Amax V4550+

Laid flat, the trim black-and-silver case measures only 4 inches high and looks more like an audiovisual component than a computer. Behind a black panel on the left side (with the PC horizontal) is a double-layer DVD±RW drive and a six-in-one card reader. On the right side is a push-open panel that provides access to two audio plugs (for headphones and a microphone) and two of the PC's four USB 2.0 ports. All of the front ports are within easy reach, but I found that the external bay cover didn't fully open (when used horizontally) unless the case was propped up on the stand.

When looking at the back of the system, I had no problem identifying the other connectors, including one for gigabit ethernet, but it has no modem or FireWire ports. The lockable side cover was easy to remove via thumbscrews; you'll need tools work inside, however. Expansion options are limited to one internal drive bay, two memory slots, and four open 32-bit slots. And adding components could get tricky: To add memory chips, for example, I would probably have to temporarily remove one of the installed drives just to access the empty sockets. Adding expansion cards requires removing the stamped-metal slot covers--less convenient than with cases that have inserts you screw in place.

Such chores may be routine to veteran users, but novices may find them a bit daunting. Of course, if you're happy with the V4550+'s configuration out of the box--which includes a 200GB hard drive--expansion may not be an issue.

Amax provided a stylishly designed AG Neovo M-17 LCD monitor with our test system, and I generally liked the controls and performance this 17-inch model offered, including its ample tilt axis and the easy-to-adjust controls on the lower right. I particularly liked the display's dedicated mode key, which let me cycle through a series of optimized image settings for text, games, and movies. In our tests, text was sharp and legible overall, and graphics had vibrant colors and clear details.

Although the monitor has small built-in speakers, they're suitable only for listening to Windows system sounds. For playing music or watching movies, Amax provides Creative's SBS560 5.1 speakers, which connect to the motherboard's integrated audio. The sound quality was generally good--though not earthshaking--when listening to music and DVDs. The image quality of DVD movies was fairly strong, with bright rich colors and mostly smooth action.

The keyboard, an Impression K296, and the optical mouse are relatively standard units, and they worked fine overall. The sparse documentation that Amax provides is limited to quick references for the monitor and motherboard, but overall system or component manuals are not included.

Upshot: The slim Amax V4550+ is well suited for a home or office where space is limited. But its unremarkable performance and expansion difficulties make this system best for those with modest computing needs.

Richard Jantz