Gateway SX2840-01 Desktop PC (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)The Gateway SX2840 is a terrific value, and this cannot be understated. With its i3-530 processor (which is very highly rated and supposedly easy to overclock), 6GB of DDR3 Ram, the H57 mobo, 1TB green HDD and Windows 7 Home Premium, you could expect to pay $700+. An equivalent computer from Dell or HP runs $720+, as does one built yourself through NewEgg. With the addition of an HD4650 or a 9800GT (low profile), this can be a competent gaming rig as well.
The reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is purely to do with Gateway. I haven't purchased a pre-made computer in years, and now I remember why. Gateway does not include recovery disks, instead provides software to burn them (3 DVDs of Windows 7 and bloatware). However, you can expect a dozen or so disks to fail the burning process. I called asking how to clean install, and after taking 30 minutes to register me, forwarded me to a "software help line" that wanted to charge me. I called again explaining that I could not burn recovery disks and that this was a common problem according to the internet. The tech agreed, and said they would send out physical copies, but they are not available yet. She requested i call back in a few weeks. I e-mailed Gateway asking how to do a clean install of Windows 7 without bloatware, and they responded with a form letter on how to use the recovery partition (to factory default).
If you're a casual or HTPC user, you cannot beat this value, and you will likely have no problem living with the bloatware that Gateway, or any other manufacturer puts on. If you are more of an advanced user, with ideas of doing a clean install, expect drama. I got a Windows 7 disk from a "friend", and entered my product key, but this required calling Microsoft's help line. If you follow this strategy, remember to enter your product key when it first asks, don't click next and install without.
I purchased this computer for its parts, not the Gateway name, and saved nearly $200.
May 24, 2010: I recently installed an HD5570 video card, and highly recommend it. I now have the following Windows Experience ratings: Processor 6.9, Memory 7.0, Graphics 6.7, Gaming graphics 6.7, Primary hard disk 5.9. For the price, this is still unbeatable.

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Gateway SX2840: Compact Entertainment CenterA third the size of normal desktops yet with full power for entertainment and gaming, the Gateway SX2840-01 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 i3 processor--with 4-way multitasking processor power to work on four tasks simultaneously. And the installed 6 GB of 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
2.93 GHz Intel Core i3-530 dual-core processor for a fast, responsive PC experience (4 MB L3 cache). It comes equipped with Intel HD Graphics, an advanced video engine that delivers smooth, high-quality HD video playback, and advanced 3D capabilities, providing an ideal graphics solution for everyday computing. Intel's Hyper-Threading Technology enables each core of your processor to work on two tasks at the same time, delivering the performance you need for smart multitasking.
Energy-saving 1 TB SATA hard drive revolves at a variable RPM--meaning full speed when you need it, plus eco-friendly energy conservation. The Gateway SX desktop PC offers a sleek, compact design that takes up very little desk space.

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eMachines ET1831-05 Desktop (Black) Review

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(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.

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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.

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Gateway DX4840-37 Desktop (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I saw the two previous negative reviews and was concerned but realized that out of the many who had bought it, only two complained. Having a previous positive experience with Gateway, I took the risk. It runs just as expected and advertised and is a great computer. Only problem is that the monitor is just a tad too wide for my desk. Otherwise, this is a good machine and I recommend it for the same reasons I bought it - good RAM and expandable to 16 GB so it can keep up with program size creep as well as a 3.2 processor and a 1TB hard drive. It just doesn't get any better!

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Get powerful yet affordable turbo-boosted dual-core processing power plus advanced graphics and memory to fuel your multimedia demands with the sleek Gateway DX4840-37 desktop PC. The HDMI port delivers crisp high-quality visuals and high-fidelity audio to a home theater or monitor through only a single cable connection eliminating the maze of cabling.
The Gateway DX4840 desktop PC (monitor not included;see larger image).

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HP Pavilion P6210F Black Desktop PC (Windows 7 Home Premium) Review

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(More customer reviews)Impressive Value! ... Though the 2.6 GHz Athlon II 620 Quad-Core with 2.6 GHz, 2MB L2 Cache may not be the fastest Processor one can buy at this price level, a second look at the rest of the components this desktop sports will justify the purchase and the enterprise.
With this configuration, You can tell that I am neither a gamer nor a professional film editor; hence a lightning fast firing processor was not what I was after. But my typical work session would include sending and receiving email, uploading, editing and processing photos in Photoshop, downloading movies and watching them, and occasionally using Skype while surfing the net, and at the same time, cleaning and defragmenting the hard disk in the background all at the same breath!
Such seemingly mundane tasks, while appearing innocuous enough, exact a heavy toll on the processing core of the chip; so a lightning fast dual only core would behave like a clueless cheerleader with two left feet; on the turf, she is cute and nimble because she memorizes her routine well, but on the dance floor, she is a klutz who can't chew gum and synchronize her dance movements with her dance partner at the same time!
Enter Quad Core processing power 2.6 GHz; though not the extreme speed that you might want if you were a gamer, it has a superb capability for multi-tasking with ease and agility; and that is where this powerhouse comes in handy; enough speed for most if not almost all applications, and enough multi-tasking processing power for four fraught applications simultaneously with ease and without klutzy performance or staggered inter-lapping allocation of processing power.
The 2 MB level2 cache proved readily and immediately, upon initial use, that it is crucial for the smooth procession of processed data throughout 4 cores, thereby augmenting the capabilities of the processor.
And the 6 GB of memory are the beauty behind this simple yet elegant power-capable configuration, while the fact that the motherboard is capable of handling 16 GB memory expansion put my mind at ease against design obsolescence when faced with Microsoft's unpredictable quirks for memory hungry OS development.
The NVIDIA GeForce 9100 Graphics Card, though integrated as is the custom in this price range, is another extra component that adds to the performance by freeing the processor from the burden of handling power-hungry graphics. An independent graphics card rather than integrated would probably have added about one point to the overall performance rating at about $50.00 added to the price, but then if you had no need for it, it would be an unnecessary expense. I am of the opinion that if your primary use includes a lot of photo and video editing it may be of benefit to you to spend about $50.00 for a powerful graphics card and install it yourself; it is a 5-minute simple job, otherwise the machine as configured is plenty powerful.
All in all, unless you are a gamer, my initial use has convinced me that this machine is very well designed, capable and indeed far superior for the typical workstation user than almost anything else out there within $100 price range, give or take, and bang for the buck, it is a hard act to follow.


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Whether you\'re surfing the Web, editing photos, mixing your soundtracks or creating your own home videos, HP Pavilion desktop PC\'s offer a variety of ways to make your computing experience richer and more rewarding.As you would expect from the leader in consumer PC\'s, every HP Pavilion PC includes many intuitive features that make capturing and sharing your digital experiences easier than ever.

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eMachines EL1331-03 Black Desktop PC (Windows 7 Home Premium) Review

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(More customer reviews)Pros: Boots right up! Cost of $279.95 (at brick and mortar electronics store, so even with tax, take it home for just under $300.00), small size for a desktop, quietness and presumably power-efficient, plenty of USB ports, button to operate DVD tray is on the left (on the user's right side towards the front) so you don't accidentally bump it, or have a toddler open it. I have been transferring files and loading programs on it for home use over the past three nights, and am experiencing no objectionable idiosyncrasies, except...
Cons: Keyboard is cheap. Mouse is of the "ball" type. Also cheap. I am using the much nicer ones left over from the ancient PC I am replacing. Speakers are not included. "Fit and finish" of the front of the case reflects price.
Minor bumps in the road: I won't tell you how long it took me to figure out how to open and close the DVD tray. No instructions in box or sticker on case. Also, SD cards were not read at first; worked around this with USB adapter, and then corrected by downloading chipset driver that tech support linked me to via messaging and e-mail. Which leads us to...
Your call: Windows 7 is pre-loaded

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eMachines EL1331-03 Desktop PC comes with these specs: AMD Athlon Processor 2850e, Windows 7 Home Premium, NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE Chipset, 2048MB DDR2 Memory, NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE Integrated Graphics, 320GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive, Multi-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader, 6 Channel (5.1) High Definition Audio Support, 9 - USB 2.0, Keyboard and Mouse, 12.0 lbs. | 5.4 kg (system unit only), 1 Year Parts and Labor Limited Warranty with Toll-Free Tech Support, Registration/ Limited Warranty Card, Norton Internet Security Suite 2009 Trial

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Dell Inspiron 545 Piano Black Desktop PC with 22-Inch HD Monitor (Windows 7 Home Premium) Review

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(More customer reviews)This computer is a replacement for a relative's ancient Dell Dimensions system. I bought it and am setting it up for him. I personally have several Windows XP computers myself, 1 Vista, and 1 Snow Leopard (iMac), and I do know a lot about computers and networking, so this review will have those above thoughts in mind as I write it.
Positives:
* Monitor (5/5)
The supplied 22" has an exceptionally sharp screen, and I have no complaints about it at all. Perfect size, and works very well even at mid-range settings (I like 1920x1200, but lower resolutions are still sharp, unlike experiences I've had in the past with other computers & monitors).
* Windows 7 (5/5)
I can't find anything to complain about with 7. It is intuitive, and does everything I need easily and without having to jump through hoops. I was familiar with the earlier Windows releases, so there was basically no learning curve for me with 7. I am also a big Snow Leopard fan, but now with 7, in my mind they are pretty much equals.
* Box (5/5)
The piano black looks nice. I like that the DVD drive and the card reader slots are covered when not in use to keep dust at bay. It runs quiet, so that is much appreciated. I also prefer the Intel processor VS AMD, and like that it came with 6Mb RAM and a large hard drive.
* Keyboard (4/5)
The supplied keyboard is basic, and is a USB connection (not wireless). It works well, and is no frills. No complaints.
* Speakers (3/5)
The speakers are slimline, and very light. They won't get real loud, but are fine for basic needs. If you are planning on doing anything like watching movies frequently, you may consider upgrading them. Absolutely fine for everyday use though.
* Performance (5/5)
For my relative's needs (internet, email, youtube, etc), this is perfect. Video works great, and the speed of 7 is satisfactory. I did some benchmark testing, and the processor and drive score high, with the only downfall being the graphics ability. Nobody will notice that though, unless you are into hard core gaming.
* Amazon (5/5)!!!
The price is terrific, and is actually a much better deal than I could get from Dell directly (at least as of this writing, deals change all the time). Also very much appreciated the $3.99 1-day shipping! I'm a prime member so I could have had free 2-day shipping, but I wanted to make sure it was delivered when someone would be here so the 1-day worked out great.Negatives:
* Mouse (2/5)
The mouse is also a USB connection (not wireless), and is pretty cheap. It is optical and tracks fine, but just feels real cheap. I'll probably replace with a nicer wireless mouse.
* Dell supplied software (1/5)
The only real issue I'm having is the Dell supplied software crashes repeatedly. None of it is very useful, so I just disabled it and all is well. Please note that this is NOT a Windows 7 issue, but an issue with the Dell utilities software itself. I suspect they will have updates that will fix it, but for now, it liked to crash, so I just disabled it. I also uninstalled the supplied anti-virus software and installed one I like better that is free, but that is just a personal choice.Overall:
I am very pleased with this computer! The hardware (except for the mouse) is better than expected, especially the monitor. I would recommend this setup without hesitation, especially for those that are mainly going to do emails & internet. This is a stellar deal as well, and I feel you get a lot for the money.
Thanks for reading.UPDATE 11/29/09: I did purchase the Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave Pro keyboard and mouse set to replace the supplied Dell ones for this system. This was a fantastic upgrade! I highly recommend the Wave Pro setup. It integrates well with Windows 7, and has dedicated keys on the mouse and keyboard for Aero among other things. With this mouse and keyboard, I like the system even better.


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The Inspiron 545 desktop is optimized to provide the entertainment features you need for a price you want. Watch your screen come to life with the integrated Integrated Intel Media Accelerator 3100 graphics with optional ATI discrete graphics that further maximize your viewing experience. Quickly transfer your digital photos and music from your digital camera with the 19-in-1 media card reader. Immerse yourself into a cinematic experience by connecting to your 22-Inch HD monitor or TV with the HDMI port.Dell USB keyboard and mouse included.Included software: McAfee SecurityCenter with anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, 30-Days; Microsoft Works.

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ASUS Eee Box EB1012-B0257 Nettop PC - Black Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this last December and use it to surf the internet on our family room TV. It works pretty well. I do not feel that it is underpowered for my needs (browsing, YouTube, watching local videos on my computer, viewing JPEG pictures, etc). I sold my Western Digital TV Live after I bought the EeeBox EB1012.
I put the computer horizontally in my TV console (because it would not fit standing upright with the stand) even though the manual says not to do so. I don't know why the manual shows not to do this... maybe due to lack of ventilation when it is on its side (as another reviewer pointed out)? To help improve air flow I put this on top of 4 "rubber feet". I don't use this much so hopefully the subpar ventilation in my setup won't be a problem.
One complaint I have is the lack of control over the display resolution. I have a problem with "HDMI overscan" where the image is too big for the TV. I have to reduce the resolution from 1920x1080 to the next smaller one which does not totally fit the TV screen. The pre-installed driver had a scale adjustment so I was able to reduce the resolution so it fit my TV perfectly. After running Microsoft update that feature does not work well anymore. There is still an option to scale the desktop but when I click on it another box comes up but only 25% of it is visible -- making it useless as I cannot see all of the controls.
Also, while this comes with 2GB of RAM and supports up to 4GB it isn't easy to add memory yourself. The case is not easy to open and if you break it your warranty might be voided. According to an Asus representative one has to have an authorized service center do it. That's kinda silly to pay so much (shipping + service fee + likely-to-be-inflated RAM price) to upgrade this computer.
I don't use the WiFi since I use a Linksys powerline adapter for faster data rates and a more reliable connection.
I find the ASUS support to be inferior to US companies such as Dell, HP, etc. Their website isn't very helpful, IMHO.
Overall I'm still happy because it fits my needs.

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The EeeBox PC EB1012 is the perfect solution to your daily work and entertainment needs. It gives you an energy efficient computing platform for tasks like viewing media files, surfing the internet and other applications. The EB1012 is powered by the Intel Atom 330 dual core processor, which is built specifically for PCs like the EB1012. And with the accompanying NVIDIA ION graphics processor, the EB1012 treats you to an impressive multimedia performance with a low power consumption of just 40W. Don't let its size fool you, but within the confines of the EeeBox PC EB1012's slim form factor hides a high definition home entertainment center. The EB1012 comes with HDMI connectivity to provide high definition video playback; delivering crisp and clear images to your HDTV or LCD monitor. That visual drama is further complemented by an audio jack with S/PDIF 5.1 channel support that gives you an unparalleled audio experience. Lastly the EeeBox PC EB1012 is designed for convenient connectivity, and comes with a multitude of I/O ports to cater to an assortment of devices.The EB1012 comes with a 1 year parts and labor warranty.It comes with keyboard/mouse/vga port.

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HP Pavilion Slimline S3700F Desktop PC Review

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(More customer reviews)NOTE: Amazon had recently consolidated the reviews for both the S3720 and the S3700's into one page. This review refers to the HP Pavilion Slimline S3720F Desktop PC (2.5 GHz Intel Pentium Dual-Core Desktop E5200 Processor, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB Hard Drive, DVD Drive,Vista Premium).
The HP Slimline S3720F is an excellent slim form-factor pc with a few limitations. I needed another small sized PC at my engineering lab, so I purchased the S3720F. Typically I build my own machines, so I was quite impressed when I purchased this model, assuming one understands its limitations.
The HP Slimline S3720F runs Intel's Dual Core E5200 processor (mid-range processor line). Note that this is not Intel's "Core 2 Duo" line (the high-range which has a faster front-side bus). Regardless in conjunction with a healthy 4 gb of RAM, there is enough horsepower to run most of my engineering applications, which can be quite intensive. The 500 GB harddrive is adequate, though I see myself needing more storage space in the future (easily remedied with an external HDD).
The S3720F runs Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack1. Contrary to the negative sentiment against Windows Vista, I have to clarify that Windows Vista SP1 is very functional. I use numerous operating systems including, various Linux packages, OS X (Mac), Windows XP, even Windows 7 Beta. So after uninstalling some "bloat-ware" and removing some unneeded startup programs (msconfig), the S3720F runs Vista like a dream. Some slowdown occurs when one uses some Aero features (graphic-intensive features). But aside from that, it is surprisingly smooth. I can load firefox pages in seconds, run Matlab, Itunes, and an array of other programs simultaneously with no noticeable slowdown.
A very important exception to note is that this computer comes with a 64-bit Windows OS. This may cause some incompatibility issues with some 32-bit software. This is arguably of no fault of the OS in its own, but rather that the software was not designed to run on a 64-bit OS. Aside from these issues, once you optimize the system, the performance is much better than one would expect.
The physical design of the system borrows from the concept of minimalism. In the front, there are two USB ports, a covered CD/DVD tray, a HP pocket media drive bay, and the many different memory cards ports. The backside houses the standard ports, with no exceptional features. Note that the video-out to the monitor is VGA and NOT DVI or HDMI. Overall there is some great aesthetic appeal, and one would not be embarrassed to stash this PC in an entertainment center. Be sure to place it in an area that is well ventilated (as with most to all PCs).
Overall, I am very pleased with the overall package for the price. Whether you use it for common office tasks, light engineering work, or a living-room media center (though only one VGA-out is limiting), the HP Slimline performs its tasks admirably.
Product Positives:
+Compact form-factor
+Less bloat-ware than comparable computers
+Windows Vista SP 1 64bit (needed to take advantage of the 4gb+ of ram)
+Great performance after some tweaking
+Wireless B/G Network Card built-in
+Quiet operation
Product Negatives:
-Limited room for upgrades
-VGA out only (no DVI, HDMI)
-Some 32-bit software may not work on a 64-bit OS
-Built-in video card is a bit on the weak side, poor performance in graphic-intensive programs (Solid-graphic modeling, games)
-Midrange CPU E5200 slower than Intel's Highline of Core 2 Duo's
-I don't like the "tactile feel" of the included keyboard
Updates and Other Thoughts:
-I thought I'd post the "Experience Rating" from Windows Vista, which is built-in Vista tool that rates your hardware against some performance metrics. The scale ranges from 1.0 (poor performance) to 5.9 (excellent performance). This tool can be found by right-clicking on "My computer" and scroll to properties. For the HP Slimline S3720F here are the results:
Processor: --------- 5.4
Memory (ram): ------ 4.6
Graphics: ---------- 3.7
Gaming Graphics: --- 3.0
Primary Hard Disk: - 5.9
Overall Score of: -- 3.0
The overall score is 3/6 which would suggest an average score. However, the "Overall Score" is based on the lowest subscore, which is the Gaming Graphics. Otherwise, this machine scored exceptionally well in the processor, memory, and harddisk subtests. So in conclusion, unless you plan on using this machine for heavy gaming, or artwork/graphic applications, the S3720F is an exceptional value computer.


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The HP Pavilion s3720f Slimline desktop PC gives you all the power of a fully loaded home/office desktop in a sleek, silver-and-black chassis that's one-third the size of a traditional PC tower, enabling you to place it unobtrusively anywhere--from your office to entertainment center to kitchen. You can easily burn your home video productions to DVD for friends and family with the dual-layer, multi-format LightScribe DVD/CD burner, which enables you to store up to 8.5 GB of data on a DL disc.
This desktop is powered by the 2.6 GHz AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ dual-core processor, which increases the efficiency and speed of the PC while running multiple programs and the latest multi-threaded software. It features a large 320 GB hard drive, and it includes an open drive bay for an optional HP Pocket Media Drive (which can add up to 160 GB of storage). Other features include 3 GB of installed RAM (4 GB maximum), Nvidia GeForce 6150 SE graphics with 128 MB of dedicated memory (and up to 1343 MB of available memory), multi-format memory card reader, a wide variety of connectivity options (including both USB 2.0 and Firewire), and digital audio output for home theater surround sound.

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit, Service Pack 1) includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center. In addition to easily playing your DVD movies and managing your digital audio library, you'll be able to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV). Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.

The Basics

Processor: AMD's Athlon 64 X2 5000+ dual-core processor is built for tomorrow's 64-bit applications, which will require a processor with significant power. Dual-core technology is like having two processors working together, each one taking care of different applications, so power-users actually experience greater performance when multiple applications are running. Digital media enthusiasts will appreciate the enhancements while simultaneously working in high-definition video and photo editing and audio mixing programs. It includes such AMD features as HyperTransport Technology (which increases the communication between integrated circuits) and Enhanced Virus Protection.
This 2.6 GHz processor offers a system bus with speeds up to a blazing 2000 MHz and each core offers a 512 KB L2 cache--for a 1 MB total. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)



Hard Drive: The 320 GB Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive (7200 RPM) offers a wealth of storage space, perfect for storing a vast multimedia collection or for editing digital video. This SATA hard drive has a 3Gb/s interface speed that enables up to 300MB/s data transfer rates (double the speed of the current SATA interface of 1.5Gb/s).
This Slimline PC also includes a drive bay that fits an optional HP Pocket Media Drive, which enables you to add up to 160 GB of additional storage. The Pocket Media Drive also works with any USB-enabled PC, for easy transferring of multimedia files from other computers in your home.



Memory: The 3 GB of installed RAM (PC6400, 1 x 2 GB, 2 x 1 GB) helps boost the amount of available video RAM that's shared with this desktop's video card. It also offers a fast 800 MHz speed. This notebook has a 4 GB maximum RAM capacity (2 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 12x DVD±R DL Write Once, 16x DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 12x DVD-RAM, 40x CD-R, 32x CD-RW write speeds and 40x CD-ROM, and 16x DVD-ROM read 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: It comes with an HP multimedia keyboard and scroller mouse (both with PS/2 connections).
Video & Audio This desktop features an integrated Nvidia GeForce 6150 SE graphics/video card with 128 MB of dedicated graphics memory. Windows Vista can also allocate up to 1343 MB of total graphics memory from the system memory. It features NVidia's PureVideo technology--which provides great picture clarity, smooth video, accurate color, and precise image scaling for video content--and full support for Microsoft DirectX 9.0 for stunningly realistic cinematic effects for all DirectX-compatible applications. It also offers an integrated audio card that can produce high definition surround sound configurable to 8 speakers.
Networking, Connectivity & Expansion For expansion, this Slimline desktop has one PCI x1 Express slot (occupied), one PCI x16 Express slot (occupied), one 5.25-inch external bay (occupied), and one 3.5-inch bay (occupied). It comes with the following external connections:

6 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players (2 front, 4 back)
1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
15-in-1 multi-format memory card reader, compatible with CompactFlash I/II, IBM Microdrive, Secure Digital (SD), miniSD, MultiMediaCard (MMC), Reduced Size MultiMediaCard (RS-MMC), MultiMediaCard Plus (MMC plus), MultiMediaCard Mobile (MMC mobile), Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick Pro Duo, SmartMedia, and xD Picture Card
2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
1 VGA monitor port
1 line-in, 1 line-out, 1 microphone, and 1 digital audio output
Fast Ethernet port for 10/100 networking
56K modem

Operating System Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium with SP1 (32-bit) 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 Slimline desktop measures 13.39 x 4.2 x 10.9 inches (LxWxH/D) and weighs approximately 19.7 pounds.

What's in the Box This package contains the HP Slimline s3700f desktop PC, keyboard, mouse, and power cord. 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 90 days from date of purchase.

Note: Monitor not included.

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HP TouchSmart IQ846 Desktop PC Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I had an HP Pavillion which was, to put it simply, a complete disaster. I swore I'd never buy am HP ever again. In checking out replacements, I looked into some All-In-One's like this one. After careful research (and some trepedation), I decided on this one.
I use the PC as a media server and bedroom TV and it excells at both. As a media server, I get flawless performance streaming music, photos, and video to my DVR's in the living room (DirecTV HR20 and HR21). As an added bonus, however, unlike the similarly outfitted Pavillion, this computer runs DirecTV2PC flawlessly. That means HD Video in my bedroom from my living room DVRs. The DVD/BD player is great, and I love the discrete slot loading mechinism behind the screen. Also, one cable (power) coming from the back beats the usual rats nest of cables around most PCs!
The PC's preformance is lightning quick and I can use Vista as soon as it boots up (no more waiting 10 minutes after boot-up before I can do anything!).
The touchscreen is very responsive and hyper accurate. The HP Touchsmart software is great, but I can use Vista without a mouse with this as well. I can even launch from the quick launch bar with my finger!
The screen is big, bright, and really pretty to look at. The ambient light for the keyboard is customizable and really pretty.
All in all, for TV, media, games, and even some work, this is the best computer out there and well worth the money!
P.S. At 54 pounds, Amazon still delivered for free!!!

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The next-generation, touch-enabled PC combines a 25.5" diagonal hi-def widescreen with a powerful energy efficient Intel Core 2 Duo processor in a single, integrated design.Touch-screen technology puts your digital life at your fingertips with fast, easy access to info, entertainment and social networks.Next-generation HP TouchSmart software simplifies access to photos, videos, music and applications. Quick and easy touch access to your digital world.Includes HP TouchSmart software, webcam, media card reader, and premium speakers for fast, easy access to photos, videos, music and applications.HP wireless keyboard, HP wireless optical mouse, power cord, Cyberlink DVD Suite Deluxe software, Microsoft Works 9, Adobe Reader 8 and Norton Internet Security 2009 with 60 days of complimentary live updates.

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HP Pavilion Elite M9500F Desktop PC Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)My review is mostly for Enthusiast/Professional Photographers...
I needed a new powerful desktop with 64-bit processing. My Sony Vaio desktop that once was cutting edge two years ago,is now not able to keep up with many of todays demands. Especially my updated versions of Photoshop CS, and Lightroom 2.3 which works native in 64-bit.
64-bit allows windows to accept, use and maximize a computer with 4+ gbs of RAM. The HP Pavilion Elite M9550F comes pre-installed with a maxed out 8gbs of ram.
So for a photographer using high end software, and downloading large amounts of files. This computer works swiftly and effortlessly.
On my older sony desktop, it took about 15 minutes to download 4gb off of a compact flashcard. I could not do any other task while it downloaded, or risked data loss or the download not completing.
It takes about a minute to download with the HP, and I listen to music and/or check emails with no detectable slow down in the system.
On my old desktop, if I changed modules in lightroom, or did any form of editing it took a few seconds to see the changes. I sometimes had to hit Ctrl+Z so I can see the before image. With my new HP,... It's so fast that I miss the changes if they are not drastic. The screen appears to blink, because it responds so fast to my commands.
The onboard 1TB of storage is another huge plus. There are still very few desktops on the market with an internal 1TB drive. I have purchased three 1TB external hardrives, with two mirroring the HP's internal drive. There is a bay available that can be used for an additional internal drive, and you can purchase a HP Media Drive up to 1TB to plug right into a special bay. No wires, or software is necessary.
I distribute CD's to models and clients often. The LightScribe technology that is part of the CD/DVD drive lets you etch custom labels and artwork right on a LightScribe-enabled CD or DVD. This allows you to look professional and a cut about the rest.
There are several ways to hook up a monitor, so I have the VGA attached to my old CRT monitor, and HDMI port attached to a 30inch flatscreen. Using dual displays is just a few clicks, and takes your image editing to another level.
There are a lot of features that I'm sure I missed, but these are the standout features to me, using it for photography.

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Delivering an amazing high-end home entertainment experience, DirectX 10 gaming, and power for the most demanding PC tasks, the HP Pavilion m9500f Elite desktop PC is powered by the 2.4 GHz quad-core AMD Phenom X4 9750. With four cores in a single processor, the AMD Phenom X4 and the 8 GB of RAM (with 16 GB maximum capacity) deliver excellent multitasking and multimedia performance, and it's a perfect match for the pre-installed 64-bit version of Windows Vista Home Premium. You can also go wireless and clutter-free with wireless keyboard, mouse, and remote control, and it includes the next step in Wi-Fi networking with a Draft-N wireless LAN (802.11b/g/n).
A recessed landing pad on top of the chassis offers a convenient place for connecting USB and FireWire devices. One touch of the HP Easy Backup button lets you back up your files instantly, helping to protect irreplaceable photos and files. And the SuperMulti DVD burner with LightScribe technology lets you etch custom, silkscreen-quality labels and artwork directly onto LightScribe-enabled CDs and DVDs.
This Pavilion Elite offers a built-in drive bay to fit an optional HP Pocket Media Drive, for up to 160 GB of additional storage that you can carry away with you when you go (media drive not included). Other features include a 750 GB hard drive, Nvidia GeForce 9500 GS graphics with up to 2558 MB of total available graphics memory, HDMI and DVI video outputs, 15-in-1 memory card reader, up to 8 channels of surround sound output, and Gigabit Ethernet wired networking. It comes with a wired keyboard and mouse.
The pre-installed 64-bit version of Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (Service Pack 1) includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center. In addition to easily playing your DVD movies and managing your digital audio library, you'll be able to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV). Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.
The Basics
Processor: This desktop is powered by AMD's 2.4 GHz Phenom X4 9750 quad-core processor was designed for megatasking--running multiple, multi-threaded applications such as processor-intensive visual design and modeling and serious 3D games as well all your digital multimedia. With an integrated memory controller and shared L3 cache, AMD Phenom X4 9000 Series processors have low-latency access to main memory for amazingly rapid system response and phenomenal system performance. The 9750 has 2 MB of L2 cache in addition to 2 MB of L3 cache and a 2000MT/s system bus.
All AMD Phenom X4 9000 series processors feature AMD64 with Direct Connect Architecture to blast through performance bottlenecks and provide direct access to DDR2 memory. AMD's HyperTransport 3.0 technology now provides support for full 1080p high-definition video. And with the next generation Cool'n'Quiet 2.0 technology reducing heat and noise, the AMD Phenom X4 9000 Series quad-core processor delivers seamless multitasking and optimum energy efficiency.

Hard Drive: The ginormous 750 GB Serial ATA hard drive (7200 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.
This desktop also includes a drive bay that fits an optional HP Pocket Media Drive, which enables you to add up to 160 GB of additional storage. The Pocket Media Drive also works with any USB-enabled PC, for easy transferring of multimedia files from other computers in your home.

Memory: The 8 GB of installed RAM (PC6400) helps boost the amount of available video RAM that's shared with this notebook's video card. It also offers a fast 800 MHz speed. This desktop has an amazing 16 GB maximum RAM capacity (4 x 4 GB) when used with a 64-bit operating system (4 GB when used with a 32-bit OS). 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 12x DVD±R DL Write Once, 16x DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 12x DVD-RAM, 40x CD-R, 32x CD-RW write speeds and 40x CD-ROM, and 16x DVD-ROM read 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: It comes with an HP multimedia keyboard and scroller mouse (both with PS/2 connections).
Video & Audio Video is powered by the Nvidia GeForce 9500 GS graphics/video card, which provides 512 MB of dedicated video RAM and offers up to 2558 MB of total available graphics memory as allocated by Windows Vista. Enabled by PureVideo HD, movies come to life with outstanding picture clarity, ultra-smooth video and vivid color. The lifelike images have up to six times the detail of standard DVD movies. Delivering state-of-the-art graphics performance, The GeForce 9500 GS graphics card is sure to give you the power and performance you crave to play the hottest DirectX 9 and DirectX 10 titles. Its 16x full-screen antialiasing technology delivers superior quality along with astounding performance and since it's optimized for Windows Vista.
The video card includes VGA and DVI video out as well as HDMI audio/video out options. This PC also offers an integrated audio card that can produce high definition surround sound configurable to 8 speakers.
Networking, Connectivity & Expansion This desktop can be wirelessly networked with the integrated Draft-N Wi-Fi LAN (802.11b/g/n). 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. It has one PCI expansion slot (available), two PCI x1 Express slots (one available), one PCI x16 Express slot (occupied), two 5.25-inch bays (one available), three 3.5-inch bays (one available), and the following external ports:
6 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players (2 in front, 4 in rear)
2 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals (1 in front, 1 in rear)
Video out: DVI, HDMI, and VGA
Headphone and microphone jacks
Audio: Digital SPDIF audio input/output, analog input/output
Surround sound speakers--rear, side, center (subwoofer)
2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
15-in-1 media card reader on the front, compatible with CompactFlash (Type I and II), MicroDrive, SmartMedia, Memory Stick/Pro/Duo/Pro Duo, MultiMedia Card, Secure Digital, XD Picture Card, RSMMC, MMC Mobile, MMC+
10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
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 desktop measures 16.61 x 7.0 x 15.51 inches (LxWxD) and weighs approximately 24.25 pounds.
What's in the Box The HP Pavilion Elite m9500f desktop PC comes with a power cord, keyboard, and scroller mouse. It is backed by a one-year warranty for parts and labor from date of purchase, one-year technical phone service, and 90 days of software application support.
Note: Monitor not included.

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Acer AX3950-U2042 Desktop (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Just got this machine last night, so this review might be a little premature. However, I wanted to post a review quickly so that others won't be mislead by some errors in the Product Description.
Most importantly, it DOES NOT come with WiFi as stated (twice). There are 2 PCI Express slots at the top of the case so a WiFi card could be added if you wanted to buy one.
The first paragraph also states 4GB of memory. The bullets mention 6GB. 6GB is correct.
Not sure what is meant by "Surround sound speakers (5 audio ports)", there are only the headphone, microphone, and line out jacks. Not sure if there is a "digital audio output" either, but I need to look again.
Finally, I have doubts about the "Date first available at Amazon.com: October 22, 2009" I don't think it's that old.
In spite of this cut and paste hack job description, I am, so far, very pleased with this machine. My last PC was 9 years old, so it may not mean much when I say this PC is a screamer. I like it's looks, seems to be sturdy (it fell on it's side while connecting it!), love the 11 USB ports and 1 TB disk. I also wanted the Intel Core i3 processor. I really didn't see a comparable machine at this price. So far, I am a happy camper.
I was surprised by the lack reviews on this machine - here and on the net. I hope to add more to this one when I become more familiar with this machine, but so far it looks like a winner.
9 days later and all is well . . .
I agree with the other reviewer about the vertical drive being a bit of a pain - especially if you keep the PC on the right side under your desk. But this is a real nit for me.
For those interested in such things, here are the Windows Experience Index scores I get:
Processor - 6.9, Memory - 7.0, Graphics - 4.9, Gaming graphics - 5.3, Hard Disk - 5.9
Still very happy with this machine.

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Acer Aspire X3950 Desktop: Multitasking Productivity Made Small
Small enough to fit just about anywhere, the Aspire X3950 desktop PC (model AX3950-U2042) is ready to satisfy your home computing expectations. But don't let its compact size fool you. The full-featured Aspire X3950 packs in an Intel Core i3 processor, 16x SuperMulti drive, a 1 TB hard drive, and 6 GB of memory to meet intense multimedia and multitasking needs with HD brilliance.

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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!


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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.

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Gateway FX6831-03 Desktop PC (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Like many, I wanted to avoid the whole Vista fiasco, so the Gateway FX6831-03 is my first new computer in seven years.
You only have to look at the specs: a powerful I7-860 processor coupled with a ATI5850 video card and an insane 16 gig of DDR3 memory to know this is a blazing fast machine at a modest price, so I'm going to talk about the out of the box stuff. I ordered the Gateway FX6831-03 desktop PC from Amazon via standard shipping and it arrived in good shape from J&R Music and Electronics in less than a week.
First, I opened it up to look inside. The case is crummy sheet-metal with screws, but the layout looks solid with no glaring problems and a big power supply (I've uploaded some photos into the "customer image" section). It has front-loading bays to add two more hard drives to its internal 1.5 TB drive. So far I've added a 1 TB Hitachi SATA drive to handle just HD video files. Setup was a bit tricky--I was expecting a simple plug and play, but I had to go into the device manager and format the new drive before it would show up. It's all good now.
The interior is tight because of the "cooling tower" on the CPU and the massive video card. Wedging in additional PC cards would be tough, though I would be hard pressed to think of what else to add! It has two disk drives--one CD/DVD burner and one CD/DVD/Blu-ray player; I replaced the CD/DVD burner with a Pioneer 205 Blu-ray/CD/DVD burner. I also supplemented its single case fan with two additional fans out of an excess of caution in this powerful machine.
The exterior is really sweet with red glowing racing stripes, an extremely fast multi-card reader and LOTS of USB ports (10!), FireWire, HDMI and more. You can nestle your iPod or MP3 player on a little indented platform on top, right next to two USB ports.
Turning on the Gateway FX6831-03 was a pleasant surprise. First there was a pretty good "whir" sound, then it settled down to dead quiet. I had to double-check that the fans were going! It is also quite energy efficient: my computer, modem/router/WiFi and 24" LCD monitor only use 108 watts while performing most tasks.
The setup was a snap. I don't know which was better: the new machine or the 64 bit Windows 7 Home Premium. In any case, unlike my previous Windows machines, I was able to get on line in seconds instead of wasting half a day fiddling with settings.
Unfortunately, the computer has no setup disks, and the setup instructions were of the pathetic "don't use this machine in the shower" sort. After removing some bloatware and downloading about 50 updates (true!) I loaded and tweaked dozens of personal programs. Note: Windows 7 doesn't use Outlook Express--it uses Windows Live Mail. Also, Windows has a nice (free!) anti-virus Microsoft Security Essentials program that won't bog down the system. Simple stuff, sure, but it was new to me and much appreciated. Rebooting only takes about 60 seconds.
You can also use Windows Easy Transfer between your new and old machine, but it I couldn't make it work via USB cable. I had to use an external hard drive. It took several hours and is a bit buggy. Also, start planning on moving all your e-mails and e-mail addresses to your new machine.
Most of my old (some very old) programs work on the Gateway FX6831-03. High end products like Photoshop CS5, Photomechanic, Pinnacle Studio HD and games like Supreme Commander 2, Dragon Age and Age of Empires III are amazingly fast even at highest resolution! For instance, Photoshop CS5 loads in six seconds! I've only had it a few months, but this machine is everything I could possibly want. Note of warning: Gateway is reported to have HORRIBLE customer support, but I figured it would be worth the risk. If I ever have a problem, I'll update this review.

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Gateway FX6831: Gaming Supercomputer With a streamlined racing car-like design complete with mesh venting inhale and red lighting effects, the Gateway FX6831-03 desktop computer provides a fantastic entertainment and gaming experience. It combines quad-core processing power via the Intel Core i7-860 with cutting edge graphics processing via the ATI Radeon HD 5850 graphics card with 1 GB of discrete video memory--perfect for visually rich apps and the most vivid DirectX 10 games. They're complemented by 16 GB of DDR3 RAM and a 1.5 TB hard drive for maximum storage right out of the box. This FX model also includes Blu-ray Disc drive for viewing movies in crystal-clear HD resolution as well as a separate SuperMulti dive for creating your own DVDs and CDs.
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. A myriad of front-accessible ports make it easy to connect, including the Digital Media Card Reader for convenient connection and downloads from your digital devices. And with a touch of a button, you can turn your monitor into a media slideshow of your favorite photos with the unique photo frame button.

The Gateway FX6831 desktop PC with mesh venting inhale, red accents and red lighting effects for a racing car-like design.

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Acer AZ5600-U1352 Touch Screen All-in-One PC (Silver) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I am very pleased with this unit and really enjoy the 23" screen. The clarity is excellent; its speed is very good; it is super quiet and I have not run into any snags since installing it on February 2nd, 2010. The touch screen is sensitive and you need to beware of old habits of touching the screen to point out something to someone else or to even brush lint from it as you will activate its ability to move things around.
Also I find that when I open a screen if I try to move it to one side, it will often expand it to fit the full screen. So in trying to use it as a split screen, you have to stay away from the borders because they are sensitive and will react by supersizing the screen you are working on. Not a problem, just something for retraining your brain.
Coming from a Microsoft wave type keyboard I find this one cramped and I therefore hit the wrong keys constantly, but that is my personal problem due to my flying fingers and again I need to retrain my brain. I like the sleek looks of the keyboard and mouse and it is such a pleasure to not deal with all the wires. It is a very streamlined unit and I am still adjusting to its features which are many.
I had not heard of Acer but must say I am very happy with the quality and trouble-free set up right from the box. I do recommend this all-in-one unit because it has features the others do not that make it more versatile and expandable. Better than a comparably priced laptop for my money and the touch screen is so much fun!

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Acer Aspire Z5600: Touch Screen All-in-One PCThe All-in-one Acer Aspire Z5600 desktop PC (model AZ5600-U1352) features next-generation touchscreen technology and no-compromise performance in a space-saving all-in-one PC design with a vibrantly colorful 23-inch LCD with full 1080p HD resolution.
The Acer Aspire Z5600 All-in-One desktop PC with 23-inch multi-touch screen.

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Compaq Presario CQ1-1225 All-In-One Desktop PC - Black Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I already owned a 'power pc' I built myself for heavy-duty graphic design work. That thing is powerful, bulky and noisy and has a messy tangle of about a dozen wires plugged into it.
This is the complete opposite. Basically I needed a hassle-free budget PC for my parents to do web browsing, work with the Office suite and watch multimedia once in a while. The Compaq All-in-One PCs are perfect, perfect, perfect for those purposes. The only wires you need to deal with are those belonging to the mouse, keyboard and power supply. The computer has integrated Wi-Fi with great signal reception. The screen is above average with great viewing angles, and the machine produces almost no noise.
Even with such a weak Atom processor, it boots to Windows in about a minute or two. As long as you don't need to work with stressful processing tasks, this computer will be an absolute pleasure to work with. If you want to play modern games, use powerful resource-intensive professional productivity programs or rip HD video, a single glance at the PC's specs will suffice to deduce it's not for you. But for everyday use, the AIO will handle whatever you throw at it and not break a sweat. Highly recommended.

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The Compaq Presario CQ1 is an All-in-One PC that includes all your computing essentials and a few extras built-in at a price worth cheering about. It fits the PC and display into a slim, easy to use, and affordable package that meets your basic computing needs and fits in any environment so you can save and look good doing it.

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Dell Studio XPS sx8100-850NBC Desktop (Piano Black with Chrome Trim) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I ordered this Dell XPS8100 last weekend using the FREE shipping option (5-9 business days). I received the PC and a Dell Monitor (Amazon via [...])yesterday. Very fast delivery. I've just started setting things up. I had an initial concern regarding the speed of the memory, however, after running a couple of different diagnostic programs, I learned that the memory was as advertised, 6GB, DDR3, 1333Mhz. The PC is much quieter than my previous one, and also runs considerably cooler (about 85 degrees F). I don't know about the primary hard drive other than it is a SATA. Most XPS PC's come with a SATA II 3 Gb/s. For $699, it appears this was a good deal.

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Discover a more immersive media experience with the new Dell Studio XPS 8100 desktop, designed to keep you front and center of all the action.

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HP TouchSmart IQ524 Desktop PC (2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 Processor, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB Hard Drive, DVD Drive, Vista Premium) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This computer is working well. I was skeptical about buying it, since my laptop was not even a year old, but I'm glad I made the change. It's very fast - almost instant on. The Touchsmart feature is not too practical. The 22" screen is more comfortable several feet away. Can't reach the screen, so I optimized it for the mouse. I did look at the Touchsmart software and found it of little interest. The large screen is very practical for my needs, though. I have plenty of table space right in front of me, rather than filling it with computer.
The cordless keyboard works very well. Lot of times the cordless equipment doesn't keep up with my typing. Love the larger delete key. The mouse is a bit stiff, but it operates mouse-intensive games fine.
All my software and wireless printer set up easily, as did internet connections. The little cover on the ports is a bit difficult to remove and replace. The shiny finish is quite a dust enhancer. Somewhere the black frame got scratched at the bottom of the screen right in the middle.
I like the HP Pocket Media plug-in backup drives. The HP website shows the drive as an accessory to the 500 series Touchsmart. I phoned their sales people twice to ask about drive capacity and where the drive was inserted into this unit, and both confirmed the PC had a slot in the top, so I ordered the 500gb drive from HP at the same time I ordered the PC from Amz. PC arrived, and there is no slot. Another call to HP revealed that only the 800 series accommodates this drive. So I have to attach it via USB. The whole idea of the Pocket Media is that they slide right into their own slots in the PCs for which they are made. I found it interesting that both the people and the website at HP were sloppy about this accessory. HP is very generous about returns, but I wanted the larger capacity drive, so I kept it. By the way, this is the second HP computer I've had for which these plug-in drives were misrepresented on their website. First time it happened, a couple computers ago, I could not get anybody to acknowledge the error and correct the site.

Click Here to see more reviews about: HP TouchSmart IQ524 Desktop PC (2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 Processor, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB Hard Drive, DVD Drive, Vista Premium)

Redesigned with a next-generation, touch-enabled 22-inch high-definition LCD screen, the HP TouchSmart IQ524 all-in-one desktop PC is designed to fit wherever life happens: in the kitchen, family room, or living room. With one touch you can check the weather, download your e-mail, or watch your favorite TV show. It's also designed to maximize energy, with a power-saving Intel Core 2 Duo processor and advanced power management technology, as well as material efficiency--right down to the packaging. It has a sleek piano black design with elegant espresso side-panel highlights, and the HP Ambient Light lets you set a mood--or see your keyboard in the dark.

The TouchSmart IQ524 comes with a bevy of special software features to make your computing life a breeze, including TouchSmart Video and Photo for quickly sharing your snapshots and videos to the web, TouchSmart Calendar for helping your family manage its busy, overlapping schedule, and TouchSmart Notes for both text and voice notes right at your fingertips. And it comes with a wireless keyboard and wireless optical mouse to help you keep clutter to a minimum.
It's powered by the 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 processor, which boosts speed, reduces power requirements, and saves on battery life. It also offers a fast 800 MHz front-side bus speed and 2 MB L2 cache It has a built-in webcam and microphone for video chats with family and friends, and it includes integrated stereo speakers that produce crisp, clear audio from DVD movies and downloaded video purchases. Other features include a 500 GB hard drive, 4 GB of RAM (8 GB maximum), a dual-layer DVD±RW drive, the latest in Wi-Fi networking (802.11n as well as backward compatibility with 802.11b/g), Bluetooth wireless technology, Gigabit Ethernet, and an Intel GMA X3100 graphics with up to 1759 MB of total available memory.
The pre-installed 64-bit version of Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (Service Pack 1) includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center. In addition to easily playing your DVD movies and managing your digital audio library, you'll be able to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV). Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.
HP and the Environment HP is committed to providing products that are designed with the environment in mind, and all HP TouchSmart IQ 500 series PCs have earned Energy Star and EPEAT Silver designations. They also use HP power management technology can reduce PC energy use up to 45 percent, and their chassis design uses 55 percent less metal and 37 percent less plastic than standard PCs and monitors. To top it off, the new packaging design greatly reduces plastic foam cushioning materials.
The Basics
Processor: The Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 processor has a 2.0 GHz processor speed, fast 800 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and 2 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)
With two computational execution cores in a single processor, it provides greater system response when running multi-threaded applications simultaneously with no significant increase in power consumption. It's optimized for multitasking and is ready to support the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system. It can simultaneously run multiple demanding applications--such as graphics-intensive games or serious number-crunching business productivity applications--while downloading music or running virus-scanning security programs in the background. Some of the advanced Intel innovations of the Core 2 Duo processor include:
Smart Memory Access: Improves system performance by hiding memory latency, thus optimizing the use of available computer data bandwidth to provide data to the processor when and where it is needed.
Advanced Digital Media Boost: Effectively doubles the execution speed for instructions used widely in multimedia and graphics applications.
Dynamic Power Coordination: Coordinates Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology and idle power-management state (C-states) transitions independently per core to help save power.
Deeper Sleep with Dynamic Cache Sizing: Saves power by flushing cache data to system memory during periods of inactivity to lower CPU voltage.


Hard Drive: The 500 GB Serial ATA hard drive (7200 RPM) provides more than enough space for storing all your photos and home movies, your digital audio library, and downloaded movies and TV shows. This SATA hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to Firewire and USB 2.0.

Memory: The 4 GB of installed RAM (PC6400, 2 x 2 GB) helps boost the amount of available video RAM that's shared with this desktop's video card. It also offers a fast 800 MHz speed and 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 6x DVD±R DL Write Once, 8x DVD+R, 8x DVD+RW, 8x DVD-R, 6x DVD-RW, 16x DVD-ROM, 24x CD-R, 24x CD-RW, and 40x CD-ROM speeds.

Keyboard & Mouse: This TouchSmart PC comes with an HP low-profile Wireless Keyboard with numeric keypad as well as an HP Wireless laser mouse.
Screen, Video & Audio The touch-enabled 22-inch widescreen BrightView LCD offers height/tilt adjustment for optimal viewing. It offers a native resolution of 1440 x 900 pixels. Video is powered by the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100, which includes 128 MB of dedicated video memory (and up to 1759 MB total graphics memory as allocated by the system) and provides Windows Vista Aero interface support and enhanced 3D graphics performance--delivering over 2x scores on 3DMark 06. Intel Clear Video Technology provides outstanding video playback with sharper image quality, increased clarity, and customizable color controls. It also enables enhanced visual quality of interlaced content on progressive displays. The integrated audio card is configurable to 6-speaker surround sound, and it can provide two-channel audio via its integrated 4W speakers.
Networking, Connectivity & Expansion Be ready for the next platform in wireless connectivity with the integrated tri-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 older home routers). You'll enjoy wireless connectivity to a wide range of peripherals with the built-in Bluetooth. This TouchSmart PC also offers ultra-fast Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000). It comes with the following external connectors:
5 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players (2 front, 3 rear)
1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
2 headphone jack (front
1 line-in and 1 line-out jack (back)
1 IR receiver
10/100/1000 Ethernet
5-in-1 memory card reader (Secure Digital, MultiMedia, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, xD Picture Card)

Operating System Windows Vista Home Premium (64-bit version) 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 Reveal Premium: Automatically create professional looking home videos and burn to DVD.
Cyberlink DVD Suite: 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 desktop measures 21 x 17.4 x 2.6 inches (WxHxD) and weighs 24 pounds.
What's in the Box This package contains the HP TouchSmart IQ524 desktop PC, wireless keyboard, wireless mouse, and power cord. Every HP TouchSmart PC comes with special HP Total Care, which includes 24/7 service and support for the first year via HP's North America call center and dedicated toll-free telephone support in English and Spanish in the United States.

Click here for more information about HP TouchSmart IQ524 Desktop PC (2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 Processor, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB Hard Drive, DVD Drive, Vista Premium)

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