Find The Right Desktops

Asus Eee Top ET2002

Nvidia's Ion graphics chip gives the Asus Eee Top ET2002 better-than-average video performance for a Nettop, but that does little to spare this system from its weak overall performance and the variety of competitive, more well-rounded alternatives for low-cost video and gaming. Nettops might be competitive someday, but for now this category as a whole is a disappointment.

Specs: Intel Atom 330 (1.6 GHz), 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 320 GB Standard, NVIDIA ION, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium / Microsoft Windows 7 Upgrade Option, Personal computer

Gateway DX4300-03

Gateway's DX4300-03 is a game attempt at a digital media hub-style PC, but the value proposition just isn't here. Slow performance in particular drags this desktop down, and unless you particularly value a TV tuner, you'll find faster, more capable computers not much farther down the retail shelf.

Specs: AMD Phenom X4 9750 (2.4 GHz), 8 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 1 TB Standard, ATI Radeon HD 4650, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Personal computer

HP Pavilion a6700y

By sticking a wireless network adapter in a desktop with relatively slow performance for its price range, it almost feels as if HP has phoned in the configuration of this Pavilion a6700y. We can think of few reasons to justify purchasing this PC.

Specs: AMD Phenom 9150e quad-core 9150e (1.80 GHz), 4 GB DDR-2 SDRAM, 500 GB Serial ATA, NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition SP1

Asus Eee Top ET1602

Thanks to its price, size, touch screen, and semiportability, the Asus Eee Top ET1602 presents a lot of usage options. Put it in the kitchen, den, or even a hallway, and it can serve as an easy information hub for your family. Just don't put it on a desk, where a desktop or a laptop will be much better suited for serious work.

Specs: Intel Atom N270 (1.6 GHz), 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 160 GB Standard, Intel GMA 950, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Personal computer

Gateway LX 6810-01

The affordable Gateway LX6810-01 scores high points for offering high-end components right off the shelf. We recommend this system for multimedia editors and light gamers who can make use of its hard-working Nvidia 3D card and full 8GB of RAM. However, if you're looking more at straightforward performance, Dell offers a system with a faster CPU and a similar feature set for about the same price.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 (2.33 GHz), 8 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 640 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce GT 120, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Personal computer

HP Pavilion A6620f

The HP Pavilion a6620f makes a decent case for its budget price. We like the design and the built-in digital-audio ports, and if you're on an unbreakable budget, the a6620f will get you through a variety of processes, but we recommend saving up for a system that will give you a more powerful set of components for a negligible price difference.

Specs: Intel Pentium Dual Core E5200 (2.5 GHz), 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 500 GB Standard, Intel GMA 3100, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Personal computer

Averatec All-in-One

Like other Windows-based all-in-ones, Averatec's All-in-One can't compete with the iMac for sheer power. The Averatec's larger screen and few features it has that Apple doesn't might be enough to sell you, but the iMac remains the all-in-one to beat.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 (2.4 GHz), 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 320 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce 8400M, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Personal computer

HP Pavilion Elite m9040n

HP's new digital-media-oriented Pavilion Elite m9040n is fast, loaded with features, and its new looks and newly integrated receivers improve its profile. Our main issue is the redundant bays for two of HP's proprietary external hard drives. If you can get past that, there's a solid desktop here.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (2.4 GHz), 3 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 320 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Media center

Apple Mac Mini (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo)

The Mac Mini remains unique as the smallest mainstream desktop, but competition from Dell and HP has narrowed the gap in features while also offering room for expansion, and at a better price. If your goal is saving space, the Mac Mini is a winner. If you'd rather get the best deal, there are better options.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo (2 GHz), 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 120 GB Standard, Intel GMA 950, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Silver, Apple MacOS X 10.5, Personal computer

HP Compaq Presario SR5050NX

HP's new Compaq Presario SR5050NX squeaks by its direct eMachines competition, but both of those systems fall behind to HP's own SlimLine desktops in terms of features and performance. If you're looking for a basic desktop with expandability, though, we give this system the nod.

Specs: Intel Pentium D 925 (3 GHz), 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 250 GB Standard, Intel GMA 950, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Media center

Visionman VBBI-2N7500 - Core 2 Duo E6750 2.66 GHz

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 (2.66 GHz), 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, None., No operating system, PC barebone

Shuttle XPC D?VO Series SG33G5M Deluxe - no CPU

Specs: No CPU, 0 MB DDR2 SDRAM, None., Intel GMA 3100, PC barebone

Acer AcerPower FE (Pentium 4 2.93 GHz, 256 MB RAM, 80 GB HDD)

Specs: Intel Pentium 4 516 (2.93 GHz), 256 MB DDR SDRAM, 80 GB Standard, Intel GMA 900, EPA Energy Star, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Personal computer

Acer AcerPower FE (Pentium 4 3.06 GHz, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB HDD)

Specs: Intel Pentium 4 519 (3.06 GHz), 512 MB DDR SDRAM, 80 GB Standard, Intel GMA 900, EPA Energy Star, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Personal computer

HP Compaq Presario SR1920NX (Athlon 64 3500+ 2.2GHz, 512MB RAM, 200GB HDD)

Specs: AMD Athlon 64 3500+ (2.2 GHz), 512 MB DDR SDRAM, 200 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Personal computer

Lenovo ThinkCentre M58e 7259 - P E6300 2.8 GHz

Specs: Intel Pentium E6300 (2.8 GHz), 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 250 GB Standard, Intel GMA X4500, Microsoft Windows 7 Professional / XP Professional downgrade, Personal computer

Lenovo ThinkCentre M58e 7259 - P E6300 2.8 GHz

Specs: Intel Pentium E6300 (2.8 GHz), 3 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 500 GB Standard, Intel GMA X4500, Microsoft Windows 7 Professional / XP Professional downgrade, Personal computer

iBUYPOWER Gamer Power 507 Athlon II X2 240 (2.8GHz) 4GB DDR2 NVIDIA GeForce 9500 GT

CyberpowerPC Gamer Infinity 3315 Core 2 Quad Q8200 (2.33GHz) 4GB DDR2 NVIDIA GeForce GT 220

HP Compaq Presario Media Center SR2020NX (Athlon 64 3500+ 2.2GHz, 512MB RAM, 160GB HDD)

Specs: AMD Athlon 64 3500+ (2.2 GHz), 512 MB DDR2 SDRAM, 160 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, Media center