Desktops & Servers > From 150 GB to 250 GB Desktops & Servers > From 1.0 GB to 2.0 GB > Microsoft Windows XP Home > Personal Computer > PC

Advantages: Good configuration options, Windows XP, quiet and fast
Disadvantages: Looks are not going to win places on many desks

Earlier this year I bought five of these for a customer. It must be said that the money was not spent on visual styling. They are not the best looking machine but they are a good package in terms of performance and value if you shop around. They are very quiet and easy to configure. I had reservations about using Vista until SP1 had come out and since most of the customer's office used Windows XP I had to look around for a PC which came with Windows ...
...then have to buy an XP licence? It was best to get around the rather basic and uninspiring design by standing the base unit under the desk on its edge rather like a slim tower. The PC was well specified with 1 GB of RAM and this worked very well with the chosen operating system, Windows XP. It also came with a DVD burner which offered good performance. In all a good performer for the office, quiet and reliable and easy to work on. I would recommend ... Read review

Advantages: Small, Lightweight, Stylish
Disadvantages: Onboard Graphics Card, Noisy

Acer have been the manufacturers to millions of computers in households all around the world, and great expectations are on them every time they release a new desktop, so does this one carry the standard forward. Well- Yes and No. The good things about this computer is the general speedy feeling throughout, with the AMD 3400+ easily meeting the demand for speed for todays general applications. The AMD Processor gives power where you need it, and ...
...Upgrade with another 512 Stick of RAM, Would improve performance and stability somewhat. The down side to this PC, is that it is abit noisy, and I wouldn't recommend it if your looking for a Silent PC to be left on whilst sleeping, etc. Another dissapointment is the lack of a physical graphics card. The T160 comes equipped with an onboard Nvidia 6100 which can only withstand some of todays games. Games like Doom3 would not be able to play smoothly ... Read review

Advantages: Quiet, Fast & Reliable, Plenty of Space for expansion
Disadvantages: Bulky & Heavy

I bought one of these in October 2004. Price: £799 (including Lexmark Z1800 printer) Spec: 2.8 ghz Pentium 4 processor 256mb ddr ram x600 Radeon Graphics Card 15" Flatscreen Monitor Software bundle including Microsoft Works Windows XP Home Edition I use it approximately 5 hours daily. It is a very quiet machine compared to some of the PC's on the market and although this might not seem important - there is nothing worse than a noisy fan ...
...(sorry glancing!) at the television. It is fast enough for most home users and equipped with enough memory to play the latest games. (it also has 3 extra memory slots for upgrading). As standard with most home computers, also included in the package is an intel mouse and keyboard and standard packard bell speakers. This machine also has the capibilites of watching television on it and comes complete with 6 USB hubs. Audio wise - it has AUX connections ... Read review

Advantages: Pentium D processor, large hard disk drive, Lightscribe
Disadvantages: Noisier than some PCs

...weeks and finally chose the HP Pavilion T3155. I bought it direct from Comet, and it was on offer so cost £449.99 On switching the computer on I found it was slightly louder than my previous one. Anyone who's 'computer handy' could probably fix this. I didn't feel it was much of a problem, and I don't even notice it now. I think it would also depend on how noisy your last computer was, to whether it was a problem or not. The T3155 started up much ...
...Also worth mentioning is the HP website which is full of information and you can easily download a manual for the T3155 from there at http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/product?lc=en&cc=uk&jumpid=regR1002UKEN&product=1117307&dlc=en&, and also any drivers if you need them. However there was an excellent manual included in the box, as well as information on the XP software. Update*** I've now had this computer for six months, and I'm still very ... Read review

Advantages: Brilliant screen, fast, runs Windows too
Disadvantages: Virtually none, but not good for DIY upgrades.

Introduction I was walking through some wood on the Scottish Borders one day when we came across a cottage where we saw a Cavalier King Charles sitting on a chair in the sun, and a gentleman working on a computer. We got chatting about the dog (as we also have a Cavalier) and the conversation inevitable turn the his computer which happened to be an iMac 2.4GHz, 24" Core 2 Duo model being used for photography and graphics. The gentleman showed me ...
...me that I should give up my Windows PC and to switch to MAC for my main uses of photo and video. If I was really stuck, I was told that Mac could run any Windows programmes I needed on it. My main intention was to leave the Windows PC for day to day use, and use the MAC PC for hobbies only - more of that later. However, a few weeks later, after looking at reviews and seeing the machine again, I took the plunge and bought the iMac - a decision I ... Read review