Quantex QP6/400 M-4x SE

Quantex QP6/400 M-4x SE

SUMMARY

PRO: Great expandability, good feature set CON: Performance is only average for processor class, fairly expensive

In our tests, the newly revamped Quantex QP6/400 M-4x SE earned a PC WorldBench score of 203--average among the nine similarly configured PII-400 PCs we've tested to date.

A good choice for any user with multimedia needs, this $1949 Quantex is outfitted with an Iomega Zip drive, a 19-inch monitor, a 2X DVD-ROM drive, and management features. However, it's a bit pricey compared with some of the higher-ranking units on the chart this month, even though the M-4x is part of Quantex's Value Multimedia line.

The system's Altec Lansing ACS 45 speakers offer impressive sound quality, with wide-ranging highs and lows. The PC also includes a Desktop Management Interface--but that's a difficult feature to take advantage of without an integrated ethernet card; our test PC came with a V.90 modem instead. Quantex has added the business-savvy 8MB Diamond Stealth II G460 graphics card, which features control tools that enable users to create customized desktops. For example, you can use the tools to customize shortcut keys or bring up the Start menu by clicking anywhere on the desktop.

A look inside the M-4x SE's case reveals a well-organized interior with lots of room to grow, including two free externally accessible bays, three available internal bays, and four open slots--generous considering that the system includes a preinstalled Zip drive. The software bundled with the system includes Corel's WordPerfect Suite 8.

Quantex covers its desktop systems for three years on parts and one year on labor, and provides around-the-clock toll-free technical support. Our anonymous tech support calls were answered by representatives who usually--but not always--nailed our questions. Unfortunately, hold times averaged 20 minutes.

We also tested a similar PII-400 system from Quantex, the QP6/400 SM-4x SE, that failed to make the power chart. The M-4x SE, at $550 cheaper, is the better value of the two. In fact, aside from the amount of graphics memory (8MB in the M-4x versus 16MB in the SM-4x) we couldn't find any dramatically different performance factors.