The appeal of the little black box that can solve all the world's problems with nebulous technology never wanes, but so rarely do we get to see an example of it in real life. MusicXPC however, has managed to fit a monstrously powerful digital audio production computer into a casing that, once they get a look at it, the FBI will almost certainly kill you in order to possess.

The MusicXPC Professional C series -- comprised of the C6 and C6x -- take up a minimal footprint in your work area, but provide enough processing power for demanding multirack projects. Specifications for each include:

Professional C6

• 3.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU
• 1,333 MHz Front Side Bus
• 6MB L2 Cache
• 2 GB DDR2 800 MHz RAM
• GMA 3100 Dual View Graphics Card
• 500 or 750 GB Hard Disk (32MB cache)
• 20X DVD±RW DL SATA Optical Drive
• Six USB 2.0 Ports and Two Firewire Ports

Professional C6x features the same basic specs, but adds:

• 2.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Quad CPU
• 4 GB DDR2 800 MHz RAM
• NVIDIA® GeForce 256 MB Graphics Card

The Professional C series run Windows XP Pro for the ultimate in stability and compatibility, and feature the "magical" Heat pipe convection cooling system -- a fan-free heat sink array that keeps the CPU cool while operating in near-silence. Both models come with a full year warranty and are available at $1,699 for the C6 and $1,999 for the C6x.