Wired recently tested X10's ActiveHome Pro, a product that claims will bring home-automation technology to the masses. And in case you were wondering, yes, X10 is the same company that used to slap in our faces those infamous pop-ups every 5 minutes a few years ago...
"Together with the included computer interface box, the software allows homeowners to program the behavior of any number of devices in the house. The system is at once powerful and easy to use."
According to the short review, the ActiveHome Pro kit gets the job done for the most part, although depending on the options you want included it may set you a few extra bucks from the starter kit's $100 price tag.