Amazon.com Product Description

Whether editing your family photos, balancing your online checkbook, or listening to your digital music collection, Compaq's SR1410NX offers a versatile, strong base for your home computing needs. Focusing on affordability, the SR1410NX has room to grow with an available expansion slot, 2 available PCI slots, 5 USB ports for connecting peripherals, and the ability to add up to 2 GB of RAM. This desktop comes with an 80 GB hard drive, 256 MB of installed RAM, 2.8 GHz Intel Celeron processor, combo DVD/CD-RW drive, and a multi-format memory card reader. For a step up in price, the SR1420NX offers a faster Celeron processor, 512 MB of RAM, and a dual layer DVD-/+RW drive.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The 80 GB hard drive (7200 RPM) is average in size when compared to other budget-minded desktop PCs. It will provide ample storage space for your family digital photos as well as a large digital audio library--but it's not quite enough for editing digital video from camcorders.
• Processor: The Intel Celeron D 335 processor might not be as sexy as a Pentium, but it still gets your work done speedily enough. It has a 2.8 GHz speed with a decently fast 533 MHz front-side bus (FSB) and 256K L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance.)
• Memory: The 256 MB of installed RAM will get you started, but you'll want to add more to handle any kind of multimedia application and most business productivity suites. This desktop has a 2 GB maximum RAM capacity.
• CD/DVD Drive: This desktop includes a speedy combo DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive, with 48x write/read and 32x rewrite speed for CDs and 16x read speed for DVDs.
• Keyboard & Mouse: The SR1410NX comes with a Compaq keyboard and scroller mouse (both with PS/2 connections.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
For expansion, the SR1410NX has two 5.25-inch external bays (one available), one external 3.5-inch bay (available) and one internal 3.5-inch bay (occupied), and three PCI slots (two available). It comes with a built-in floppy drive and the following external connectors:

• 5 USB 2.0 ports (1 in front, 4 in rear) for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 2 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals (1 in front, 1 in rear)
• 1 parallel port for connecting older printers and scanners
• 2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
• 1 VGA monitor port
• 9-in-1 media card reader on the front, compatible with CompactFlash (Type I and II), MicroDrive, SmartMedia, Memory Stick/Memory Stick Pro, MultiMedia Card, Secure Digital, and XD Picture Card

Preloaded System and Software
This system comes with the Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 operating system with Advanced Security Technologies, which helps to reduce unwanted downloads and pop-ups while surfing the Web. It also comes preloaded with Microsoft Works (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents), Norton Internet Security 2005 (with 60 days of complimentary updates), InterMute SpySubtract Pro (with 60 days of complimentary updates), Microsoft Money 2005, Quicken 2005 New User Edition, Sonic RecordNow, Apple iTunes, Adobe Photoshop Album Starter Edition, and MSN Encarta 2005.

Dimensions and Weight
This desktop measures 15.35 x 7.17 x 16.54 inches (HxWxD) and weighs approximately 30 pounds.

What's in the Box
The Presario SR1410NX desktop PC comes with a power cord, keyboard, and scroller mouse. It is backed by a one-year warranty for parts and labor from date of purchase, and it includes 90 days of toll-free software technical assistance. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Get more for less with the eMachines T2824 desktop PC. Just right for students or home use, it features a 2.53 GHz Celeron processor, a 40 GB hard drive to store all your digital media files, 256 MB of RAM, and a combo DVD/CD-RW drive to accommodate all your multimedia needs. It comes with Windows XP Home Edition installed, along with all the software and utilities you'll need to get up and running fast.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: With a 40 GB hard drive you'll have more than enough room for everything you need to store, including digital photos, audio files, and digital videos.
• Processor: The 2.53 GHz Intel Celeron D 325 processor has a 256 KB L2 cache and is fast enough to handle demanding applications.
• Memory: There is 256 MB RAM in one slot, and is expandable to 1 GB for future upgrades.
• CD/DVD Drive: The CD-RW/DVD combo drive reads CDs at 40x and DVDs at 16x. It also writes to CD media at 16x and rewrite at speeds of 10x, so you can play audio CDs, access CD-ROMs, watch DVDs, make your own mix CDs, or backup files on CD-R or CD-RW media.
• Keyboard & Mouse: It comes with a standard multimedia keyboard and 2-button wheel mouse.

Sound and Graphics
With an integrated Intel Extreme Graphics 3D card with 64 MB shared memory, you can play 3D games with realistic graphics and watch DVDs with movie-quality color and resolution. It also comes with amplified stereo speakers,and AC '97 audio for true Plug and Play audio so you can start listening to music right out of the box.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
It features a built-in 56K ITU v.92 ready fax/modem and Intel PRO 10/100 Mbps built-in Ethernet so you can get online easily whether you choose to use dial up or a high speed Internet connection or connect your computer to a network. Also included is an 8-in-1 Digital Media Manager to read USB 2.0, Secure Digital (SD), Smart Media, Compact Flash, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, Micro Drive, and Multimedia Card. It also features the following external ports:

• 5 USB 2.0 ports (1 in Media Manager, 4 in back) for connecting to a wide range of peripherals, from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 serial port for connecting to older electronics like modems or mice
• 1 parallel port for connecting to printers or cameras based on older technologies
• 2 PS/2 ports for the keyboard and mouse
• Audio in and audio out ports for connecting headphones, microphone, or speakers

Preloaded System and Software
The eMachines T2824 is powered by Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition. Windows XP Home Edition is packed with multimedia features to help you get your creative juices flowing. Windows Media Player lets you burn and play CDs, in addition to playing and organizing digital audio files. Windows MovieMaker is a basic video editing tool that helps you capture and edit digital video to save your memories and share them with others.

It also comes packed with the following software: Microsoft Works 7.0, Microsoft Money 2004, Encarta Online, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Real Player, PowerDVD, Internet Explorer, CompuServe, AOL (with 3 month membership included), Norton AntiVirus 2004 (90 day complimentary subscription), and BigFix.

Dimensions and Weight
The tower PC measures 7.25 x 14.12 x 16.0 inches (W x H x D).

What's in the Box
eMachines T2824 desktop PC, keyboard, mouse, amplified stereo speakers, power cable, user's manual, and warranty information. ... Read more

Product Description

Cutting-Edge Sony Style & Performance! Intel Pentium 4 3GHz HT Technology Processor! 512MB of DDR RAM, 200GB SATA HDD, DVD+/-RW Dual-Layer Burner! The Sony VAIO VGC-RB31P desktop can handle your professional needs and cater to your digital lifestyle. Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition gives you the power to create and manage all your data and documents, while the exclusive Sony software will support and grow with your expanding multimedia demands. Versatile and empowering, the VGC-RB31P lets you create, manage, share and enjoy your digital photos, home videos, movies and music. It's also loaded with software and hardware to help you create professional quality DVDs and CDs with up to 8.5GB recording capacity using advanced DVD+R Double Layer technology and Click to DVD software. This powerful tool is housed in the sleek VAIO tower and will integrate easily into any room, adding style without clutter. Ready for your creativity. The VAIO VGC-RB31P desktop comes loaded with the tools you need to create, manage, share and enjoy your digital photos, home videos, movies and music. Intuitive and versatile, the VGC-RB31P is ready for your digital lifestyle. The power to create professional-quality DVDs is at your fingertips with Click to DVD creation software. Create or record up to 8.5GB of home videos, movies, TV shows, music or digital photos – up to 4 hours of MPEG-2 video – on one Double Layer DVD disc. Give new life to great memories by converting your VHS ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The easy-to-use HP m7070n Media Center Photosmart PC is the complete home PC system that delivers more entertainment choices, and brings them together in one place with easy access from anywhere in the room. With the m7070n, you can watch, record, and pause live TV programming as well as schedule the PC to record upcoming episodes or entire series. It's powered by a blazing fast, hyper-threaded Pentium 4 processor and Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. It features a roomy 250 GB hard drive, 1 GB of installed RAM (4 GB maximum), a multiformat memory card reader, a multiformat, dual-layer DVD/CD burner and included Image Zone photo editing and management software.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The massive 250 GB Serial ATA hard drive (7200 RPM) offers a wealth of storage space, perfect for storing a vast multimedia collection or for editing digital video.
• Processor: The hyper-threaded 3.2 GHz Intel Pentium 4 640 processor allows a single CPU system to behave in some aspects like a dual-CPU system, helping to deliver faster transistors and increased performance. It also features a large 2 MB L2 cache and a blazingly fast 800 MHz front-side bus speed, which measures how fast a processor and the main memory communicate. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance.)

  A Hyper-Threading processor helps a PC to run multiple demanding applications at the same time. This technology enables the processor to execute two threads (a part of a program) in parallel, boosting performance during key high-drain procedures. This results in more efficient software performance (such as faster reaction times in gaming applications) and enhanced multitasking.

• Memory: The 1 GB of installed RAM (PC3200) is a good start for this multimedia-centric desktop PC, so you'll want to take advantage of the ultra-roomy 4 GB of total RAM capacity (2 x 2 GB)for such multimedia needs as video editing and immersive 3D gaming.
• CD/DVD Drive: Offering the latest in DVD writing technology, the m7070n multiformat DVD/CD drive is compatible with both DVD+ and DVD- disc formats as well as dual-layer DVD+R discs, which can store up to 8.5 GB of data. It features16x DVD+R, 8x DVD-R, 4x DVD+/-RW, 2.4x DVD+R DL, 16x DVD-ROM, 40x CDR, 24x CD-RW, and 40x CD-ROM ROM speeds. It features the LightScribe direct disc labeling feature, which enables CD, DVD images and disk labels to be permanently etched onto discs--eliminating messy marker-scrawled labels. This desktop also has an additional 16x DVD-ROM drive.
• Keyboard & Mouse: This desktop comes with an HP multimedia keyboard and optical mouse (both PS/2).

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The m7070n has three PCI expansion slots (all occupied), two external 5.25 drive bays (occupied), 1 internal 3.5 drive bay (occupied), one HP Personal Media Drive bay (available), three standard PCI slots, one PCI x16 Express slot (occupied), and the following external ports:

• 6 USB 2.0 ports (4 in rear, 3 in rear) for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 2 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link; 1 front and 1 back) ports for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
• 1 VGA monitor port
• Composite video, S-Video, and audio inputs
• 9-in-1 media card reader on the front, compatible with CompactFlash (Type I and II), MicroDrive, SmartMedia, Memory Stick/Memory Stick Pro, MultiMedia Card, Secure Digital, and XD Picture Card

Preloaded System and Software
The pre-installed Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 is essentially Windows XP Professional Edition with a variety of tools to help you to create, organize, and enjoy digital media ranging from music to home movies to photo slide shows. Additionally, it enables you to control your television with the included remote and record and pause programs (much like a DVR--or digital video recorder--such as Tivo or ReplayTV). With the 250 GB hard drive, you'll be able to record and store up to 180 hours of video programming. It's compatible with cable, digital cable, satellite TV and antenna inputs, and it includes an FM tuner.

The included HP Image Zone Plus photo and imaging software makes it easy to organize, edit, share, print, protect, and store your photos and video clips. Organize and find your photos easily by timeline, keywords, and/or location using the unique photo-globe mapping tool. Remove red eye and fix other common problems. Share your photos quickly via e-mails that include thumbnails with links to the full-sized images--without downloading time-consuming attachments.

Other preloaded software includes InterVideo WinDVD Creator and WinDVD SE player, Muvee autoProducer, Apple iTunes, Sonic RecordNow, Norton AntiVirus 2005, Microsoft Works 8.0, MSN Encarta Standard, Microsoft Money, and Quicken 2004 New User Edition.

Dimensions and Weight
This desktop measures 15.16 x 7.6 x 15.54 inches (HxWxD).

What's in the Box
This package contains the HP Media Center m7070n desktop PC, keyboard, mouse, remote control, and power cord. It is backed by a 1-year limited warranty. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Meet your new digital entertainment center--the HP Pavilion m490n Media Center desktop PC. In addition to offering a central library for your CD library and easy video editing, the m490n can also act as a TV and a personal video recorder (PVR), a la Tivo, as well as an FM tuner. The m490n is powered by the Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 operating system (compatible with cable, digital cable, satellite TV, and antenna). It also features a remote control, fast 8x DVD+RW burner, GeForce FX 5200 video card, a ultra-massive 250 GB hard drive, 512 MB of installed RAM, and multi-format memory card reader.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The huge 250 GB Ultra IDE hard drive (7200 RPM) offers more than enough storage for all your documents, digital photos (approximately 250,000 2-megapixel images) and video (approximately 13.5 hours of .avi video), and MP3 collection (up to 3,000 CDs).
• Processor: The top-of-the-line 3.4 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor with Hyper-Threading technology (which allows a single CPU system to behave in some aspects like a dual-CPU system--see more in Tech Talk section below) is one of the fastest processors currently available on the market. It is well suited for high-performance gaming and professional-quality image, audio, and video editing. It also has a 512 KB L2 cache and 800 MHz front-side buss (FSB).
• Memory: The m490n comes with a 512 MB built-in memory (1 x 512 MB PC-3200 DDR SDRAM)--a decent amount for starters, but you'll want to add more to take full advantage of the capabilities of Windows Media Center. The motherboard has two memory sockets for a maximum memory expansion of 2 GB.
• CD/DVD Drive: The m490n has two DVD drives: a 16x DVD-ROM for playing music, movies, and games and a DVD+RW burner for writing data and video to disc. For DVDs, it has 8x write, 4x rewrite, 12x read speeds; for CDs, it writes at 24x, rewrites at 10x, and reads at 40x. It's compatible with the DVD+RW format, one of two formats for rewriteable DVDs.
• Keyboard & Mouse: It comes with an HP wireless keyboard and wireless optical mouse.

Sound and Graphics
The m490n's video is powered by a 128 MB, 8x AGP GeForce FX 5600 Ultra video/graphics card, which has strong 3-D performance, dual-display capability--supporting one analog (VGA) and one digital (DVI) connection--and TV-out capability (enabling to display the PC on your Television via S-Video).

Sound is delivered via a Sound Blaster Audigy 2 audio card, which delivers high-quality 6.1 channels of digital surround sound (or 5.1 channels of analog-out surround sound). It also supports DVD-Audio, a super-high-fidelity audio format compatible with DVDs. The m490n comes with a three-piece set of Altec Lansing 221 speakers (1 subwoofer and 2 satellites).Connectivity and Expansion Slots
For expansion, the m490n has two 5.25-inch external bays (both occupied), four 3.5-inch bays (one internal bay available), three PCI slots (two available), and one AGP 8x slot (available). It comes with a built-in floppy drive and the following external connectors:

• 6 USB 2.0 ports (2 in front, 4 in rear) for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 2 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) ports for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals (1 in front, 1 in rear)
• 1 parallel port for connecting older printers and scanners
• 2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
• 1 RGB monitor port
• 1 serial port for older peripherals such as early PDAs
• 1 microphone and 1 headphone jack in the front
• 1 Digital Video Interface (DVI) port
• 1 TV-out (S-Video) port; 1-TV Input S-Video Port; 1-Composite Video/Audio Input Ports;
• 2 audio line-in ports
• 1 audio line-out port
• Multi-format memory card reader that's compatible with CompactFlash (Type I/II), MicroDrive, Memory Stick and Memory Stick Pro, Smaredia, Secure Digital (SD), and MultiMedia (MMC) memory cards. It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.92) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Preloaded System and Software
The pre-installed Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 is essentially Windows XP Professional Edition with a variety of tools to help you to create, organize, and enjoy digital media ranging from music to home movies to photo slide shows. Additionally, it enables you to control your television with the included remote and record and pause programs (much like a PVR such as Tivo or ReplayTV). You can even pause or rewind (up to 7 seconds) FM radio broadcasts.

It also features Microsoft Works (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents), Microsoft Money 2004, Quicken New User Edition 2004, Norton Antivirus 2003 (with 60 days of complimentary updates), Adobe Acrobat Reader, Encarta Encyclopedia 2004 Standard Edition, Adobe Photoshop album (starter edition), RecordNow 6.5 (for burning CDs), WinDVD SE 4.0 (for DVD playback), ArcSoft ShowBiz (for editing digital video), and MusicMatch Jukebox.

What's in the Box
This package contains the HP Pavilion m490n desktop PC, remote control (with USB infrared receiver), Harman Kardon 2.1 speaker system, power cable, keyboard, and mouse. It is backed by a limited warranty for parts and labor for one year from date of purchase.

Tech Talk
Hyper-Threading: A Hyper-Threading processor helps a PC to run multiple demanding applications at the same time. This technology enables the processor to execute two threads (a part of a program) in parallel, boosting performance during key high-drain procedures. This results in more efficient software performance (such as faster reaction times in gaming applications) and enhanced multitasking.

More About Microsoft Windows XP Media Center

What sets this PC apart is that it is powered by Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004, which offers the features, reliability, and power of Windows XP Professional, plus advanced digital entertainment capabilities. The Media Center interface offers you more types of entertainment to enjoy: TV, Personal Video Recording (PVR), Movies, Music, Photos, Videos, Radio, and DVD. Use the remote control to enjoy from anywhere in your room.

TV & Movies 
Watch TV when and how you want, and never miss a moment of your favorite programs.Pause and rewind live TV. Record a TV episode, series, or category. Automaticallyrecord a personalized selection of TV programs using Keyword Record. Media Centerdownloads the latest program listings for you and even wakes up from power-savingstandby mode to record programs, so you can watch shows on your schedule.
 	 
	Photos & Video
	Easily edit your digital pictures and digital videos, and then launch a dynamic slideshow complete with animated transitions and your favorite soundtrack. While viewing a picture, zoom in to see more detail. You can rotate, correct red-eye, and print your pictures using the remote. Play slide-shows straight from digital storage devices.
 	 
Music & Radio 
All your music is stored in one digital jukebox and using the remote, shuffle your entire music collection according to artist or genre or listen to your tunes through playlists that learn what you like. Tune in FM stations and pause live radio. Full-screen visualizations pulse to the beat of the music. Cool on-screen effects show music information, such as track title, track time, and artist.

... Read more

Reviews (2)

Best of best
I am very happy with this HP media Center.What more can I ask? I can watch TV, record TV same time if I wanted to by pushing the record button on my remote control.

At your own risk
This whole MediaCenter serie still needs a lot of improvements. The computer is decently priced but the applications are not all integrated with the MS MediaCenter. The MC application is often buggy and often crashes. It also makes use of additional external apps very hard. The motherboard on mine was faulty and made the computer unable to reboot after 2 weeks. Even the front bezel was defective. I noticed that the same problem was noticeable on demos in stores. Also, don't expect external soundcard or video card to be compatible...i learned it the hard way with my creative card.

To top all this, HP Support is mediocre at best. They ask you to ship them your computer and return it back to you a week later with no comments, no names of repair person, and even in my case missing parts that got stolen. You won't know what they tried to repair and just hope they didn't wipe your hard disk for no reason. ... Read more

Product Description

Space-constrained server environments pose challenges to businesses running e-mail, Internet, database, other demanding server applications. To help ensure reliability, server components must be rigorously validated with one another before deployment. To maintain performance and availability requires special attention to heat and power. Administration and management features must be made easily accessible, and maintenance and support must be simplified. To meet the needs of businesses facing such concerns, Intel has applied its wealth of experience and technological leadership to the development of the Intel Server Chassis SR2400.The Intel Server Chassis SR2400 is specifically designed for use with Intel Server Boards SE7520JR2 and SE7320VP2 and rigorously tested with these boards in space-constrained, storage-demanding environments. For performance, the Server Chassis SR2400 supports dual Intel Xeon processors, and for availability, the chassis provides hot-swap redundant power and disk drives and redundant cooling. The Intel Server Chassis SR2400 helps to simplify administration and management in a number of ways. Through validation with the powerful Intel Server Management 8, the chassis supports operating-system-independent server management. With the optional Intel Local Control Panel, managers and support staff can monitor the server conveniently from the front panel. Servicing is simplified as well in the Server Chassis SR2400, thanks to its support for tool-less assembly and installation of fans, risers, drives, slide rails, power supplies, backplanes, and other components. ... Read more

Product Description

Space-constrained working environments present a special challenge to the business, department, or workgroup seeking a powerful and reliable server chassis solution. That challenge requires the blending of performance, reliability, and scalability features with management, power, storage, and cooling options designed specifically for rack-mount configurations in close quarters. For organizations facing the challenge of a space-constrained environment, Intel offers the Intel Server Chassis SR1400 series.For performance, reliability, and ease of integration, the Intel Server Chassis SR1400 series is specifically designed for and validated with the Intel Server Board SE7520JR2 through rigorous testing in concentrated computing environments. In addition, the chassis' support for fixed SATA and hot-swap SATA and SCSI hard drives gives organizations the backplane flexibility to easily enhance their I/O and storage capabilities.Flexible and easy access to the server is another concern in a space-constrained environment. The Intel Server Chassis SR1400 series addresses this concern through management technologies such as the optional Intel Local Control Panel? and validation with Intel Server Manager 8. The Server Chassis SR1400 series also simplifies maintenance with the help of rack slide rails, an optional cable-management arm, and tool-less assembly and replacement parts including fans, the hard-drive backplane, risers, and power supplies. ... Read more

Product Description

With the outstanding performance available from the Intel Pentium 4 processor, businesses accept that a uniprocessor system is adequate for running many entry-level server applications. But they also recognize that the typical uniprocessor system, made for the desktop, cannot deliver the level of data protection, I/O bandwidth, and manageability that is required for servers and network appliances. In response, Intel offers the Intel Entry Server Platform SR1325TP1-E - for uniprocessor server systems without compromise. ... Read more

Amazon Product Description

The Basics
Targeting multimedia enthusiasts who relish the thought of manipulating photos, editing home movies, burning and playing digital music and building a library of all of the above, the Sony VAIO VGC-RB43 Desktop PC is in reality quite capable of finding a home in most environments. Although it isn't adorned with high-end audio-video connectivity or a high-end 3D graphics card, the unit does feature a midlevel but cost-effective processor, excellent optical drive facilities and oodles of data storage space. Ultimately, the VAIO VGC-RB43 is a smart choice for those who know they can't afford state-of-the-art computing but appreciate a solid base from which to grow.

Processor
At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (or processor), a massive collection of miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entire unit. For the VAIO VGC-RB43, Sony balances power with affordability by incorporating an Intel Pentium 4 630. This is one of Intel's recently upgraded Pentium 4 chips, featuring two full megabytes (MB) of Level 2 cache for even faster real world operation than last year's model, which sported an already impressive one MB Level 2 cache. Operating at a snappy but definitely not top-of-the-line 3.0 GHz and of course sporting Intel's Hyper-Threading technology (Hyper-Threading allows a single CPU system to behave at times as a dual CPU system, thus adding substantially more speed to some high-end applications), this CPU delivers enough raw horsepower for most home, home office, business and entertainment purposes.

Memory
= Computers typically store information on their hard drive, but they keep frequently and recently accessed data in Random Access Memory (RAM) for faster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking and less strain on your hard drive. Currently, 512 MB of RAM is considered sufficient for most applications and multitasking situations, though demanding users will want more. Fitted with a full one gigabyte (1034 MB) of high-speed PC3200 400 MHz RAM, the VAIO VGC-RB43 delivers instant response even when you're running several programs simultaneously.

Video
CPU's are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need help translating visual output -- particularly the demanding 3D visual output of games and 3D animation packages -- to the viewing screen. This is the duty of the graphics card (or graphics controller). A graphics controller with "dedicated" video memory is preferable to a controller that's integrated on the motherboard and "shares" the system's main memory, as it will better handle complex procedures and display a more sophisticated, smoother image.

The VAIO VGC-RB43 features a relatively new style of video controller -- a hybrid of sorts between high-end standalone "dedicated memory" cards and less capable integrated "shared memory" controllers. It's called the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900, a module that is indeed fitted to the motherboard but features more refined components than older integrated controllers. It also commandeers more of the system's main memory -- up to 224 MB -- than traditional integrated controllers. Accordingly, the system's huge 1 GB allotment of main memory really comes in handy.

Ultimately, this controller is sufficient for all 2D and most 3D tasks (including most 3D games) and is far superior to a standard integrated controller. However, a dedicated video card with 256 MB or more of built-in memory is a necessary upgrade if you want to experience a truly smooth frame rate and all the high-end visual effects of the latest top-of-the-line 3D games.

Display
Sony has not included a display screen, thus allowing you to continue using your current monitor or select from today's many alternatives.

Sound
The VAIO VGC-RB43 generates stereo and surround sound via an audio chip integrated on the motherboard. This arrangement doesn't offer the power or the sophistication of a dedicated sound card, but it's more than sufficient for the enclosed set of stereo desktop speakers.

Hard Drive
Hard drives have experienced a real growth spurt in the last year. As such, current mid-priced drives are significantly more spacious than they were even twelve months ago. This system's 200 GB drive isn't near the top of the current curve, but it's certainly spacious enough for a massive allotment of files and applications and a comprehensive music, video/photo and multimedia library too. Furthermore, this particular hard drive is quick -- sporting a fast 7200-RPM speed, an 8 MB buffer, and a cutting-edge Serial ATA connection. These are all comparatively recent innovations, each increasing the overall speed and performance of the system.

Optical Drive
An optical drive is essential in today's computing world. A "CD-ROM" drive allows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A "CD-RW" drive adds CD "burning", so you can also backup your important files to long-lasting discs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can enjoy all of the above plus watch the same big budget DVD movies you watch on your home entertainment system. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can also "write" home movies to durable discs and archive files to DVD (DVDs boast more than seven times the storage capacity of CDs).

This unit features two optical drives -- a CD-ROM drive for playing music and data CDs, and a DVD+R Double Layer/ DVD±RW drive through which you can not only do everything above but also take advantage of new double layer DVDs (twice the capacity of traditional DVDs). Moreover, this two-drive setup allows you to make extremely fast CD copies.

Connectivity and Expansion
If you want upscale connections such as S-Video, composite audio-video and coaxial, you'll need to look at other, pricier models in the VAIO VCG-RB series. Nevertheless, the VAIO VGC-RB43 features all the basics, including six high-speed USB 2.0 ports (two on the front, two on the rear) for plug and play gadgets such as digital cameras and printers, two IEEE 1394 "FireWire" ports (commonly used for fast data transfer from digital camcorders), and a multimedia card reader for uploading data from today's most popular memory cards. Communication options include a standard Ethernet LAN interface for fast network and Internet access and a 56K data/fax modem for low-speed dial-up connections.

Operating System and Software
Sony will equip the VAIO VGC-RB43 with today's most popular operating system, Microsoft's Windows XP Home Edition. Also enclosed are Corel's WordPerfect word processor, Corel's Quattro Pro spreadsheet program, Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0 image editing utility, and several of Sony's own top notch multimedia tools.

Control
You'll control your system with a VAIO Keyboard and a standard PS/2 mouse. ... Read more

Product Description

With the Intel Server Platforms SPSH4 you can take advantage of the power of 4-way Intel Xeon processors MP, which are specifically designed to provide the uncompromising performance required for eliminating bottlenecks in data flow and running performance-intensive applications such as Microsoft Exchange 2000 groupware, storage management, and video streaming. The Server Platforms SPSH4 are built for maximum uptime. From component selection to the latest in system architecture, these dependable platforms are designed to provide uninterrupted service with the help of such features as highly efficient system management, redundant hot-swap power supplies and fans, hot-swap SCSI drives, PCI hot-plug slots, and support from Intel Server Management for managing the server while the operating system is up or down.With their 4-way processor architecture, allowing a step-by-step upgrade, the Intel Server Platforms SPSH4 enable organizations to scale up according to changing business and application requirements. Each platform runs from one to four processors, supports hot-swap SCSI hard drives, includes eight PCI slots, and supports PCI hot-plug adapters for the maximum in upgrade options. By supporting a "scale right" approach - replacing multiple 2-way servers with fewer 4-way servers - the Intel Server Platforms SPSH4 can help businesses to reduce costs while significantly extending workload capacity. All this makes the Intel Server Platforms SPSH4 an excellent form of investment protection. ... Read more

Amazon Product Description

The BasicsTargeting multimedia enthusiasts who relish the thought of manipulating photos, editing home movies, burning and playing digital music and building a library of all of the above, the Sony VAIO VGC-RB42G Desktop PC is in reality a capable and versatile machine ideal for most computing environments. Though it isn't adorned with a top-notch 3D graphics card, the unit does feature a solid processor, excellent optical drive facilities and oodles of data storage space. Serious gameplayers and 3D animators will probably want to add a dedicated graphics card but the VAIO VGC-RB42G is otherwise a strong yet cost-effective choice for those who know they can't quite afford state-of-the-art computing but don't want to settle for middle-of-the-road.

Processor
At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (or processor), a massive collection of miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entire unit. For the VAIO VGC-RB42G, Sony balances power with affordability by incorporating an Intel Pentium 4 630. This is one of Intel's recently upgraded Pentium 4 chips, featuring two full megabytes (MB) of Level 2 cache for even faster real world operation than last year's model, which sported an already impressive one MB Level 2 cache. Operating at a snappy but not top-of-the-line 3.0 GHz and of course sporting Intel's Hyper-Threading technology (Hyper-Threading allows a single CPU system to behave at times as a dual CPU system, thus adding substantially more speed to some high-end applications), this CPU delivers enough raw horsepower for most any home, home office, business and entertainment purpose.

Memory
Computers typically store information on their hard drive, but they keep frequently and recently accessed data in Random Access Memory (RAM) for faster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking and less strain on your hard drive. Currently, 512 MB of RAM is considered sufficient for most applications and multitasking situations, though demanding users will want more. Fitted with a full one gigabyte (1034 MB) of high-speed PC3200 400 MHz RAM, the VAIO VGC-RB42G will deliver instant response even when you're running several programs simultaneously.

Video
CPU's are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need help translating visual output -- particularly the demanding 3D visual output of games and 3D animation packages -- to the viewing screen. This is the duty of the graphics card (or graphics controller). A graphics controller with "dedicated" video memory is preferable to a controller that's integrated on the motherboard and "shares" the system's main memory, as it will better handle complex procedures and display a more sophisticated, smoother image.

The VAIO VGC-RB42G features a relatively new style of video controller -- a hybrid of sorts between high-end standalone "dedicated memory" cards and less capable integrated "shared memory" controllers. It's called the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900, a module that is indeed fitted to the motherboard but features more refined components than older integrated controllers. It also commandeers more of the system's main memory -- up to 224 MB -- than traditional integrated controllers. Accordingly, the system's huge 1 GB allotment of main memory really comes in handy.

Ultimately, this controller is sufficient for all 2D and most 3D tasks (including most 3D games) and is far superior to a standard integrated controller. However, a dedicated video card with 256 MB or more of built-in memory is a smart upgrade if you want to experience a truly smooth frame rate and all the high-end visual effects of the latest, greatest 3D games.

Display
Sony has not included a display screen, thus allowing you to continue using your current monitor or select from today's many alternatives.

Sound
The VAIO VGC-RB42G generates stereo and surround sound via an audio chip integrated on the motherboard. This arrangement doesn't offer the power or the sophistication of a dedicated sound card, but it's more than sufficient for the enclosed set of stereo desktop speakers.

Hard Drive
Hard drives have experienced a real growth spurt in the last year. As such, current mid-priced drives are significantly more spacious than they were even twelve months ago. This system's 250 GB drive is one of the largest currently available and offers more than enough room for a massive allotment of files and applications and a comprehensive music, video/photo and multimedia library too. Furthermore, this particular hard drive is quick -- sporting a fast 7200-RPM speed, an 8 MB buffer, and a cutting-edge Serial ATA connection. These are all comparatively recent innovations, each increasing the overall speed and performance of the system.

Optical Drive
An optical drive is essential in today's computing world. A "CD-ROM" drive allows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A "CD-RW" drive adds CD "burning", so you can also backup your important files to long-lasting discs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can enjoy all of the above plus watch the same big budget DVD movies you watch on your home entertainment system. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can also "write" home movies to durable discs and archive files to DVD (DVDs boast more than seven times the storage capacity of CDs).

This unit features two optical drives -- a CD-ROM drive for playing music and data CDs, and a DVD+R Double Layer/ DVD±RW drive through which you can not only do everything above but also take advantage of new double layer DVDs (twice the capacity of traditional DVDs). Moreover, this two-drive setup allows you to make extremely fast CD copies.

Connectivity and Expansion
Featuring an S-Video input, VGA output, composite audio-video inputs and a coaxial input, the VAIO VGC-RB42G offers all the connectivity you'll need to integrate your PC into your home entertainment world. The system also sports all the latest data connections, including six high-speed USB 2.0 ports (two on the front, two on the rear) for plug and play gadgets such as digital cameras and printers, two IEEE 1394 "FireWire" ports (commonly used for fast data transfer from digital camcorders), and a multimedia card reader for uploading data from today's most popular memory cards. Communication options include a standard Ethernet LAN interface for fast network and Internet access and a 56K data/fax modem for low-speed dial-up connections.

Operating System and Software
Sony will equip the VAIO VGC-RB42G with today's most multimedia-savvy operating system, Microsoft's Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. Also enclosed are Corel's WordPerfect word processor, Corel's Quattro Pro spreadsheet program, Adobe Photoshop Elements 3.0 image editing utility, and several of Sony's own top notch multimedia tools.

Control
You'll control your system with a VAIO Keyboard and a standard PS/2 mouse. ... Read more

Product Description

Entry-level servers or high-end workstations require a chassis that blends performance and cost-effectiveness while offering the power and reliability essential to run diverse applications dependably. Such a chassis should also be highly flexible - configurable with a variety of boards, storage options, power supplies, and drives so that small and medium-sized businesses and workgroups can easily expand or enhance their server or workstation solution. Intel offers such a chassis in the Intel Entry Server Chassis SC5275-E.The Intel Entry Server Chassis SC5275-E offers the cost-effective performance advantages of support for dual Intel Xeon processors and the flexibility of a fixed drive-bay configuration fully upgradeable to hot-swap Serial ATA (SATA) or hot-swap SCSI. Flexibility is furthered by the chassis' support for three Intel server boards: the Intel Server Board SE7320SP2, for general-purpose server applications; the Intel Server Board SE7525GP2, for high-end graphics-workstation or entry-level server applications; and the Intel Server Board SE7520BD2 for workgroup server applications.Reliability is vital for applications supporting smaller businesses and workgroups, and for this reason the Entry Server Chassis SC5275-E endures rigorous validation testing that surpasses industry standards. The chassis also supports sophisticated Intel server technologies specifically designed to boost reliability as well as simplify server administration and maintenance. ... Read more