ADI Systems Performance 1700

WHAT'S HOT: Carrying a 1.7-GHz P4 processor and 256MB of RDRAM, this Performance 1700 blasted to a 215 score on PC WorldBench 2000--the highest we've seen from an Intel-powered Windows 2000 PC. The 19-inch ViewSonic PF790 monitor produced vibrant colors and sharp text that blurred only slightly at the maximum 1600 by 1200 resolution.

WHAT'S NOT: Sys doesn't supply an overall system manual, but you get thorough documentation for individual components. In our last two sets of anonymous tech support calls, Sys representatives had trouble answering some of our questions.

WHAT ELSE: The 12X/10X/32X CD-RW drive is handy for data backups or for burning music CDs. A vast interior provides four open PCI slots and four open drive bays (two of them externally accessible), and a loop-style case lock affords some protection against tampering. The Microsoft Internet Keyboard--with a detachable wrist rest and ten hot-keys for Internet and multimedia shortcuts--allows smooth, quiet typing. The Gigabyte GA-GF1280T-32 graphics board has S-Video and composite-video ports for attaching a compatible television, and an integrated Creative Labs audio chip drives a basic three-piece set of Altec Lansing ACS 33 speakers.