Leverage the Use of Two Computers, Side by Side?

[MegalosSkylaki]

For lack of space in a small city Apt., it might be necessary to to put A 939Athlon64 with MCE2005 OS and 2Gs of PC3200 DDR RAM next to an AthlonXP2500 OC 3200 Small Form Factor (SFF) "toaster box" - with 1G PC3200 DDR and XP OS.

By running one off a Router, and adding a NIC to it, I am contemplating doing a Peer to Peer with the two adjacent machines. This is only one option of course.

What I'm looking for is some advantage to the having to make such "squeezes" with Computers with differing powers and "roles" to leverage them into a "single unit" of sorts or coordinationg them --like "two heads are better than one". Storage is an obvious play, but I'm looking for some creative ideas.

One reason I see some commonality is that the smaller machine is an Small Form Factor with Music on Demand that doesn't require a Boot to access its Hard drive. Just press a button and it's like an AV receiver, accessing its Hard Drive. I haven't installed a Video Capture/FM card in it yet to learn all it can do.

Any thoughts on making a "happy marriage" between a Desktop and and mini Computer sitting next door on an Entertainment unit or elsewhere?

All ideas are welcome....err..please think outta of the Box.

DOOOG