Entered CNET Catalog: 11/19/2003
SKU: 988240
Manufacturer: Systemax Inc.
Product summary
The good: Incredibly inexpensive; adequate expansion room; good warranty for the price.
The bad: Outdated components; no AGP slot; two nonworking USB ports; poor performance.
The bottom line: Systemax’s $299 PC proves that you get what you pay for, which in this case is a slow system with woefully outdated components.
CNET editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 11/20/2003
When we saw that Systemax was selling a $299 Windows-based PC, we fully expected the specs to be very low-end. Nonetheless, we were still surprised to find such aging and second-rate components. The Venture C11R uses a 1.1GHz Intel Celeron processor, which we haven't seen in a system for more than a year and a half (it was introduced in August 2001). Systemax must have found a box of them in some dusty, dark recess of its warehouse and decided to sell them off in the Venture C11R, which holds the title as the least-expensive Windows-based desktop we've ever reviewed. Its minimal processing power is acceptable as only a second or third PC used for Web surfing or the most basic word processing.
To hit such a rock-bottom price, Systemax wasn't able to build much into the Venture C11R's midtower case. Beyond the Celeron processor, you'll find a small 20GB hard drive, a plain CD-ROM drive, and one 128MB DIMM of very old SDRAM memory. (Almost every system we've reviewed in the last two years uses the faster DDR memory.) One upside to the shockingly meager specs is the case, which features a respectable amount of expansion room, including three free PCI slots, two open 3.5-inch bays, and an available 5.25-inch bay. You won't find an AGP slot, however, for improving the integrated (and slow) Via graphics. The case serves up two USB 1.1 ports, though not the speedier USB 2.0 variety, in front and another two in back. However, the two front-mounted ports were not connected on our test system--an oversight to be sure, which is compounded by the fact that a budget buyer typically isn't the type of person who is comfortable getting his or her hands dirty inside the case.
As a bonus in the $299 package, Systemax includes the entry-level Lexmark Z705 inkjet printer at no additional charge. You'll have to buy a monitor separately, however. Our test unit arrived with a tiny 15-inch CRT, which added $84.99 to the price. It's small, but it showcased relatively sharp text at its 800x600 resolution. Rounding out the bundle is a wired keyboard without any shortcut or multimedia keys and a roller-ball mouse.
Given its price tag, the Venture C11R's performance is a secondary or even tertiary concern. The system was unable to complete any of our benchmarks, and it wouldn't even begin to run a somewhat recent game such as Unreal Tournament 2003. Although we noticed some sluggishness in our hands-on tests--possibly because Windows XP works best with 256MB of DDR memory--Microsoft Works applications (not included) ran adequately.
Systemax backs the Venture C11R with a respectable one-year warranty that includes 24/7 phone support. Online support resources are thorough, with a knowledge base, support FAQs, and driver downloads. The system ships with Systemax's own Tech-In-A-Box software, which you can use to help troubleshoot PC problems that might arise.
Although it's hard to criticize a $299 PC, Systemax's Venture C11R isn't the value that its price tag makes it out to be: the aging components and the subpar performance mean that competing, albeit higher-priced, budget systems from Dell, HP, and eMachines will serve you better in the long run.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 User Rating: 
3/10
Piece of junk, unless you run very basic applications.
Pros: Upgradable - Nothing else.
Cons: Power supply failed many times, not good enough parts to support AOL software, should only be used for basic applications.
User Rating: 
4/10
systemCRAP
Pros: IT'S CHEAP
Cons: it's filled with cheap parts that seem made in the usa...they are referbished peices of you know what...it's like buying a used car that never ran well new...I work on plenty of them
User Rating: 
7/10
Have to agree
Pros: I also have no opinion of the Venture.
Cons: What I would like to know is why you drag this 1.1 GHz Celeron system through the mud with comments like, "(The Venture has) aging and second-rate components", and "shockingly meager specs" when, in the exact same issue, you give nearly unending accolades
User Rating: 4/10
Real World
Pros: I have no opinion on this particular PC but I agree with the earlier comment. Come on CNET I thought you were supposed to know something about computers! "Its minimal processing power is acceptable as only a second or third PC used for Web surfing or th
Cons:
User Rating: 
6/10
Judge Fairly
Pros: I believe CNET is somethings a bit too elitist when it comes down to reviewing PC equipment. Bigger, faster, cooler looking PC's definitiely have thier place but so do the low end systems which are often overlooked for marketing dollars. The system will m
Cons: I believe it is unfair to call the components outdated or to be poor performers when taken in context of the offering price. The system is not meant for intensive computing, nor is it targeted towards such a consumer segment. Competing (more up to date) b
