Quantcast
PCWorld.com is upgrading some back-end systems. Some site features, such as user registration, may be temporarily unavailable.
Subscribe to magazine

Top Desktop PCs

Pundits predicting the demise of the humble PC should return to their Ouija boards and reconsider their predictions. Computers--especially in the home--are capable of doing more than ever before.

Mick Lockey

Compare ProductsCheck boxes to
Aurora Extreme PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: November 07, 2003

Alienware Aurora Extreme

2.2-GHz Athlon 64 FX-51, 160GB hard drive [RAID], 19-inch CRT monitor, 256MB ATI Radeon 9800 Pro graphics, DVD±R/RW, 52X/32X/52X CD-RW drives; memory card reader , Price when ranked: $4113

Bottom Line: Outstanding performer is a great choice for gamers who want a system that can handle complex graphics processing. It comes bundled with a terrific sound system and a memory card reader.

Full Review • Test Report • Check latest prices
Dimension 4600c PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: November 07, 2003

Dell Dimension 4600c

2.8-GHz Pentium 4, 120GB hard drive, 17-inch LCD monitor, 64MB ATI All-In-Wonder 9000 graphics, DVD+R/RW drive, 2 PC Card slots, Price when ranked: $1949

Bottom Line: An entertainment system for small spaces, this tiny tower system has the 2004 version of Microsoft's Media Center, plus a wireless keyboard and mouse and a TV tuner.

Full Review • Test Report • Check latest prices
HP Pavilion M390n PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: November 07, 2003

HP HP Pavilion M390n

3.2-GHz Pentium 4, 200GB hard drive, 17-inch LCD monitor, 128MB NVidia GeForce4 FX 5600 graphics, DVD+R/RW, 16X DVD-ROM drives; memory card reader, Price when ranked: $2665

Bottom Line: Well-designed, moderately quick Media Center minitower has plenty of storage, as well as FM and TV tuners.

Full Review • Test Report •
Ultimate M5 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: August 04, 2003

ABS Ultimate M5

2.2-GHz Athlon XP 3200+, 160GB hard drive [RAID], 19-inch CRT monitor, 128MB ATI Radeon 9800 Pro graphics, DVD±R/RW, 16X DVD-ROM drives , Price when ranked: $2299

Bottom Line: Powerful PC is among the fastest we've tested and has outstanding gaming scores, great speakers, and a moderately good monitor.

Full Review • Test Report • Check latest prices
Dimension 8300 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: September 02, 2003

Dell Dimension 8300

3.2-GHz Pentium 4, 250GB hard drive, 18-inch LCD monitor, 128MB ATI Radeon 9800 Pro graphics, DVD+R/RW, 16X DVD-ROM drives, Price when ranked: $3199

Bottom Line: Pricey machine offers a beautiful LCD monitor and good speed. The case interior can be accessed easily, sans tools.

Full Review • Test Report • Check latest prices
Gateway 710XL PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: November 07, 2003

Gateway Gateway 710XL

3.2-GHz Pentium 4, 500GB hard drive [RAID], 18-inch LCD monitor, 256MB NVidia GeForce FX 5900G Ultra graphics, DVD±R/RW, 48X/16X/40X CD-RW drives, Price when ranked: $3579

Bottom Line: Tons of storage space, FireWire ports, and a big, bright LCD make this model a good choice for video editing. Also comes with a memory card reader.

Full Review • Test Report • Check latest prices
Pavilion A250n Desktop (HP (Hewlett-Packard)-DF253A) PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: October 06, 2003

HP Pavilion A250n Desktop (HP (Hewlett-Packard)-DF253A)

2.6-GHz Pentium 4, 120GB hard drive, 15-inch LCD monitor, 64MB NVidia GeForce4 MX 440 graphics, DVD+R/RW, 24X/48X CD-ROM drives; memory card reader, Price when ranked: $1329

Bottom Line: Well-designed minitower features clear labels and easy-to-access ports. The 15-inch LCD showed crisp text and vibrant graphics.

Full Review • Test Report • Check latest prices 		Check Latest Prices
Micron ClientPro All-in-One PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: November 07, 2003

MPC (Micron PC) Micron ClientPro All-in-One

2.8-GHz Pentium 4, 120GB hard drive, 17-inch LCD monitor, 64MB Integrated ATI Mobility Radeon 9000 graphics, 24X/10X/24X CD-RW/8X DVD-ROM combo drive; a PC Card slot, Price when ranked: $2969

Bottom Line: Sleek but pricey all-in-one saves space and includes a TV tuner card and a PC Card slot; monitor quality is pleasing overall.

Full Review • Test Report • Check latest prices
HP Compaq Business Desktop d325 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: October 08, 2003

HP HP Compaq Business Desktop d325

2.13-GHz Athlon XP 2600+, 40GB hard drive, 15-inch CRT monitor, Integrated NVidia GeForce4 graphics using main memory, 24X/48X CD-ROM drive, Price when rated: $828

Bottom Line: Bare-bones model has room for expansion and dual VGA inputs, but a relatively small hard drive, no CD-RW drive, and a small monitor.

Full Review • Test Report • Check latest prices
Poly 880NF2-2800 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated: September 02, 2003

Polywell Poly 880NF2-2800

2.08-GHz Athlon XP 2800+, 80GB hard drive, 17-inch CRT monitor, Integrated NVidia NForce2 graphics using main memory , 16X DVD-ROM, 52X/24X/52X CD-RW drives, Price when rated: $993

Bottom Line: A see-through window on the side of this commendable performer's case shows off its interior. And it has room to add more storage.

Full Review • Check latest prices

All systems are tested or retested under our PC WorldBench 4 test suite.

  • Recommend this story?
  • 0 Yes
    0 No