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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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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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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
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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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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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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
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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
Very 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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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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eMachines EZ1601-01
If you must buy a Nettop, the eMachines EZ1601-01's large screen and category-competitive components make a decent argument for its value among other systems like it. One look at a true budget desktop, or even a Netbook, and the appeal of this system diminishes quickly.
Review date: 08/17/2009
Release date: 08/13/2009
Specs:
Intel Atom N270 (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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6.3
Good
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Acer Aspire M3800-U3802A
Despite its quirky case design, Acer's Aspire M3800-U3802A is an affordable, feature-competitive midtower that you might find appealing if you're in the market for a cost-effective desktop to use for upgrading. If you want the best PC for your dollar, you can spend just a bit more on another system and get much faster performance.
Review date: 08/19/2009
Release date: 06/28/2009
Specs:
Intel Pentium E5200 (2.5 GHz) =4 GB DDR3 SDRAM =640 GB Standard =Intel GMA X4500 =Microsoft Windows Vista =Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition =Personal computer
CNET editor's take
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6.4
Good
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Gateway SX2800-01
Gateway's SX2800-01 offers a strong combination of performance and features all wrapped up in a design that fully embraces the merits of a slim tower PC. We recommend this system to anyone looking for a fast, affordable desktop for the home office, the living room, or anywhere in between.
Review date: 07/10/2009
Release date: 06/28/2009
Specs:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 (2.33 GHz) =4 GB DDR3 SDRAM =640 GB Standard =Intel GMA X4500 =Microsoft Windows Vista =Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition =Personal computer
CNET editor's take
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7.9
Very good
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Gateway DX4300-03
Gateway's DX4300-03 is a game attempt at a digital media hub-style PC, but the value proposition just isn't here. Slow performance in particular drags this desktop down, and unless you particularly value a TV tuner, you'll find faster, more capable computers not much farther down the retail shelf.
Review date: 07/28/2009
Release date: 06/28/2009
Specs:
AMD Phenom X4 9750 (2.4 GHz) =8 GB DDR2 SDRAM =1 TB Standard =ATI Radeon HD 4650 =Microsoft Windows Vista =Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition =Personal computer
CNET editor's take
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6.1
Good
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Dell Inspiron 545
Dell seems to have missed a beat in this year's round of back-to-school retail desktops, and the Inspiron 545 is no exception. Its competition has too much to offer in the way of performance and features, leaving Dell with little but its established online support resources to give it an advantage.
Review date: 07/29/2009
Release date: 06/28/2009
Specs:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 (2.33 GHz) =8 GB DDR II SDRAM =1 TB Standard =ATI Mobility RADEON HD 3450 =Microsoft Windows Vista =Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1
CNET editor's take
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5.9
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Dell Inspiron 545s
The Dell Inspiron 545s cuts a more robust profile than other budget Inspirons by offering better upgrade options and some decent performance for its price. It has a hard time challenging Gateway's strong budget slim tower, but this Dell might sway you, depending on your needs.
Review date: 07/15/2009
Release date: 06/28/2009
Specs:
Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 (2.8 GHz) =6 GB DDR II SDRAM =750 GB Standard =Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100 =Microsoft Windows Vista =Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1
CNET editor's take
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6.1
Good
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eMachines EL1300G-01w
We cringe at the idea of recommending such a slow PC when you can get significantly better performance for just a few more dollars. That said, it's hard to argue with the eMachines EL1300G-01w's low price, clean good looks, and relatively complete budget feature set. As long as you have no ambitions for this PC performing anything resembling serious work, it will make a fine second or third home system.
Review date: 06/11/2009
Release date: 05/19/2009
Specs:
AMD Athlon 2650e (1.6 GHz) =2 GB DDR2 SDRAM =160 GB Standard =NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE =EPA Energy Star =Microsoft Windows Vista =Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic =Personal computer
CNET editor's take
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6.8
Good
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Sony Vaio LV250B
You can find more-cost-effective large-screen all-in-ones for general productivity, but Sony's Vaio LV250B is our favorite for home entertainment. Loaded with unique features geared toward digital media convenience, this system will meet the needs of anyone looking for a PC to use as an entertainment hub.
Review date: 05/13/2009
Release date: 05/06/2009
Specs:
Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 (2.80 GHz) =4 GB DDR II SDRAM =500 GB Portable =NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT =EPEAT Silver =RoHS =EPA Energy Star =Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition =Media center
CNET editor's take
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7.7
Very good
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AVADirect Custom Gaming PC
The AVADirect shopping experience can be daunting, but for the tech-savvy buyer willing to navigate the many options available for this system, you'll find that AVADirect's Custom Gaming PC is competently built, with options for blazing fast overclocking, all at an attractive price.
Review date: 04/23/2009
Release date: 04/20/2009
Specs:
Intel (2.66 GHz) =6 GB DDR II SDRAM =1500 GB
CNET editor's take
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8.4
Excellent
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Averatec D1133 All-In-One
Extra performance by way of a low-wattage AMD chip helps Averatec's D1133 All-In-One stand out from its dismal Nettop competition, but it remains a below-average deal in the grand scheme of budget desktops. We see the appeal of Netbooks, but the benefits of Nettops like this Averatec continue to elude us.
Review date: 09/29/2009
Release date: 04/01/2009
Specs:
AMD Athlon X2 3250e (1.5 GHz) =2 GB DDR II SDRAM =250 GB Standard =Microsoft Windows Vista =Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
CNET editor's take
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5.4
Average
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Asus Eee Top ET1602
Thanks to its price, size, touch screen, and semiportability, the Asus Eee Top ET1602 presents a lot of usage options. Put it in the kitchen, den, or even a hallway, and it can serve as an easy information hub for your family. Just don't put it on a desk, where a desktop or a laptop will be much better suited for serious work.
Review date: 02/16/2009
Release date: 03/09/2009
Specs:
Intel Atom N270 (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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6.9
Good
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Apple iMac (20-inch, 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, Winter 2009)
A few other all-in-ones make this 20-inch iMac look expensive on a dollars-per-screen-inch basis, but none are as attractive or as capable juggling multiple programs. With a fast dual-core CPU and a strong array of features, Apple's updated all-in-one will slide seamlessly into a variety of roles at home or at work.
Review date: 03/10/2009
Release date: 03/03/2009
Specs:
Intel Core 2 Duo (2.66 GHz) =2 GB DDR3 SDRAM =320 GB Standard =NVIDIA GeForce 9400M =EPA Energy Star =EPEAT Gold =Apple MacOS X 10.5 =Personal computer
CNET editor's take
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7.8
Very good
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Apple Mac Pro (Two 2.26GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon, Winter 2009)
Apple's new eight-core Mac Pro demonstrates marked improvements over the older model in high-intensity digital media and multitasking scenarios. We also love the design tweaks that improve on Apple's already industry-leading sensibilities. Any Apple-bound design professional would welcome this new tool in his or her arsenal.
Review date: 03/19/2009
Release date: 03/03/2009
Specs:
Intel Xeon (2.26 GHz) =6 GB DDR3 SDRAM =640 GB Standard =NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 =EPA Energy Star =EPEAT Gold =Apple MacOS X 10.6 =Personal computer
CNET editor's take
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8.1
Excellent
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Sony Vaio JS250J
Instead of succumbing to the latest fads, the Sony Vaio JS250J all-in-one PC stays the course pioneered by its models from last year, delivering capable performance and best-of-breed home entertainment features at a better price than its all-in-one competition. The Vaio JS250J will appeal to anyone in need of a multipurpose home PC.
Review date: 05/07/2009
Release date: 03/01/2009
Specs:
Intel Pentium Dual Core E5200 (2.5 GHz) =4 GB DDR2 SDRAM =320 GB Standard =NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS =EPEAT Silver =EPA Energy Star =RoHS =Microsoft Windows Vista =Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition =Personal computer
CNET editor's take
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7.4
Very good
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Shuttle XPC H7 5800
Shuttle's XPC H7 5800 is unique mostly for the fact that it's the smallest system we know of to offer multigraphics card support and Intel Core i7 CPUs. If its options sound gamer-friendly, its price and configuration quirks are decided turn-offs. Unless you demand this particular balance of size and power, we'd look elsewhere.
Review date: 06/23/2009
Release date: 03/01/2009
CNET editor's take
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6.1
Good
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HP Pavilion a6700y
By sticking a wireless network adapter in a desktop with relatively slow performance for its price range, it almost feels as if HP has phoned in the configuration of this Pavilion a6700y. We can think of few reasons to justify purchasing this PC.
Review date: 02/20/2009
Release date: 02/20/2009
Specs:
AMD Phenom 9150e quad-core 9150e (1.80 GHz) =4 GB DDR-2 SDRAM =500 GB Serial ATA =NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE =Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition SP1
CNET editor's take
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5.7
Average
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