Product Reviews:
Desktops
good
7/2/2009
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Price:
$509.99
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$509.99
The Bottom Line
The Asus Essentio CM5570-AP002 isn't an overly remarkable desktop, but it has a few extra features that help it stand out. Its Wi-Fi and HDMI video out port give it some unique capabilities, and the best part is that Asus still manages to keep the price down. It's hard not to like this system, even though we wish Asus had more comprehensive support.© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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good
6/30/2009
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Price:
$519.99
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$519.99
Specs:
Intel Pentium E5300 (2.6 GHz), 6 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 640 GB Standard, Intel GMA 3100, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Personal computer
The Bottom Line
HP's Pavilion p6110y isn't necessarily an offensive system, and its case might even entice you to give it a second look. We just wish HP had taken a more substantive approach to help this desktop stand out. Its FireWire port might sway you, but otherwise you can find more interesting features from other PCs on the shelf.© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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very good
5/7/2009
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Price:
$1,699.99
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$1,899.99
Specs:
Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 (2.80 GHz), 4 GB DDR II SDRAM, 500 GB Portable, NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT, EPA Energy Star, RoHS, EPEAT Silver, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Media center
The Bottom Line
You can find more-cost-effective large-screen all-in-ones for general productivity, but Sony's Vaio LV250B is our favorite for home entertainment. Loaded with unique features geared toward digital media convenience, this system will meet the needs of anyone looking for a PC to use as an entertainment hub.© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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good
4/27/2009
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Price:
$1,024.00
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$1,024.00
Specs:
Intel Core Duo E5200 (2500 MHz), 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 500 GB Standard, nVidia GeForce 9400 Integrated Graphics, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64Bit SP1
The Bottom Line
We suspect lower-end configurations of the Dell Studio One 19 all-in-one desktop will draw consumers looking for a low-cost, "fast enough" PC. But even its multitouch interface can't save our expensive review unit from other vendors' similarly priced all-in-ones with better features for the dollar.© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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excellent
3/24/2009
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Price:
$719.00
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$719.00
Specs:
Intel Quad-Core Q9400 (2.66 GHz), 4 GB, 750 GB Standard, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition
The Bottom Line
By tweaking its internal components to achieve maximum 3D performance, Velocity Micro has made its $999 Edge Z5 one of the most impressive lower-end gaming desktops we've ever seen. As long as you don't mind sacrificing a bit of productivity speed to get it, we recommend this system to any PC gamer on a budget.© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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good
3/18/2009
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Price:
$865.99
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$1,252.00
Specs:
Intel Pentium T4200 (2 GHz), 3 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 500 GB Standard, Intel GMA 4500, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Personal computer
The Bottom Line
The heart of Lenovo's IdeaCentre A600 is in the right place, offering a 21.5-inch LCD-based all-in-one for less than $800. But a faster competitor and a careless design turns us off from this particular A600 configuration. You might consider a different A600 build if you can live with the design, but we can't recommend the $749 version.© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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excellent
3/3/2009
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Price:
$3,077.00
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$3,299.99
Specs:
Intel Quad-Core Xeon (2.26 GHz), 6 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 640 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce GT 120, EPA Energy Star, Apple MacOS X 10.5, Personal computer
The Bottom Line
Apple's new eight-core Mac Pro demonstrates marked improvements over the older model in high-intensity digital media and multitasking scenarios. We also love the design tweaks that improve on Apple's already industry-leading sensibilities. Any Apple-bound design professional would welcome this new tool in his or her arsenal.© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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very good
3/3/2009
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Price:
$1,149.00
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$1,199.99
Specs:
Intel Core 2 Duo (2.66 GHz), 2 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 320 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Gold, Apple MacOS X 10.5, Personal computer
The Bottom Line
A few other all-in-ones make this 20-inch iMac look expensive on a dollars-per-screen-inch basis, but none are as attractive or as capable juggling multiple programs. With a fast dual-core CPU and a strong array of features, Apple's updated all-in-one will slide seamlessly into a variety of roles at home or at work.© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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very good
3/3/2009
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Price:
$1,438.98
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$1,499.99
Specs:
Intel Core 2 Duo (2.66 GHz), 4 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 640 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Gold, Apple MacOS X 10.5, Personal computer
The Bottom Line
Apple made a number of changes to this $1,499 iMac, but making a 24-inch screen available at this price is the most impressive. The rest of the updates are welcome, and Apple's multitasking capability remains unmatched. Provided you like your all-in-ones best as straightforward desktop computers, the iMac will meet your expectations with speed and elegance.© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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very good
3/3/2009
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Price:
$579.00
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$599.99
Specs:
Intel Core 2 Duo (2 GHz), 1 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 120 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Gold, Apple MacOS X 10.5, Personal computer
The Bottom Line
While we're still impressed with the Mac Mini's ability to pack so much into a tight package, Apple can't get away from its PC competitors that offer more features for less money. If saving space and the Mac OS are dominating factors, then the new Mac Minis are a viable option, but your dollar will stretch much further with a budget Windows desktop.© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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very good
3/3/2009
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Price:
$769.00
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$799.99
Specs:
Intel Core 2 Duo (2 GHz), 2 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 320 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Gold, Apple MacOS X 10.5, Personal computer
The Bottom Line
Apple's newest high-end Mac Mini maintains its small, stylish footprint, and as with the cheaper version, this $799 model has impressive multitasking capabilities. You'll like this desktop if juggling apps with attractive hardware is important to you, but you get much better all-around value in a Windows PC for the same price.© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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good
2/25/2009
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Price:
$749.99
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$749.99
Specs:
AMD Phenom X4 9850 (2.5 GHz), 8 GB DDR II SDRAM, 750 GB Standard, NVidia GeForce 9600GS, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP 1
The Bottom Line
The HP Pavilion Elite m9515y is not an elegant PC, but it has enough features where it counts to set it apart. If performance or seamless living room integration are your goals, look elsewhere, but anyone after digital media functionality will find this HP more capable than its competition.© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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good
2/20/2009
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Price:
$649.99
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$649.99
Specs:
Intel Core 2 Duo (2500 MHz), 6 GB DDR II SDRAM, 750 GB Standard, Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Service Pack 1 64 Bit
The Bottom Line
Dell's Inspiron I530-120B is a fine workaday desktop, but we find it could use some more excitement. It has its strengths, and its features are reasonable for its price, but we wish Dell had done more to differentiate this desktop.© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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ok
2/19/2009
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Price:
$559.99
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$559.99
Specs:
AMD Phenom 9150e quad-core 9150e (1.80 GHz), 4 GB DDR-2 SDRAM, 500 GB Serial ATA, NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition SP1
The Bottom Line
By sticking a wireless network adapter in a desktop with relatively slow performance for its price range, it almost feels as if HP has phoned in the configuration of this Pavilion a6700y. We can think of few reasons to justify purchasing this PC.© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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good
2/16/2009
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Price:
$474.99
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$599.99
Specs:
Intel Atom N270 (1.6 GHz), 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 160 GB Standard, Intel GMA 950, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Personal computer
The Bottom Line
Thanks to its price, size, touch screen, and semiportability, the Asus Eee Top ET1602 presents a lot of usage options. Put it in the kitchen, den, or even a hallway, and it can serve as an easy information hub for your family. Just don't put it on a desk, where a desktop or a laptop will be much better suited for serious work.© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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very good
2/9/2009
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Price:
$929.00
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$1,119.99
Specs:
Intel Pentium Dual Core E5200 (2.5 GHz), 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 320 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS, EPA Energy Star, RoHS, EPEAT Silver, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Personal computer
The Bottom Line
Instead of succumbing to the latest fads, Sony's Vaio's JS250J all-in-one PC stays the course pioneered by its models from last year, delivering capable performance and best-of-breed home entertainment features at a better price than its all-in-one competition. The Vaio JS250J will appeal to anyone in need of a multipurpose home PC.© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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good
2/6/2009
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Price:
$839.99
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$839.99
The Bottom Line
We can't complain about the HP Pavilion Elite m9500y in its current configuration--it offers a speedy processor, plenty of memory and storage, and even includes Wi-Fi. Unfortunately, the big picture shows other manufacturers like Dell and Gateway that offer better deals to fit your specific computing needs.© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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very good
2/3/2009
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Price:
$649.00
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$779.99
Specs:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 (2.33 GHz), 8 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 640 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce GT 120, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Personal computer
The Bottom Line
The affordable Gateway LX6810-01 scores high points for offering high-end components right off the shelf. We recommend this system for multimedia editors and light gamers who can make use of its hard-working Nvidia 3D card and full 8GB of RAM. However, if you're looking more at straightforward performance, Dell offers a system with a faster CPU and a similar feature set for about the same price.© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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2/3/2009
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Price:
$439.99
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$459.99
Specs:
AMD Phenom X4 9100e (1.8 GHz), 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 640 GB Standard, ATI Radeon HD 3200, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Personal computer
The Bottom Line
While the Gateway might appeal to users who value storage over speed, you can find more features in PCs that cost just a little less, and more performance for just a little more. That leaves this Gateway with little to recommend it.© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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very good
1/29/2009
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Price:
$389.00
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$479.99
Specs:
Intel Pentium Dual Core E2220 (2.4 GHz), 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 640 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce G100, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Personal computer
The Bottom Line
The Acer X1700-U3700A is slightly slower than the competition, but it gives you almost every component you need in either a basic desktop or a light-duty home theater PC. If you prefer functionality to performance, we recommend this model out of the three systems in the current lineup.© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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All-new 2010 Ford Transit Connect
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