PC Desktop Review
November 23, 2005
HP Pavilion s7220n Slimline Desktop PC
Overview
The good:
Very affordable; compact design; quiet operation; LightScribe DVD burner; roomy hard drive.
The bad:
System cannot be upgraded or customized; rollerball mouse.
The bottom line:
HP's first small-form-factor PC, the Pavilion s7220n Slimline, is a stylish and able budget performer, but its lack of expandability makes it better suited for use as a second PC.
Review
Small-form-factor (SFF) desktop computers have until recently targeted niche buyers, such as gamers on the LAN-party circuit and city dwellers short on desk space. But earlier this year, with Apple's unveiling of the Mac Mini, the SFF computer began to migrate into the mainstream, thanks to the Mini's aggressive price point. And now, HP is determined to bring the SFF PC to the masses, with the sleek $519.99 (after $50 mail-in rebate) Pavilion s7220n Slimline Desktop PC. The system delivers some impressive goods for an approachable price in an attractive package, with the caveat that you can neither customize nor expand the system. It's about as fixed a fixed configuration as you'll find in a desktop PC.
At 9.7 inches high, 4.4 inches wide, and 13.1 inches deep, the HP Pavilion s7220n Slimline is about the size of a large college dictionary. It's certainly larger than the diminutive Mac Mini, but the s7220n's silver finish and minimal ornamentation come somewhat near replicating the Mini's sleek, understated look. Like the Mini, the s7200n's case isn't intended to be opened by the end user, so HP has smartly outfitted it with a relatively robust feature set most buyers at this price point won't outgrow too quickly. The system features 512MB of RAM, a 9-in-1 flash-card reader, a spacious 200GB 7,200rpm hard drive, and a double-layer DVD burner. HP throws in LightScribe so that you can label CDs and DVDs using the company's proprietary laser technology.
The s7220n achieves its tiny size thanks in part to the use of a notebook processor, the 1.5GHz Celeron M processor 370, which runs more efficiently than a desktop chip. This allows the s7200n to run coolly and quietly in a compact case. Other than the CPU, however, the s7220n uses no other mobile technology--the optical drive and motherboard, for example, are full size and as durable as those on a traditional desktop. HP has even managed to fit the power supply inside the box, so the system requires no external power brick.
But the HP Pavilion s7220n Slimline is a one-size-fits-all deal. You can't up the RAM or opt for a smaller hard drive prior to purchase, which you can do with the Mac Mini. While the company does offer a slightly lower-end configuration--the $449 (after $50 mail-in rebate) HP Pavilion s7210n, available only in retail stores--we'd like to see one configurable option in the Slimline series.
Take wireless networking, for example. Priced as it is, the s7220n will surely find a market as a second PC for the home; being able to network it wirelessly to the family's main computer seems like a no-brainer. The same goes for sound and video--you can't upgrade the integrated solutions found in this budget system, and this limits its appeal, despite its entry-level status. The ability to add more memory a year or two down the road would greatly extend the s7220n's lifespan. If you are looking not for a second PC but a basic budget box to serve as your primary (or only) PC, we suggest the $599 eMachines T6524. It's a standard midtower system but is expandable and more powerful.
In testing, the HP Pavilion s7220n Slimline kept up with budget competitors despite its mobile processor. The s7220n's 125 score on CNET Labs' SysMark 2004 application benchmark tied the score of a Celeron D 340-based Gateway 3200XL, which is a now-defunct standard tower system. Meanwhile, the s7220n outshone another low-profile system, the Shuttle XPC K6200h, based on the Celeron D processor 335, by about 4 percent. Though the Celeron M 370's clock speed is lower than that of Celeron D 335 and 340 chips, its performance is aided by 1MB of L2 cache--quadruple that of either Celeron D chip.
In terms of 3D performance, the s7220n and its integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 chip pulled a frame rate of 36.5 on our Unreal Tournament test, run at 1,024x768 resolution. That's better than some basic systems but nothing close to what you need for even the midrange games of today. It goes without saying that this is not a system intended for anything resembling serious gaming.
The HP Pavilion s7220n Slimline ships with an Internet keyboard, which features Web buttons and media controls, as well as dual eject buttons when the computer includes only one optical drive. The eject command is a nice thing to have at your fingertips, although in this case, the operation takes a while, leading the user to press the button several times in frustration. This causes a backlog of commands, and the drive continues to open and close until all the commands are executed. It's annoying. Equally annoying is the bundled PS/2 rollerball mouse; we expect an optical mouse with even the cheapest PCs these days. The PS/2 peripherals allow you to keep all five USB 2.0 ports free (four back, one front). There's also one six-pin FireWire port on the back panel along with integrated 5.1 audio ports. A headphone jack sits on the front panel.
At this price, HP could in good faith include no software or documentation. But the company gives you Microsoft Works, Quicken, and PC Doctor system-recovery software. HP also preloads electronic getting-started and PC basics guides on the hard drive and includes some minimal printed documentation.
The system is backed by a standard one-year warranty, which you can upgrade to a two- or three-year plan. We recommend taking advantage of HP's Accidental Damage protection, which you can add to an extended warranty for only $50 more, no matter the warranty's length. You get toll-free phone support for the life of the warranty, but you can use HP's Total Care Web services even after the warranty expires. These services include e-mail support, online chat with a service representative, and a thorough help and support center.
Specifications
Processor
- Intel Celeron M 1.5 GHz
RAM
- DDR SDRAM 512MB, Max Supported 1GB
Vidoe Output
- Graphics Processor, Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900
Display (Projector)
- LCD Display 17in, TFT Active Matrix
Service & Support
- 1 year warranty
Storage Hard Drive
- Serial ATA 200 GB
Inteface Provided
- 4 USB 2.0 USB 2.0, 1 IEEE 1394 (FireWire) RJ-11, 1 Monitor RJ-45, 2 PS/2 VGA, 1 Ethernet, 1 Modem, 1 Microphone, 1 Line in/out, 1 Line in/out, 1 Headphones
Modem
- 56 Kbps Fax / modem
Mainboard
- Intel 915GV , data bus speed 400MHz
Networking
- Network adapter
Video Memory
- Video Memory
Slot Provided
- 1 Memory DIMM 240-pin, 1, 1 PCI
Software
- Drivers & Utilities, HP Image Zone, Apple iTunes for Windows, HP Organize, Quicken 2005 New User Edition
source from here
November 22, 2005
Hawlet Packard - PC Desktop d4100y series PC
Overview
Dual-processor-core technology translates into power and performance to give
this series impressive multimedia capabilities.
Depend on the Windows XP Professional OS
The PCs in this series feature the Windows XP Professional 2005 operating
system, know for its reliability and performance. Windows XP Professional
includes the same great features and new visual design of Windows XP Home
Edition, plus premier security and privacy features, advanced recovery
options, and an improved ability to connect to large networks.
When you customize a d4100y series PC, you get to choose from three Windows
XP operating systems:
- Windows XP Home for complete home computing functionality; it includes
wireless connections, Windows Firewall, and privacy support to help you
control personal information while you're online - Windows XP Media Center 2005 for organizing and managing photos, music,
movies, and more; this option also lets you add a remote control - Windows XP Professional, recommended for offices; it has an encrypting file
system to protect sensitive data
Step up the pace with Intel's dual-processor-core technology and
945P Express Chipset
HP d4100y PCs have Intel® Pentium® D processors with
Hyper-Threading Technology and two processor cores for more horsepower. You
also get the Intel 945P Express Chipset, which supplies the juice for
3-D-intensive games and broadcast entertainment. Plus, all supported
processors features Intel's EM64T technology, which is designed to support
future 64-bit software applications1 but scaled to work with existing 32-bit
apps (each d4100y is configured as a 32-bit solution).
Label your CDs and DVDs with silkscreen-quality art and text
The optional HP DVD writer with HP's new LightScribe technology
lets you burn precise, professional-looking labels directly on
LightScribe-enabled media, straight from your PC. After burning a disc, you
just flip and reinsert it in the same drive for labeling; there's no need to
print, align, or adhere a sticker.
Operating System:
Choice:
Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home Edition with SP2
Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Media Center Edition
Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Professional with SP2 Processor
Processor
Choice:
Intel(R) Pentium(R) D 820 (2.8GHz, 800MHz FSB)
Intel(R) Pentium(R) D 830 (3.0GHz, 800MHz FSB)
Intel(R) Pentium(R) D 840 (3.2GHz, 800MHz FSB)
Memory
Choice:
512MB DDR2-533MHz dual channel SDRAM (2x256)
512MB DDR2-667MHz dual channel SDRAM (2x256)
1GB DDR2-533MHz dual channel SDRAM (2x512)
1GB DDR2-667MHz dual channel SDRAM (2x512)
2GB DDR2-533MHz dual channel SDRAM (4x512)
2GB DDR2-667MHz dual channel SDRAM (2x1GB)
Hard Drive
Choices:
80GB 7200 rpm SATA Hard Drive
160GB 7200 rpm SATA Hard Drive
250GB 7200 rpm SATA Hard Drive
320GB RAID 0 (2 x 160GB SATA HDDs) - Performance
160GB RAID 1 (2 x 160GB SATA HDDs) - Data Security
400GB 7200 rpm SATA Hard Drive
250GB RAID 1 (2 x 250GB SATA HDDs) - Data Security
500GB RAID 0 (2 x 250GB SATA HDDs) - Performance
500GB 7200 rpm SATA 3Gb/s Hard Drive
HP Personal Media Drives
Choice:
160GB Personal Media Drive-price before $20 REBATE
300GB Personal Media Drive-price before $20 REBATE
400GB Personal Media Drive-price before $20 REBATE
Primary CD/DVD Drive
Choice:
48x max. CD-Writer Drive (48x32x48x)
48x max. CD-RW/DVD-ROM combo drive (48x32x16x48x)
Double Layer 16X max. DVD +/-R/RW drive
LightScribe Double Layer 16X max. DVD+/-R/RW drive
LightScribe 16X DVD+/-R/RW Super-Multi drive
Secondary CD/DVD Drive
Choice:
48x max. CD-ROM Drive
16X max. DVD-ROM
Premium CD/DVD Burner Software
Choice:
Sonic DigitalMedia Deluxe-Burn/Copy, Label CD/DVDs
Sonic MyDVD Deluxe - Create & Share Digital Media
Sonic Combo: DigitalMedia Deluxe / MyDVD Deluxe
Front Productivity Ports
Choice:
Front USB, FireWire and audio ports
9-in-1 memory card reader, 2 USB 2.0, 1 FireWire
9-in-1 memory card reader, 2 USB 2.0, 1 FireWire
Removable Storage
Choice:
3.5 in. 1.44MB Floppy Drive
Speakers
Choice:
HP Stereo Speakers
HP Stereo Speakers with Subwoofer
Logitech X-230 2.1 Speakers
Logitech X-530 5.1 Speakers
Modem
Choice:
None 56K bps data & fax modem
TV & Entertainment Experience
Choice:
None
Remote Control
Single NTSC TV Tuner with PVR, FM Tuner, Remote
Dual NTSC TV Tuner with PVR, FM Tuner, Remote
Graphics Card
Choices:
NVIDIA GeForce 6200SE w/TurboCache 256MB support 256MB DDR NVIDIA GeForce 6600, TV-Out and DVI 256MB DDR NVIDIA GeForce FX 6800, DVI & TV-Out
Sound Card
Choices: Integrated Intel(R) High Definition Audio Sound Blaster Audigy 4 24-bit for PCs w/o TV tuner Sound Blaster Audigy 4, 24-bit ADVANCED HD Audio
Keyboard
Choices:
HP Keyboard, HP Scroller Mouse HP Multimedia Keyboard, HP Optical Mouse HP Wireless Keyboard, Wireless Optical Mouse
Productivity Software
Choices:
Microsoft(R) Works 8.0/Money 2005/MSN Encarta Plus Microsoft(R) Works Suite includes Word Corel WordPerfect(R) Office 12 Microsoft(R) Office Basic Edition Microsoft(R) Office Small Business Edition Microsoft(R) Office Professional Edition
Security Software
Choices:
Norton Internet Security 2005 w/ Antispyware-15 Mo
Finance & Accounting Software
Choices:
Quicken Deluxe 2006
Quicken Premier 2006
QuickBooks Pro 2005
=================================
Save up to $200 on select HP Deskop PCs + free shipping!
November 15, 2005
DELL Desktop
Dimension 3000 Celeron
Super CHEAP...
Overview
Best PC for home and home office.
Specifications
Processor/Display
Intel® Celeron® D Processor 325 (2.53GHz, 533 FSB)
Operating System
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
Video Card
Integrated Intel® Extreme Graphics 2
Memory
256MB DDR SDRAM at 400MHz
Hard Drive
40GB3 Ultra ATA/100 7200RPM Hard Drive
Monitors
17 inch E773 (16 inch viewable) Conventional CRT
CD or DVD Drive
Single Drive: 48x CD-RW Drive
Anti-Virus/Security Suite (Pre-installed)
No Security Subscription
Office Software (not included in Windows XP)
No Productivity Suite - Corel WordPerfect® word processor only
Limited Warranty, Services and Support Options
90 Day Warranty4, 90 Day At-Home Service5, and 90 Days Technical Support
posted by Aimspro @ 9:12 PM
