Desktop Computers (Budget)

Since thousands of shoppers waited for Vista to buy a new desktop computer, and many waited a little longer for Microsoft and other hardware and software companies to resolve early issues, we focused this report on computers that were reviewed with Vista as much as possible. Unless you buy a pre-boxed machine in a store (which will come with Vista), most manufacturers are currently offering a choice of various versions of Vista or XP with new desktops.

In the short run, Windows Vista is not much of a blessing for budget-oriented desktop computer buyers. The new operating system has considerably more demanding system requirements than Windows XP. The cheapest desktop computers only come with 512MB of RAM, and although Microsoft says 512MB is sufficient for running Vista Home Basic, trying to do so will not likely be a pleasant experience. Instead, reviewers say Vista Home Basic really needs 1GB of RAM to run smoothly. The higher-end versions of Vista, such as Vista Home Premium require 1GB of RAM, but again, experts say that you need twice as much to run Vista smoothly.

The other system requirements for Vista won't strain your budget. Vista Home Basic requires a 1GHz processor (slower than anything you'll find in the cheapest computers), a 20GB hard drive with at least 15GB of available space and a DVD drive. All other versions of Vista minimally require a 40GB hard drive. (More on the various versions of Vista below.) Of course, given the size of modern computer applications, you'll want and need a much larger hard drive than that.

If you act quickly, you can still buy a desktop computer with Windows XP. That will allow you to get a fully functional computer for $500 to $700, but consider that you are likely to need to run Vista during the life of your computer. Software and peripherals you acquire during the life of your desktop computer may require Vista, and Microsoft will eventually cease supporting Windows XP.

Too little RAM is just one of the catches to an ultra-low desktop-computer price. The other significant disadvantages are the case and integrated video. Cases on very cheap computers are very small and lack room for internal upgrades. Some have no open slots to add RAM, but you can replace your existing RAM to upgrade. Very small cases lack slots for adding cards (such as a modem or sound card or a new technology). The bigger concern with a small desktop-computer case is ventilation. Processors run very hot, and internal air space helps to dissipate heat. That's why experts say that a desktop computer in a small chassis may have a shorter lifespan. That said, newer CPUs from Intel and AMD use less power and run much cooler than older CPUs.

Inexpensive desktop computers usually have a video chip on the motherboard to send signals to the monitor. This is cheaper than having a separate video card. However, the computer must dedicate a certain amount of system RAM (commonly up to 256MB) to generating a display. A discreet video card has dedicated RAM, which liberates your system RAM for Windows and the applications you are running.

Desktop computer prices start around $350, sometimes including a monitor. In the $750 to $1,000 price range, you can avoid some or all of the disadvantages discussed above. If you want to manipulate and edit gigabytes' worth of photos and video, or you want to play the most realistic action, racing and first-person-shooter games, you should check our separate report on desktop computers , which covers systems starting at $1,000 or so. In general, any computer will let you surf the web, write letters, send e-mail or chat online. Even cheap desktops often include DVD burners and come with a keyboard, mouse and speakers. Modems might or might not be included, and bundled software is sparse.

In the budget price range, few non-business computers come with warranties longer than one year. You can upgrade to longer warranties through the manufacturer or retailer, but prices are high relative to the cost of the desktop computer. That's because labor repair costs for a $600 desktop computer are the same as for a $6,000 desktop computer.

Best budget computers

Various versions of the Velocity Micro Vector GX have been reviewed in the past year, and all reviews are very favorable. The best value right now is the Velocity Micro Vector GX Campus Edition 2007 (starting at *est. $1,000 without monitor), which is selected as an Editor's Choice by PC Magazine and CNet.com. It's expensive for a budget desktop, but reviews say the quality of construction and the U.S.-based tech support exceed what you get from many bestselling brands. Reviews say it is the cheapest computer you can buy with warranted factory overclocking. As the name suggests, the Campus Edition is targeted for student use and also for gaming. Reviews say it’s a good computer for any use.

In his review for the Vector GX desktop computer, PC Magazine's Joel Santo Domingo says, "It's more expensive than other mainstream systems like the Dell Inspiron 531 or the eMachines T5226 by a few hundred dollars, but it totally outperforms them." Santo Domingo also commends the internal design, including cooling system and upgrade flexibility. In CNet's benchmark tests, the Campus Edition performs tasks radically faster than comparable budget desktops from HP, Dell and Gateway. Although the Velocity Micro website doesn't specify either, both reviews claim that the stock 1.86GHz dual core processor in the Campus Edition is overclocked, and Velocity Micro will warrant the processor for three years (the rest of the computer has a one-year warranty).

The base price also includes Windows Vista Home Premium, 2GB of RAM, a 256MB GeForce 8600 video card and a 250GB hard drive. A keyboard, mouse and T-shirt are included in the package. Velocity Micro offers a variety of configuration options for the Campus Edition. You can save a couple hundred dollars by selecting a different base model in the Vector GX line and sticking with the base configuration. Examples include the Vector GX Custom Home & Office PC with an Intel Core Duo processor (*est. $800) or with an AMD processor (*est. $750).

Although Velocity Micro isn't included in any magazine reliability surveys that we found, the company does earn an Elite Customer Excellence Award from ResellerRatings.com, a site that lets owners report on manufacturers. Large electronics chains such as Best Buy and Circuit City sell several of Velocity Micro's more expensive models, but the Vector GX desktop line is only available directly from the manufacturer.

Though the Velocity Micro Vector GX is highly rated, some experts say that the Dell Inspiron 531 (starting at *est. $500 with a 17-inch LCD monitor) gives you more computing power for the money. The Dell Inspiron 531 earns an Editor's Choice award from PC Magazine and CNet.com, as well as a high rating from Computer Shopper. CNet.com's Rich Brown says, "On some tests, the Inspiron 531 is even faster than systems that cost $500 more." Other reviewers also cite value as the best reason to buy the Dell Inspiron 531 budget desktop.

The base price includes an AMD dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, a CD-RW/DVD combo drive, integrated video and a modem. A keyboard, mouse and 17-inch ViewSonic VA1703wb monitor (*est. $165 if purchased separately) complete the budget desktop system. RAM is sufficient for running Windows Vista Home Basic. If you only have $500 to spend on a complete system, reviewers don't mention any competing budget desktops that approach the Dell Inspiron 531.

All components can be upgraded at the time of purchase. Review configurations were in the $800 to $1,200 range, but Dell has subsequently lowered the starting price. A video card, larger monitor and additional memory -- especially if you plan to run Vista Home Premium -- would be the most logical upgrades. Reviewers have no major issues with this Dell budget desktop computer -- and none that you can overcome by spending more. For example, bundled bloatware is a common complaint.

The Dell Inspiron 530 (starting at *est. $400 with no monitor or $700 with a 19-inch widescreen monitor) is an alternate version of the Dell 531 with Intel processor options. The least expensive version includes an Intel Celeron processor, which reviewers never recommend. The more expensive versions have an Intel Core 2 Duo processor. With an AMD CPU, the Dell Inspiron 531 is a bit less expensive, but the Dell 530 has the potential to be a bit faster, depending on configuration options. The Inspiron 530 fares just as well in reviews.

Compact budget desktop computers

Despite their drawbacks, including difficult expandability and the potential for heat-related failures, consumers are often drawn to small computers because they take up less real estate on a desk and generally look far less imposing. Reviewers, on the other hand, are more critical.

Among currently available compact budget desktops, the Lenovo ThinkCentre M55e (starting at *est. $760 without monitor) gets perhaps the best support. The ultra-small chassis is smaller than an old-fashioned desktop computer, but has a similar appearance. PC Magazine sees it as a business computer and selects it as an Editor's Choice. Joel Santo Domingo cites the Core 2 Duo processor (not included at the base price) and three-year on-site limited warranty as major reasons for the honor. As About.com’s guide to PC hardware, Mark Kyrnin disagrees. He says, "Frankly, the Lenovo ThinkCentre M55e is just not a very well designed system for consumers. While it has a solid warranty and reliable service, the [included hardware] just [doesn't] justify the price." Santo Domingo admits that the Lenovo ThinkCentre M55e is relatively expensive, especially when you consider that at the base price, the Lenovo M55e desktop computer sports only a 3.06GHz Intel Celeron processor. The Celeron CPUs have just 512KB L2, which makes them the slowest processors on the market. A Core 2 Duo processor adds at least $140 to the cost.

The rest of the base model's configuration is also not that impressive: The Lenovo M55e has 1GB of RAM, an 80GB hard drive, a DVD burner and integrated video. Windows Vista Business is the default option. Lenovo offers a slew of upgrade options that can double the cost of the computer. However, the case is a limiting factor. For example, it doesn't have room for a video card or floppy drive.

The Acer Aspire L310 (*est. $780 without monitor) draws even cooler endorsements from reviewers. Its advantage is a Core 2 Duo processor; integrated video and no upgradeability are weaknesses. Like a laptop, the Acer has an external power supply, which some reviews don't think is a good idea. It is smaller than its Lenovo competitor, and Computer Shopper, PC Magazine and CNet.com see the size as literally filling a small niche.

Best budget business desktops

A business desktop computer doesn't have to have a video card or a big hard drive, but it does need a level of build quality and a warranty that combine to minimize business disruption. Business desktops are for anyone who wants to use a computer for productivity or information from the Internet -- and who isn't interested in using a computer for entertainment.

Two desktop computers in Dell's business line (OptiPlex) top most reviewers' lists. The newer Dell OptiPlex 740 (starting at *est. $400 without monitor) appears to be the better choice and value for basic business tasks. The Dell OptiPlex 745 (starting at *est. $830 without monitor) is a better choice for tasks that require more processing power.

PC World rates the Dell OptiPlex 740 a Best Buy. In fact, it tops the magazine's list of top value business desktop PCs. The big high point is its quiet operation. Reviewer Alan Stafford recommends adding a video card, which adds about $65 to the price. An upgrade to 1GB of RAM is only about $35 -- necessary if you choose Vista and still beneficial with XP. The base configuration includes a 2.2GHz AMD processor, an 80 GB hard drive and no optical drive. If you won't be installing software from a network, at least a CD-ROM drive is necessary. Prices for optical drives range up to $65 for a DVD burner. A keyboard and mouse are included, and a chassis intrusion switch is optional, but free.

While fairly spartan, the OptiPlex 740 desktop PC does have some key benefits for business use. The minitower case has noise-reduction features such as rubber damping for the hard drive. The biggest benefit is a three-year limited warranty with next-business-day on-site service (upgradeable to same-day service for *est. $155). Three-year warranties are rare for $1,000 computers. For a desktop computer you can buy for as little as $400, it is an exceptional value.

The Dell OptiPlex 745 is the best business desktop computer, according to reviews from November, December and January (all predate Vista). The base configuration includes just 512MB of RAM, but 1 or 2GB of RAM is essential for running Vista Business. That's a concern, since the main criticism of this computer is its price. Dell offers four form factors for the 745. The mini-tower should provide the longest life, but you can save money by opting for a smaller form factor. Reviews say the Dell OptiPlex 745's Core 2 Duo processor is an asset, and all commend the computer's performance and quiet operation. Complaints include the fact that it is relatively expensive and that it is totally unsuitable for gaming.

Budget gaming and multimedia desktop computers

Ardent game players and reviewers agree that no sub-$1,000 computer is suitable for demanding action games. The best budget gaming computer, according to reviews, is the CyberPower Gamer Infinity 7500 (starting at *est. $780 without monitor). Although the base price fits the budget price range, reviewers say upgrades are necessary for a good gaming experience. CyberPower provides a three-year limited warranty, which makes the 7500 a good choice to buy now and upgrade later if your budget is capped. An upgrade to 2GB of RAM costs an additional $90, and that is the most essential upgrade. If you choose to buy a monitor from CyberPower, prices start at $200, though you can do better elsewhere. Gaming computers are covered in our companion report on desktop computers.

Many computers are marketed as multimedia desktop computers, but the category is not well defined. A dual-core processor is the primary requirement. Any desktop computer with a DVD/CD burner drive, monitor and speakers can play and record music CDs and compressed music files, as well as play movies. Some desktop computers have extra hardware and software for multimedia. Hardware can include a TV tuner, FM tuner, a remote control, a sound card (all computers now have integrated sound; a sound card is an upgrade), a DVD burner, a TV recorder, multiple speakers, a webcam, wireless connectivity and outputs for connecting to a television set. A discrete video card is essential for any demanding multimedia applications.

Desktop computers marketed as multimedia computers ship with Windows Vista Home Premium, which includes basic software for working with media. Except for business computers, all the computers covered in this report are suitable for basic multimedia applications like watching movies and playing DVDs. If you would like to add multimedia hardware but can't fit it into your budget, choose a desktop computer with internal upgradeability, such as the CyberPower Gamer Infinity 7500, Velocity Micro Vector GX or Dell Inspiron 531.

Budget Macintosh desktop computers

Apple turned over its consumer line in early August. The higher-end all-in-one iMac line is significantly changed. Of note, the cheaper 17-inch iMac was discontinued. Now, the entry-level iMac is $1,200. That leaves the Mac mini (two versions, *est. $600 and $800) as the only budget option in Apple's lineup of desktop computers.

Apple also just revised the mini, but experts say the only changes are upgrades to the core components. The upgraded mini has not been reviewed yet, and with no changes to the design, it may not be reviewed. Past reviews are lukewarm. Many said the 17-inch iMac was a better value. However, if you already have a Macintosh-compatible monitor, that gap narrows considerably. The mini does not come with a monitor, keyboard or mouse.

Macworld has a good summary of the changes to the mini (see the link in Best Research). Although it is not a review, the article does include some description of the value of the upgrades. The biggest improvement is an upgrade to Core 2 Duo processors. The lower-end mini has a 1.83GHz processor; the higher-end unit has a 2.0GHz processor. Apple claims these processors are up to 39 percent faster than the previous generation of Intel Core Duo processors. RAM has been upgraded to 1GB. Macworld notes that the integrated video (which uses 64MB of system RAM) is still a limiting factor for multimedia or gaming.

The Mac mini is just a 2 x 6.5 x 6.5-inch white plastic box. It includes the computer's hardware and a slot loading DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive ($600 version) or DVD burner ($800 version) . The weight is about three pounds. The $800 version has a bigger hard drive (120GB versus 80GB) and doubles the on-chip shared L2 cache (4MB to 2MB). Otherwise, the units are identical, and the cheaper Mac mini gives you more hardware for the dollar. Both use unusually slow hard drives (just 5,400 RPM). The minis are not upgradeable, but if you buy direct from Apple, you can upgrade the RAM and hard drive size at the time of purchase.

Ports include a DVI output for a digital monitor (Apple also includes a DVI-to-VGA adapter if you have an analog monitor), Ethernet (for broadband), a headphone jack, four USB 2.0 ports (you'll need two of them for the keyboard and mouse), and a FireWire input.

Older reviews aren't very enlightening, due to the mini's new configuration. The revised models should produce better test results due to the faster processors and increased RAM. Yet reviews from sources that also cover Windows desktops say that comparably-priced PCs are a better value. For example, the Dell Inspiron 530 includes a 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 1GB of RAM, a 320GB 7,200 RPM hard drive, a DVD burner, a keyboard, a mouse, upgradeability and a 19-inch monitor for *est. $700.

PC comparisons, however, are irrelevant for someone who would only consider a Macintosh. If you want a cheap Macintosh, the Mac Mini is the only choice under $1,000.

Important Features: Budget desktop computers

Experts say a budget desktop computer must be adequately equipped to run Windows Vista. These are the key considerations:

• Get a dual-core CPU. Intel Core 2 Duo processors are ideal for budget computers, but older dual-core chips are a good, cheaper alternative. In systems costing $500 or less, you'll still find some Celeron and Pentium D chips, but reviewers say Core Duo and Athlon processors are better choices.

• Get at least 512MB of RAM for Vista Home Basic or 1GB of RAM for any other version of Vista. Experts say those are essential minimums, however most also say both you and your computer will be happier with more RAM. If your budget is capped, other system compromises (such as a slower CPU or smaller hard drive) are worthwhile if they help you buy more memory. However, 512MB is plenty for Windows XP. A discrete video card can be a big advantage, because the computer doesn't have to share RAM.

• Don't worry about hard-drive size unless you know you have massive storage needs. Even the cheapest computers have 120 or 160GB hard drives, which will hold thousands of MP3s and high-resolution photographs. However, if you anticipate needing a larger hard drive, they are an inexpensive upgrade when you are ordering a new computer.

• Look for a DVD burner that can record to DVDs and CDs, as well as play CDs and DVD movies. Some budget computers ship with a DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive that can burn CDs, but not DVDs. You can fit more data on DVDs, which is useful for system backups as well as for storing and playing photo and video files.

• Check to see whether a monitor is included. Many computers don't include a monitor, which is an advantage if you don't need one. If you buy a computer online and add a monitor, it's usually cheaper than buying a monitor separately.

• Get a computer with a video card for better multimedia and overall performance. Most budget computers have a video chip on the motherboard instead of a dedicated video card. A large chunk of system RAM is then devoted to the display. An upgrade to a video card frees that RAM for other tasks and improves the smoothness of moving images on your screen. However, video cards suitable for the most demanding games are not possible within the budget price range. Integrated sound is standard, and powered speakers are usually included.

• Look for at least four USB ports and a FireWire port. You'll need these to hook up cameras, printers, keyboards and mice. Front-located ports are a convenience.

• Get a mini-tower for better reliability and expandability. A spacious case with open PCI expansion slots adds to the practical and functional life of the computer. It also allows for better air circulation and heat dissipation. If the computer has integrated video, a PCI Express slot provides an upgrade path to a dedicated video card. Avoid computers with older AGP slots.

• Make sure the computer has a modem if you have a dial-up Internet connection. Modems are no longer a given; some computers have them and some don't.

• Make sure you get backup software media if possible. If you buy a pre-boxed consumer model, you often will not get a Windows CD. In some cases, you will get a recovery disc, but that will force you to reformat your hard drive every time you need to repair or reinstall Windows (or you will have to buy a Windows CD). Check the specifications to see what, if any, backup media is included.

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of Picks	Model (with retailer links)
3	Velocity Micro Vector GX Campus Edition 2007 (*est. $1,000)
3	Dell Inspiron 531 (starting at *est. $500 without monitor)
1 each	Dell Inspiron 530 , Dell OptiPlex 740 , Lenovo ThinkCentre M55e , CyberPower Gamer Infinity 7500, Mac mini

Many desktop computers that predate Windows Vista are still available. Manufacturers have updated the models or offerings, while continuing the same name. As specifications have changed, our chart only includes desktops that were reviewed and top-rated with Vista or the current base configuration. We consider older reviews to be a less fair or meaningful comparison.

The Velocity Micro Vector GX Campus Edition 2007 is the best computer for $1000 or less. However, it is at the top of that price range, which is expensive for a budget computer. Dell's new budget line is garnering favorable reviews, and the starting prices are very low. The Inspiron 531 is catching the most attention. It is "a moderately powerful midrange desktop at an impressive price," according to Computer Shopper.

The older, but still available Dell OptiPlex 745 was top-rated in three reviews last year. It has not been reviewed with Vista, but the Dell OptiPlex 740 has. Both are top, inexpensive choices for business computers.

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