WHAT'S HOT: Like many corporate systems we've tested recently, this member of the Evo D510 line has a spiffy black case with silver-toned accents. But it also has an advanced tool-less service design to go along with the new corporate style: Pushing two buttons releases the PC's top; inside, the seemingly cramped interior opens up to give full access to the motherboard. Both the hard drive and CD-ROM are mounted on a hinged platform that rotates up and out of the case; the PCI expansion bay cage can be removed completely; and the power supply also rotates up and out of the way.

With a black case and silver-toned bezel, the 17-inch Compaq 7500 CRT nicely complements the system. The model we looked at featured crisp, evenly formed fonts even at demandingly small type sizes. Colors looked impressive too; our test photos appeared with realistic skin tones and bright colors.

For system administrators, Compaq includes the same array of sophisticated manageability tools, called Intelligent Manageability, as in the rest of the Evo D510 line (we also looked at the D510 e-PC and the D510 Convertible Minitower). These tools include, but are not limited to, remote system diagnostics via a Web browser, remote system wake-up, and the ability to disable USB and serial ports and to lock down the BIOS to secure boot-up sequences, among many others. A 30-day trial of Altiris EXpress Solutions that comes bundled with the unit offers inventory management, help desk, and migration tools. Another optional tool, Insight Manager Agent, monitors chassis temperatures and sends alerts to administrators when the chassis cover has been opened.

WHAT'S NOT: Our only minor knock is this model's lack of expandability--there are no open drive bays (which may be perfectly okay for data-entry applications).

WHAT ELSE: Powered by a 2.53-GHz Pentium 4 CPU and 512MB of 266-MHz DDR SDRAM, our test D510 earned a PC WorldBench 4 score of 111--somewhat below average for systems with this processor, but not too much so. Two open PCI slots and four USB ports, two of which are on the front, give some expansion options.

The keyboard is also business-savvy. Black with silver accents, the seven hot-keys can be set up to launch Web sites or services.

Our test unit arrived with a basic troubleshooting guide; while handy, it's not as extensive as the one provided with the Gateway E-4000 or E-6000. (More extensive documentation is available online.) An unusual find: the system includes a "comfort guide" that offers tips for creating an ergonomic-friendly work space.

UPSHOT: The Evo D510 Small Form Factor is the ultimate cubicle PC--very compact, easy to service, and relatively powerful.

SUMMARY

Compaq Evo D510 Small Form Factor Compaq Evo D510 Small Form Factor PC WorldBench 4 score of 111, 2.53-GHz Pentium 4 CPU, 512MB of DDR266 SDRAM, Windows XP Professional, 40GB hard drive, 24X-48X CD-ROM drive, integrated Intel 845G graphics using main memory, integrated sound, 17-inch Compaq 7500 CRT monitor, network adapter, compact case; Intelligent Manageability software suite. Three-year parts and labor warranty; lifetime 24-hour daily toll-free support. $1315 www.hp.com