This $688 Apple desktop has an NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics processor, with 256 MB of DDR 3 SDRAM shared memory, which should make your everyday graphics usage better than average. It has a 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor which is a much-welcomed upgrade from the 2.26GHz of the previous model. This desktop comes with a 320 GB hard drive (5400 RPM) and 2 GB installed RAM, upgradeable up to 8 GB. Other features include an 8x slot-loading SuperDrive with double-layer DVD support, Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), 4 USB 2.0 ports, 1 FireWire 800 port, Mini DisplayPort video output, and an SD card slot. New in this model is the HDMI audio/video output. At 7.7 x 7.7 x 1.4 inches and 3 pounds, it’s small enough to bring with you just about everywhere. This desktop is also very energy-efficient, consuming less than 10 watts for power. Read the rest of this entry »

Checkout this little baby! It's actually a pocket sized tiny PCs called the Stealth LPC-100. The thing has about the same size and thickness of a thick paperback book (4.0" x 6.1" x 1.45") and weighs about 1.2 pounds. Inside you get a choice of processors (either Core 2 Duo or Dual Core Celeron), Intel GM45 mobile chipset with integrated graphics, up to 4GB of DDR3 memory, and a hard drive up to 500GB. The whole thing is eveloped in a rugged aluminum case that should last a long time. Read the rest of this entry »

I was skimming through Wired.com's Desktop Reviews this morning and came across a pretty interesting 7K gaming machine called the Maingear Shift. Read the rest of this entry »

Not everyone wants to buy a desktop for gaming, entertainment, and business purposes. What if you just want to do the basics? Surfing the internet, checking your email, typing documents, and doing social networking are all activities that Best Buy calls Everyday computing. Cruise on over to their Everyday category and you'll see 24 of these desktops that are designed for the basics. The eMachines EL1352-01e is Best Buy's best selling Everyday desktop because it's quiet, super fast, and delivers excellent performance for the $370 price. Read the rest of this entry »

One thing's for sure: Alienware really knows how to make an upper end gaming rig. This Alienware Area 51 (A51-2443CSB) Desktop is a top of line gaming and rendering machine. It's got today's fastest six core processor (that act as 12 cores) at 2.66GHz, the ripping ATI Radeon HD 5870 graphics card (1GB of memory), 6GB of (DDR3-1333) RAM, and a ginormous 1.2TB hard drive. Dave Dave Altavilla at HotHardware reviewed a similar Alienware desktop with just a slightly faster processor (3.33Ghz i7-980 X) and absolutely loved it. On DiRT2 the machine easily cranked out 133-135 fps at 1920x1200 with highest visuals enabled. Sweet. Read the rest of this entry »

And now on to an examination of Best Buy's gaming laptops. The HP HPE-210y is their popular gaming desktop designed for the budget gamer. It's got the AMD Phenom II quad-core processor humming along at 3.0GHz, 8GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM for excellent multitasking, and the ATI Radeon HD 5450 graphics card which adequately handles games at low resolutions. The huge 1TB hard drive and Blue-ray Disc-enable DVD±RW/CD-RW drive are nice touches. It comes with Windows 7 Home Edition (64-Bit), wireless N networking, 7 USB ports, and a 15-in-1 media reader (aren't those becomming extinct?). Read the rest of this entry »

The eMachines ET1331G-03w, our last stop, is a great all around the system for home and office. It's hardware is powerful enough to play intense 3-D games at low settings as well as the ability to easily handle web browsing, word processing, and email without breaking a sweat. Inside is a dual core AMD (Athlon II X2 235e) running at 2.7GHz, 6GB of medium speed (DDR2 memory), and a 750GB hard drive. The integrated NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE graphics card isn't going to blow your mind but will handle games like Sims 2, Counter Strike Source, and Max Effect at medium to low settings. Windows 7 is the operating system. Also included is the flash card reader, DVD-RW Optical Drive, wired keyboard/mouse, and USB speakers. Brand new the machine went for $399 and up, refurbished it goes for $369 + shipping at TigerDirect. Read the rest of this entry »

The Asus Essentio CG5290-BP009 is a great desktop PC for those needing hard core multitasking productivity or today's high end gaming power. This machine comes with the impressive Intel Core i7 920 2.66GHz Processor, 9GB DDR3 of memory, and a 640GB (7,200RPM) hard drive. The (Nvidia GeForce GTX260 896MB) graphics card is powerful enough to handle intense programs like AutoCAD and Visual Studio as well as modern games like World of Warcraft, Grand Theft Auto 4, and GTA4, and Team Fortress 2. It's got a SuperMulti DVD+-R/RW with Double Layer (burn DVD's up to 9.6GB), ultra fast Gigabit LAN High Definition Audio, and a wired keyboard and mouse. On the top front of the box you'll find access to all the sound controls, 4 USB ports, and various media card readers. Read the rest of this entry »

Now we move onto TigerDirect’s more powerful desktops. Gateway’s  SX2300-01u performs well for the  multimedia enthusiast. This monster has an AMD triple core 2.2GHz processor (AMD Phenom 2 X3) that is sure handle every multimedia task you throw at it. Gateway boasts that the SX2300-01u “Premium performance levels” when you emailing, photos, gaming, or social networking. Inside you’ve 4GB of DDR2 memeory, and a gigantic 320GB hard drive. The (NVIDIA GeForce 8200) video card is primarily designed for multimedia and medium level 3-D gaming. There’s also more of a low end TV tuner card which allows you to the system to your TV to watch programming. Windows Vista is packaged with the machine.

The SX2300-01u is prices $399 at Directdirect refurbished and $465 at Amazon. You can see the SX2300-01u right here on Gateway’s website.

Surprisingly, the system comes with 9 USB ports. The 4GB of RAM is expandable up to 8GB but the thin desktop tower doesn’t easily allow installation of additional drives. Read the rest of this entry »

AKPC_IDS += "5963,";

TigerDirect offers many recertified desktops at various prices. I previously wrote about a basic IBM desktop for $134 and a mid range Acer nettop for $179; what should you consider if you've got up to $339 to spend and want more power? Never fear! Here are four different options, from most powerful to least powerful. Read the rest of this entry »

Looking for a great gaming desktop but don't have $5,000 to spend? The Gateway FX6831-01 brings just enough power to the table to be a good gaming value and only costs $1,299 - $1,599 depending on configuration. The machine comes outfitted with a powerful Intel i7-860 processor and a generous 8GB of DDR3 RAM. This Intel i7 is a very interesting CPU! It normally runs at 2.8GHz but has a Turbo Boost mode that can clock the machine up to 3.46GHz using multiple cores. The fewer cores being used, the closer the system is to 3.46GHz; the more cores, the nearer it is to 2.8GHz. Read the rest of this entry »

Acer has a very interesting Nettop called the AR3610-U9022. This system has dual core Atom processors running at 1.6GHz, 2GB of memory (DDR2 800), and a 160GB (5400RPM SATA) hard drive. It has Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit), a compact wireless keyboard and mouse; a small pair of USB speakers, six USB ports, single ports for Ethernet, HDMI, VGA, eSATA, and SPDIF; and a memory card reader. It's just over 7" tall and deep and 1.2" wide; it only weighs 9.0 pounds. It's $329 at Newegg. Read the rest of this entry »