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Compaq Deskpro EXS

Inexpensive, no-frills system for small to medium-size businesses.

  

WHAT'S HOT:

A setup poster and color-coded and icon-labeled rear ports simplify assembling this fairly compact desktop--an important feature for businesses that don't have full-time PC support staffers. Additional documentation includes guides for getting started, ensuring safety and comfort, and troubleshooting. Microsoft Office 2000 Small Business Edition comes preinstalled, with the Professional version available for an additional $199.

WHAT'S NOT: Even for a low-end system, this Deskpro has a thin configuration: You get only 64MB of system RAM and a 10GB hard drive. Because its integrated video memory shares some of that limited system RAM, you may experience sluggish performance when running tasks that need graphics horsepower. For $72 more, you can upgrade to an NVidia graphics board with 32MB of graphics RAM. Integrated networking is commonly standard on systems of this type, but a PCI card ups the Deskpro EXS's price another $18.

WHAT ELSE: With a Celeron-600 at its heart and running Windows 98 SE, the Deskpro EXS earned a respectable 108 on our PC WorldBench 2000 tests. Its Compaq P710 monitor delivered vibrant colors, but text looked slightly fuzzy at 1024 by 768 resolution and blurred considerably at higher resolutions up to the maximum of 1600 by 1200. The unitary desktop case slides off the base easily without tools after you press a button on each side. The interior has minimal expansion room, with two open PCI slots and one open bay. A sturdy multimedia keyboard offers eight programmable hot-keys and permits smooth and nearly silent typing.

BEST USE: For cost-conscious small-office users seeking the basics, the Deskpro EXS is a creditable system.


SUMMARY
Compaq Deskpro EXS


PC WorldBench 2000 score of 108, Celeron-600 CPU, 64MB of SDRAM, 128KB L2 cache, Windows 98 SE, 10GB hard drive, 48X CD-ROM drive, integrated Intel 815 graphics with UMA, Compaq P710 17-inch monitor, integrated sound, Altec Lansing ACS21 speakers, V.90 modem, desktop case. 3-year parts warranty, 1-year labor warranty; free, unlimited 24-hour toll-free tech support.

$1105
800/345-1518
www.compaq.com

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