Desktops & Servers > From 512 MB to 1.0 GB Desktops & Servers > Personal Computer

Advantages: A good all round system
Disadvantages: DVD writer software

When I was looking around for a new PC I only went in PC World to get a feel for what sort of things were available. I would then look around the various other more reputable high street and on-line manufacturers before parting with my cash. I never thought that 2 hours later I'd be at home setting up this truly excellent machine. This is what I got for £699: Processor: Athlon 2600 XP+ (running at 1913 Mhz) Memory: 512 MB Hard Drive: 80 GB Optical ...
...4 graphics Screen: 17" Flat Panel monitor (free upgrade from 15") Floppy drive: 1.44 MB Software: Win XP (home), MS Works, Win DVD, Ahead Nero. Modem: 56 kbps Sound: integrated Nforce2 sound Speakers: Stereo desktop USB: 6-off USB2 ports (2 on front of case) Other ports: 1 x serial, 1 x parallel, 1 x network, keyboard, PS2 mouse, speakers & microphone. Plus on the day that I bought it I was offered 10% off anything else I bought at the same ... Read review

Advantages: Superb value, quality components
Disadvantages: None

I purchased the 'October 2003 Mesh Matrix 2500+ TFT' system and it arrived a few days ago. Curiously (this review written on 21st September) this precise system is no longer available, although equivalent and doubtless slightly better value systems are now available under the subtitle November 2003! I am delighted with it in every respect, particularly on the value for money. I shall run through the specification, and comment where I see fit: - ...
...throughout (I have also reviewed Mesh as a company separately, under Offline Hardware retailers). I can't fault it in any way... Except that my only gripe regarding the system is the lack of clear setup instructions from Mesh for the system, and no manual for the speakers. There was just a poster outlining which port was which on the back of the main unit. This isn't ideal for those with little or no experience of setting up PCs! The monitor came ... Read review

Advantages: Performance, plenty of USB ports, LAN
Disadvantages: Upgradability, sound

...manufacturer support, my experience with Packard Bell has been mixed. I had another different machine from Packard Bell some time before this one and the hard drive failed. I was bounced around their customer support and sent discs, which weren't even meant for my machine and would have left me in a bigger mess but because the hard drive wasn't working, I fail to see why I was sent discs to rectify it. I also had 3 customer support engineers come ...
...were useless. I would have fixed the computer myself had I not been entitled to it free under the warranty. It was 6 months before my PC was up and running again. That was my first experience with their support. It has since gotten better. The hard drive also failed in this machine about a year ago. I was bounced around a couple of people that weren't very helpful at all but one or two were extremely helpful. They now have a service that sends you ... Read review

Advantages: Good combination of bits well put together
Disadvantages: Noisy fan, limited software supplied

...a little and finally selected Evesham for three reasons: First, it seemed to offer the maximum bang for each buck. Compared to its competition most components were of slightly higher specification. Second, the various magazines I read gave Evesham high marks for its machines and during my period of research it won various monthly awards for being best in class, which I saw as positive. Third, it was offered with a three year warranty, the first ...
...my latest acquisition on the Evesham website when I noticed that there was a new top of the range machine available, and at a price not greatly dissimilar from the spec I had ordered. A panic phone call followed and with absolutely no fuss the salesman agreed to modify my order. I ended up with an 1800 processor for another £40. The machine arrived without notice on 21 November in an assemblage of boxes of varying sizes and weights. Fortunately ... Read review

Advantages: No advantages
Disadvantages: Too many to mention

We purchased our Mesh Computer in July 2004. It wasn't delivered until 17days later, which didn't concern us as we were told when we ordered the desk top that it was going to be built for us to our specifications so would take a bit longer. We took delivery on Friday 13th August (bad mistake!) in the afternoon. The computer was really easy to set up - it had come with easy instructions on how to set it up. I managed it all by myself and then came ...
...Would I buy from Mesh again - never in a million years and I wouldn't recommend anyone buy from them either. *************************************************************************** Update We had someone to come and look at the computer. He spent 7 hours working on it, good job he is a friend as well as a computer expert. The result - it is still not working. We have again resorted to the laptop using the seperate TFT screen until something ... Read review