Micro Express MicroFlex-34A

Micro Express MicroFlex-34A

SUMMARY

PRO: Excellent performance, massive hard drive, sturdy case CON: Monitor quality could be better, no overall system manual, sketchy support

The first AMD K6-III-400 PC we've tested for the Top 20, Micro Express's MicroFlex-34A makes a good impression. Its PC WorldBench 98 score of 217 puts it slightly ahead of the average Pentium II-450 machine, helped in part by its 1MB of level 3 cache. And its price of $1599 is about average among PII-450 systems.

This generic small-business computer may be called the MicroFlex-34A, but the wide and sturdy machine's nifty design--a light-gray front panel that overlays a dark-gray corrugated surface--has absolutely no flex. The system also boasts a whopping 18GB hard drive, the largest among all PCs in the budget chart.

Though it includes features that a small or home business would appreciate--a V.90 modem, a 19-inch monitor, and an AGP graphics card, for instance--not all of the components qualify as the latest and greatest. The video card, a Diamond Monster Fusion AGP board, will do a fine job for most business work, but you can find better boards for running 3D applications. The MicroFlex-34A's 14X­32X CD-ROM drive works well for the office, but most comparable Pentium II-450 machines come with a DVD-ROM drive. But consider it a trade-off for the quick processor--by forgoing extras like DVD, Micro Express keeps its price low.

If you have a screwdriver handy, the MicroFlex-34A's case opens easily: Removing one small screw lifts off the case. Beneath it, you'll find a handy illustration showing how to pull off the side of the chassis. Inside, everything is spit-and-polish tidy: Cables are neatly tied off and leave plenty of room to access the four free card slots, two free DIMM sockets, and four free drive bays.

The MicroFlex-34A comes with an array of component manuals but no overall system guide. If you run into trouble with your machine, you can call technical support on a toll-free line around the clock. The company also provides a four-year warranty on parts and labor and offers free on-site service for one year. Micro Express's support techs responded accurately but often tersely to questions in our anonymous calls.