OK, my computer died a couple of weeks ago...tragic it was, after I'd become so attached to it. Still I got over it very quickly, being consoled by the presence of a nice shiny new model.
So what is my nice shiny new model then, do I hear you ask? Or have you already figured that out by the product description of this here review.
The Advent T9200
Wow! This is a computer that kicks ass (am I allowed to use expletives as such in a review? Too late now I suppose).
Specification:
Processer - 3.4Ghz - Intel Pentium 4 Memory - 512Mb DDR RAM Hard Drive - 200Gb HDD (7200rpm) Graphics - GeForce FX5500 256Mb TV tuner - with IR remote control DVD1 - 16 x speed DVD2 - 8x DVD rewrite speed Internet conncetivity - DSL ready - ethernet ready Operating System - Windows XP 3.5'' Floppy disk drive USB2 ports x 6 Firewire ports x 2 Keyboard - standard Mouse - IR tracking (no balls!) Speakers - Advent Stereo PC speakers
Software Included - MSWorks v.7; MS Windows MovieMaker; Adobe Acrobat v6; MS Windows MediaPlayer.
Colour/shape: Silver & mettalic blue/Tower
Price: £1,300 (included 19" TFT Advent Monitor - another WOW!)
From: PC World Store - Edinburgh. This model appears not to be available on line as yet.
Advantages:
This is super fast. Ideal for gameplayers - such as me. The graphics are really good - although the monitor does add immensely to the visual experience.
I also take a lot of photos. So the super-large hard drive is ideal for storage. As is the facility to write pictures to DVD.
This is also an advantage for storing and editing digital video film - another hobby of mine. Playback quality is good on DVD recordings although I've only experimented with this once. Good is OK, the quality could probably be excellent if the user had the wherewithall - still I'm learning and using features I've not used before (software wise).
The speed of the processor is a distinct advantage for all the above uses.
The TV feature is so cool. You can watch TV with the clarity of a plasma screen - although this is in no small part due to the quality of the monitor (which I'm actually not reviewing here - honest!).
You can also record TV shows direct to the hard drivewith a simple click of the mouse or press of the remote control. These are automatically saved as MPegs. Playback quality is good.
I've loaded on many of my favourite games and software packages. I've found that the installation speed is exceptional compared with my previous experiences - leaves me with more time to spend on other things.
The computer comes with a small but adequate instruction manual. Easy to read and to follow.
Easy to set up. Connect a few wires and connect to the mains. Total time to set up for me was 15 minutes - then I was wired!
Disadvantages:
The package was not cheap - although in fairness I felt this was value for money.
The package comes with very little software. I like getting free software bundles - even though I don't always use everything!
No anti-virus software included.
An apology:
Although I had my previous computer for nearly 3 years and had grown quite attached to it, I'm already over the loss - thanks to my new computer. I hope it will understand - it's business, not personal.
Would I recommend - most definately.
More details
Reliability
Good
Memory / capacity
Excellent
Range of Extra Features
Good
Instruction manual
Very useful
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