Desktop Computer Reviews

eMachines EZ1601-01 All-in-One Desktop Computer Review

Well this is the first all-in-one PC I’ve looked at carefully. It’s quite functional as a desktop computer, but with only the processing power of a netbook. Pricewise it seems about right and will serve well as a computer for surfing the Internet, writing documents and listening to music if you add speakers or headphones to the mix.
Here’s the features:

• 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor
• Windows XP
• 1GB memory
• 160GB hard drive
• DVD burner
• 18.5 inch monitor
• Gigabit Ethernet

So it’s a netbook with a large monitor and a DVD burner. The processor is standard on almost all netbooks and provides only a basic amount of computing power. Enough power for day-to-day stuff, but little enough to frustrate anyone using graphics applications or processor intensive applications like video.
The 18.5 inch monitor is useful. Bigger than most laptops, but smaller than any single computer monitor you can buy.
Hard drive is big enough and the 1GB of memory will run the applications it is intended to, ie. web browser, instant messaging and other basic communication stuff.
The system comes with the now unsupported Windows XP, and although the operating itself is fine, I’d really recommend something newer. Disclaimer: the computer I’m using right now has Windows XP, so take that as you will.
The DVD burner is a plus and nicely tucked away behind the screen, which also makes it a little awkward to get to, but not too bad.
I’m not totally convinced that this machine is worth it. For $300 you can get a netbook of equivalent power, add a monitor for less than $100 and get a removable DVD burner.  And after all that, the netbook can still be moved around from place to place easily. I would suggest it as an always-on computer, perhaps in the kitchen or somewhere like that, where it’s not going to be the primary machine. It’s missing the other thing I’d expect from this type of computer: a touch screen. Sure, it’s smaller and compact, but one could have been added and the price would not have gone over $480.
Pros:

• Compact
• Energy-efficient
• DVD burner

Cons:

• No touch screen
• Not powerful

Tags: all-in-one, atom, compact, low power

Compaq CQ4010F Black Desktop PC Review

 | Barebones Computer Reviews, Desktop Computer Reviews | 0 Comments

Firstly, this computer does not come with keyboard, monitor or mouse. It only comes with the system. Even so, for a tad under $400 it’s a pretty good offer.
As a primary home computer this Compaq can pack a bit of punch, with enough memory and processor speed to run anything but the most graphics intensive programs it can take most of what is thrown at it. Throw in the good looks and styling of the case and you’re looking at a pretty decent machine. Here’s a quick rundown of the main features.

• 2.3GHz AMD Sempron LE1300 processor
• 2GB memory
• 250GB hard drive
• DVD burner with Lightscribe
• NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE integrated graphics processor

The heart of the system is an AMD Sempron processor, which is branded as the cheaper end of the AMD lineup. The Athlon has traditionally been ahead of the Sempron in the pecking order. But AMD tend to throw quite a lot of good technology into their lower end products and this single-core processor can perform far better than its price tag suggests. Just the CPU on its own costs around $40 but performs well enough to surf the Internet, burn CDs and create some spreadsheets and documents.
2GB of memory is enough for even the heaviest of daily use. The memory or RAM is where programs are stored while they are running; it is much faster than the hard drive and means that programs can work quicker and store more information while they are running. The web browser Firefox for example can use up to 180MB of memory with only one of two tabs open, but as soon as you get to 15-20 tabs then all of those extra sites are now stored in memory and can shoot the memory usage of Firefox to over 300MB. Combine this with instant messengers and other programs and you get a lot of memory being used. But 2GB can comfortably handle all of those.
250GB hard drive is enough for around 40 DVD movies and should be plenty, especially if you store all your movies and photos online.
The Nvidia GeForce 6150SE is not a high performer for graphics. Although occasionally sold on “gaming computers” it really only does the basics. Modern games can be played if you turn off all the fancy shading and textures and other such stuff, but for getting the intended effect you’ll need a dedicated graphics card. Luckily it has a PCIe x16 graphics card slot for just this purpose, pity that it will probably be the processor slowing the graphics down for there onwards.
There is the standard slew of other extras including USB slots, audio input and outputs, Gigabit Ethernet and the pretty good looks of the case.

Tags: barebones, cheap desktop computer, compaq, desktop computer, sempron

Emachines EL1300G-01w Desktop PC Review

Wednesday, December 9th, 2009 | Barebones Computer Reviews, Desktop Computer Reviews | 1 Comment

So here’s a real cheap desktop computer. Aimed at doing just the basics and not including a monitor this system has everything a desktop computer needs and is perfect for a second, general-use system.
This system has an older AMD processor and has a fair spread of other parts. Here is a list of the features:

• 1.6GHz AMD Athlon 64 2650e processor
• 2GB of memory
• 160GB hard drive
• Dual-layer DVD writer
• Vista Home Basic

No illusions of grandeur here, this system only does the basics well. But that’s not all bad. This is a computer for $200.
The CPU processor is decent and can tackle most general tasks. Surfing the Internet and punching out some documents on a word processor will be fine. Using instant messaging will also not take a heavy toll on the system. The amount of memory is more important than all of these in this situation.
The 2GB of memory is enough for all tasks. A web browser with a whole lot of tabs open, streaming online radio, chat program and word processor all open at the same time will work well enough. It will not be enough for gaming or graphics-heavy programs that will need the power of a graphics card or faster processor to perform their tasks.
The small form factor is perfect for tucking away under a desk and out of the way. This case is a far cry from the super-ugly cheap boxes that typically come with cheap desktop computers. The drives and other bits are hidden behind the cover.
The 160GB hard drive is enough for storing photos and movies. The slower speed of this computer lends itself to be an Internet enabled device. Using it along with a dedicated Internet connection and online storage will provide allow files to be shared on any computer with ‘Net access.
Speaking of Internet access, the Gigabit LAN is a bit of a surprise. Gigabit LAN offers fast speeds on local networks that are equipped for it. However, the speed of Internet access it invariable slower than that.
For the price, this system really does offer a great package. A 19 inch monitor for around a $100 would give a full system for $300.
Pros:

• Cheap, cheap, cheap
• Gigabit Ethernet
• 2GB memory

Cons:

• No fancy graphics capabilities
• No Wifi

Dell Inspiron 545 Desktop PC with 22-Inch Monitor Review

powerful desktop computer with a big hard drive and large monitor thrown in for good measure.
For a full desktop computer this system from Dell doesn’t look too bad. There have been complaints about the pricing of Dell desktop computers being a little high compared to the offerings from the other big boys in the home computer market. But his model fights back with a whole lot for under $700.
Here’s a bunch of numbers:

• 2.6GHz Intel Pentium Dual Core E5300 CPU
• 6GB memory
• 640GB hard drive
• DVD writer
• 6 USB ports
• 22-inch monitor, 1920 x 1080 resolution
• Windows 7

Lets just start off by saying that this is not the fastest or newest processor out there, however it is more than enough for most intensive programs. Graphics programs will have no problem, although heavy games that need powerful graphics cards will have a hard time.
One interesting thing is a review on CNET that pointed to this computer being low on the value scale and not matching up to its near competition.
With the price lower than their review and the 22-inch model thrown in for good measure it at least measures up to similar models in terms of pricing and has a more reasonable amount of memory at 6GB. The speed increase from 4GB upwards is not worth the money most of the time.
Hidden behind the shiny black front cover is a DVD writer and a media unit for plugging in the myriad of memory cards gathered from various home electronics.
One of the biggest upsides to the whole deal is the great monitor. Quite often 22-inch monitors still don’t support 1920 x 1080, which I think should be the absolute minimum specification for this sort of machine. So it’s not just a cheap add-in to pick up sales of the main machine, it really is a worthwhile addition to the set.
Note that the system does include mouse and keyboard, although not pictured above.
Like

• Big, high-resolution monitor
• Ample memory
• Big hard drive
• Decent speed

Not so much

• No Wifi (included on some rival machines)