 360 for example. Though the device is actually a video game console, it is also a media box which allows users to play either audio or video files. It could read DVD and/or CD disc formats, and an add-on HD DVD reader could be added into its dynamics. The Xbox 360 also has no problems flashing digital images, and even comes with a picture slideshow feature, which could have a background music of user’s choice.

The Xbox 360 is also an internet browser as well. If games are your thing, you could also connect and play with other players on line with it. It comes with USB support, allowing the entering or transfer of files from it, to it, easily. Though it isn’t exactly an all in one theatre system, given that it doesn’t come with a monitor and sound system, it provides enough entertainment support, making it more than just a video game console.

Laptop Computers

Laptop computers are basically the portable variety of personal computer systems. Though you’d think twice about using them as your home theatre entertainment system, you’d be amazed at how efficient and “best buy” laptops are, as they aren’t only geared for work, but for fun as well.

Take for example the Compaq Presario X1000 series. With a native screen resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels, widescreen videos are perfect for viewing with this impressive laptop computer. As crisp and clear its screen is, the Compaq Presario X1000 comes with two JBL Pro speakers, providing the best sound quality ever to be found in a “small package”. Also, the Compaq Presario X1000 comes with a DVD/CD-R combo drive, allowing users to easily burn CD’s and play DVDs.

Its optical storage features is, of course, upgradable to DVD burning capacities, as well as HD DVD readers. With a base 60 gigabyte hard drive, users could easily store tons of compressed audio files, and play them using whatever software they wish to use. As laptop computers come, doing work with the Compaq Presario X1000 is something that is simply natural for it. Email your reports, send messages to friends and family, compose memos, input database entries into your favourite worksheet application, the Compaq Presario X1000 is simply a work/home entertainment system in itself.

Of course, these two aren’t the only electronics out there which stand to have integrated home theatre features. There are other products out there, boasting even more benefits, sure to make you think twice about spending all your money in a dedicated home theatre system, when there is the cheap, no less effective, alternative in video game consoles and laptop computers.