Reviews (3)

Product review
For the Money it is a sound buy and it has the essential to get you started. All you really need is a Montor and maybe a printer and scanner. all can be brought for less than 200.00. For 339.00 it's a good starter PC for a Novice or a student to use for just about anything. I have built 6 PC's myself so I would buy it for myself if I were intereted in another PC.

great computer
i would recomend this computer to anyone it's a great deal!

this PC rocks!
...it's the best deal i've seen in a long time. after having and returning two hewlett packards in less than 6 weeks, this eMachines was a relief! it's simple, not loaded witt too much additional junky... software, but has great specs; dvd player and a fast cd-rw. the only drawback was the 128mb memory, but i upgraded by adding an 256mb ...

in short, if you can find this PC, BUY IT! it's great. i've had no problems. thanks eMachines! ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

If multimedia is a family affair in your home, Hewlett-Packard’s Pavilion 513n desktop PC will be a welcome addition to your household. A combination DVD/CD-RW drive turns the 513n into the ideal family multimedia center for viewing movies on DVD and creating music CDs.

The 513n features a 1.8 GHz Intel Celeron processor and a 60 GB hard drive with plenty of room for downloading, creating, and storing data files and digital music and photography. The tower PC includes a DVD/CD-RW drive (40x/8x/8x, 16x DVD) for viewing DVD movies, creating and listening to music, and backing up data. It also includes integrated AC-97 Polk Audio stereo speakers with Power Port technology, and MPEG2 for full-motion video.

An integrated Intel Extreme Graphics card--with up to 64 MB of shared video memory--offers impressive display capabilities for nearly any monitor you might connect to this system. The tower includes a V.90 56K data/fax modem, an integrated 10/100Base-T Fast Ethernet interface, three PCI expansion slots (two available), six available USB 2.0 ports, and an available serial and parallel port. An HP Pavilion PS2 keyboard and a two-button PS2 scrolling mouse also are included, and the tower includes a 3.5-inch 1.44 MB floppy drive.

Total memory slots include two DIMM slots (one available). Primary (L1) cache includes 8 KB of data cache. Secondary (L2) cache includes 128 KB of secondary-level cache.

Installed software includes Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition; Corel WordPerfect Productivity Pack, including WordPerfect 10 and Quattro Pro 10; HP RecordNow; InterVideo WinDVD SE; ArcSoft PhotoImpression, Fun House and Greeting Card Creator; Intuit Quicken Financial Center/Quicken 2002 New User Edition; Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0; Norton AntiVirus 2002 with six months of free upgrades; and two free Game Channel titles. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Okay for a beginner home user or student.
This computer did us well as a starter home user and with a high school student, but as we progressed my husband needed to add some big office software. The computer came with Norton 2002 anti-virus which slowed the system down considerably. When I took it out it speeded up the system by about 30 percent. Then I changed the setting to "adjust for performance" instead of "adjust for appearance" and sure it was ugly then but 30 percent faster even yet. The Celeron is slow compared to the Pentium 3 or Pentium 4. 256 mgs of memory should be upgraded if you get tired of this computer freezing up everytime you want to use more than one app. at a time. It doesn't have the juice. So we are going to sell this one and upgrade to a Dell for the same price with a P4 and add a 512 of memory chip. I still would recommend this computer for your family and kids as a starter for the price. ...

A good, solid work-station computer.
If you're looking for an ultra high tech machine, look elsewhere. Likewise, if you're looking for a PC that you can easily upgrade as time and finances allow, this is not the model for you. However, if you're looking for a basic PC that will connect easily enough to a network to be used as a work station, or directly to the Internet for a little browsing and emailing, or perhaps to listen to some music or even watch a DVD, this one will do just fine. It also has more than enough punch to do any household chores, like money management and light desktop publishing. It certainly is a great machine for a student. I have a number of HPs around my home and office, and for the most part they were bought to be functional rather than "cutting edge" performers. They have not only proven themselves to be functional, they have proven themselves to be extremely reliable (one machine in my home has been left on virtually 24-7 for 2 years and still runs like a top). This machine has just about all the features any casual computer user would want: an adequate 1.6 GHz Celeron processor, 256 MB of RAM, a 60 GB hard disk and a good CD-RW+DVD player. Perhaps most impressive, however, is the price. Machines this capable are the equivalent of the sub-$$$$ color TV: they may not have all the "bells and whistles", but they certainly do their job well enough.

I have the Pavilion 513x-b, very similar to this model
I just bought the Pavilion 513x-b, which is very similar to this model. My only complaints are
#1 That there isn't enough PCI slots available to really upgrade this system in the near future.
#2 That there are only 2 - 5¼ slots in the tower and 1 - 3½ slot. That means you can only add one drive (Mine came with a CD-RW and I added the hp dvd writer dvd200i, which is currently the 2nd top rated DVD-RW drive on the market, only beaten out my Sony on audio ripping) a DVD-RW drive.
#3 - There is only space for one more hard drive. I already threw in my old 40GB, as the system only came with a 30GB (guess I'll have to add a Raid Array to add my two other 13GB's)
Other than that, it's a great system. :o) ... Read more

Amazon.com

In the field of family or home desktops, Compaq's Presario 5300US is a solid contender. Priced very reasonably, the system features a Celeron 1.1 GHz chip, 256 MB of memory (expandable to 512 MB), and a 20 GB hard disk. Also included is a 40x CD-ROM drive, a Direct AGP 3D Graphics card, and a 56K modem. Throw in Windows XP, Microsoft's newest operating system, and you can see why this system is an all-around winner in the world of home computing. ... 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

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.

Included in this package are the Compaq FS740 17-inch monitor, as well as theirIJ650 color inkjet printer. However, bereft of a DVD drive, this system won'tplay movies. Sporting a midlevel 8 MB video card, it's not well suited todemanding visual applications such as the latest animated graphic programs or3-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 Home Editionof the Windows XP operating system. Fortunately, users are able to upgrade theirRAM allotment to an impressive 512 MB.

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 GB 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

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 FS740 17-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

Amazon.com Product Description

Sitting atop the range of Gateway's entry-level desktop PC series, the Gateway 310XL is a great choice for the budget minded, balancing affordablilty with powerful features and including a 15-inch flat panel monitor. It comes equipped with everything for basic computing plus a built-in CD burner for backing up data, saving digital photos, and burning your own mix CDs. Other features include a 2.6 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor, 256 MB of RAM, and a 40 GB hard drive.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The 40 GB Ultra DMA hard drive offers enough storage for all your documents, applications, and digital photos. However, it's less than adequate if you plan on maintaining a large multimedia (digital audio or video) library.
• Processor: The 2.6 GHz Pentium 4 processor offers more than enough power for everyday computing tasks as well as database and multimedia applications (from gaming to digital audio and video).
• Memory: The 310XL comes with a 256 MB built-in memory (DDR SDRAM, 333 MHz), which is adequate for basic computing needs. However, you'll want to add more memory for gaming and multimedia usage (the 310XL comes with an additional memory slot for a total of two). It also has an L2 cache of 512 KB.
• CD/DVD Drive: It is equipped with separate drives for DVD playback and CD writing. The DVD-ROM drive can read discs at 16x speed (the standard speed for DVD movie playback), while the CD-R/W drive offers a high-speed 48x (read)/24x (rewrite)/ 48x (write) capability.
• Keyboard & Mouse: The 310XL comes with 104-key keyboard and a scrolling mouse with PS/2 connection.

The included 17-inch flat panel monitor as a 15.9-inch viewable area.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
You get a wide range of connectivity options with the S5400NX, including three PCI expansion slots 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
• 1 parallel port for connecting older printers and scanners
• 2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
• 1 serial port for older peripherals such as early PDAs

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 310XL comes with the Windows XP Home Edition operating system, and it also features Microsoft Works (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents). It also includes 6 months of AOL dial-up service and a 90-day trial with Norton Anti-Virus.

Dimensions and Weight
This micro-tower case measures 14.44 x 7 x 15.38 (W x D x H) and weighs 20.5 pounds.

What's in the Box
This package includes the Gateway 310XL desktop PC, 17-inch flat panel monitor, wired keyboard, PS/2 scroller mouse, power cord, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limited warranty. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Convergence is a reality
I got one as an all-in-one center for images, video, TV, music, etc. It does the job well. TV image quality is excellent, and so is TV recording. Burning your favorite shows to DVD with a few button clicks is incredibly easy.
If you want something for your den, this is a machine that should definitely be on your list for consideration.

A nearly perfect living room PC.
The Gateway FMC-901X blends an innovative case design with high performance components. The first thing that strikes you about the Gateway Media Center is that it looks more like a piece of stereo equipment than a computer. In fact the stackable design computer is fits perfectly on top of a VCR or stereo. This was a big selling point with my wife.

The next best feature is that it comes a super-sized 250GB hard drive with a personal video recorder that lets you record TV shows and watch them on your schedule. The advantage over Tivo is there's no monthly fee or any way for some corporation to keep track of what you watch and when.

Now from the comfort of your couch, you can watch video, TV, play digital music, watch digital video, surf the Internet, play games, arrange digital photos and play or record DVDs.

A fine-tuned media powerhouse.
Finally a piece of gear that looks like it belongs in an AV rack. I've been Very pleased with the appearance and usability of the system. Be aware that although it looks and performs like a component, it's also a PC. It comes with Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004. That means music- and photo-playback features are excellent, and the PVR functions are a close match for a dedicated TV recorder.

Since it's a computer and not a TV it takes a couple of minutes to boot-up. To power the media center, you need the remote control unit and the wireless keyboard and mouse. I've taken to leaving the system on all the time. The mouse uses a new motion-sensing technology that lets you control it with natural hand movements. Unlike most wireless mice, this one actually has range. I can still operate from outside the house through the window, 25 feet away, as long as I stay in the line of sight.

The AV-component look of the FMC-901X is helped by the flip-down panel on the front, which hides many of the myriad of controls and ports: FireWire port, two USB 2.0 jacks, and slots for Compact Flash, SD, Memory Stick, and Smart Media memory cards, making it easy to move digital photos & MP3's into the system.

Bottom-line: this system is perfect for any true media enthusiast

Noticeably better than the Dell unit
TV quality using the Hauppauge TV tuner card is substantially better than in other Media Center Edition PCs.

It does do Tivo-like functionality, which is highly addictive once you have it.

The system is still a little louder than I would like due to the cooling fans, but no louder than my Tivo box.

The sleek design is what really makes it stand out from the competition. The 901 looks like an A/V component and not a clunky PC.
Now if only there was support for multiple HDTV tuners or multichannel SACD, it would be nearly perfect. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

It wasn't so long ago that desktops in this price range were incapable of anything other than absolute basic tasks. But with the new Presario SR1000 series of personal computers, Compaq proves those days are over. Similar in many respects to the entry-level Presario SR1010NX but with enough enhancements to bring it up to midlevel status, the Presario SR1020NX won't quite suit ultra-demanding business environments or dedicated gaming studios, but it will definitely fit right in to most any home, home office or school dorm environment.Driven by a cost-efficient Intel Celeron processor running at 2.8 GHz, an ample 512 MB main memory and an integrated Intel Extreme Graphics video controller with 64 MB shared (not dedicated) video memory, the Presario SR1010NX is not a world-class speed machine or 3-D powerhouse. However, for basic computer duties such as word processing, spreadsheets, electronic communication and homework, it is more than adequate. With double the memory of the SR101ONX, it will deliver adequate multitasking performance right out of the box. However, gamers will definitely need to add a faster video card to enjoy smooth graphics in 3-D games.Data handling options are also much improved over the entry-level model. Apart from the standard 3.5-inch diskette drive, Compaq has doubled the size of the hard disk to 80 GB and replaced the CD-RW drive with a DVD/CD-RW combo drive that handles DVD playing as well as CD burning and playing. In its stock configuration, the system does not support DVD playing or writing. Nor does it include an IEEE 1394 "FireWire" port (normally used for fast data transfer from digital camcorders), though it does feature a half dozen high-speed USB 2.0 ports for plug and play peripherals and gadgets such as USB-capable digital cameras and printers.Other desirable amenities include an integrated 10/100Base-T networking interface for fast Internet and network communication, a low-speed dial-up 56K modem, a Compaq keyboard and scrolling Compaq mouse, and two free PCI slots for adding devices such as high-powered video and audio cards and additional connections. A display screen is not enclosed, thus allowing you to utilize your current monitor or select from the many alternatives currently available. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

As one of the most cost-effective models in HP Pavilion's lineup, the Pavilion 505n Desktop PC delivers modern computer basics at an incredibly affordable price point. Those who constantly strain their computer with processor-intensive applications, the latest 3-D games, and severe multitasking may want to look elsewhere, but the Pavilion 505n is a solid choice for those who can't afford or don't require the blazing speed of a state-of-the-art machine.

At the heart of the Pavilion 505n lies a surprisingly capable 2.2 GHz Intel Celeron processor. HP has matched this budget-conscious CPU with 256 MB of PC2100 DDR SDRAM, an integrated Intel Extreme graphics chipset with 64 MB of shared (not dedicated) memory, and a respectable 60 GB hard disk. Other data handling tools include a 3.5-inch diskette drive for older or smaller applications and backup needs, and an HP CD-Writer drive through which you can play and burn audio CDs and archive larger amounts of information. The system does not incorporate a DVD player/writer or a display screen, though both may be added separately.

The Pavilion 505n sports a number of amenities that only a few months ago were reserved for more expensive systems, including a full half-dozen ultra-fast USB 2.0 ports for speedy interaction with plug and play peripherals, a two-button scrolling mouse and a pair of small but adequate Polk Audio desktop speakers. The unit does not offer an IEEE 1394 FireWire port for interaction with supporting peripherals such as digital camcorders, but it does feature a 56K modem for low-speed Internet and email access and a high-speed 10/100Base-T networking interface for high-speed e-communications. Bundled software includes Microsoft's Windows XP Home Edition, the versatile WordPerfect Productivity Pack, Intuit Quicken Financial Center, and a broad range of digital photographic utilities. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Bad and Good Experiences
I bought a 520 pavillion and 17in Monitor in Jan. 2002. The first time I operated it the computer locked down and the only way to get it unlocked was to manually restart or unplug it.. I started calling HP from then until August of the same year..I have no idea how many Techs I talked to in those months but it was a bunch,one time I was on the line with them until 5:00 am in the morning.. Of all the Techs, there was never [1] that told me the same thing to stop the locking down..I even took it back to Best Products twice and they could not find out how to stop it from locking up..I was very unhappy with this computer as I never did try to use it that it didnt lock up, when it locks up and you have to restart it you loose everything you are working on, very very aggrevating..I thought about just taking the thing back and getting my money back.. I thought I would try one more time so I called HP Help Center again..Get this.. I got a very nice lady in INDIA told her my problem and how many people I had talked to and she said let me check something, we went thru some different things on the computer and sure enough it locked down as always..She said this was a faulty computer and she would see that I got another one..In three days I had a new computer. I have had this one now for over two months and it is absolutely wonderful.. It is faster,makes less noise,nd has not locked down one time, and beleive me I have really worked at trying to get it to lock up.. I am very pleased with this new one. I dont know if it is and updated version of the computer I had or it just works like it should..Anyway,it sure would have saved me a lot of frustration and ulcers if I would have got the nice lady in India first..HP should be grateful for an employee that is very sincere in customer relations..She is the reason I still own a Hewlett-Packard.....

Nice Enough Machine - No XP Recovery CD
I bought this machine recently. It's fast, works well but the 60GB drive seemed somewhat smaller than it ought to be. Surely even micro$oft wouldn't try and leave *two* copies of XP on the disc? I rummaged in the box and failed to find a recovery CD. Aha!

7GB of the disc as shipped is hidden away to store the XP distribution for recovery.

I emailed HP and was told the recovery partition would be all I needed. (Now go away like a good little consumer.)

"But what if the disc fails completely?" I countered. After some mildly pushy email (from my side) they told me to call the customer care centre and they offered to ship a recovery CD out to me - for another $9.95 plus tax.

I don't like it but I thought you should know - if you want the XP disc(s), you have to ask for them, and pay again. Strange, I thought the cost of the software was included in the price of the machine (a.k.a. "The Microsoft Hidden Tax").

HP equipment is generally good gear, but this foolish no-media tactic is going to disenchant a lot of customers. Me included. ... Read more

Manufacturer

The BasicsSimilar in most respects to HP's awesome top-of-the-line Media Center m1090n Photosmart PC but with slightly downgraded data and graphics processing and less memory, the HP Media Center m1080n Photosmart PC is nevertheless an excellent desktop computer that's adorned with high-end components and will make quick work of most any task or application you can dream up. Featuring such lavish amenities as a humungous 250 GB hard drive, solid out-of-the-box 3D graphic support, a potent Altec Lansing amplified speaker system and a powerful new version of Intel's Pentium 4 processor, the m1080n is a capable machine best suited to those who need high-end computing but can't financially justify absolute state-of-the-art.

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 Media Center m1080n, HP has turned to Intel and its new Pentium 4 540 CPU. 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 blazing 3.4 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 very fast CPU and a strong centerpiece to a top-level system. However, it follows the tried and true 32-bit CPU architecture of previous Pentiums rather than the substantially faster 64-bit architecture just being introduced in today's priciest, most advanced processors.

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. The Media Center m1080n features 512 GB of fast PC3200 DDR SDRAM main memory. This is an average 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 is constructed to support RAM upgrades to a stunning total of 4 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). The Media Center m1080n features one of today's finest graphics cards, an ATI Radeon X300 SE PCI-E with 128 dedicated MB of video memory. A video card with dedicated memory is far preferable to cards that share the system's memory, and 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. Serious gamers who demand perfect frame rates at extremely high resolutions may want to upgrade to a 256 MB video card, such as the Radeon X600 PRO PCI-E found in HP's Media Center m1090n.

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

Sound
The Media Center m1080n produces sound via an Intel High Definition Audio chipset with support for seven distinct audio channels and one subwoofer. If eight separate speakers seems like a bit much, you can certainly make do with the enclosed Altec Lansing 2121 speaker system. This is a two-satellite, one-subwoofer setup that's far more powerful and accurate than the typical two-piece entry-level multimedia speakers accompanying many of today's computer systems.

Hard Drive
At 250 GB, the internal hard drive is one of the most spacious in any desktop PC, offering enough room for a massive allotment of files and applications and ample music, video/photo and multimedia libraries too. Further storage possibilities are offered in the form of the convenient HP Personal Media Drive, a docking slot located on the front of the computer tower that accepts portable hard drives.

Optical Drive
An optical drive is essential in today's computing environment. 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 DVD-ROM drive for playing music and data CDs and DVD movies, and a DVD+R/RW drive through which you can burn music and data CDs, play DVD movies, and record home videos to long-lasting DVD media. Moreover, the unit's two drives allow you to make extremely quick copies of any CD or DVD.

Connectivity and Expansion
With no less than six high-speed USB 2.0 ports -- two of which are conveniently located on the front of the unit -- you'll have plenty of room for plug and play gadgets such as digital cameras and printers. HP has also included two IEEE 1394 "FireWire" ports (commonly used for fast data transfer from digital camcorders) and a versatile 9-in-1 card reader for reading memory cards from devices such as digital cameras, PDAs and more. Communication options include an integrated 10/100Base-T networking interface for fast Internet and network communication and a V.92 data/fax modem for low-speed dial-up connections. The system's single open PCI slot may be used for add-on audio cards, video cards, and the like.

Operating System and Software
The Media Center m1080n features an extremely comprehensive software package headed by Microsoft's beefy Windows XP Media Center Edition operating system. HP will also pre-install the Microsoft Money Standard 2004, Microsoft's Works 7.0 productivity suite, HP Image Zone Plus photo and imaging software, and an impressive assortment of multimedia utilities. Last but certainly not least is HP's own Personal Video Recorder for recording and archiving up to 200 hours of video from sources such as cable and satellite TV.

Control
To help free your workspace of cumbersome cables, HP will provide a convenient wireless keyboard and wireless mouse combo. To help you relax when you're watching movies, playing games or listening to music, the system also features a handy wireless infrared remote control. ... Read more