Asus Desktops

The Bottom Line: 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.

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

The Bottom Line: 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.

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

The Bottom Line: 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.

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

The Bottom Line: Asus crafted the Essentio CG5290-BP007 to serve as a no-frills gaming desktop for just more than $1,000. And while the boutique PC vendors have a bit more polish for not too much more money, Asus can at least claim that this PC is one of the fastest on the retail shelves. You might have a hard time arguing the necessity of such a fast gaming box for back-to-school, but we can at least recommend this system as a speedy bargain.

Specs: Intel Core i7 I7-920 (2.66 GHz), 9 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 1 TB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition SP1, Personal computer

The Bottom Line: Don't let the overlarge case get you too excited, but Asus has put together a compelling budget gaming PC with the Essentio CG5270-BP003. With fast gaming and general application performance, as well as a competitive price, this desktop will satisfy any aspiring PC gamer looking to save a buck.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 (2.5 GHz), 8 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 750 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce GT 220, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Personal computer

The Bottom Line: The Asus Essentio is perhaps the best conceived of the recent round of living-room-friendly slim tower desktops. It's just powerful enough, and it comes with the right mix of features to allow it to do what living room PCs do best, without overreaching.

The Bottom Line: Despite a few useful features, the Asus Eee Box is a novelty at best. It can't come close to the same performance and robustness of even the most basic standard budget PC, and a low-end laptop can do everything it can do and more. The appeal of Asus' Eee PC does not carry over to the Eee Box.

Specs: Intel Atom N270 (1.6 GHz), 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 80 GB Standard, Intel GMA 950, EPEAT Silver, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Personal computer

Specs: Intel Pentium Dual Core E5200 (2.5 GHz), 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 640 GB Standard, Intel GMA X3500, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Personal computer

Specs: Intel Atom N270 (1.6 GHz), 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 160 GB Standard, ATI Radeon HD 4530, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Silver, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Personal computer