Premio Aries M133

WHAT'S HOT: Equipped with an 800-MHz Duron processor, 128MB of SDRAM, and Windows Me, the Aries M133 earned a score of 142 on our PC WorldBench 2000 tests--matching the average for similarly configured systems carrying Pentium III-800 processors. This Premio ships with nice extras for a low-cost model, including Microsoft Office 2000 Small Business Edition and the smooth, quiet Microsoft Natural Keyboard.

WHAT'S NOT: Colors on the 17-inch Premio 701 monitor displayed well, but 12-point text looked somewhat fuzzy beginning at a resolution of 1024 by 768 and continuing up to the maximum of 1280 by 1024. The neat but cramped interior offers only one open PCI slot, along with two open (and externally accessible) drive bays and two USB ports. Premio's tech support lines are open only 50 hours a week.

WHAT ELSE: The thick Premio system manual contains lots of troubleshooting information, general computing tips, and thorough documentation for system components. Though not the fastest unit on the market, the 8X/8X/32X CD-RW drive supports data backup and other CD recording capabilities. The flexible plastic side of the case snaps on and off easily after you remove two screws. A loop case lock offers minimal intrusion protection. Our test system came with a modem, but buyers can opt for a network adapter instead, or get both for $42 more.

BEST USE: This basic, low-cost system offers solid performance and a few nice extras for budget-minded small-office or home-office users.

SUMMARY

Premio Aries M133 PC WorldBench 2000 score of 142, Duron-800 CPU, 128MB of SDRAM, 64KB L2 cache, Windows Millennium Edition, 30GB hard drive, 8X/8X/32X CD-RW drive, NVidia TNT-2 Vanta graphics card with 16MB of SDRAM, 17-inch Premio 701 monitor, Creative Labs SoundBlaster sound card, Altec Lansing ACS 33W speakers, V.90 modem, minitower case. Three-year parts and labor warranty; free, unlimited, 10-hour weekday tech support. $1031 800/677-6477 www.premiopc.com