MPC (Micron PC) Millenia Max XP2 1.33GHz

WHAT'S HOT: The Millennia Max XP2 breaks performance records. Our test unit came outfitted with 256MB of RAM, a speedy 266-MHz front side bus (the bus that passes information from the CPU to the main memory), and AMD's latest 1.33-GHz Athlon processor. It outpaced comparably configured 1.33-GHz and 1.2-GHz Athlon units by 12 points, with a heady PC WorldBench 2000 score of 189 (about 7 percent above average). The graphics performance is pretty remarkable too: The Millennia Max XP2 turned in the highest frame rates we've seen to date on two 3D game tests--Rage Expendable and Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Home-office users should also appreciate the impressive software package, which includes Microsoft Office 2000 Small Business Edition, Symantec Norton AntiVirus 2001, and Adaptec Easy CD Creator 4.03.

WHAT'S NOT: The 19-inch MicronPC 900Mx monitor yielded dark colors on our tests, though text and icons had adequate clarity at 1024 by 768 resolution. The rather noisy midsize tower contains two fans: one atop the processor and another general system-cooling fan. MicronPC's parts and labor warranty runs for a scant year.