eMachines ET1831-05 Desktop (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Well, I just purchased this eMachines ET1831-05, but I have been incredibly impressed. The shipping was super fast (and, no sales tax here in PA!), and setup was a breeze. The computer is fast, quick, and easy to use. Granted, I have had the computer up for less than a day, but it seems to work perfectly so far. Honestly, I don't know why you would need more computer than what this eMachines offers - maybe if you are in to some really intense video games or complicated video editing, you need something greater than this, but don't think because you want to upload a few pictures or videos sometimes that you need to spend hundreds of dollars on a computer. This computer is replacing a Dell that we have had for a good 4 or 5 years, and it is so incredible how much faster, smoother, and quieter this new computer is. Really - just love it so far.
Also, the keyboard and mouse are both very nice. I had wondered whether or not the keyboard had the tabs to make it stand up or whether it was just flat - it does have the tabs to make it stand up if you prefer. Also, the mouse is optical, so no complaints there. Of course, if you didn't already realize it, remember there is no monitor, speakers, or system discs with this computer (I really wish computer manufacturers could just give you the system discs when you buy a computer, but I realize eMachines is not alone in doing this). Again, absolutely no complaints - a great computer for the money.

Click Here to see more reviews about: eMachines ET1831-05 Desktop (Black)

A great everyday performer, the eMachines ET1831-05 desktop PC delivers multitasking performance and expansion possibilities. Listen to music, edit digital photography, manage your finances and stay connected to your social networks without breaking the bank. The ET1831-05 includes a large 500 GB hard drive (great for storing your entire music and video library), Intel Celeron processor, a SuperMulti Optical Drive for burning CDs and DVDs, and NVIDIA GeForce 7050 graphics for excellent video playback.
Pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version), you'll be able to easily create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. Windows 7 is the easiest, fastest, and most engaging version of Windows yet. Better ways to find and manage files, like Jump Lists and improved taskbar previews, help you speed through everyday tasks. Windows 7 is designed for faster and more reliable performance, so your PC just works the way you want it to.

Key Features The eMachines Desktop PC showcases a black tower design, easy access front ports and powerful everyday performance.

Click here for more information about eMachines ET1831-05 Desktop (Black)

Read More...

HP Pavilion DV4-1220US 14.1-Inch Laptop (2.0 GHz AMD Turion X2 RM-72 Processor, 4 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, DVD Drive, Vista Premium) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is my first laptop and I think I made a great choice. Firstly, I bought it directly from hp.com and with the rebates I had, saved two hundred dollars. Secondly, I got free 2 day shipping and it arrived on time.
The first thing I like about it is that the color is not the cheap gold look you see in the picture. I love the keyboards on HPs Entertainment and Special Edition notebooks. They do not feel cramped. There have been many cmplaints about the glare of the keyboards on this and the black and chrome models. So far, I have had no problems with the glare. Yes, I agree with the other reviewer, that the keys are hard to see in the dark. I would assume that would be the case for any laptop unless it is backlighted and this is not. It is light (wtihtout the battery), the speakers generate nice sound, it finds wireless networks instantly, and I actually like Vista.Just a note, read up on accessing the hidden administrator account if you are new to Vista. It has some serious security that will keep you from making even the most basic adjustments, including removing the bloatware.
HP has done a wonderful job in including set up tutorials and online registration processes. The size is fantastic and screen is beautiful. I have not attached any peripherals up to it yet, so I cannot really comment on that.
Cons:
The battery life is short.. maybe an hour and a half even when it in the recommended power save mode. It has a lighted HP emblem on the back of the cover that uses resources. HP could have added the backlighted keyboard instead! The verdict is still out on there telephone tech service! I have had better experience with there chat support.
The comp does sound like it is working overtime anytime I burn a CD and the vibration generating from drive is a bit too much for me to type at the same time.
This is a great laptop, esp. if you can get it for under $[...]. It has only some bells and whistles, so if you want built in bluetooth and a blueray player, you will have to go up a model. Otherwise, no reason not to consider this one.

Click Here to see more reviews about: HP Pavilion DV4-1220US 14.1-Inch Laptop (2.0 GHz AMD Turion X2 RM-72 Processor, 4 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, DVD Drive, Vista Premium)

Offering an eye-catching modern look, the entertainment-focused HP Pavilion dv4-1220us notebook PC makes it easy to enjoy your favorite music and videos while on the go, as well as keep you productive with a speedy dual-core processor and 64-bit Windows Home Vista Premium operating system. The 14.1-inch high-definition BrightView display looks good even in direct sunlight, and you'll enjoy movies or music in seconds with the external DVD or music buttons to launch HP QuickPlay (which bypasses the boot process). Control playback settings from up to 10 feet away with the included HP remote, then store it conveniently in the Express card slot. Turn your next instant message into a live video chat with the integrated webcam and omni-directional microphone. Optimized for low-light environments, it's great for capturing short videos to share on your favorite social networking site.
It offers dual-core productivity from its 2.1 GHz AMD Turion X2 RM-72 processor.HP's ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection locks your 250 GB hard drive into place when it senses abrupt motion to help prevent data loss. The built-in eSATA/USB combo port enables fast backup to an external hard drive. Other features include 4 GB of installed RAM (8 GB maximum), ATI Radeon HD 3200 graphics with up to 1918 MB of available memory, dual-layer Lightscribe DVD±RW drive (which also burns CDs), ExpressCard 54 slot, quad-mode Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n), and 5-in-1 memory card reader.
High Style Expanding on the sophisticated elegance of HP's notebook design from the past few years, the new DV series is defined by fluid, modern lines and metalized finishes. The HP Intersect Imprint finish in bronze and chrome encases all surfaces visible during normal use for greater durability. And the Intersect Imprint features an argyle-like pattern for subtle contrast to the liquid appearance of the metallic finish. The streamlined look is enhanced with a color-matched keyboard and touchpad. And touch media controls light up and become visible only when the system is powered on further enhancing the clean appearance.
The Basics
Processor: The 2.1 GHz AMD Turion X2 RM-72 processor offers a dual-core architecture, which delivers additional computing resources to help expand your PC's capabilities by providing higher throughput and simultaneous computing--increasing your performance by up to 80 percent. You'll be able to perform multiple tasks such as digital rendering and gaming all while running virus scan or other background tasks seamlessly thanks to the innovative Direct Connect Architecture. And it's designed to handle simultaneous 32- and 64-bit computing with no degradation in performance. You'll enjoy long battery life thanks to the AMD PowerNow! power management technology, which delivers performance on demand and can extend system battery life up to 65 percent. And the AMD Digital Media XPress technology delivers stellar multimedia performance and playback on digital entertainment such as games, streaming video and audio, DVDs, and music.
It has a 1 MB L2 cache, and this processor can deliver up to 4.0 GT/sec. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance.)

Hard Drive: The generous 250 GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 RPM) provides more than enough capacity for storing a large audio and video library, as well as extra space required for video editing. This SATA hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to Firewire and USB 2.0.
You'll enjoy enhanced hard drive protection with HP's Protectsmart, which includes a 3D accelerometer that safeguards your data by parking your hard drive if your notebook detects any range of motion, such as being knocked off your desk, falling or taking abuse.

Memory: The 4 GB of installed RAM helps boost the amount of available video RAM that's shared with this notebook's video card. This notebook has an amazing 8 GB maximum RAM capacity (4 x 2 GB). To receive the faster data transfer benefits of the dual-channel DDR2 RAM, any RAM additions require memory modules of same capacity and clockspeed.

DVD/CD Drive: This multiformat DVD/CD drive is compatible with writing both DVD+ and DVD- disc formats as well as dual-layer (DL) DVD+/-R discs, which can store up to 8.5 GB of data. It features 4x DVD-R DL Write Once, 2.4x DVD+R DL Write Once, 8x DVD+R, 4x DVD+RW, 8x DVD-R, 4x DVD-RW, 16x DVD-ROM, 40x CD-R, 24x CD-RW, and 40x CD-ROM speeds.
This LightScribe DVD±RW drive lets you laser-etch silkscreen quality text and images on to CDs and DVDs . Your software, PC and discs work together for a no-hassle way to burn just the labels you want. After you burn content, just flip the disc over, reinsert and burn your label--anything from a simple title to a full-disc work of art.

Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a 101-key keyboard and a touchpad with on/off button and dedicated vertical/horizontal Scroll Up/Down pad. It also includes two quick-launch buttons (HP QuickPlay Music and DVD).
Screen, Video & Audio You'll enjoy razor-sharp graphics and widescreen movies with the 14.1-inch WXGA high-definition screen, which has a widescreen resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels--perfect for watching DVD movies the way they were meant to be seen.Video is powered by the ATI Radeon HD 3200 with RS780M chipset, which features 64 MB of DDR2 sideport memory and up to 1918 MB total graphics memory (as allocated by the operating system). The AMD 780 Chipset series lets you connect to a wide range of the latest HD panels by supporting numerous display technologies. Take advantage of ATI SurroundView to support up to four monitors. It also offers support for Microsoft DirectX 10, providing compatibility with today's most advanced and graphic-intensive games and applications.
The Altec Lansing speakers provide exceptional sound, and it also includes SRS Premium Sound. You'll be able to privately share enjoyment of multimedia with a friend via the dual headphone jacks.
Networking, Connectivity & Expansion Be ready for the next platform in wireless connectivity with the integrated quad-mode Wi-Fi chip. Based on the draft 802.11n Wi-Fi specification, it offers up to five times the performance and twice the wireless range as existing 802.11g wireless. It's also backward compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found in home routers and Wi-Fi hotspots) as well as 802.11a networks (which has a higher throughput, but more limited range--great for closed office environments).
It also includes a next-generation ExpressCard 34 card slot (replacing the PCMCIA slot), which lets you take advantage of thinner, faster, and lighter expansion cards for even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, and security features. It comes with the following external connectors:
3 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players (with 1 eSATA + USB 2.0 combo port)
1 HDMI output (for connecting to a compatible HDTV or home theater receiver for uncompressed digital audio and video via a single cable)
Analog video output: 1 VGA
1 ExpressCard/54 slot (also supports ExpressCard/34)
2 headphone jacks
1 microphone jack
1 Expansion Port 3 connector (for use with the HP xb3000 Expansion Base or the HP Notebook QuickDock)
1 IR receiver
5-in-1 memory card reader (Secure Digital, MultiMedia, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, xD Picture Card)
10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet networking
56K modem (V.90)

Operating System The 64-bit version of Windows Vista Home Premium (with SP1) is the operating system for users with advanced computer needs, and it includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center for watching DVD movies and accessing your digital audio library. You can also use Windows Media Center to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV) and to access new kinds of online entertainment content. Computers that include Windows Vista Home Premium and an auxiliary Windows SideShow display will also allow you to access key data even when your computer is off. It is also easier than ever to share files between other PCs in your household and to manage your laptop computer settings to more securely connect via Wi-Fi.
Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you to manage and monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities.
Preloaded Software
HP MediaSmart Software Suite: Your one-stop multimedia and entertainment center to create photo slideshows, share personal videos, listen to your favorite music playlists and watch DVD movies.
muvee autoProducer Basic: Automatically create professional looking home videos and burn to DVD.
Cyberlink DVD Suite Deluxe: Automatically fix and edit videos and create CDs and DVDs. Edit, burn and archive data to discs.
Microsoft Works 9: Includes a word processor, spreadsheet, database and calendar.
Microsoft Office Home and Student Edition 2007 (60-day trial version).
Adobe Reader 8: Read and print PDF files.
Norton Internet Security 2009 protects your PC and your identity when you email, bank and shop online; 60 days of protection updates included.

Dimensions & Weight This notebook measures 13.15 x 9.45 x 1.57 inches (WxHxD) and weighs 5.1 pounds.
Power It's powered by a 6-cell rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has a battery life of up to 2 hours (depending on usage).
What's in the Box This package contains the HP Pavilion dv4-1220us notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, IR remote control, and operating instructions. It is backed by a limited warranty for parts and labor for one year from date of purchase as well as technical telephone assistance for one year. Software is also covered for 30 days from date of purchase.
Reduce your impact on the environment with this Energy Star-certified system and HP's innovative take-back options, including trade-in, recycling and donation.

Click here for more information about HP Pavilion DV4-1220US 14.1-Inch Laptop (2.0 GHz AMD Turion X2 RM-72 Processor, 4 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, DVD Drive, Vista Premium)

Read More...

HP Pavilion DV4-1280US 14.1-Inch Laptop (2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 Processor, 4 GB RAM, 320 GB Hard Drive, DVD Drive, Vista Premium) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is my first laptop and I think I made a great choice. Firstly, I bought it directly from hp.com and with the rebates I had, saved two hundred dollars. Secondly, I got free 2 day shipping and it arrived on time.
The first thing I like about it is that the color is not the cheap gold look you see in the picture. I love the keyboards on HPs Entertainment and Special Edition notebooks. They do not feel cramped. There have been many cmplaints about the glare of the keyboards on this and the black and chrome models. So far, I have had no problems with the glare. Yes, I agree with the other reviewer, that the keys are hard to see in the dark. I would assume that would be the case for any laptop unless it is backlighted and this is not. It is light (wtihtout the battery), the speakers generate nice sound, it finds wireless networks instantly, and I actually like Vista.Just a note, read up on accessing the hidden administrator account if you are new to Vista. It has some serious security that will keep you from making even the most basic adjustments, including removing the bloatware.
HP has done a wonderful job in including set up tutorials and online registration processes. The size is fantastic and screen is beautiful. I have not attached any peripherals up to it yet, so I cannot really comment on that.
Cons:
The battery life is short.. maybe an hour and a half even when it in the recommended power save mode. It has a lighted HP emblem on the back of the cover that uses resources. HP could have added the backlighted keyboard instead! The verdict is still out on there telephone tech service! I have had better experience with there chat support.
The comp does sound like it is working overtime anytime I burn a CD and the vibration generating from drive is a bit too much for me to type at the same time.
This is a great laptop, esp. if you can get it for under $[...]. It has only some bells and whistles, so if you want built in bluetooth and a blueray player, you will have to go up a model. Otherwise, no reason not to consider this one.

Click Here to see more reviews about: HP Pavilion DV4-1280US 14.1-Inch Laptop (2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 Processor, 4 GB RAM, 320 GB Hard Drive, DVD Drive, Vista Premium)

Expanding on the sophisticated elegance of the current line, the new DV4-1280US is defined by fluid, modern lines and metalized finishes with surprising innovations inside and out. The DV4-1280US Intersect Imprint features an argyle-like pattern for subtle contrast to the liquid appearance of the metallic finish. And touch media controls light up and become visible only when the system is powered on further enhancing the clean appearance. Providing more choices than ever, HP MediaSmart enables access to DVDs, videos, photos, music, games, Internet TV, and streamed or recorded TV, with an optional TV Tuner at the touch of a button. Built-in demos show you how to add music to your slide shows or videos with drag-and-drop functionality, and much more. An HDMI port enables you to watch films on an HD TV. Muvee Reveal makes creating films complete with effects and transitions a snap! Extras include dual headphone jacks and an HP Mobile Remote Control. For those who want digital entertainment features and the latest mobile technologies in a stunning design that travels well, the HP Pavilion DV4-1280US Entertainment Notebook PC delivers! Its elegant Intersect Imprint finish helps protect your system while on the go. The DV4-1280US ships with Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit with Service Pack 1, Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T6400, Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD (shared) with up to 1759MB total available graphics memory, 4096MB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm), 320GB (5400RPM) Hard Drive, Wireless LAN 802.11a/b/g/n WLAN. Dimensions: 13.15" (L) x 9.45" (D) x 1.34" (min H) approx., weight: 5.08 lbs. approx.

Click here for more information about HP Pavilion DV4-1280US 14.1-Inch Laptop (2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 Processor, 4 GB RAM, 320 GB Hard Drive, DVD Drive, Vista Premium)

Read More...

Gateway DX4200-09 - Tower - 1 x Phenom X4 9100e / 1.8 GHz - RAM 4 GB - HDD 1 x 640 GB - DVD?RW / DVD-RAM - Radeon HD 3200 - Mdm - Gigabit Ethernet - Vista Home Premium 64-bit - Monitor : none Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is my second Gateway desktop. Not much over a year ago a model like this was selling for about $200 more. Yet, now, you get a 64 bit system (crunches data much faster), a quad core that hardly anything can slow down, big hard drive, and a good quality of design and construction.
Also important is the quality of Gateway support: the one question with my previous model was handled via a chat session with a tech who knew what he was talking about and was very professional.
The Vista SP1 which it ships with has been a pleasant experience. It's best to discount all the dissing it gets and just see how well it works in practice. There is a learning curve if you are coming from XP, but it is worth getting to know. I like it. I probably would like Apple's Leopard operating system, too, but I don't care to pay anywhere from two to six times as much for their machines.
I just surf the web, do light photo and video processing, and watch a movie on it sometimes. For these tasks this machine is overqualified - a dual core machine would do about as well. But, how about a few years from now? A quad core machine may well be necessary for these or similar tasks then.
A little confession: I took my previous Gateway desktop apart to replace the motherboard with a newer type. I was impressed with the quality of design and construction. The Apple desktop which starts at around $2500 would impress me much more, but I don't need its particular qualities for what I do with a computer.
You ought to know that the setup of this machine was the sweetest, most trouble free computer installation I have ever done. It just goes out and does practically everything for you. That is thanks to Vista and Gateway's well thought out systems.
The hard drive is a Western Digital, which has a good reputation. But start backing up as soon as possible after you finish the OS installation. By the way, there are no disks to load into the machine. It's all on the hard drive already.
My first backup after I had finished most of the setup to the point where I am happy with what is on the machine took up just 18.1GB on an old Maxtor 80GB external drive I had from a few years ago using an excellent backup software called ShadowProtect which has gotten excellent reviews and I would call it the easiest and best software of that type I have ever used.
You get 586GB free on the hard drive as it comes from the factory with the Vista and a small partition which I believe holds a recovery version. So, forget 640GB. The actual space you get is noticeably less that what is stated - it's always that way.
The ATI Radeon HD3200 onboard video chipset is fine for any ordinary use. Heavy gamers will have to pay another $100 or more for a video card such as the Sapphire ATI HD4830 which joins its power with the onboard unit to give much better gaming performance. I have that card which I will install shortly and leave some thoughts on how much better it is. You will also need a good power supply to go along with the HD4830 card. Corsair makes some good ones supplying 520 watts and up. Just around $100 as well. So, when you want to, this machine is upgradable.
I ran a cleanup of the unneeded files and also did a defragmentation for better disk performance at startup. The defrag took much less time than my previous Gateway. Vista SP1? 64 bit? Anyway, that's an improvement.
Also, gigabit ethernet may not be anything you need now, but in a few years with streaming video heading this way, you might be glad you have it. There were no problems whatsover with making the ethernet cable connection with my motorola modem/router. I didn't have to do a thing. Plug in the cable and forget it.
This has an onboard video out in the form of HDMI and VGA, which is what I'm using. The image quality to my HP 2207 monitor is excellent.
If you have this shipped to you, try to restrain the urge to rip open the package until a couple of hours have passed for it to warm up to room temperature so that there will not be condensation on the cold computer during winter shipping from moisture in the inside air.
It ships with a large, easy setup sheet. Just follow the color coding. You can't go wrong. In an hour and a half or so you will be through with the basic setup, but it may take five to ten hours of downloading and installing your favorite software to complete the installation.
Also important is the merchant: J&R Music And Computer World in New York. I have bought a few items from them during the past few years and they ship fast (I get it the next day near Boston with standard shipping) and seem to be straight shooters. Let you know how the graphics card install goes.
UPDATE AFTER 6 MONTHS:
No problema! Hardware is solid, dependable, certainly fast enough for me. It's still a great buy. I haven't even used half the hard drive space yet, so I would say for most people it has plenty. Card readers and CD/DVD units are still fine. Sound quality from the built in chip is excellent for playing my 20GB of music on my Klipsch powered speaker system. Just no complaints about this. It does what it should. I may upgrade to Windows 7 after the initial bugs are worked out in six months or so. Frankly, I haven't found Windows Vista to be bad - it is just something new to learn. I understand Windows 7 may use slightly less system resources and offer more eye candy for the trendy computer addicted amongst us. It has gotten good reviews in the NYT and major computer magazines. Maybe I'll put off buying a Mac.
UPDATE AFTER 8 MONTHS OF USE:
The machine went down about a month ago. No posting beep. So I upgraded my Core Two Duo HP laptop to Windows 7, installed a 320GB hard drive, increased core memory to 4GB and got a machine powerful enough to do what I had been doing on this Gateway desktop.
Not the end of the story though. Searching online forums on this model of Gateway and on the "no posting beep" symptom, I found that the problem was most likely that the core memory on the Gateway had failed. I remembered a cryptic message before it failed saying it was dropping to a slower memory speed.
So I ordered 8GB of 800Mhz DDR2 desktop memory, removed the old, installed the new core memory (relatively easy - just open the left side of the Gateway by removing two screws and pulling back and you'll find the core memory on the center right side of the motherboard and all you need to do is flip back the holding cams and pull) and, guess what! Success!!
So, my next project on this repaired desktop is to install a bigger power supply (as I said I would), a new AMD powered 4830 graphics card, and also upgrade to Windows 7, which I have found to be a much improved operating system. It gets your drivers, doesn't take long to install, and is easy, quick, in my view the best Windows operating system ever.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Gateway DX4200-09 - Tower - 1 x Phenom X4 9100e / 1.8 GHz - RAM 4 GB - HDD 1 x 640 GB - DVDRW / DVD-RAM - Radeon HD 3200 - Mdm - Gigabit Ethernet - Vista Home Premium 64-bit - Monitor : none

Is it time to upgrade your PC? Games now require additional graphic power. The Internet is loaded with many new entertainment features that redefine the purpose of the PC. For example, many websites offer movies for direct download or streaming. Video conference is moving fast forward with free services like Google-Chat. These need better video support. The Gateway DX4200-09 Desktop PC has 4GB memory, a large hard drive for storage, and ATI Radeon HD 3200 Graphics support with 256MB totally dedicated video graphic memory. Unleash your creative side with the Gateway DX4200-09 Desktop featuring AMD quad-core performance, 4 GB memory and ATI Radeon HD 3200 graphics - maximum capabilities to power through intensive multimedia applications, create content, edit files and create the incredible. Let Gateway DX4200-09 Desktop PC be your gateway to new opportunities. It really pays to upgrade. If this is your first PC, you'll be amazed to find what you've been missing. Add an optional widescreen monitor and open up new windows of opportunities and infinite horizons. ATI Radeon HD 3200 with up to 256 MB Shared Video Memory 18x DVD+-R/RW Labelflash Drive with Double Layer; 8-Channel (7.1) High Definition Audio; 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN; 15-in-1 card Digital Media reader; Front ports - 2 x USB, IEEE-1394, Headphone, Microphone; Back ports - 4 x USB, IEEE-1394, 2 x PS2 ports (keyboard, mouse), Center/Sub, Rear , Side, Line-in, Microphone, RJ-11 (Modem), RJ-45, VGA, HDMI; Expansion slots - 2 x PCI (One available), PCI Express x1 (available), PCI Express x16 (available); Drive bays - 2 x 5.25 (one available), 5 x 3.5 (four available); Monitor is not included

Click here for more information about Gateway DX4200-09 - Tower - 1 x Phenom X4 9100e / 1.8 GHz - RAM 4 GB - HDD 1 x 640 GB - DVDRW / DVD-RAM - Radeon HD 3200 - Mdm - Gigabit Ethernet - Vista Home Premium 64-bit - Monitor : none

Read More...

Compaq Presario CQ61-410US 15.6-Inch Laptop (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I just received this nice 15.6" notebook and I admit that I like it! The sound is great. The keypad is really handy when you need it. And the reponse of this computer is satisfying with windows 7 loaded.
However, pictures in its product page might be a deceiving. Although they are shown in the pics, this model does NOT come with a webcam and HDMI. I was surprised when I opened the box and found this truth. Hence, I further digged into the specification sheet and found that I was wrong. Beware, if you think this is really a steal with a webcam and HDMI for this low price, you may just make a mistake like what I did.
In all, I do not regret my decision of buying it at all. You can buy a netbook for $299.99. But I will pay a little bit more to go with this notebook ($379.99) with full capability, faster processing speed and a DVD burner in trade of the mobility. Now, I am going return my cute but slow netbook...

Click Here to see more reviews about: Compaq Presario CQ61-410US 15.6-Inch Laptop (Black)

For those who want everyday computing capability at a great value, the Compaq Presario CQ61 series Notebook PC delivers in style. Balancing mobility and performance needs at 5.90 lbs (the CQ61 is powered by AMD processor and ATI graphics technology along with these essential features: 15.6" Diagonal High-Definition HP BrightView display for full-screen views, Integrated high-speed wireless LAN enabling connectivity within hot spots, Altec Lansing speakers delivering smooth audio performance

Get 26% OFF

Click here for more information about Compaq Presario CQ61-410US 15.6-Inch Laptop (Black)

Read More...

Acer AX3910-U2032 Desktop (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was very nervous ordering this because of the negative reviews, especially when it arrived in a hurry with only some brown paper in the box and no bubble wrap or anything! The computer itself though was well-packed in it's own box with styrofoam packing, etc. like a new computer should be.
Because of the reviews I was also anxious about the DVD drive so I tested it right away. I burned data disks, played movies, and then I used it to burn home movies which played beautifully on my TV (it comes with DVD making software), so I would say it's absolutely fine (I even tested it by burning one DVD that was +R and one that was -R! Both worked fine!). To open and close the DVD drive, you push a button and the door opens and then the tray pops out. I am a little nervous that with so many moving parts, something could break easily, but so far it's worked fine every time (I'm careful to push the button straight-on and not let the computer wobble). I think I would just not recommend this computer if you're going to share it with kids or people who are rough on computers.
The speed of this computer is awesome!!! Such a pleasure! I've never used Windows 7 before either and despite my prejudices against Vista (lol) I really like it and it was easy to learn without even reading anything! Also, this computer comes with a very nice mouse and keyboard - the action is very smoothe on both. The keys on the keyboard are very springy so I can type "softly" and not irritate my carpal tunnel syndrome and there are numerous shortcut buttons on top which I haven't even investigated yet. On the upper right corner of the keyboard there is a wheel which controls sound volume! The mouse is high quality too - nice delicate wheel which is easy on the fingers and a very smoothe and accurate cursor movement. This Acer also picked up the internet with no problem at all.
I could only get sound from the "Line Out" jack even though this says it has 5.1 surround sound, but when I looked it up online I read that surround sound only comes out if you're playing a DVD that is designed for that kind of output (and you have surround sound speakers, which I don't!). You can select "5.1 Surround Sound" and lots of other settings in Control Panel so I think it does work (and Device Manager recognized each jack when I plugged things in, telling me a device had just been plugged into an audio jack). The line out jack is great anyway - I'm getting lots of power for loud strong bass in my music and bright trebles! I have used the sound for internet radio, Skype phone calls, playing a regular DVD, and regular internet like YouTube videos and it is powerful - I can blast it VERY loudly if I want.
Overall I'd say this is a great computer - it's silent and very very fast; the graphics look gorgeous on my Dell flat screen computer monitor (which it recognized immediately; it also recognized my external hard drives, printer and scanner immediately too with no problems), the sound is powerful and crisp. Although it has a nice small footprint, there are plenty of USB jacks (9) for my needs. I would just say that if you get this computer, be gentle with the DVD door and I think you will be very happy!


Click Here to see more reviews about: Acer AX3910-U2032 Desktop (Black)


Acer Aspire X3910 Desktop: Multitasking Productivity Made Small
Small enough to fit just about anywhere, the Aspire X3910 desktop PC (model AX3910-U2032) is ready to satisfy your home computing expectations. But don't let its compact size fool you. The full-featured Aspire X3910 packs in an Intel Pentium dual-core processor, 16x SuperMulti drive, integrated Wireless-N Wi-Fi networking, a 640 GB hard drive, and 4 GB of memory to meet intense multimedia and multitasking needs with HD brilliance.

Click here for more information about Acer AX3910-U2032 Desktop (Black)

Read More...

Gateway LX 6810-01 - Tower - 1 x Core 2 Quad Q8200 / 2.33 GHz - RAM 8 GB - HDD 1 x 640 GB - DVD?RW / DVD-RAM - GF GT 120 - Mdm - Gigabit Ethernet - Vista Home Premium 64-bit - Monitor : none Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I picked this Gateway up as an addition to our HP gaming laptop, but didn't want do dish out another 2 grand for something top of the line.
This is a "bare-bones" gateway model. What this means is you're going to get the best performance for the buck, with little else in terms of frills. Consider this a computer you would buy if you want the power of a quad-core, a lot of RAM, and a dedicated video card without having to pay an arm and a leg for it. I walked out of the store paying just under 1100 for the tower, 22-inch HDMI monitor, and an all-in-one printer. You can't beat a deal like this in any retail store (unless you're thrifty at newegg).
Pros
-Quad Core at 2.33, 4MB L2 Cache; decent processing speed for the price
- Dedicated Nvidia GT 120 video card with HDMI output, 1G memory and dual screen capable. The GT120 benchmarked about 30 fps on Crysis with normal settings. When running on high modes on Spore, WoW, and Crysis, the frame rates dropped considerably. Expect to be able to play any retail game out now, just don't expect incredibly detailed video settings to play with.
- 64-bit Vista. As a computer junkie I've regularly hated Vista; and still do. For a casual computer user you'll like the speed and ease-of-use 64-bit vista brings. It loads a lot faster too.
- 8GB DDR2 memory; not the newest technology but we're talking about a 18% slower response time than DDR3. If you don't know what that means then I wouldn't worry about it. Multiple programs were loaded with no load times after it's initial startup. Cons:
- The tower is huge and ugly. Weighed in at just under 40 lbs. Have fun finding space for this hog!
- No wireless ethernet card
- No second DVD drive
- Realtek HD software sound was faulty right out of the box. Required a reinstall. The same problem happened with the hard drive when it tried to install RAID. There is only one hard drive on the computer, so why is RAID trying to install itself? Logitech software wouldn't install, had to use previous versions. Some old computer perpetuals don't work on the 64-bit version, and created unknown errors with trying to rollback the drivers for 32-bit.
- 640GB seemed a bit small for a multimedia labeled computer. Uncompressed video reaches 100GB in a matter of minutes. I would have expected something at or near a terrabyte. We're living in a recession, so good deals are more important now than ever. With the LX 6810, you get what you pay for and in this case its a good thing. Don't expect overpriced accessories to accompany this massive beast, just expect a good quality engine under the hood.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Gateway LX 6810-01 - Tower - 1 x Core 2 Quad Q8200 / 2.33 GHz - RAM 8 GB - HDD 1 x 640 GB - DVDRW / DVD-RAM - GF GT 120 - Mdm - Gigabit Ethernet - Vista Home Premium 64-bit - Monitor : none

The Gateway LX6810-01 Desktop is packed full of features for the media minded enthusiast. With Quad-Core performance, NVIDIA GT120 Graphics, and plenty of storage you can dominate the latest games and render, manage and create with reckless abandon! Watch and record live television with the combo TV Tuner and easily connect to a LCD Television with the HDMI interface. A remote controller is included for added convenience. 8 GB memory delivers incredible system speed to effortlessly handle multitasking, watch streaming video and bypass loading screens. Beyond the built-in analog and digital TV tuner, the Internet is filled with websites that offer video streaming of television from around the world. With the integrated NVIDIA GeForce GT120 video processor and 1 GB dedicated video memory, you can enjoy viewing streamed TV and video without a hitch. This is no ordinary desktop PC. It truly is a gateway beyond computing, as you've known it. NVIDIA GeForce GT120 with 1024MB Dedicated Video Memory for smooth, flawless play of TV and Video; 18x DVD+-R/RW Labelflash Drive; Analog/Digital TV Tuner with 3-D Comb Filter; 8-Channel (7.1) High Definition Audio; 10/100/1000; Gigabit Ethernet LAN 15-in-1 card Digital Media reader with Smart copy button - Supports CompactFlash I/II, Secure Digital, MultiMediaCard, MultiMediaCard Plus, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo, xD-Picture Card, SmartMedia and Microdrive. Also supports miniSD, Reduced-Size MultiMediaCard (RS-MMC) and MultiMediaCard Mobile with optional adapters (not included) Front ports - 2 x USB, IEEE-1394 Firewire, Headphone, Microphone; Back ports - 4 x USB, eSATA, IEEE-1394, 2 x PS2 ports (keyboard, mouse), Center/Sub, Rear , Side, Line-in, Microphone, RJ-11 (Modem), RJ-45, VGA, HDMI, DVI, 3 RCA Ports Expansion slots - 2 x PCI (One available), PCI Express x1 (occupied), PCI Express x16 (occupied); Drive bays

Click here for more information about Gateway LX 6810-01 - Tower - 1 x Core 2 Quad Q8200 / 2.33 GHz - RAM 8 GB - HDD 1 x 640 GB - DVDRW / DVD-RAM - GF GT 120 - Mdm - Gigabit Ethernet - Vista Home Premium 64-bit - Monitor : none

Read More...

Dell Latitude D420 12" Laptop Core Duo 1.2Ghz 1GB RAM Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have had this D420 for 2 years and it has never failed me no matter what. I take it every day to college. And to get to my school, I commute in the crowded NY subway for 1 hour one-way! I also take it when I travel. So far it has been in London (UK), Moscow (Russia), and twice in Kiev (Ukraine).
This computer is very thin and weights only 3 lb. It has the magnesium-alloy frame and high-quality plastic outer shell. It is really rugged and rigid - no flex whatsoever. It has withstood the beating very well - there are practically no marks or scratches after 2 years.
My laptop came with Core Solo U1300 1.06GHz processor, 1.5GB of RAM, and Windows XP Pro. The system is very stable - never had any problems with it. I installed AVG antivirus, Windows Defender, and Win Patrol HIPS. With all this running, I am able to use MS Word 2007, MS Excel 2007, Firefox (several tabs open), and Media Player at the same time with relative ease. I usually surf Internet, watch YouTube or Hulu, and do light photo editing with XNView. With an external DVD drive, I watch movies and rip CDs. Also, I work with Word, PowerPoint, and Excel every day. I even do some occasional gaming (WarCraft 3 runs smoothly on medium/low settings!) But do not expect this laptop to be lightning-fast. And do not try to play Crysis! This computer takes its time at the start-up (nothing too big though) and when opening multiple apps.
The computer is very power-efficient. The battery lasts for several hours and easily gets me through my day in college. The wireless card works just fine. I use it to connect to my campus network. At my home, I use wired DSL modem via the network card - no problems here either. When I went to Russia and Ukraine, I used the built-in dial-up modem - worked like charm. There is a slot for a Cellular HSDPA modem - never used it. I like the SD Card slot - use it a lot. The speaker is really tiny, but I use external speakers or headphones for music. The keyboard is really comfortable. I have had something like a dozen laptops, and I think that d420 has one of the best keyboards I have seen so far. The touchpad is good too, though I usually use a wireless mouse.
To extend connectivity and avoid plugging and unplugging numerous cords every day, I bought a Dell Media Base with built-in DVDRW drive. Now my DSL modem, speakers, printer, and power cord are constantly connected to the Base and the d420 sits on top of it. This also allowed me to move all the cords to the back, so they do not get in the way.
Long story short: I am really happy with it - highly recommended. You can also find very good reviews of this laptop on notebookreview and notebookcheck.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Dell Latitude D420 12" Laptop Core Duo 1.2Ghz 1GB RAM

The Dell Latitude D420 is a 12.1in ultra-portable notebook designed to succeed both the Latitude X1 and the Latitude D410. In an effort to simplify its ultra mobile product line Dell has merged several traits from each of these two retired models to create the new D420. Specifically the D420 adopts the X1's wide-aspect screen and ultra-low voltage processor while maintaining the D410's aesthetic appeal and full-sized keyboard. In addition the D420 continues Dell's trend of not including an internal optical drive although external options are once again available.

Click here for more information about Dell Latitude D420 12" Laptop Core Duo 1.2Ghz 1GB RAM

Read More...

Gateway SX2800-07 Desktop PC (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased this computer to act as my second webserver. I've got a Verizon FiOS business account with 35Mbps down/35Mbps up and 13 static IPs. I was going to build a computer myself, and the cost for similar specs to this one came to $650. That's over $100 MORE than what I paid.
The essentials to anyone who is considering buying this computer:
- It has HDMI and VGA ports. Yes, I'm serious. HDMI port on a $500 computer. Amazing.
- It has a quad core Q8300 processor that comes in SLIGHTLY slower than a quad Core i5 750. You could pay the premium to get a Core i5 750, but you would never see the difference.
- On that note, check out the speed of the FSB & memory. 4GB DDR3 @ 1333MHz ... that's simply amazing for this $500 price point.
- 620GB SATA hard drive. If you need more space, you can always get an external firewire, eSATA or usb hard drive and plug it in. Seeing as how I'm using this as a webserver, the space is far more than I would ever need.
- Gigabit ethernet port
- Super tiny, fits basically anywhere. The design was very well thought out, I love it.
Honestly I didn't even boot into Windows 7. I've got Windows 7 on my computer, and I use linux on my webservers. So as soon as I got this computer hooked up, I went straight into the BIOS and tweaked a few settings, then installed linux and completely removed the partition(s) that came on the drive.
I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants a low cost PC that outperforms high cost competitors. It's got EVERYTHING you could want at a price you can afford. And no, I don't work for Gateway.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Gateway SX2800-07 Desktop PC (Black)


Gateway SX2800: Compact Entertainment CenterA third the size of normal desktops yet with full power for entertainment and gaming, the Gateway SX2800-07 desktop fits anywhere. If your available desk space is taken up by a large monitor for your movies and games, you'll appreciate the minimalist design of this compact entertainment center. Burn through the hottest new digital media, content creation and advanced 3D gaming with the breakthrough performance of the Intel Core 2 Quad processor. And the installed 4 GBof memory delivers ultra-fast system response to effortlessly multitask and run the latest multi-threaded applications.
Use the digital device deck, recessed into the SX's top, to hold your MP3 player, camera or other technology. And a photo frame button lets you quickly go through your digital pictures, and an eject button for the optical disk drive makes quick work of switching movies and games. At the bottom front is a multi-in-one media card reader for transferring files from your digital devices, plus USB and audio ports.
While small in size, the Gateway SX is chock full of external ports, including both FireWire and eSATA connections. Enjoy the next generation of video playback with the HDMI output, which allows a single cable to transmit uncompressed high-definition video and audio to your digital TV or capable external monitor.
Pre-installed with the Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium operating system (64-bit version), you'll be able to easily create a home network and share all of your favorite photos, videos, and music. Windows 7 is the easiest, fastest, and most engaging version of Windows yet. Better ways to find and manage files, like Jump Lists and improved taskbar previews, help you speed through everyday tasks. Windows 7 is designed for faster and more reliable performance, so your PC just works the way you want it to.

Key Features
2.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 processor with ultra-fast 1333 MHz front-side bus and 4 MB L2 cache. With four execution cores, the 2.5 GHz Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q8300 blows through processor-intensive tasks in demanding multitasking environments and makes the most of highly threaded applications. It features hafnium-infused circuitry to reduce electrical current leakage in transistors and help this desktop run cooler. It also features Intel Trusted Execution Technology, which provides hardware-based mechanisms that help protect against software-based attacks and protects the confidentiality and integrity of data stored or created on the client PC.
640 GB SATA hard driveThe Gateway SX desktop PC offers a sleek, compact design that takes up very little desk space.

Click here for more information about Gateway SX2800-07 Desktop PC (Black)

Read More...