Find The Right Desktops

Asus Essentio CG5270-BP004

Massive case notwithstanding, the affordable Asus Essentio CG5270-BP004 delivers a competitive feature set with the horsepower to back it up. We recommend this system for light media editors and anyone who can make use of its straightforward performance and multipurpose features.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 (2.5 GHz), 8 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 1 TB Standard, Intel GMA X4500, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Personal computer

HP Pavilion P6230y

The HP Pavilion P6230y yields decent scores, but we have a hard time recommending a system that comes at a higher cost and a slower performance rating over competing systems. This system has a few uncommon features for its price, but nothing that makes up for its overall poor bang-for-the-buck.

Specs: AMD Phenom II X4 810 (2.6 GHz), 8 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 750 GB Standard, ATI Radeon HD 4200, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Personal computer

Gateway One ZX4800-02

Gateway's affordable One ZX4800-02 all-in-one isn't the most feature-rich desktop at this price, but it's fast and capable enough that it will handle most basic consumer tasks with aplomb. Don't get too excited about its touch screen, but there's enough to like about this system that we can recommend it as an everyday PC.

Specs: Intel Pentium T4300 (2.1 GHz), 2 GB DDR II SDRAM, 750 GB Standard, Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium

HP Pavilion Elite e9120y

We've never loved HP's Pavilion Elite PCs, and this desktop offers the same scattershot configuration that has always put us off. That said, we suspect a dorm room might actually be an appropriate place for a midtower that offers acceptable speed on top of Blu-ray capability. Just know that faster, more specialized desktops are available for less.

HP Pavilion p6130y

With more aggressive competition on retail shelves, the HP Pavilion p6130y isn't a particularly compelling desktop computer thanks to underwhelming features and poor performance. We only recommend this system if you truly need the hand-holding that comes with the support of a major U.S. PC vendor.

Specs: AMD Phenom X4 9750 (2.4 GHz), 8 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 750 GB Standard, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Personal computer

HP Pavilion Elite m9515y

The HP Pavilion Elite m9515y is not an elegant PC, but it has enough features where it counts to set it apart. If performance or seamless living room integration are your goals, look elsewhere, but anyone after digital media functionality will find this HP more capable than its competition.

Specs: AMD Phenom X4 9850 (2.5 GHz), 8 GB DDR II SDRAM, 750 GB Standard, NVidia GeForce 9600GS, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP 1

HP Pavilion Slimline s3020n

With new polish and a whole lot of bang for the buck, HP's new Pavilion Slimline s3020n leads the small PC field overall. The glossy black chassis, added expandability, and even a new keyboard make this system attractive both inside and out.

Specs: AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ (2 GHz), 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 250 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Personal computer

HP Pavilion A1210n (Athlon 64 2.2GHz, 512MB RAM, 200GB HDD, XP Media Center)

The HP Pavilion a1200n series includes Media Center PCs that are better suited for general home use than integrated living room systems, but they deliver excellent performance for the price.

Specs: AMD Athlon 64 3500+ (2.2 GHz), 512 MB DDR SDRAM, 200 GB Standard, ATI Radeon Xpress 200, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, Media center

Visionman VBBI-1NG721 - P E2180 2 GHz

Specs: Intel Pentium E2180 (2 GHz), 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM, None., NVIDIA GeForce 7050, No operating system, PC barebone

Averatec D1005VH1E-1 All-In?One Desktop PC - Intel Pentium E5200 2.5GHz, 3GB DDR2, 320GB HDD, DVDRW, 22? WSXGA, Vista Home Premium

Specs: Intel Core2 Duo (2.5 GHz)

AVERATEC Averatec All-In-One Series(F2)

Specs: Intel Core2 Duo (2.6 GHz)

AOpen XC mini MP45-BDR (Special Edition) - no CPU

Specs: No CPU, 0 MB DDR2 SDRAM, None., Intel GMA 4500MHD, PC barebone

AOpen Digital Engine DEX4502 - no CPU

Specs: No CPU, 0 MB DDR2 SDRAM, None., Intel GMA 4500MHD, PC barebone

Visionman VBBI-2N7511 - Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4 GHz

Specs: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (2.4 GHz), 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, None., No operating system, PC barebone

Visionman VDTI-1NG700 - Pentium Dual Core E2160 2 GHz

Specs: Intel Pentium Dual Core E2160 (2 GHz), 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 250 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS, Personal computer

Dell Vostro 420 Desktop Computer (Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 500GB/3GB)

Specs: Intel, 3 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 500 GB, ATI Radeon? HD 4350, Microsoft Windows? 7 Professional Bonus- Windows XP Professional downgrade

Dell OPTIPLEX 960S Desktop Computer (Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 160GB/2GB)

Specs: Intel, 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 160 GB, FreeDOS

Dell OPTIPLEX 960 MT Desktop Computer (Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 160GB/1GB)

Specs: Intel, 1.0 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 160 GB, Microsoft Windows Vista? Home Basic Service Pack 1, With media, 32

Dell OPTIPLEX 960 MT Desktop Computer (Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 80GB/2GB)

Specs: Intel, 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 80 GB, FreeDOS

Dell OPTIPLEX 960D Desktop Computer (Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 160GB/2GB)

Specs: Intel, 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 160 GB, Microsoft Windows Vista? Home Basic Service Pack 1, With media, 32