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Dell Studio XPS 8000-2361JBK
The retail version of Dell's Studio XPS 8000 desktop might lack some of the charm of its direct-from-Dell counterpart, but its strong price-performance offering makes it easy to overlook the minor cosmetic deficiencies. That and its admirable power consumption make this system an impressive all-purpose midrange desktop.
Review date: 12/07/2009
Release date: 10/01/2009
Specs:
Intel Core i7 I7-860 (2.8 GHz) =8 GB DDR3 SDRAM =1 TB Standard =NVIDIA GeForce GTS 240 =Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition =Personal computer
CNET editor's take
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7.3
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HP Pavilion p6210y
The HP Pavilion P6210y gets by as a decent performer in entry-level applications, but we're disappointed by its lack of features. It can definitely serve as a family PC, but the Gateway SX2800-01 is a faster computer with more flexibility in its connection offerings.
Review date: 12/04/2009
Specs:
AMD Athlon II X4 620 (2.6 GHz) =6 GB DDR2 SDRAM =640 GB Standard =NVIDIA GeForce 9100 =Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition =Personal computer
CNET editor's take
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6.8
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HP TouchSmart 300-1020
With a small screen for its price, we can't justify the TouchSmart 300 as a home entertainment all-in-one PC. It's also slower than more affordable midtowers, so you can spend less for more productivity. This leaves HP's touch-based software as the TouchSmart 300's primary selling point. We'd recommend this PC in the kitchen, but it's less appealing elsewhere.
Review date: 12/04/2009
Specs:
AMD Athlon II X2 235e (2.7 GHz) =4 GB DDR3 SDRAM =500 GB Standard =ATI Radeon HD 3200 =Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit =Media center
CNET editor's take
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6.6
Good
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Dell Inspiron i545s-3055NBK
The Dell Inspiron 545s-3055NBK improves on previous models with more upgrade options and faster performance. Its modest components can easily handle the most common tasks, but shoppers looking for a home theater PC should consider the Gateway SX2800-01 or Dell's forthcoming Zino HD instead.
Review date: 12/03/2009
Specs:
Intel Core 2 Duo E7500 (2.93 GHz) =6 GB DDR2 SDRAM =750 GB Standard =Intel GMA 3100 =Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition =Personal computer
CNET editor's take
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6.5
Good
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HP Pavilion Elite E9220y
HP's Pavilion Elite E9220y strikes out because of slow performance and underwhelming features for its price. We can't recommend this desktop to anyone.
Review date: 12/02/2009
Release date: 10/01/2009
Specs:
AMD Phenom II X4 910 (2.6 GHz) =8 GB DDR3 SDRAM =1 TB Standard =ATI Radeon HD 4350 =Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition =Personal computer
CNET editor's take
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4.6
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Gateway DX4300-11
We're fond of the Gateway DX4300-11's clever design, but halfhearted performance scores mar its overall worth. The TV tuner and 1TB hard drive may tempt you to stick it in your living room as a media center PC, but your money is better spent on the Asus Essentio CG5270-BP004.
Review date: 11/25/2009
Specs:
AMD Phenom II X4 805 (2.5 GHz) =8 GB DDR2 SDRAM =1 TB Standard =ATI Radeon HD 3200 =Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition =Media center
CNET editor's take
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6.5
Good
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Maingear Shift
Maingear's Shift is the boutique vendor's new flagship gaming PC. It brings almost everything we expect to find in such a system, from expert craftsmanship to fast overclocking to a case that makes a statement. We found a few minor sticking points, but, on the whole, this PC sits comfortably alongside the top tier of luxury gaming boxes, and we recommend it if you have the means.
Review date: 11/25/2009
Release date: 11/02/2009
Specs:
Intel Core i7 960 (3.86 GHz) =6 GB DDR3 SDRAM =1500 GB Standard =2x ATI Radeon HD 5870
CNET editor's take
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8.2
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Asus Essentio CG5270-BP004
Massive case notwithstanding, the affordable Asus Essentio CG5270-BP004 delivers a competitive feature set with the horsepower to back it up. We recommend this system for light media editors and anyone who can make use of its straightforward performance and multipurpose features.
Review date: 11/24/2009
Specs:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 (2.5 GHz) =8 GB DDR2 SDRAM =1 TB Standard =Intel GMA X4500 =Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition =Personal computer
CNET editor's take
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7.4
Very good
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HP Pavilion P6230y
The HP Pavilion P6230y yields decent scores, but we have a hard time recommending a system that comes at a higher cost and a slower performance rating over competing systems. This system has a few uncommon features for its price, but nothing that makes up for its overall poor bang-for-the-buck.
Review date: 11/23/2009
Specs:
AMD Phenom II X4 810 (2.6 GHz) =8 GB DDR3 SDRAM =750 GB Standard =ATI Radeon HD 4200 =Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition =Personal computer
CNET editor's take
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5.5
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Gateway One ZX4800-02
Gateway's affordable One ZX4800-02 all-in-one isn't the most feature-rich desktop at this price, but it's fast and capable enough that it will handle most basic consumer tasks with aplomb. Don't get too excited about its touch screen, but there's enough to like about this system that we can recommend it as an everyday PC.
Review date: 11/20/2009
Release date: 10/06/2009
Specs:
Intel Pentium T4300 (2.1 GHz) =4 GB DDR2 SDRAM =750 GB Standard =Intel GMA 4500MHD =Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition =Personal computer
CNET editor's take
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7.2
Very good
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Gateway DX4822-01
The Gateway DX-4822-01 makes a convincing pitch with the performance numbers and features to earn its place in your home, but if you're not tied to the midtower design, the older Gateway SX2800-01 offers faster speeds and the option to set it up as a media center PC.
Review date: 11/20/2009
Specs:
Intel Pentium E5300 (2.6 GHz) =6 GB DDR3 SDRAM =1 TB Standard =Intel GMA X4500 =Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition =Personal computer
CNET editor's take
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7.0
Very good
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Asus Essentio CM5570-AP003
At a glance, the Asus Essentio CM5570-AP003 offers adequate performance compared to other midtower budget desktops, but an older Gateway outshines Asus with faster performance and more versatility for a little more, leaving us unenthusiastic about this system.
Review date: 11/19/2009
Specs:
Intel Pentium E5300 (2.6 GHz) =6 GB DDR2 SDRAM =750 GB Standard =Intel GMA X4500 =Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition =Personal computer
CNET editor's take
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6.5
Good
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Apple iMac (21.5-inch, 3.06Hz Intel Core 2 Duo, Nvidia GeForce 9400M, Fall 2009)
Despite its good looks and a few useful new features, Apple's new iMac is all about business. You can find a larger screen for less, not to mention all kinds of digital entertainment features, but no other all-in-one at this price can boast similar performance. If you need a modestly priced all-in-one for getting work done, we'd recommend no other system.
Review date: 11/17/2009
Release date: 10/20/2009
Specs:
Intel Core 2 Duo (3.06 GHz) =4 GB DDR3 SDRAM =500 GB Standard =NVIDIA GeForce 9400M =EPA Energy Star =Apple MacOS X 10.6 =Personal computer
CNET editor's take
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7.8
Very good
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Sony Vaio L117FX (Core 2 Quad Q8400s 2.66GHz, 6GB RAM, 1TB HDD, Windows 7 Home Premium)
Earlier this year Sony was the unquestioned king of all-in-ones designed for home entertainment. The new Vaio L117FX retains and improves on many of the features we liked about older models, but revamped all-in-ones from its competition make the new Vaio seem a touch overpriced.
Review date: 11/13/2009
Release date: 10/07/2009
Specs:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400S (2.66 GHz) =6 GB DDR2 SDRAM =1 TB Standard =NVIDIA GeForce GT 240M =Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition =Media center
CNET editor's take
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7.2
Very good
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HP Pavilion Slimline s5220y
The HP Pavilion Slimline s5220y provides adequate performance for light-duty media editing and entertainment, but its slim tower case leaves little room for future upgrades, leading us to recommend the older Gateway SX2800-01 that offers more features and better components.
Review date: 11/12/2009
Specs:
Intel Pentium E5300 (2.6 GHz) =4 GB DDR2 SDRAM =640 GB Standard =Intel GMA 3100 =Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition =Personal computer
CNET editor's take
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5.2
Average
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Dell Studio XPS 8000
The Dell Studio XPS 8000 offers a strong combination of midrange performance parts that should satisfy anyone looking for a midtower desktop for general productivity, digital media editing, or gaming. It lacks a few performance-oriented extras, but it makes up for any deficiencies with its attractive looks.
Review date: 11/10/2009
Specs:
Intel Core i7 860 (2.80 GHz) =8 GB DDR3 SDRAM =1536 GB Standard =nVidia GeForce GTS240 1024MB GDDR3 =Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 64Bit, English
CNET editor's take
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7.3
Very good
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Dell Inspiron i545s-1476N
With similar results as its ancestors, the Dell Inspiron 545s-1476N registers decent benchmarks and offers respectable upgradability, but we hesitate to recommend it over the older Gateway SX2800-01 that leaves Dell in the dust regarding both performance and features.
Review date: 11/06/2009
Specs:
Intel Pentium E5300 (2.6 GHz) =4 GB DDR2 SDRAM =640 GB Standard =Intel GMA 3100 =Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition =Personal computer
CNET editor's take
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5.9
Average
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AVADirect Nano Cube
AVADirect's tries to distill as much gaming power as possible into its Nano Cube, but the extra small case requires too many sacrifices next to even standard small form factor PCs. Gaming purists with a need for an extra tiny PC might appreciate the Nanon Cube, but even they should be wary of everything you need to give up for this tiny desktop.
Review date: 11/04/2009
Release date: 10/01/2009
Specs:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550S (2.83 GHz) =4 GB DDR II SDRAM =120 GB Standard =NVidia GeForce GTX 295
CNET editor's take
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6.5
Good
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Averatec All-In-One D1130 (black)
The Averatec D1130's wimpy processor and paltry features give consumers little incentive to choose this Nettop over a faster budget PC or the mobility of a Netbook. If you're dead-set on a Nettop, the Lenovo C300 is a less terrible decision, but you can stretch your dollar much further with a budget slim tower system like the Gateway SX2800-01.
Review date: 10/30/2009
Specs:
Intel Atom (1.6 GHz) =1 GB DDR II SDRAM =160 GB Standard =Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 =Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
CNET editor's take
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4.6
Mediocre
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Acer Aspire Revo AR1600-U910H
Acer's Aspire Revo 1600 might be the first Nettop we don't actively dislike. We'd rather have an Xbox 360 in the living room, but the Aspire Revo 1600 would be suitable as a PC for young kids or as a low-profile cloud kiosk. Thanks to its $199 price tag, you won't feel too much remorse if it breaks or you outgrow it.
Review date: 10/30/2009
Specs:
Intel Atom N230 (1.6 GHz) =1 GB DDR2 SDRAM =160 GB Standard =NVIDIA ION LE =EPA Energy Star =Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition =Personal computer
CNET editor's take
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6.2
Good
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Averatec All-In-One D1130 (white)
The Averatec D1130's wimpy processor and paltry features give consumers little incentive to choose this Nettop over a faster budget PC or the mobility of a Netbook. If you're dead-set on a Nettop, the Lenovo C300 is a less terrible decision, but you can stretch your dollar much further with a budget slim tower system like the Gateway SX2800-01.
Review date: 10/30/2009
Specs:
Intel Atom (1.6 GHz) =1 GB DDR2 SDRAM =160 GB Standard =Intel GMA 950 =Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition =Personal computer
CNET editor's take
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4.6
Mediocre
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Apple iMac (27-inch, 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, ATI Radeon HD 4670, Fall 2009)
 Apple's new 27-inch iMac will charm plenty of you with its screen size alone. Fortunately, that won't lead you astray. Behind its expansive display, Apple has packed one of the fastest all-in-ones available, and added a few useful extras to sweeten the deal. This iMac isn't perfect, but its positives far outweigh its negatives. We can think of few users to whom we wouldn't recommend this system.
Review date: 10/21/2009
Release date: 10/20/2009
Specs:
Intel Core 2 Duo (3.06 GHz) =4 GB DDR3 SDRAM =1 TB Standard =ATI Radeon HD 4670 =EPA Energy Star =Apple MacOS X 10.6 =Personal computer
CNET editor's take
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8.4
Excellent
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Asus Eee Top ET2002
Nvidia's Ion graphics chip gives the Asus Eee Top ET2002 better-than-average video performance for a Nettop, but that does little to spare this system from its weak overall performance and the variety of competitive, more well-rounded alternatives for low-cost video and gaming. Nettops might be competitive someday, but for now this category as a whole is a disappointment.
Review date: 10/20/2009
Specs:
Intel Atom 330 (1.6 GHz) =2 GB DDR2 SDRAM =320 GB Standard =NVIDIA ION =Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium / Microsoft Windows 7 Upgrade Option =Personal computer
CNET editor's take
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6.1
Good
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HP TouchSmart 600
If HP's TouchSmart 600 won't at least get you thinking about the idea of bringing a PC into your kitchen, the concept truly has no hope. With well-though-out touch apps, a wide, easy-to-use array of digital media features, and an attractive, flexible design, HP's new all-in-one is not the fastest new all-in-one, but it has the most comprehensive and compelling set of features of any all-in-one launching alongside Windows 7.
Review date: 10/12/2009
Specs:
Intel Core 2 Duo T7450 (2.13 GHz) =4 GB DDR3 SDRAM =750 GB Portable =NVIDIA GeForce GT 230 =Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium =Media center
CNET editor's take
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8.0
Excellent
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Psystar Open(Q)
If you've heard of Psystar, chances are you know the risks involved with buying its systems. You might also have guessed, correctly, that in this OS X Snow Leopard-based Open(Q) system, Psystar once again shows up Apple in the price-performance department. There's little else to recommend this spare system, but if fast and cheap OS X is what you need, Psystar has you covered, at least for as long as it's still around.
Review date: 10/09/2009
Release date: 09/01/2009
Specs:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 (2.33 GHz) =4 GB DDR II SDRAM =500 GB Standard =nVidia GeForce 9400 Integrated Graphics =Apple MacOS X 10.6
CNET editor's take
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6.1
Good
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