Entered CNET Catalog: 01/09/2003
SKU: emachinesT2260
Manufacturer: eMachines
CNET editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 03/17/2003
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 All five T-series models share the same compact minitower case. |
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On the front of the case behind an upward-sliding door, there are two USB 2.0 ports and both a headphone and a microphone jack. To aid in tech-support calls, each system has a sticker on the front panel that showcases the system model and serial number along with eMachines tech-support contact info--a small but thoughtful touch.
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| Four USB 2.0 ports and both modem and Ethernet jacks highlight the ports on the back panel. |
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| All models now have two USB 2.0 ports up front. |
On the back of the case, in addition to the traditional lineup of legacy ports, there are four additional USB 2.0 ports; Ethernet and modem jacks; and speaker, microphone, and line-in ports. If you already own a FireWire peripheral, you'll have to purchase and install your own FireWire card; you won't find a FireWire port in any of the models, nor is there an option to customize your system to include one.
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| All but the T1842 ship with two optical drives: a CD-RW and a DVD-ROM. | |
Getting inside the tool-free case requires removing just two thumbscrews. Inside, you'll find a well-laid-out interior. Each T-series model gives you two free PCI slots for expansion cards (the 56Kbps modem card occupies the third slot) and a single DIMM slot, should you want to add more memory. Gamers take note: Only the two Athlon-based models contain an AGP slot, giving you the option of adding a separate graphics card.
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 Only the T2260 and the T2460 have an AGP slot for advanced graphics. |
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None of the systems, unfortunately, includes a monitor, but eMachines offers two 17-inch CRTs for purchase. Our systems came with the higher-end eView 17f, a flat-screen CRT that displayed a bright image and crisp text in our tests. In fact, we consider the eView 17f to be a great deal for the money, especially after a $100 mail-in rebate. The flat screen means less glare than what you'll have on the rounded screen of regular 17-inch monitors, which we looked at last year when we reviewed the T series. Unfortunately, you cannot order an LCD with the T series, nor can you upgrade your choice of graphics card: you're stuck with a shared-memory chipset from the get-go.
We were also underenthused with the T series' two-piece speaker set. This low-cost solution sounds fine for system noises and Web audio, but music and movie fans will want a more robust setup. Luckily, all eMachines PCs now ship with a multimedia keyboard with task-specific buttons. The T2260 and T2460 models include additional shortcut keys, such as dedicated cut, copy, and paste buttons.
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| We liked the 17f CRT that accompanied our T2260 test system. |
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| The T2200 and the T2200SE include a handy multimedia keyboard. |
All five T-series systems run Microsoft Money 2002, as well as an eMachines-branded version of CyberLink's PowerDVD for DVD playback. Noticeably absent, however, is CD-burning software for the CD-RW drives found in four of the five T-series systems. We were forced to use Windows Media Player's second-rate CD-burning tools.
Application performance
Although it contains an AMD Athlon XP 2200+ processor, the eMachines T2260 performs more like an Athlon XP 2000+. Contributing to the T2260's disappointing performance are a relatively slow hard drive subsystem and an older motherboard chipset, the Via KM266. Every system we've tested that uses this chipset, most recently the HP Pavilion 734n, has slower-than-expected performance. Also contributing to the T2260's anemic performance is a shared memory architecture (graphics and system memory), which enacts additional processing overhead. Overall, the T2260 performed poorly and was below where it should be for its processor class.
Application performance (Longer bars indicate better performance)
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To measure application performance, CNET Labs uses BAPCo's SysMark2002, an industry-standard benchmark. Using off-the-shelf applications, SysMark measures a desktop's performance using office-productivity applications (such as Microsoft Office and McAfee VirusScan) and Internet-content-creation applications (such as Adobe Photoshop and Macromedia Dreamweaver).
3D graphics and gaming performance
Systems in this class rarely provide the right choice for someone looking to play games and run educational titles with heavy-duty 3D graphics demands. That's because most budget systems use integrated graphics solutions, which typically lack significant 3D graphics power. Unfortunately, the T2260, with its integrated S3 ProSavage graphics engine is no exception. If you're looking for a system that's capable of playing games, you'll need to upgrade the graphics system with a separate card using the available AGP slot (found only on the T2260 and T2460 models).
3D graphics performance (Longer bars indicate better performance)
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To measure 3D graphics performance, CNET Labs uses Futuremark's 3DMark2001 Pro Second Edition, Build 330. We use 3DMark to measure a desktop's performance with the DirectX 8 (DX8) interface at both 16- and 32-bit color settings at a resolution of 1,024x768. A system that does not have DX8 hardware support will typically generate a lower score than one that has DX8 hardware support.
3D gaming performance in fps (Longer bars indicate better performance)
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To measure 3D gaming performance, CNET Labs uses Quake III Arena. Although Quake III is an older game, it is still widely used as an industry-standard tool. Quake III does not require DX8 hardware support--as 3DMark2001 does--and is therefore an excellent means of comparing the performance of low- to high-end graphics subsystems. Quake III performance is reported in frames per second (fps).
Find out more about how we test desktop systems.
System configurations:
Cyberpower AMD Value XP
Windows XP Home; 1.73GHz AMD Athlon XP 2100+; 256MB DDR SDRAM 400MHz; Nvidia GeForce4 MX 440SE 64MB; Western Digital WD400EB-00CPF0 40GB 5,400rpm
eMachines T2260
Windows XP Home; 1.8GHz AMD Athlon XP 2200+; 256MB DDR SDRAM 266MHz; integrated S3 Pro Savage 32MB; Western Digital W0600BB-00CAA1 60GB 7,200rpm
Freeway Tech Innovation A2800M
Windows XP Home; 1.67GHz AMD Athlon XP 2000+; 256MB SDRAM 133MHz; ATI Radeon 7000 64MB; Maxtor 6E040L0 40GB 7,200rpm
Gateway 300S
Windows XP Home; 2.1GHz Intel Celeron; 128MB DDR SDRAM 266MHz; integrated Intel 845G/GL 32MB (shared memory); Western Digital WD400EB-11CPF0 40GB 5,400rpm
Nutrend Centra 4
Windows XP Home; 1.73GHz AMD Athlon XP 2100+; 128MB DDR SDRAM 266MHz; integrated Nvidia GeForce2 32MB (shared memory); Western Digital WD400BB-00DEA0 40GB 7,200rpm
Until recently, eMachines was known for offering only shoddy tech support and warranty service with its low-priced systems. Now, the company offers dramatically improved service and support policies, making its machines excellent values. Inside the T series' packaging, you'll find a setup poster and a detailed user guide, as well as supplemental drive brackets and screws. In addition, all systems ship with a standard one-year warranty, which is extendable to three years. Phone support is via toll call and is available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. PT. You can also chat online with a support technician from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT. The eMachines Web site is chock-full of additional service information, including a helpful FAQ page and driver downloads.
Although eMachines doesn't offer onsite service, the company does provide a depot repair program and pays for round-trip shipping. Repairs are also available at authorized service centers. Under eMachines' End-User Replaceable Parts program, customers who are comfortable with replacing their own machine's defective parts are shipped new components along with detailed installation instructions. Every eMachines system comes loaded with BigFix software, which helps avoid software and hardware conflicts and keeps the PC up-to-date with timely Windows patches and virus protection.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 User Rating: 
1/10
do not buy
Pros: not even price
Cons: breaks down
Review: I've read enough about emachines to know I will never buy one again. The motherboard (MOBO) breaks usually because of the power supply popping. So while you can get it at a cheap price, you end up spending more when it breaks. I have a dell that is twice as old and no problems.
User Rating: 
2/10
Worst customer support on the planet. Noisy.
Pros: Cheap. Adequate software bundle. Easy set-up.
Cons: Low price does not make up for lousy customer support and annoying noise: 1) Customer Support cannot solve problems, and will not connect you with someone who can. I had to reinstall the system within 1 week of purchase, and not all of the original appli
Review:
User Rating: 
9/10
very easy to use/great support
Pros: fine look/dependable/easily accepts add ons/complete restore disks/price.
Cons:
Review:
User Rating: 
10/10
Best money I have ever spent
Pros: Fast computer, huge hard drive,Good videocard. An all around good package. Great value!!
Cons: I can not think of any!
Review:
User Rating: 
8/10
Great computer, nuff said
Pros: Cost was about half the price of similar equipped systems, great features. Everything I could demand from a PC. Never a problem of reliabilty, except for windows' doing what it does best. $600, and runs Doom 3 very well, out of box; what else could a game
Cons: Video card was mediocre. Fast enough to run Doom 3, but I can tell I will be using that AGP slot soon.
Review:
User Rating: 8/10
Very good 'all-round' computer!
Pros: Great tech. support and ease of use. Fast & reliable.
Cons: May have to upgrade later with more advanced user demands.
Review:
User Rating: 
4/10
Remember "Packard Bell", Its Twin!
Pros: Affordable Price, a lot of features for the price. You get to know Tech support on a first name basis.
Cons: Poor overall internal design and Poor system reliability. Machine is down more than up,
Review:
User Rating: 8/10
Great system excellent price
Pros: This was to be an alternete system to the one we have.Once we got it set up our son prefers it to our main computer. Came as a package;T2642, 17" monitor, and Lex printer
Cons: None so far
Review:
User Rating: 9/10
Biggest Bang for the Bucks!!!
Pros: T3025 AMD XP3000+ 160 HD, 512 DDR Ram, 16X DVD, 52X CD-RW, 5 2.0 USB ports(the latest Hi-Speed 2.0 at that!) 8 in 1 Media Reader. All for $649!!!
Cons: On Board Graphics is limited, but there is an open 8X AGP slot. Software is limited. No DVD-RW, but I really can`t complain for $649.
Review:
User Rating: 10/10
way to go E!
Pros: killer,stuff,and the manufacturer,s call in techno,help. it so top of line. to call is a call to god its so fast NOT A CALL. TO APPLECARE 60 mi times 3 a call IS SO BAD NOW !!!!!<AND ,TO call DELL to is bad to!! can we all get a E.! yes ,i had a 1.6 m
Cons: NOT ONE !!!!I HAVE A T3025 it,s so new ,i can not look it up an the net I HATE WINDOWS !!to
Review:
User Rating: 
7/10
this a value packed computer
Pros: t2682 has dual drives and plenty of useful software.
Cons: wish it came with more ram
Review:
User Rating: 8/10
Great Bang for your buck
Pros: Sleek Design, something you would expect from a much more expensive product
Cons: No Cd Burner software!!!
Review:
User Rating: 7/10
A VREY GOOD MACHIME FOR THE MONEY
Pros: iHAVE A t2341 AND NO PROBLEMS EXCEPT FOR MICROSOFT XP PROBLEMS
Cons: IT NEEDS MORE MEMORY I NOW HAVE 768 MB
Review:
User Rating: 4/10
HARD TO UPGRADE
Pros: cheap and it works
Cons: try adding more rame good luck !!! lol it wont reconize my new ram
Review:
User Rating: 7/10
Best value retail pc
Pros:
Cons:
Review: I've just purchased the T2082 model for 487 at sam's. Iwas upgrading from a emachines 800tower pc with a 800 mhz celoron. This pc has a amd 2000xp cpu,256 mags of ram, 48x cdrw,16x dvd drive and a 80 gig ultra dma hard drive. The vis chipset might not be the fastest out but is very stable and if you add a graphics card to the agp alot( bypassing the onboard prosavege chip) its just as fast as the others. Oh to badjoke its not put togather crappily that onboard video eating up the ram from 512 to 480 megs. I highly recommed emachines computers now that support has improved. thumps up!!!!!!
User Rating: 
6/10
Great machine, but not so cheap once all matching things are added in.
Pros:
Cons:
Review: Even though it comes with generic speakers, no monitor and shipping is expensive it isn't a bad machine itself. It looks cheap with starting prices at $399 for a basic computer, but once you add in the monitor, extended warranty, and the expensive shipping and handleing it will run you closer to a not so cheap for the bargin hunter $800. However you can buy the "cheap" eMachines at retail stores that carry these machines. Prices there vary and most of the time include a monitor and the same generic speakers that they offer you on eMachines online store. Your best bet is to buy from the online store. It may cost more but you get a better machine. You get what you pay for basically. If apperance isn't a must with you as an individual, feel free to just buy the tower itself and goto a cheap store to get the monitor. It may not match but it will suffice.
User Rating: 8/10
VERY NICE ENTRY LEVEL COMPUTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pros:
Cons:
Review: i bought a t2200 and it works wonderfully. It has a 1.79 GHz AMD processor, 512MB RAM, 100 GB hard drive, and 6 USB PORTS!!!!! I absolutely love it. I seriously doubted buying this PC (since it is an emachine) but found out it did not live up to the bad reputation. It runs smoothly and has a free AGP slot. It is not too noisy (it only has a power supply fan and heatsink fan though and it has nicely working CD and CD-RW drives. It even has pretty good integrated video and sound. The only downside that i could think of would be that it claimed to have 512 MB af RAm but it delivered 480 and it said it had a 100GB hraddrive but it delivered 91. This means that emachines puts the computers together crappily. But these specs are still very high and nice. I would highly reccomend this to and beginner to intermediate computer user.
User Rating: 6/10
What to Expect
Pros:
Cons:
Review: I own a T2042. The Good: Stable, Quiet Computer with Excellent Keyboard. The front jacks for USB 2.0, headphones, and microphone are great. The bad: The hard drives are only 5400RPM. This was not mentioned by CNET. My Celeron system does not have AGP slot, so a PCI based graphics card is needed for 3D games. All other graphics I've used such as Office or Web work fine with onboard system.
User Rating: 8/10
Emachines getting better
Pros:
Cons:
Review: I bought a T1842 Emachine and added additional 256 mem and it has worked flawlessly from day one. Celeron 1.8mhz and integrated video play most graphic games exceptionally well. I have another to replace and it will probably be replaced by an emachines computer.
User Rating: 9/10
SUPERIOR SUPPORT STAFF / BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK
Pros:
Cons:
Review: I purchased a T2040 in December of 2002, and it performed flawlessly until March 07, 2003. I lost a file that prevented me from accessing my screensaver, and the harddrive sounded like it was looking for a missing file. My first call to eMachines support was answered in 17 seconds. The tech was helpful and made a few suggestions but the problem noise worsened. My second call to eMachines support was answered in 22 seconds . . . I chastised him (jokingly) for being slow. He had me hold the phone up to the computer and immediately advised that I back everything up because my harddrive was crashing. He gave me three options: (1) take it back to best buy and they would install a new hard drive, no charge, (2) send it back to eMachines at no cost for repair, turnaround 2 weeks, or (3)he would Airborne me a new Western Digital Drive that I could install myself. I opted for number 3. But then disaster . . . the harddrive locked up before I could back everything up. I tried to reboot, only to get a "missing operating system" message on the boot. My third call to eMachines support was answered in 22 seconds. After a lengthy discussion of options, he advised, but made clear he could not support, hooking the original crashed drive up as a slave (I had a spare 30 gig sitting in the cabinet to use as a master), loading the restore software on a temporary master harddrive, and trying to access the drive. It worked. I got everything off the crashed drive I needed. My new harddrive (Western Digital 40 gig 7200 rpm) arrived in two days. I installed it, restored my software and my eMachine is once again running like a champ. I do not credit this hardware failure to eMachine . . . Western Digital failed, and eMachine support saved me from losing all my files due to my poor backup habits. Note that this is the fifth eMachine in our family circle, and they have all run wonderfully and support has ALWAYS been there and been nothing less than great. I wonder if Mad In Tennessee call the correct Manufacturer for support, or if he really owns an eMachine at all. I have never in five years had a problem with eMachines support.
User Rating: 8/10
Good support here!
Pros:
Cons:
Review: My first PC arrived DOA so I called the tech support and after looking at various causes they sent out a FedEx label to put on the box which arrived in 3 days. I sent the old one back and got the new one within 3 weeks and it's been a dream since then. Emachines has really improved.
User Rating: 2/10
Good features, Very bad support
Pros:
Cons:
Review: cdrw bad out of the box, cpu shuts off and restarts at will, You pay for all support phone calls and they sure take their time. Six months after purchase same problems. Just pick a computer at the dump and save your money. Mad in Tennessee.
