Desktops & Servers > From 150 GB to 250 GB Desktops & Servers > Intel Core 2 Duo > 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: Customise your own system
Disadvantages: Better instructions for Vista

The thing I like about Dell is that you can customise your computer to your own requirements, for example adding a DVD Re writer media card, etc, etc. I've had little trouble with mine (touch wood!). The only problem I had was upgrading to Windows Vista. I was left with minimal instructions and actually found the system slower, until I got down to using it on a daily basis. At one point I considered reverting to XP, but thought I would stick with ...
...my own music. A Dell technician was supposed to call and explain how to speed the system up but never did, presumably whilst they were getting the Dell support center up and running, better than having to ring India and spent two hours talking to support when my Dell laptop caught a Greek virus and packed up! On the plus side, plenty of options for either home or business, good with a back up drive and with Windows Vista reminding you every 30 days ... Read review

Advantages: Supports two pc cards (graphics cards etc)
Disadvantages: No Vista support

This was the first computer I bought myself, and when it was released it was one of the best in its range for sff pc cases. The size of this computer doesnt seem so small now due to compettitors like the mac mini and the dell hybrid mini. If your looking for a small computer, this isnt the one for you! It does however offer two pc card slots which many of the other small computers lack, if you are looking for something you can upgrade easily, this ...
...came out and many of the features have been left unsupported, for example the card reader can no longer be used, as far as I am aware there are still no drivers to make this work and would advise anybody buying this computer to stay away from vista at all costs. ... Read review

Advantages: Fast and easy to upgrade
Disadvantages: not the most attractive (if your into astetics)

...I was very pleased to find all the hp products and support that i was looking for easy to access and all help services are pre-installed on the machine so accessories and peripherals are easy to add at a later date. I hope this helps you choose this wonderfull pc. ... Read review

Advantages: Quick, Cheap
Disadvantages: Better (albeit more expensive products) are out there

...* Hard disk controller HP Embedded 6 Port SATA Controller with embedded RAID (4 ports for HDD) * Internal drive bays Four 3.5" Non Hot Plug SATA * Optical drives DVD-RW * Internal mass storage Maximum 2 TB (4 x 500 GB) SATA System features * Chassis type Micro ATX Tower * Chipset Intel 3200 Chipse Networking & Expansion * Network interface Embedded NC105i PCIe Gigabit Server Adapter * External I/O ports Parallel - 0; Serial - 1; Pointing ...
...- 1; USB - 8 total (4 rear, 2 front panel, 2 internal (one for USB Tape connectivity)); Network RJ-45 (Ethernet) - 1; Management: Optional Lights-Out 100c Remote Management port * Expansion slots Expansion Slots: Slot 1: 32-bit/33MHz PCI at 3.3V slot; Slot 2, 3: PCI-Express x8 connector with x1 link; Slot 4: PCI-Express X8 connector with x8 link Power * Power supply type 365 Watts Power Supply * Power requirements 90 to 132 VAC, 180 to 264 VAC; ... Read review