Compaq's Prosignia Line Takes On Dell

PC shoppers have rarely looked to Compaq for cutting-edge technology and bargain prices in the same product. But the Compaq Prosignia Desktop 330 may change that perception. The first in a new line of small-business desktops, notebooks, and servers, this Pentium II midtower delivers solid performance for a very competitive $2239.

Compaq offers the system with a PII-350, PII-400, or PII-450 CPU. We tested a shipping version of the PII-450, with 128MB of RAM, a 512KB secondary cache, an AGP graphics card with 16MB of RAM, a 16.8GB hard disk, a 12X-40X CD-ROM drive, a 56-kbps modem, and a 17-inch monitor. It comes with Microsoft Office Small Business Edition and Norton AntiVirus.

Our unit's PC WorldBench 98 score of 210 was acceptable but unexceptional--3 percent below the average for seven comparably equipped PCs. (For most business applications, differences of less than 5 percent in WorldBench results are negligible.) But the price is noteworthy: At this writing, you'd pay $2535, or $296 more, for a similarly configured Gateway GP6-450. Prices of other Prosignia systems are equally aggressive. In fact, the line was designed to compete with Dell and Gateway products--and not just in price. While available in stores, the line is the first created primarily for direct sales via Compaq's Web site and toll-free number. Compaq will build to order and offers various support and lease options.

If this Prosignia is an indication, Dell and Gateway have reason for concern. Small businesses that previously thought Compaq overcharged for up-to-the-minute technology should take another look.

SUMMARY

Prosignia Desktop 330 PRO: Comprehensive cutting-edge package for small businesses. CON: 17-inch monitor small for a high-end system. VALUE: An aggressive initiative from a top-tier vendor. $2239 Compaq 800/345-1518 www.compaq.com