Desktop Computers: Reviews

Various versions of the Velocity Micro Vector GX have been reviewed in the past year, but all reviews are very favorable. With the Vector GX, you get a higher-end configuration at the same price as a bestselling brand,… along with better build and parts quality with U.S.-based tech support. A Custom Home & Office PC configured to run Vista Home Premium comfortably costs around $1,150, and Velocity Micro provides a variety of options. If you don't want or need to configure a model, the Vector GX Campus Edition is an even better value at $1,000 (see our companion report on budget desktops for more information).

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Apple revamped its iMac offerings in August, introducing four new models. Early reports point to the 2.4GHz versions, which do particularly well in performance tests versus other Mac computers and some PCs. The all-in-one… iMac has an unpainted aluminum chassis with a glossy glass-covered display. Although it uses laptop technology, including Intel's new Santa Rosa (Centrino Duo) platform, the 2.40GHz iMac is faster than the MacBook laptop. The system's "guts" are all hidden behind the 20-inch LCD display, so this all-in-one computer is very compact.

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Despite some limitations, reviewers love the innovative TouchSmart IQ770. It's the first home PC with a touchscreen (19 inches), and it is designed to take advantage of new features in Windows Vista Home Premium. The HP… SmartCenter is like a desktop with shortcuts to a family schedule and multimedia. Since it's not upgradeable and is slow compared to performance options, the HP TouchSmart isn't intended to replace a regular computer; rather, it's a family message center and kitchen entertainment hub. Features include an integrated personal video recorder, wireless keyboard and mouse, a remote control and a DVD burner, as well as an integrated webcam and microphone.

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If you know the configuration you want but don't want to research parts or build your own computer, multiple reviews recommend having Puget Custom Computers build one for you. The Seattle-area company only uses high… quality parts, and reviews say its computers are expensive but very well built. You can customize a home, gaming or professional computer by using an excellent online configuration tool. Another plus is the lifetime support and labor warranty. Reviewers say pre-sales service is extraordinary, including quicker build time than many other vendors.

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Reviews say the CyberPower Gamer Infinity 7500 is an extraordinary value for gamers on a budget. It costs much less than the sum of its parts, and performance doesn't fall far short of machines costing four times as much.… The base configuration includes a 2.33GHz Core 2 Duo CPU, 1GB of RAM, a GeForce video card with 256MB of RAM, Vista Home Premium, six color options for the case and a three-year limited warranty. Experts recommend some essential upgrades to the RAM and video card, which add about $300 to the base price.

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While some other gaming computers might deliver more bang for the buck, experts concur that the Falcon Northwest Mach V is the fastest gaming computer ever made -- but only when it's optioned with the very latest… components, bringing the price up to $8,000 or more. You can save hundreds of dollars by skipping the company's fabulous custom paint jobs. Configuration options are infinite, but an overclocked quad-core processor and two video cards are the heart of this speed demon. The Mach V is also surprisingly quiet. The company's tech support is described as "valet service."

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