The Best PC Deals Under $1000
Products Reviewed
(12 items)
HP Media Center TV m7690y
The m7690y earned a mark of 108 on our WorldBench 5 test suite, the second-best score among models reviewed here. But subpar graphics performance makes this system a poor choice for gaming.
Dell Dimension E521
The Dimension E521 ($489) is the least-expensive computer we tested for this roundup. However, its slow performance and underwhelming specs severely limit its appeal. Configured with a single-core 1.8-GHz AMD Sempron 3400+ processor and 512MB of RAM, the E521 attained a modest WorldBench 5 score of 80--adequate for basic tasks like Web browsing or word processing, but insufficient for running games. It also choked when we tried to play a DVD movie and convert an MP3 file simultaneously; the video simply became unwatchable.
The E521 that we reviewed for this roundup came equipped with a 17-inch LCD monitor, Dell's E177FP. Though we welcomed the inclusion of a slim LCD at this extremely low price, we found the monitor to be just adequate, with undistinguished color.
At a Glance
A gaming system for buyers on a budget, this model provides fairly good performance at a very attractive price.
At a Glance
System outperformed our other value models by a wide margin; it's a great choice for media editing or gaming.
At a Glance
The inexpensive C521 is a solid performer; its compact design makes it a great fit for tight spaces.
At a Glance
Midpriced Windows Media Center PC has strong performance and solid features for the price.
At a Glance
Media-centric system performed very well for a value PC; with its TV tuner, it could replace your living-room DVR.
At a Glance
Cheap PC came bundled with a good 17-inch LCD monitor, but its low performance matches its low price.
At a Glance
Solid business system includes innovative features such as a data encryption chip and remote management.
At a Glance
Inexpensive system contains low-end components that delivered lackluster performance.
At a Glance
PC offers reasonable performance and some expansion options in a package ideal for small spaces.
At a Glance
Nicely priced system was a mediocre performer; its 19-inch wide-screen LCD offered disappointing image quality.
At a Glance
This super-small system will look great on your desk, but this model can't handle power-hungry graphics tasks.
At a Glance
Packaged with budget components and a CRT, this is among the least expensive systems you'll find; but it's extremely slow.
Add Your Comment