Axis Systems Metropolis NX5-333C

Axis Systems Metropolis NX5-333C

SUMMARY

PRO: Low price, decent performance, network adapter, good monitor for the money CON: Small hard drive, outdated graphics chip, slightly flimsy case

Your company has to cut expenses, but it also needs some new PCs. Enter the Axis Systems Metropolis NX5-333C. At $1054, it's cheap, even for a Celeron-333 system. If you want to pay much less for a new PC, you'll probably find yourself buying it off the back of a truck. The Metropolis is pretty fast, too: Loaded with Windows NT, it earned a PC WorldBench score of 198.

But don't expect miracles for so little cash. The Metropolis comes equipped with office basics like an ethernet card but lacks any software, and its hard drive is a puny 4.3GB. Other subpar components include a soon-to-be-outdated Intel740 graphics chip, wimpy Altec Lansing speakers, and a flimsy case. When we removed the cables, we could feel the metal on the back of the machine buckling under the pressure.

Still, if you're looking for a cheap office PC, this Metropolis makes a good choice. After all, with an ethernet card, you don't need a huge hard drive--hopefully you can use the network drives. And top-quality speakers and graphics capabilities are rarely crucial for most office work. What's more, our test PC was equipped with a 17-inch KDS monitor, which displays a crisp picture. You also have plenty of upgrade options: The machine includes three free drive bays, four available card slots, and two empty DIMM sockets.

The Metropolis NX5-333C doesn't come with an overall system manual, but Axis Systems provides lifetime around-the-clock technical support on a toll-free line. The company's phone reps, judging from our anonymous calls to that line, have improved over the past several months. We experienced an average hold time of about 8 minutes in recent calls.

Axis offers a three-year warranty on both parts and labor, which is better than you get from many vendors. On-site service is free for the first year; extending it costs $75 per year for up to two years.