All Desktops

The Bottom Line: We commend Psystar for pushing ahead with its mission to sell its own PCs with Apple's Mac OS X operating system. We're also impressed by its continuing efforts to ensure reliability. And although the OpenPro is a better deal than any PC currently offered by Apple, you can get a faster PC overall from traditional Windows vendors.

The Bottom Line: We liked Shuttle's original low-cost Linux desktop, but even though the KPC K-4800 adds a DVD drive and a few other upgrades, the price increase takes a toll on its overall value. Regardless of their operating system, too many Windows PCs give you more hardware for the money.

Specs: Intel Celeron 400 sequence 440 (2 GHz), 2 GHz, 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 80 GB Standard, Foresight Linux, PC barebone

The Bottom Line: Dell's new Studio Desktop introduces 64-bit Windows Vista to the Dell desktop line-up, but that's about the only thing this system does well. Its biggest, and deal-killing, fault is the overpriced and less than aggressive selection of configuration options.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 (2.33 GHz), 2.33 GHz, 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 40 GB, Microsoft Windows Vista? Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-Bit

The Bottom Line: As opposed to previous Slimline models, the HP Pavilion Slimline s3500f tosses aside home theater aspirations and targets budget buyers looking for a compact, cheap PC.

Specs: AMD Athlon 64 X2 5400+ (2.8 GHz), 2.8 GHz, 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 500 GB Standard, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Media center

The Bottom Line: Shuttle wants the XPC P2 4800X to compete with Falcon Northwest's FragBox 2 as a small gaming PC. But from the case to the configuration Shuttle sent to us, we don't get any sense that Shuttle knows what PC gamers really want.

The Bottom Line: Velocity Micro's Edge Z15 represents one of the best deal's we've seen this year in midrange gaming PCs. It has all the power necessary to play current games (even Crysis) at smooth frame rates, and its clean, spacious interior gives you plenty of upgrade room. We recommend this system to any PC gamer looking for a sub-$2,000 desktop.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 (2.66 GHz), 2.66 GHz, 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 500 GB Standard, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Personal computer

The Bottom Line: By virtue of its price, its desktop processor, and its Blu-ray drive, the Sony Vaio JS190J makes a case for itself as the new king of the all-in-ones. Its screen might be a bit smaller than some, but no other all-in-one, including Apple's iMac, can do as much, as fast, for the same price.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 (3 GHz), 3 GHz, RoHS, 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 500 GB Standard, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Personal computer

The Bottom Line: By virtue of its price, its desktop processor, and its Blu-ray drive, the Sony Vaio JS190J makes a case for itself as the new king of the all-in-ones. Its screen might be a bit smaller than some, but no other all-in-one, including Apple's iMac, can do as much, as fast, for the same price.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 (3 GHz), 3 GHz, RoHS, 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 500 GB Standard, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Personal computer

The Bottom Line: The Acer Aspire X1200-U1520A is a speedy, compact, low-end desktop that's powerful enough to serve as a light-duty home theater PC. Expansion is limited by an especially cramped interior (even for a small PC), but the total package is worthwhile for PC shoppers on a budget.

Specs: AMD Athlon X2 5000+ (2.6 GHz), 2.6 GHz, 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 320 GB Standard, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Personal computer

The Bottom Line: At its heart, the HP Pavilion Elite m9300t is a fast, competitive midtower desktop with lots of flexibility in its configuration. You just have to wade through some clunky design and a few components you might not want in order to find it.

Specs: Intel Q6600 (2.4 GHz), 2.4 GHz, 2 GB DDR II SDRAM, 500 GB Standard, Microsoft Windows Vista