This (unofficial) website contains details about the Medion MD8083 computer, which went on sale at Aldi stores across the UK on April 1st 2004. Please see the main page first if you are new to this site.

A look around the case: Inputs and Outputs
Starting on the front of the case, at the top we have the DVD RW, which is hidden behind a sprung flap. Below that is the DVD reader drive, which again is hidden behind a sprung flap.

Below the DVD drives is the "Connect XL" flap, which can be slid downwards by pressing gently on the ridge which is at the top of it (there's a small embossed arrow on it). Pressing this makes the flap slide downwards and slightly outwards so as it clears the casing below.

Within this "Connect XL" panel you have a selection of inputs and outputs...

• 2 USB2 ports
• 1 Firewire (there's a large and small version, but only one can be used at a time)
• Video In sockets - S-video and Composite (yellow socket)
• Aux In sockets - Composite Left and Right (white and red sockets), and a 3.5mm stereo jack (blue socket)
• Microphone and Headphone sockets - both 3.5mm jack sockets
• SmartMedia/XD memory card slot
• Compact Flash memory card slot
• Memory Stick memory card slot
• SD/MMC memory card slot
• Smart Card reader slot

Below this is the blanking plate for the position of a 3.5inch floppy disk drive, however there is no floppy drive fitted to the MD8083.

Sliding the front flap back up to it's closed position is simply a matter of putting your thumb/fingers under the silver ridge and pushing it back upwards. It should slide slightly inwards as it gets near to the closed position, and there will be a click as it locks shut. If it doesn't "lock" shut it will slide back down again.

Just above the Medion logo which is at the bottom right of the machine, you have the Power button, which is circular and has an embosed representation of the globe. This has a blue LED light which rings around the outside of it and lights up when the PC is switched on.

Back of the PC
Now on to the rear of the PC, where there's a huge number of connectors...

Starting at the top, we have the Power connector - Euro style plug, as used by almost all current PC's. (It's the same sort of lead that you get on a kettle). There's also a standard toggle switch for the mains power, On and Off.

• Serial communications port
• Parallel printer port
• 2 SPDIF optical digital audio sockets - Out at the top, and In below
• 2 SPDIF digital audio sockets - Out on the left, and In on the right
• 4 USB2 sockets
• 10/100mbps ethernet socket
• 1 Firewire 6-pin socket
• Speakers (Back Surround) - 3.5mm jack plug socket (purple)
• Audio input (Line In, Recording) - 3.5mm jack plug socket (blue)
• Microphone input - 3.5mm jack plug socket (pink)
• Speakers (Front)/Headphones/Line Out - 3.5mm jack plug socket (green)
• Speakers (Surround) - 3.5mm jack plug socket (black)
• Speakers (Surround, Centre/Subwoofer) - 3.5mm jack plug socket (orange)
• Video Out sockets - Scart, S-Video and Composite (yellow socket)

Below this we have the graphics card (AGP) which has both a standard analogue monitor output, and also the more modern DVI digital connector output.

There's then what appears to be a blank plate. I don't know if there is anything on the other side of this - maybe a card with no external outputs.

Below this is the 56k modem socket, and also the coax aerial connectors for both the FM radio and TV card.

There's then what appears to be another blank plate. Again, I don't know if there is anything on the other side of this - maybe a card with no external outputs.

Points to note...
It's worth noting that that MD8083 doesn't have any PS/2 style connectors, which are used for connecting some Keyboards and Mice (many newer ones come as USB anyway, which is now the more preferred method of connecting them). I am therefore exploring the options which will allow for the connectivity of PS/2 devices, and currently have a USB PS/2 port replicator on order, and will post further details of this on the website once I can confirm that it works correctly. The lack of PS/2 ports isn't really a problem, but obviously if you have a specific keyboard/mouse which you want to use which is only PS/2 then you'll want to try and connect it up!

The rear of the case makes it look as though there's the possiblity to fit an extra Serial and Parallel port, as the metal casing has the outlines for these two ports to the right of the actual ports, and the mounting holes to fit them. Presumably if you really wanted to do some DIY on the case you could fit these additional ports, although it's not something I'm going to try (or even have the need for).

User Forum...
MD8083 Forum
Medion MD8383XL, MD8080, MD8084, MD8386, Advent T9 information also available in the forum.

Links...
Medion website