Asus Essentio CG5275-AR003 user reviews

Pros Great performance in its class. Lots of memory. Simple to set up. Has VGA, DVI and HDMI connectors, so even for use as a media PC you're good to go. Ample case to accommodate add-ons. Quality components.

Cons No printed installation manual provided. Comes with Windows 7, which is further bloated with a Microsoft Office 2007 Home / Student trial and MS Works. Awkward flat-button keyboard.

Summary There's little to argue against this great mid-range desktop at its sharp price point: a powerful Intel i5 CPU with 4 cores, 8GB memory, a 1TB hard drive (which is partitioned to have two usable volumes; one for the system and the other for data), and fairly decent graphics through the CPU-powered on-board Intel video support. All that yields a nice, comfortable cruise-speed machine that satisfies the typical home-user, with spare oomph for fun and games, too.

It's a pity that the absence of a printed installation manual - explained as a decision to spare the environment - isn't compensated with a simple leaflet in big print, with a reassurance that by just hooking the desktop up (i.e. plugging everything in and powering it up) will take care of the process. Could be useful for a few nervous types.

On an issue that is not ASUS' problem, Windows 7: because of the advanced Intel i5 64-bit processor, which among other things offers great performance for the motherboard on-board video, finding drivers for older peripherals is difficult at best. Which means one of two things: either you dole out more money to replace your working but in Windows 7 unsupported equipment, or you ditch Windows 7. I did the latter, but it is worth pointing out as a general issue with this problematic operating system (I fail to understand why the well-supported XP was totally ditched) which, again, is not due to ASUS let alone this particular machine. Bottom line, you're in for a very long hour setting it up and arguably longer if you need to transfer files from an older (say, XP) system.

But once it's up and running, this baby should keep you happily computing for the next few years, without worrying about performance bottlenecks; those 8GB of RAM are really a wonderful thing to have from the get-go.

Pros How can you not like a 3.2ghz cpu, 8gig ram, 1 T HD, at a price so low you couldn't DIY build, at least in Sept 2010. What a great starting point for a mid range PC.

Cons The case sucks, it is HUGE, the slanted face top door doesn't open far enough to easily insert headphones or a mic. However the size allows for upgrades with room to spare.

Summary I was shopping for a big bang for buck fast PC, fast enough to play any current game without dialing back the settings. ASUS Essentio CG5275-AR003 was being offered by the egg guys as factory refurbished, $535 WOW, instant sale. I received the CG5275 and opened the case inspecting all the components (there have been many complaints about refurb units having components just hanging inside of the case) the inspection revealed one MB screw floating loose inside the case. With the screw reinserted and tight, firing up the CG5275 and subsequent system initialization windows 7 was loaded and I was looking at the Windows 7 desktop in about 30 min. Fastest booting windows system I have ever had. Setup for 64 bit means I have to upgrade some software, which I really don't mind since most of my apps are 10 years old or more like MSoffice 97, now I'm running MSofficePro 2010. While the CG5275 has ok video with the I5-650 built in video, adding a good video card is a must for gaming, that is my next upgrade.

The package I received came with the system, and included 2 cds, one keyboard, one IR mouse. There was NO bloatware on my refurb CG5275 (man does that make me happy). I have owned the CG5275 for two months and have zero complaints except for the oversized awkward case. One mod, I added a COOLER MASTER Megaflow 200mm fan inside the case suspended with wire, my system is running very cool, and I hardly hear any sound.

Buying a refurb unit can be a bit of luck of the draw, however if purchased from a reliable vendor who has excellent customer service and return policy, any failures should be able to be easily replaced less some shipping costs. That is why I chose the egg guys.

I highly recommend this unit, and would recommend it to a friend or buy another for myself. I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 stars because of the case, I can deal with the size but the slant face is not a very bright idea.

Pros Nice price. I use it for work. Has speed, good multi-tasking. Does not have annoying add on like you see with Dell or HP.

Cons top access door to USB is stinks. The system sometimes crashes when viewing photos. when you move a file to desk top & send it via e-mail, the file icon stays on desk top and can't be removed or deleted, until system boot. ? ASUS or Windows 7 ???

Summary I wouldn't buy it again until I verify the problems I'm having are with Windows 7 & not the ASUS hardware.

Pros Very fast 3.2ghz very nice price and good for multitasking
alot of space for upgrading

Cons mine came with 6gb ram which i am VERY dissapointed about because i really need 8gb ram
mine also only had 912gb with disk space

Summary

Updated on Feb 3, 2013

i forgot to mention that i also had to turn down the settings in games like far cry 3,mafia2 and saints row the third. to play without lag.