Amazon.com Product Description

The BasicsTaking advantage of several recent technological innovations yet priced in the same ballpark as many desktops that do not, Gateway’s 550GR Desktop PC is a powerful yet comparatively affordable computing centerpiece ideal for virtually any office, personal or leisure environment. Businesspeople will appreciate the unit’s powerful Pentium 4 processor and huge hard drive, multimedia buffs will love the comprehensive connectivity and advanced DVD recording facilities, and gamers should get along quite well with the system’s solid 3D graphics performance. Though you can certainly spend more for a desktop computer, the Gateway 550GR delivers most everything a demanding user needs at a reasonable price point.

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. The Gateway 550GR features one of today’s fastest CPUs, an Intel Pentium 4 540. New for 2004, this is an upgraded version (nicknamed "Prescott") of the venerable Pentium 4 chip, featuring one full MB of Level 2 cache and a more generous data "pipeline" than prior models. Operating at a scorching 3.2 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 is a strong CPU that’s ready for any situation.

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. For the Gateway 550GR, Gateway has installed 512 MB of 400 DDR memory, configured in a dual channel setup for even faster response. This is an average RAM allotment for a computer of this caliber, but its rated speed is comparatively quick. As such, it is more than enough for most multitasking situations and complex applications. Moreover, the system’s mainboard is constructed to support RAM upgrades to a whopping 2 GB.

Video
CPU’s are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need help translating visual output 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 "shares" the system’s main memory, as it will better handle complex procedures. The Gateway 550GR features an ATI Radeon X300 SE PCI-Express, a strong graphics card with 128 MB of dedicated video memory. This card is capable of accurately displaying virtually any 2D application and delivering smooth frame rates and immersive, lifelike visuals to the 3D animations found in most computer games and 3D animation packages. Hardcore gamers and 3D artisans who demand perfect frame rates at extremely high resolutions may want to upgrade to a far pricier 256 or 512 MB video card, but this card should be quite adequate for the majority of users.

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

Sound
The Gateway 550GR produces stereo and surround sound via an Intel High Definition Audio chipset with support for six distinct audio channels and one subwoofer. Gateway has also enclosed a pair of amplified desktop speakers, though serious audiophiles may want to upgrade to a three-piece subwoofer-enhanced set or a surround sound configuration.

Hard Drive
At 200 GB, the unit’s internal hard drive is 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 exceptionally quick – sporting a fast 7200 RPM speed, an 8 MB buffer, and a futuristic 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 a CD).

This system features two optical drives -- a CD-ROM drive for playing music and data CDs, and a DVD +/- RW drive through which you can do everything else listed above. Moreover, this drive supports "double layer" DVD recording, effectively delivering nearly twice the capacity of traditional DVDs.

Connectivity and Expansion
With a truly grand total of seven high-speed USB 2.0 ports, you’ll have plenty of room for plug and play gadgets such as digital cameras and printers. Gateway has also included a trio of IEEE 1394 "FireWire" ports (commonly used for fast data transfer from digital camcorders) and a versatile 8-in-1 card reader for reading memory cards from devices such as digital cameras, PDAs and more. Communication options include an integrated Gigabit networking interface (substantially faster data transfer rates than traditional 100BaseT Ethernet) for Internet and network communication, and a V.92 data/fax modem for low-speed dial-up connections.

Operating System and Software
The Gateway 550GR features a comprehensive software package headed by Microsoft’s beefy Windows XP Home Edition operating system. Gateway will also pre-install Microsoft’s Money 2004 financial center, Microsoft’s Works 7.0 productivity package, Microsoft’s Picture It Premium photo and graphic editing suite, and a variety of high-end multimedia utilities such as the superb Nero 6 Suite CD and DVD burning package.

Control
The system includes a Gateway Premium Multimedia Keyboard and a two-button mouse with scroll wheel. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

HP makes multimedia easy for the whole family with the a805n desktop PC, featuring a wide range of connectivity options for all your peripherals and preloaded HP Image Zone photo editing and management software. It comes loaded with 512 MB of RAM, which can be bumped up to an amazing 4 GB. It also features an extra-large 160 GB hard drive, a CD-RW drive for burning your favorite music mixes, a DVD drive for watching movies, and a multiformat memory card reader that's compatible with today's most popular digital camera formats.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The extra-large 160 GB Ultra DMA hard drive (7200 RPM) offers a wealth of storage space, perfect for storing a vast multimedia collection or for editing digital video.
• Processor: The 2.93 GHz Intel Pentium 4 515 processor is more than fast enough for the vast majority of home office and business applications as well as basic multimedia needs, from digital photo editing to PC gaming. However, if you plan on editing video or playing today's high-end, intensive 3D games, you might want to look into a faster processor. It also features a 533 MHz front-side bus (FSB) and 1 MB 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 512 MB of installed RAM (PC2700) is adequate for running office productivity and audio software, but 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: The a 805n features two optical drives: a DVD-ROM for watching movies and a CD-RW for burning music, video, and data to CD. The DVD drive has a 16x read speed, while the CD-RW features a fast 48x read/write speed and 32x rewrite speed.
• Keyboard & Mouse: The a805n comes with an HP Internet keyboard and scroller mouse (both with PS/2 connections).

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
For expansion, the a805n has two 5.25-inch external bays (both occupied), two external 3.5-inch bays (one available), and three PCI slots (two available). It comes with a built-in floppy drive and the following external connectors:

• 7 USB 2.0 ports (3 in front, 4 in rear) for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 parallel port for connecting older printers and scanners
• 2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
• 1 VGA monitor port
• 1 microphone, 1 headphone
• 1 line-out, and 1 line-in jack
• 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), Symantec Norton Antivirus 2005 (with 60 days of LiveUpdate), Norton Personal Firewall 2004 (60-day security update subscription), Encarta Encyclopedia 2005, Quicken New User Edition 2005, Microsoft Money 2005, RecordNow, WinDVD Player, iTunes, PC Doctor, and SpySubtract.

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.

Dimensions and Weight
This desktop PC measures 15.2 x 7.5 x 16.5 inches (HxWxD) and weighs approximately 34 pounds.

What's in the Box
This package contains the HP Pavilion a805n desktop PC, power cable, keyboard, and mouse. It is backed by a limited warranty for parts and labor for one year from date of purchase as well as technical telephone assistance for one year. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Bring together the worlds of entertainment and information technology with the HP Media Center m1270n desktop PC. This powerful digital entertainment hub enables you to watch and record your favorite TV programs, easily edit digital video, andcreate your own CDs and DVDs (including 8.5 GB dual layer discs). It also offers a variety of HP multimedia features, including LightScribe direct disc labeling, Image Zone photo editing and management software, and HP camera dock holder. The m1270n features a gargantuan 250 GB hard drive, 1 GB of installed RAM, 3.0 GHz hyper-threaded Pentium 4 processor, and multiformat memory card reader.

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 Intel Pentium 4 530 processor (3.0 GHz) 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 512 KB 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 (PC2700) is a very good start for this multimedia-centric desktop PC, but 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 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 CDRW, 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 48x CD-ROM drive.
• Keyboard & Mouse: This desktop comes with an HP two-button, scrolling optical mouse and HP Media Center keyboard with full multimedia control. It also includes a remote control with IR (infrared) receiver.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The m1270n has three PCI expansion slots (one available), two external 5.25 drive bays (occupied), 1 internal 3.5 drive bay (occupied), one AGP (accelerated graphics port, occupied) slot and the following external ports:

• 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; 1 front and 1 back) ports for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 parallel port for connecting older printers and scanners
• 1 serial port
• 2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
• 1 VGA/DVI monitor port
• Composite video, S-Video, and audio inputs
• HP Personal Media Drive bay (which can accept HP's Personal Media mini hard drive, which slides right into the chassis and provides easy access to all your multimedia files for transfer to a notebook or use with a compatible stereo)
• 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, Apple iTunes, Sonic RecordNow, Norton AntiVirus 2005 and Personal Firewall 2004 (with 60 days of live updates), Microsoft Works 8.0, MSN Encarta Standard, Microsoft Money, and Quicken 2004 New User Edition.

What's in the Box
This package contains the HP Media Center m1270n desktop PC, keyboard, mouse, remote control, HP Personal media drive, and power cord. It is backed by a 1-year limited warranty. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Sony Vaio PCV-RZ56G is a full-fledged desktop PC--but it's also a television, a DVD player, an FM and Internet radio, and a personal video recorder. It's powered by the Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 operating system (compatible with cable, digital cable, satellite TV, and antenna), and it features a 3.4 GHz Pentium 4 processor (with Hyper Threading technology), super-sized 250 GB hard drive, and 1 GB of installed memory.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The massive 250 GB Ultra ATA/100 hard drive (7200 RPM) offers a wealth of storage for all your media storage--from digital audio to TV programs.
• Processor: The 3.4 GHz 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 an 800 MHz front-side bus (FSB).
• Memory: The PCV-RZ56G comes with a 1 GB built-in memory (2 x 512 MB DDR SDRAM, 400 MHz), which is definitely suited to this PC's high-performance video and audio capabilities. The motherboard has a maximum memory expansion of 2 GB.
• CD/DVD Drive: The PCV-RZ56G has two optical drives. The DVD-/+RW drive is compatible with both DVD-RW and DVD+RW discs as well as CD-RW. Both DVD-RW and DVD+RW discs write at 8x, rewrite at 4x, and read at 8x. Additionally, it comes with a CD-RW drive with 40x write/12x rewrite speeds.
• Keyboard & Mouse: It comes with a Vaio keyboard and optical mouse (PS/2).

Sound is delivered via a Creative Sound Blaster Audigy audio card, which delivers high-quality 5.1 channels of digital surround sound. The newer Audigy 2 card has 24-bit, 96 Hz recording capability and is preferred for professional-quality audio recording.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The PCV-RZ56G has three PCI expansion slots (none available), one AGP (accelerated graphics port, occupied) slot and the following external ports:

• 7 USB 2.0 ports (3 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; 1 4-pin in front and 1 6-pin in back) ports for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 parallel port for connecting older printers and scanners
• 2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
• 1 VGA/DVI monitor port
• Multi-format memory card reader that is compatible with CompactFlash (Type I/II), MicroDrive, Memory Stick, and SmartMedia cards.

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 DVR--or digital video recorder--such as TiVo or ReplayTV). You can even pause or rewind (up to 7 seconds) FM radio broadcasts.

Record and watch your TV programs with the Personal Video Recorder powered by Giga Pocket Engine. With the pre-installed Click to DVD software, you can turn your digital photos into a slideshow and burn it to DVD. You can plug in your analog video source (camcorder or VCR) and transfer video to DVD, or store it on the hard drive as a digital file.

Other preloaded software includes Adobe Premiere LE, Adobe Photoshop Elements, Sony Screenblast Acid, Sony Screenblast Sound Forge, Microsoft Works 7.0, Microsoft Office 2003 (60-day trial), InterVideo WinDVD, and Intuit Quicken 20042 New User Edition.

Dimensions and Weight
It measures 7.75 x 15 x 15.4 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 30.86 pounds.

What's in the Box
This package contains the Sony VAIO PCV-RZ56G Digital Studio PC, speakers (stereo) w/subwoofer, IR remote control and receiver, IR blaster, VAIO keyboard, and PS/2 optical mouse.

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 (3)

Sony VAIO PCV-RZ56G
My god this computer is probably the most powerful one out there. Listen up people if you love to take pictures and love editing them but think that it is getting too hard on your old computer? This is the one to go with. It has digital editing software that you can transfer your pictures from your memory stick (Sony) and see them on your desktop. This is running at Pentium 4, 3.4GHz Processor. That is the fastest processor out for Windows so far. I bought this computer a couple of months ago and I am enjoying every second of it. I have high speed internet and it probably goes to the website in one or two seconds! If you do a lot of word processing you should get Microsoft Office Professional Edition 2003 because this computer doesn't come with any good software. Some things I love about this computer is the RAM. 1024GB RAM is a huge amount and the Hard Drive is 250GB which is also humungous. The DVD+RW is the best thing to have. If you have kids who play around with your DVDs or pets that drool all over them. With a DVD Burner you can record a DVD onto another disc so it stays in good shape. But don't go to video rental stores and burn any DVDs because the police will fine you huge amounts of money. I have three of these systems with 21" Flat-Panel display from Sony too. That's the only thing you really have to buy is a display. Sony makes the best displays. I have everything from Sony. And I think you should start too. This computer will probably last you 10-20 years, if you keep it in good shape.

Speed: 10/10

Storage: 10/10

Software: 8/10

Graphics: 10/10

Some people shouldn't buy this computer because they don't use it that much.

P.S. This computer comes with Hyper Threading technology which is when you can run more than one thing at once without slowing down your computer at all. This is one of the best things computers come with these days. For this price you can't deny how good this computer is.

An incredible machine
This computer will pretty much blow away any other computer you can buy. Well, if you look around real hard, you might find a custom built computer with tweaked memory settings, but it won't be as stable and reliable as this machine. And unlike Apple, Sony doesn't cut corners on the graphics. Pick out the newest 3D game out there and this machine will eat it for breakfast. (Note: it has a ATI Radeon 9600XT, the tech notes on Amazon are a little confusing on this point.)

But to me the best thing is the 3.4GHz HT CPU. The "HT" means it supports Hyper-threading, which is a fancy way to say it can run two software threads at the same time. No other CPU in the consumer market can do that. I have a 3GHz HT cpu, and I love the fact that while I am doing something that takes a few minutes (like writing out a movie or burning a CD), I can go off and surf the web or play a game and never notice a slow down. It's almost a good as having 2 CPUs, except at a fraction of the price.

Sure, a computer at this level may cost a little more, but the way I see it is why sit around waiting for your computer to do things? With this computer you get your time back. For me that's worth a few extra bucks.

Top notch system
This is a top notch desktop. I bought mine with a 19 inch flat screen Sony monitor. Out of the box, it took me less than half an hour to set up. Also, it integrated fine with both my Router and my Digital Cable service. With the processing power and HD size a lot of nice options become available to you. Record your favorite TV programs, and watch them as you please. Picture and DVD editing are a breeze, though I would recommend upgrading to Adobe Premier Pro. I like iTunes and with the two speaker sub woofer system you have a great medium to store and run your favorite songs. Gaming is good for this system too, and applications like Office will run with no problems. Overall this is a very good Media Center desktop PC. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

HP amps up the multimedia power for the whole family with the Pavilion a830n desktop PC. Featuring a gargantuan 250 GB hard drive, you'll have ample space to store your entire music collection and still have room for editing digital video and photos. It also offers a wide range of connectivity options for all your peripherals, preloaded HP Image Zone photo editing and management software, and a dual-layer, multiformat DVD/CD burner. It also features a fast 3.2 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor and 1 GB of installed RAM (upgradeable to 4 GB).

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 540J 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 1 MB L2 cache and a blazingly fast 800 MHz front-side bus speed

  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 (PC2700) is a very good start for this multimedia-centric desktop PC, but 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 a815n 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 CDRW, 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 48x CD-ROM drive.
• Keyboard & Mouse: The a830n comes with an HP Internet keyboard and scroller mouse (both with PS/2 connections).

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
For expansion, the a830n has two 5.25-inch external bays (both occupied), two external 3.5-inch bays (one available), and three PCI slots (two available). It comes with a built-in floppy drive and the following external connectors:

• 7 USB 2.0 ports (3 in front, 4 in rear) for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 parallel port for connecting older printers and scanners
• 2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
• 1 VGA monitor port
• 1 microphone, 1 headphone
• 1 line-out, and 1 line-in jack
• 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), Symantec Norton Antivirus 2005 (with 60 days of LiveUpdate), Norton Personal Firewall 2004 (60-day security update subscription), Encarta Encyclopedia 2005, Quicken New User Edition 2005, Microsoft Money 2005, RecordNow, WinDVD Player, WinDVD Creator 2.5, Muvee autoProducer, iTunes, PC Doctor, and SpySubtract.

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.

Dimensions and Weight
This desktop PC measures 15.2 x 7.5 x 16.5 inches (HxWxD) and weighs approximately 34 pounds.

What's in the Box
This package contains the HP Pavilion a830n desktop PC, power cable, keyboard, and mouse. It is backed by a limited warranty for parts and labor for one year from date of purchase as well as technical telephone assistance for one year. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Not all computer users are created equally, and neither are all Compaqcomputers. In fact, the Compaq desktop and notebook lineup is several dozendeep, each model configured slightly differently than the next in order to reachevery segment of the computing populace. Compaq's most affordable machine, thePresario 5400US desktop unit is designed to appeal to those who can't afford ordon't require the capabilities of its midrange and high-end machines or theportability of its notebooks. Slightly less machine than other Compaq computers,the Presario 5400US offers just enough power and accouterments to handle mostbasic personal computing needs at a price so low it may initially look like amisprint.

The 5400US is priced as it is for several reasons. For starters, Compaq has notequipped the unit with a monitor. Prospective customers therefore must get theirown viewing screen, perfect for those who favor a certain brand or size oralready own an older monitor from a previous system. Nor is the system overlyequipped. Bereft of a DVD drive, it won't play movies. Sporting a midlevel 8 MBvideo card, it's not well suited to demanding visual applications such as thelatest animated graphic programs or 3-D games. And with just 128 MB of RAM, itwon't effectively handle heavy-duty multitasking and barely meets therecommended RAM for its bundled Home Edition of the Windows XP operating system.Fortunately, users are able to upgrade their RAM allotment to an impressive 512MB.

Regardless of its RAM configuration, the 5400US is more than adequate for a widevariety of users. Certainly it should suffice for basic everyday tasks such assimple accounting, word processing, light graphics, and homework. Teachers,students, home financial strategists, and children should find it quiteacceptable, as should gamers who gravitate to older titles. Obsessive Internetaddicts will have to supply their own network card and cable modem to really getup to speed, although the unit's 56K modem will handle less-demanding surfing.Music fans will love the integrated 8x CD-RW drive for burning and playing theirown CDs, although they must provide their own set of PC speakers.

Though indeed a budget computer, the Presario 5400US in many ways doesn't feelbudget. Its Compaq USB Internet keyboard offers a number of one-touch Internet,e-mail, and multimedia controls in addition to its standard allotment of keys.Its compact case features a variety of external connections and amenities,including a 3.5-inch floppy disk drive, four USB ports for plug and playperipherals such as joysticks and scanners, a speaker output and microphonejack, and a set of RJ11 phone-in and -out jacks.

The 5400US is powered by a 1.2 GHz Intel Celeron processor, which deliversplenty of juice for fundamental tasks. Its 20 MB hard drive, though somewhatbelow the norm for most current desktop systems, is certainly sizable enough tostore and operate all the software Compaq has bundled with the unit, a list thatincludes Microsoft Money 2001, Microsoft Works 6.0, Selective QuickRestore,Quicken Financial Center/Quicken New User Edition, Microsoft Internet Explorer6.0, America Online 6.0, Netscape Navigator 6.1, and a one-year subscription toMicrosoft Encarta Online Deluxe Encyclopedia. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

good buy
For the available feature (burner and USB ports in the front)it is a good buy at least for what I paid ... I already own a compaq and quiet happy with the basic needs for my kids (school projects & of course downloading songs).

A Basic Needs Machine
A lot of people feel they need to go out and pay a ton of money for a computer that will do all of the basic stuff most people do. If you are just using a computer to surf the web, do word processing, spreadsheets, and other office stuff then you don't need a high end system. If you want a computer to play graphics intensive games such as Quake 3 and Unreal Tournament or if you are doing video editing, then you are better off looking at other systems or better yet, building your own since most retail system skimp on the graphics card (on-board, TNT2 or Geforce MX instead of a regular Geforce 3 or 4 or a Radeon 8500 card). At any rate, this computer is just fine for the average user.

wonderful
I purched this product Thursday of last week. I purched this product at the price of (Tax and all) 1090.00. At Radio Shack in Muscle Shoals, Al. Not very happy at this time, after seeing your cost!

Great Compaq Desktop
This is an excellent computer for a person just getting into computers. Don't spend $$$ on stuff you do not need. I bought this Compaq for my 6 year old son and it is perfect. This is my third Compaq that I have purchased and they have never given me any problems. If you don't need a 80 gig HD, DVD player, CDR or a very fast CPU, this is the desktop for you.

Limited but effective appliance.
If you are looking for a basic machine to do a little surfing, some household bookkeeping, and some regular emailing, there's nothing wrong with this Compaq. Certainly, the price isn't bad either. However, it does not include a monitor, which you'll need to buy separately, and it does not include any kind of NIC (network interface card), so if you have or will be having any type of broadband access (DSL, cable or satellite), you'll need to buy not only a modem, but a NIC as well (though some of the newer cable modems will utilize the USB port quite easily). The machine is certainly not set up for gamers either, with very limited graphics capabilities (a result of the low power NVidia card and the Celeron chip's inherent limitations) and mediocre ESS sound. Thanks to the rather small hard drive it would not be ideal for an MP3 collector either, though there is an adequate 8X CD burner included. Anyway, like I said, it's a good, basic machine and if that's your interest, you'll be happy with the unit. I should point out that expanding these Compaqs (a lot like their HP bretheren) is a daunting task; things are tight in the case and adding cards and drives is a challenge. Lastly, Compaq's reliability has been acceptable, though its service has been less so. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Whether you're looking for a corporate, multimedia, or family desktop, Compaq's Presario 5310US is a solid choice. Just look at some of its features: an 8x (write) CD-RW and 12x DVD-ROM drive, a 1.2 GHz Celeron chip, and 256 MB of RAM (expandable to 512 MB). Its price is lower than average for desktops as a whole and lower than average among similarly rated products, continuing Compaq's price-conscious tradition. The product also includes a 40 GB hard disk, a Direct AGP 3D Graphics card, a 56K modem, and a 10/100 Mbps Ethernet NIC. In addition, the Presario 5310US features Windows XP, Microsoft's newest operating system, designed to better support peripherals and games while providing a new user interface. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Good value!
I've bought 3 Compaq Presarios in the past few years. Their machines, in general, offer great value for the money. However, they are not terribly well-built or well-designed. It can be a frustrating task to add hard drive or CD drive to the system yourself. On some models, I practically had to dismantle all the drive bays before I can fit a new drive in. This can be a blessing though: my house was burglarized once and the computer literate burglar decided to steal all the add-on cards in my Compaq instead of taking the whole machine which was too heavy. He got the cards all right, but couldn't figure out how to remove the hard drives and left my 2 drives with valuable data behind. I should be grateful to the Compaq hardware designers. :-)

A Great Computer
This computer is AWESOME! I just got it and it has never frozen in the month that i've had it. It has alot (512 MB) of RAM which makes windows XP run great. The 1.7 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor is flawless and makes the computer run fast, very fast. The 80 GB hard drive is great for storing big files. It also has a great graphics card (GeForce MX 400) which makes games such as Max Payne run really well, and the graphics card also has a whopping 64 MB of memory and an S-Video TV out port. The EA Games and EA Sports bundles that came with it includes awesome games, such as Need For Speed: Porcshe Unleashed, Simcity 3000 Unlimited, Tiger Wood's Pro PGA Golf 2001, Madden 2001, and Triple Play Baseball. DVD's run on it great, due to the fast DVD drive. And with the fast CD-RW drive and Roxio's Easy CD Creator 5 Software making CD's is very easy. The Smart Credit Card Keyboard is conveinent, if you have a Smart Credit Card and don't know what to do with it. The Ethernet Card is also a nice feature if you want to hook up a network, or if you have or want to get Broadband Communications. Overall this computer deserves 5 stars because it's a steal at ... and it has great features.

Good Computer bad buy
I bought this computer in January of 2002. I have had so many problems with it. Every time I would call up compaq I would wait 2-6 hours just to talk to a support specialist then they would transfer me and again i would wait an additional 1-6 hours. I don't have the patience to wait and if you don't have 10 hours a month to wait on hold with compaq don't buy a compaq.

Not too shabby, but.....
it still suffers from some typical Compaq flaws. This is a handy all around household unit with some gaming features that make it more playable than the 5400. Certainly, the price isn't bad either. However, it does not include a monitor, which you'll need to buy separately. The machine's limitations for gamers lie in its limited, mothboard-bound graphics capabilities (a result of the low power NVidia card) and its mediocre ESS sound. There is an aqequate sized hard drive and a pretty good 12X CD burner, so MP3 collectors will not suffer too much. Anyway, like I said, it's a good, basic machine and if that's your interest, you'll be happy with the unit. I should point out that expanding these Compaqs (a lot like their HP bretheren) is a daunting task; things are tight in the case and adding cards and drives is a challenge, so you better like the machine the way you get it, and not the way you envision it upgraded. Lastly, Compaq's reliability has been acceptable, though its service has been less so.

Compaq the Weapon of Choice
I own a lesser of the line of Compaq (I have a 950 mhz). I have tried Windows XP though. I find that Compaq is a very high quality product. It is up with Dell, above Hewlett Packard. I highly suggest that you do no purchase a Hewlett Packard because of many reasons (see my review on it). I like the audio, keyboard, and all the small things about a Compaq. CD-RW write drives are a must for the future. Windows XP is wonderful for multiple users. It has a sign in screen. You can personalize your sign in with things such as your own wallpaper, sounds, pointing arrow, etc. I also prefer Windows above Apple. Apple is only good if you are looking for the most simplicity. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A great computer experience from hp
Last month I desperatly needed to replace my old hp from 1995. This brand new hp is fantastic. It's fast enough, has all the necessary programs you need, and offers a nice gaming experience. For sound, the Polk Audio speakers work very well.

The computer has a nice, sleek, metallic blue and silver look. It has easy to access USB and Serial ports in the front, along with a 48x CD Drive and a nice CD storage area at the the top. I didn't buy an hp monitor mainly because it's horrendously ugly (my reason for giving it 4 stars). I picked up a satisfying ViewSonic monitor with a nice silver color.

Windows XP is fantastic. The new start menu is very nice, and the program offers so much more than previous Windows installments. Plus, the program has a very modern look to compete with the current efforts of Apple's fancy new systems.

All in all, if you just need a fast computer for the needs of any computer junkie, I'd strongly reccomend this hp.

Nice Package Very Nice Price!
This model has many new features built in. Very compatible with hardware additions, and saves much time installing programs because it either has them already or automatically installs them without requiring a disk or re-asssignment. The price is so inexpensive, we plan to pass down this model to our children. HP offers so many re-bates on purchases, you can't go wrong. Our previous computer was a Pentium 2, and this model is faster than that! Very inexpensive, but offers much value for the dollars!

Rating
It is a great product but they should at least include the monitor. I have seen other products around this price that include the monitor and printer.

Product
This is a good product but do they have to sell the monitor separately. They could have a package where everything was included like the monitor and printer. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Not all computer users are created equally, and neither are allCompaq computers. In fact, the Compaq desktop and notebook lineup isseveral dozen deep, each model configured slightly differently than thenext in order to reach every segment of the computing populace.Compaq's most affordable machine, the Presario 5400US desktop unit isdesigned to appeal to those who can't afford or don't require thecapabilities of its midrange and high-end machines or the portabilityof its notebooks. Slightly less machine than other Compaq computers,the Presario 5400US offers just enough power and accouterments tohandle most basic personal computing needs at a price so low it mayinitially look like a misprint.

Included in this package are the Compaq MV540 15-inch monitor, as wellas their IJ650 color inkjet printer. However, bereft of a DVD drive,this system won't play movies. Sporting a midlevel 8 MB video card,it's not well suited to demanding visual applications such as thelatest animated graphic programs or 3-D games. And with just 128 MB ofRAM, it won't effectively handle heavy-duty multitasking and barelymeets the recommended RAM for its bundled Home Edition of the WindowsXP operating system. Fortunately, users are able to upgrade their RAMallotment to an impressive 512 MB.

Regardless of its RAM configuration, the 5400US is more than adequatefor a wide variety of users. Certainly it should suffice for basiceveryday tasks such as simple accounting, word processing, lightgraphics, and homework. Teachers, students, home financial strategists,and children should find it quite acceptable, as should gamers whogravitate to older titles. Obsessive Internet addicts will have tosupply their own network card and cable modem to really get up tospeed, although the unit's 56K modem will handle less-demandingsurfing. Music fans will love the integrated 8x CD-RW drive for burningand playing their own CDs, although they must provide their own set ofPC speakers.

Though indeed a budget computer, the Presario 5400US in many waysdoesn't feel budget. Its Compaq USB Internet keyboard offers a numberof one-touch Internet, e-mail, and multimedia controls in addition toits standard allotment of keys. Its compact case features a variety ofexternal connections and amenities, including a 3.5-inch floppy diskdrive, four USB ports for plug-and-play peripherals such as joysticksand scanners, a speaker output and microphone jack, and a set of RJ11phone-in and -out jacks.

The 5400US is powered by a 1.2 GHz Intel Celeron processor, whichdelivers plenty of juice for fundamental tasks. Its 20 GB hard drive,though somewhat below the norm for most current desktop systems, iscertainly sizable enough to store and operate all the software Compaqhas bundled with the unit, a list that includes Microsoft Money 2001,Microsoft Works 6.0, Selective QuickRestore, Quicken FinancialCenter/Quicken New User Edition, Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0,America Online 6.0, Netscape Navigator 6.1, and a one-year subscriptionto Microsoft Encarta Online Deluxe Encyclopedia. ... Read more

Amazon.com

If you're in need of a home desktop system, Compaq's Presario 5300US is worth a good look. Its price is about average for desktops as a whole and a bit higher than average among similarly rated products. It includes a 1.1 GHz Celeron processor, 256 MB of memory (expandable to 512 MB), a 20 GB hard disk, a 40x CD-ROM drive, a Direct AGP 3D Graphics card, and a 56K modem. For convenience and added functionality, the system is bundled with a Presario MV540 15-inch monitor and IJ650 color ink-jet printer. In addition, the Presario 5300US features Windows XP, Microsoft's newest operating system, designed to better support peripherals and games while providing a new user interface. ... Read more

Product Description

Intel TSRLT2 is a NEBS-3 and ETSI certified Carrier Grade Rack Server. This server is a perfect fit for the demanding environment and limited space of the Central Office or highly available data centers. It is ideal for the convergence of Voice and IP for next generation telecom solutions. TSRLT2 is a high performing, competitively positioned server which meets the rigid standards of the Central Office, offers robust server management, high availability, and an extended life cycle for excellent customer investment protection. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

At a first glance...
At first glasnce this looks like a good machine, no fancy extras driving the price up. Well I purchased this machine and had nothing but trouble with it. It has crashed numerout times losing games, schoolwork, music, everything. Since this machine i am saving my money to buy an APPLE. No more PC's for me.

All You Need to Know About the 1150
I'm writing on one right now! Hee hee. If you don't have the cash for a computer with all the bells and whistles, and don't really care about owning a bell OR a whistle, get in your broken down '89 Civic hatchback and purchase this computer!

Being a college student without parents or an income to fall back on, you've got to cut down on some of the non-essentials...like eating. But you can't survive at college without your own computer, unless you camp out in your college library and use the public comps., which isn't fun. Trust me. So I'm very thankful that when I was wandering around Best Buy (looking for CD sales), I saw an eMachines computer for the first time, a T1120, complete with monitor, printer, speakers, software, all at a low price. So I'm thinking, this thing must be held together with bubblegum and the processor's a mouse on an exercise wheel.

So I went to the library, researched it like you're doing now, and decided to buy one, because you can't find anything of higher quality for this price. When I went back to Best Buy they were out of T1120s. I got a raincheck, and when they STILL didn't have an 1120 three weeks later, they gave me an 1150 for the same price.

Nice big 40 GB hard drive (you should still back up your files though). Comes with Windows XP, which is friendly and professional at the same time. The CD burner is excellent. My old one took over an hour to burn a single CD while this one takes about ten minutes and I can't believe it. You can even be on-line while it's burning. The processor is less than perfect. It's supposed to be fast, but today's software just takes longer to process I guess. Although it boots up fairly quickly, I can't open my browser for another 30 seconds, but everything else works immediately. Crisp, bright, colorful 17 inch display. BUT NO CD-ROM OR DVD DRIVE!! I still have to use the library for CD-ROMs.

Comes with six months free MSN. No Ethernet card for cable, DSL, or fast college connections, which is no problem since it'S only $[money] plus installation fee. Oh, but remember that if you get someone to open the case to install the card, you're voiding the one year warranty, so you'll have to buy a warranty from the site or store. Even so, I recommend getting a card, simply because dial-up service is sooo sloowwww. The package doesn't come with printer cables, and the printer itself doesn't come with black ink, only half a cartridge of color. Have to buy those separately. The computer and monitor is a cool steel and dark gray color. Quick fax. The keys on the keyboard give way to gentle pressure, making for easier word processing.

But before buying this, consider that techies say it's not very upgradeable, meaning that when it eventually becomes obsolete, it's hard to improve it to keep up-to-date with current technology. I'm hoping that the costly three-year warranty I bought will help with this. So plan to buy a new one in a few years. I've also heard that customer service is not very helpful, but I wouldn't know since I haven't had to call them.

Setting up this computer is so easy a monkey could probably do it; it comes with a colorful poster-style diagram and it mainly involves putting the red-tipped cable into the red hole, the green cable in the green hole, etc. If you're buying this for a business, you might want to think about getting Microsoft Office. And everyone should think about virus protection unless they don't go on-line. Hope this helps. Happy shopping! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

HP7915 Score Big Points with me....
I just purchased my HP7915 computer last Thursday. After spending the weekend thoroughly exploring all the goodies and listening to cd's with upgraded speakers, I had to write to say what a great buy this computer is. My only disappointment is that the included modem is a Win modem. I would rather it would have been a real hardware modem, but so far I have been able to connect at 52Kbps everytime I have logged on. All in all, it performs exactly as I had hoped...... Great buy ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Not all computer users are created equally, and neither are allCompaq computers. In fact, the Compaq desktop and notebook lineup isseveral dozen deep, each model configured slightly differently than thenext in order to reach every segment of the computing populace.Compaq's most affordable machine, the Presario 5400US desktop unit isdesigned to appeal to those who can't afford or don't require thecapabilities of its midrange and high-end machines or the portabilityof its notebooks. Slightly less machine than other Compaq computers,the Presario 5400US offers just enough power and accouterments tohandle most basic personal computing needs at a price so low it mayinitially look like a misprint.

Included in this package is the Compaq MV540 15-inch monitor. However,bereft of a DVD drive, this system won't play movies. Sporting amidlevel 8 MB video card, it's not well suited to demanding visualapplications such as the latest animated graphic programs or 3-D games.And with just 128 MB of RAM, it won't effectively handle heavy-dutymultitasking and barely meets the recommended RAM for its bundled HomeEdition of the Windows XP operating system. Fortunately, users are ableto upgrade their RAM allotment to an impressive 512 MB.

Regardless of its RAM configuration, the 5400US is more than adequatefor a wide variety of users. Certainly it should suffice for basiceveryday tasks such as simple accounting, word processing, lightgraphics, and homework. Teachers, students, home financial strategists,and children should find it quite acceptable, as should gamers whogravitate to older titles. Obsessive Internet addicts will have tosupply their own network card and cable modem to really get up tospeed, although the unit's 56K modem will handle less-demandingsurfing. Music fans will love the integrated 8x CD-RW drive for burningand playing their own CDs, although they must provide their own set ofPC speakers.

Though indeed a budget computer, the Presario 5400US in many waysdoesn't feel budget. Its Compaq USB Internet keyboard offers a numberof one-touch Internet, e-mail, and multimedia controls in addition toits standard allotment of keys. Its compact case features a variety ofexternal connections and amenities, including a 3.5-inch floppy diskdrive, four USB ports for plug-and-play peripherals such as joysticksand scanners, a speaker output and microphone jack, and a set of RJ11phone-in and -out jacks.

The 5400US is powered by a 1.2 GHz Intel Celeron processor, whichdelivers plenty of juice for fundamental tasks. Its 20 GB hard drive,though somewhat below the norm for most current desktop systems, iscertainly sizable enough to store and operate all the software Compaqhas bundled with the unit, a list that includes Microsoft Money 2001,Microsoft Works 6.0, Selective QuickRestore, Quicken FinancialCenter/Quicken New User Edition, Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0,America Online 6.0, Netscape Navigator 6.1, and a one-year subscriptionto Microsoft Encarta Online Deluxe Encyclopedia. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

I love this computer!
I bought this item from Amazon on March 27, 2002, it was delivered in my home on February 1, 2002. My 13 year old daughter had it up and running in about 5 minutes. We are having a blast with this thing! It's so easy to use and it's quite attractive. I think this is a terrific family computer. ... Read more

Product Description

Intel TSRLT2 is a NEBS-3 and ETSI certified Carrier Grade Rack Server. This server is a perfect fit for the demanding environment and limited space of the Central Office or highly available data centers. It is ideal for the convergence of Voice and IP for next generation telecom solutions. TSRLT2 is a high performing, competitively positioned server which meets the rigid standards of the Central Office, offers robust server management, high availability, and an extended life cycle for excellent customer investment protection. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

great machine
the t1220 is a fast machine,with little and unexpensive upgrades will turn this into a machine that you cant beat the price,i added 128 mb of memory,10/100 nic for cable modem,added usb 2.0 card as its 40 times faster then the 1.1,for less then $75,00,the only problem with emachine, if you go to there website,you will see they dont have the processor or motherboard in stock for this model,so keep fingers crossed these hold up.as it would probaly take them a month or more just to get the parts in,thats the only reason i give 4 stars instead of 5

I own this computer, a very nice piece of work.
Now, I can't vouch for Dell or any of the other brand names, but this computer suits my needs great. It is a very fast little computer, and I think, ver well worth the price, especially being cheaper then said brand names. I like it, and that is where it can stand, because I do not know what others are looking for. For afford-a-bility, this is the one. For more space, more ram, or anything else, you may want to choose something else. It is a nice comp though!

It's a Winner!
Purchased the T1220 CPU...as part of a system bundle. Completed my system with a FS740 Compaq monitor and Canon S300 printer. This system only comes with 128 MB/RAM so I also picked up a memory upgrade of another 128 MB and because I was going to put this on my home network I needed a network interface card (NIC). Got unit home and opened up unit (very easy two thumb screws remove the side of unit) and popped in the memory module (another simple task that emachines provides instructions for in manual) and popped the network card in (3 PCI slots in this machine one populated with modem so only two open slots available) Turned on machine and memory and NIC were instantly recognized. The Celeron processor running @1.2 GHz is able to run through the majority of games and applications available without a hitch. I was suprised at how good the graphics were with the built in graphics card (Intel direct AGP)that shares system memory up to 11 Megs (another reason for the instant memory upgrade) The Keyboard had good feel and the mouse looks and feels good too! Can't comment on speakers as I didn't use them but they look like cheap run of the mill items (Compaq monitor came with JBL platinum speakers) 56 K modem works well as does the 48x CD-ROM. If you want to add a DVD or CD-RW there is an open expansion bay and instructions in the manual on installing one. Other pluses include 4 USB ports (2-front, 2-back), Game/Midi port, 9 pin serial port and Parallel port. All connections are color coded for ease of identifying. Even has headphone and mic ports on both the front and back. New emachines cases are much better loooking than they used to be as well. Overall a great bargain to get you into a current system with Win/XP. (Make sure you send in your rebates!)

Update - Just installed a Pinnacle PC/TV tv tuner. Installed and works fantastic. System still chugging along on our home network.

Update 2 - Have installed a logitech clicksmart 310 camera for use as a webcam. Works great. Also added a Hi-Val 32x10x40 CD burner. No problems with burner installed without drivers and works perfect. ... Read more