Reviews of Computer Systems

The Velocity Micro Edge E2250 is a very fast midrange PC, and it's one of the best PCs in its class for digital media editors. Gamers will find a strong foundation with some upgrade potential, but they can get better performance for the dollar elsewhere.

HP's new digital-media-oriented Pavilion Elite m9040n is fast, loaded with features, and its new looks and newly integrated receivers improve its profile. Our main issue is the redundant bays for two of HP's proprietary external hard drives. If you can get past that, there's a solid desktop here.

Velocity Micro's ProMagix E2240 is perhaps the fastest preconfigured gaming desktop you can find on store shelves. It might not offer all of the features you want in a PC to anchor your digital lifestyle, but that's not really its point. Instead, this system lives up to its admirable goal of providing solid 3D gaming performance, and also offering room to grow.

PC vendors have very few tricks remaining to differentiate their systems from the competition, which makes the built-in Bluetooth in the Dell Inspiron 530 unique. There's little else that makes this system stand out, but if you need Bluetooth in your budget desktop, we can recommend no other.

The price of the HP Pavilion a6400z is definitely tempting, but you'll be much better off if you spend a little bit more on the right upgrades. This $340 configuration compares well with other PCs in its price range, but for $80 more it becomes a much more compelling desktop.

Thanks to a strong set of core specs, the Gateway GM5632E is the best deal going on in a mainstream traditional desktop. It might be missing a few fancy, nonessential features, but it has a strong enough foundation to make up for any deficiencies.

The HP Pavilion Slimline S3330f delivers a remarkable combination of features, value, and flexibility. It excels as both a traditional desktop, and a full-fledged living room PC, complete with a Blu-ray and HD DVD drive. Any nongamer in the market for a sub-$1,000 PC should put this system at the top of their list.

The eMachines T5246 is an imminently capable budget desktop, with pretty much every feature you'd want in a day-to-day PC. If you're inclined to bargain hunt you might find a better deal by a few dollars, but if you pick this one up you won't go wrong for the price.

The HP Pavilion SlimLine S3330f delivers a remarkable combination of features, value, and flexibility. It excels as both a traditional desktop, and a full-fledged living room PC, complete with a Blu-ray and HD-DVD drive. Any nongamer in the market for a sub-$1,000 PC should put this system at the top of their list.

You might be drawn in by the VAIO TP25's looks and features, but considering both its price and what it lacks, we hope you'll turn away. Other vendors offer similar capabilities for much less, and Sony charges way too much for this system's few advantages.