Velocity Micro Edge Z-55 (Intel Core i7-920)
March 5, 2009 by blogtopia
Filed under Desktop PC
Fast overclocked Intel Core i7 processor; ample memory and graphics card power; provides enough performance to justify its upper midrange price.
Uses two graphics cards when a single, dual-chip card would have done the same work and allowed more room for upgrades. Read more
Sony Vaio JS190J (Silver)
March 5, 2009 by blogtopia
Filed under Desktop PC
Best deal on an all-in-one with a Blu-ray drive; best-in-class performance for its price; relatively free of software clutter.
Its 20-inch screen is smaller than some of its competition; some redundant bundled applications; cheap mouse. Read more
Shuttle KPC K-4500
March 5, 2009 by blogtopia
Filed under Desktop PC
Almost as small as a Mac Mini; only costs $230; Foresight Linux operating system relatively easy to use; has potential as a home media server or general hack-around box.
No internal DVD drive bay; adding software to Foresight can be a challenge; no digital audio or video outputs. Read more
HP Pavilion a6750y
March 5, 2009 by blogtopia
Filed under Desktop PC
Strong multitasking performance; 8GB of RAM a bargain at this price; wireless networking; room to upgrade.
Unimpressive single application scores; clunky hard-drive cage. Read more
HP Firebird 803 with VoodooDNA
March 5, 2009 by blogtopia
Filed under Desktop PC
Unique, polished case design; easily accessible interior; solid performance for its price; amazing power efficiency; strong features assortment.
No expansion card upgrade path; chokes on more demanding games at higher resolutions; no 5.1 analog audio outputs. Read more
Gateway LX 6810-01
March 5, 2009 by blogtopia
Filed under Desktop PC
Includes discreet graphics card; configuration includes TV tuner and remote control; chassis offers ample room for expansion; inexpensive.
No Wi-Fi; smaller hard drive than the competition. Read more
Gateway DX 4720-03 – Pentium Dual Core E5200 2.5 GHz
March 5, 2009 by blogtopia
Filed under Desktop PC
Fast dual-core desktop; massive hard drive; sleek chassis design; HDMI-out included.
No gigabit Ethernet, limited room for memory expansion. Read more
Apple iMac (20-inch, 2.4GHz)
March 5, 2009 by blogtopia
Filed under Desktop PC
Industry-leading design; best all-in-one overall for its price; strong digital media performance; broad range of connectivity options; easy-to-use operating system.
Smaller screen than some newer all-in-ones; puny hard drive for its price; disproportionately expensive memory upgrades; lame 90-day phone support. Read more
Apple iMac, Apple iMac (24-inch, 2.8GHz)
March 5, 2009 by blogtopia
Filed under Desktop PC
A minor specification update results in some significant performance gains; graphics upgrade an option on this 24-inch model; sleek, polished design didn’t receive an update, but we won’t start clamoring for a new design until the current one is at least 12 months old.
Free phone support runs out after 90 days. Read more
Acer Aspire X1700-U3700A
March 5, 2009 by blogtopia
Filed under Desktop PC
Space-saving design; includes unique extras such as HDMI video, digital audio output, and eSATA port.
Competition offers faster performance; a cramped interior limits expansion. Read more