Channelpro-SMB | Product Reviews

With the variety of products and vendors you have to choose from, doing your homework is critical in today's global marketplace. Check out the top rated reviews before you make your next technology purchase.

Desktop Systems

Alienware Area-51 7500 (Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800)
It's not the fastest PC (it's second), nor is it the most competitively priced, but Alienware's Area-51 7500 does have the most innovative case. With a wholly customizable lighting scheme in its new chassis, Alienware makes case lights functional, a trick no one has really pulled off yet. That and its fast performance make it stand above other current high-end PCs.
IBM NetVista X series
Beautifully designed on the outside but lacks oomph on the inside.
Apple iMac (20-inch, 2.4GHz)
Apple's smaller-scale iMac remains our favorite all-in-one. And while its looks, its ease of use, and its performance are all selling points, Windows PCs are starting to catch up (at least with the latter). A few components could also stand an update, but in general you'll find the 20-inch iMac a remarkable computer for its price.
HP Pavilion Slimline S3330f
The HP Pavilion Slimline S3330f delivers a remarkable combination of features, value, and flexibility. It excels as both a traditional desktop, and a full-fledged living room PC, complete with a Blu-ray and HD DVD drive. Any nongamer in the market for a sub-$1,000 PC should put this system at the top of their list.
Apple iMac (24-inch, 2.8GHz Extreme Edition)
With the same elegant design as its 20-inch, 2.4GHz sibling, the 24-inch, 2.8GHz iMac offers 30 percent more screen area and a modest performance boost. The iMac competes with the PC desktop market now better than perhaps any previous Mac to date, but the added cost of the larger, faster model might put off some buyers--especially if you are a gamer or an upgrade enthusiast.
Apple iMac G5 (2.1GHz, 20-inch)
The Apple iMac G5 gets trimmer and cheaper as it ups its performance and adds a handful of multimedia features, resulting in an all-around first-rate home PC.
Sony Vaio JS190J (black)
By virtue of its price, its desktop processor, and its Blu-ray drive, the Sony Vaio JS190J makes a case for itself as the new king of the all-in-ones. Its screen might be a bit smaller than some, but no other all-in-one, including Apple's iMac, can do as much, as fast, for the same price.
Apple iMac (20-inch, 2.4GHz, 1GB RAM)
With its super-elegant new design and a strong configuration, Apple's new iMac competes with the PC desktop market better than perhaps any previous Mac to date. Unless you're a gamer or an upgrade enthusiast, we can think of very few reasons not to make an iMac your next desktop.
HP Pavilion Slimline s3200t
The HP Pavilion Slimline s3200t offers perhaps the strongest bang for the buck we've ever seen thanks to its HD DVD/Blu-ray hybrid optical drive and its strong overall configuration. It outclasses every other HD-equipped system we've seen so far. If you're shopping for a living room PC and want complete HD format flexibility, this is the system we'd buy.
Velocity Micro ProMagix E2240
Velocity Micro's ProMagix E2240 is perhaps the fastest preconfigured gaming desktop you can find on store shelves. It might not offer all of the features you want in a PC to anchor your digital lifestyle, but that's not really its point. Instead, this system lives up to its admirable goal of providing solid 3D gaming performance, and also offering room to grow.
Velocity Raptor Signature Edition Gaming PC
We have one major issue with the Velocity Micro Raptor Signature Edition (the price), and two minor ones (it's loud, for one), but those aside, this is one of the most feature-complete high-end desktops we've reviewed. Its performance is media-creation- and game-minded, and anyone buying it for those or almost any other purposes won't be disappointed.
Velocity Micro Edge Z15
Velocity Micro's Edge Z15 represents one of the best deal's we've seen this year in midrange gaming PCs. It has all the power necessary to play current games (even Crysis) at smooth frame rates, and its clean, spacious interior gives you plenty of upgrade room. We recommend this system to any PC gamer looking for a sub-$2,000 desktop.
eMachines T3642
eMachines nailed the $300-$400 desktop with the T3642. It has a faster CPU, a larger hard drive, and is generally more capable than any other system in this price category. We would recommend it over anything else out there for the same price.
HP Pavilion Slimline s3020n
With new polish and a whole lot of bang for the buck, HP's new Pavilion Slimline s3020n leads the small PC field overall. The glossy black chassis, added expandability, and even a new keyboard make this system attractive both inside and out.
Velocity Micro CineMagix Grand Theater
Velocity Micro's first full-fledged home theater PC pulls very few punches in providing a complete digital media experience. It's big, it lacks a built-in audio receiver, and it invites PC gaming into the living room, which has never been the best fit. It's also the victim of a few Vista-related growing pains. On balance, though, Velocity Micro has as complete a home theater PC as we've seen.