HP TouchSmart IQ524 Desktop PC (2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 Processor, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB Hard Drive, DVD Drive, Vista Premium) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This computer is working well. I was skeptical about buying it, since my laptop was not even a year old, but I'm glad I made the change. It's very fast - almost instant on. The Touchsmart feature is not too practical. The 22" screen is more comfortable several feet away. Can't reach the screen, so I optimized it for the mouse. I did look at the Touchsmart software and found it of little interest. The large screen is very practical for my needs, though. I have plenty of table space right in front of me, rather than filling it with computer.
The cordless keyboard works very well. Lot of times the cordless equipment doesn't keep up with my typing. Love the larger delete key. The mouse is a bit stiff, but it operates mouse-intensive games fine.
All my software and wireless printer set up easily, as did internet connections. The little cover on the ports is a bit difficult to remove and replace. The shiny finish is quite a dust enhancer. Somewhere the black frame got scratched at the bottom of the screen right in the middle.
I like the HP Pocket Media plug-in backup drives. The HP website shows the drive as an accessory to the 500 series Touchsmart. I phoned their sales people twice to ask about drive capacity and where the drive was inserted into this unit, and both confirmed the PC had a slot in the top, so I ordered the 500gb drive from HP at the same time I ordered the PC from Amz. PC arrived, and there is no slot. Another call to HP revealed that only the 800 series accommodates this drive. So I have to attach it via USB. The whole idea of the Pocket Media is that they slide right into their own slots in the PCs for which they are made. I found it interesting that both the people and the website at HP were sloppy about this accessory. HP is very generous about returns, but I wanted the larger capacity drive, so I kept it. By the way, this is the second HP computer I've had for which these plug-in drives were misrepresented on their website. First time it happened, a couple computers ago, I could not get anybody to acknowledge the error and correct the site.

Click Here to see more reviews about: HP TouchSmart IQ524 Desktop PC (2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 Processor, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB Hard Drive, DVD Drive, Vista Premium)

Redesigned with a next-generation, touch-enabled 22-inch high-definition LCD screen, the HP TouchSmart IQ524 all-in-one desktop PC is designed to fit wherever life happens: in the kitchen, family room, or living room. With one touch you can check the weather, download your e-mail, or watch your favorite TV show. It's also designed to maximize energy, with a power-saving Intel Core 2 Duo processor and advanced power management technology, as well as material efficiency--right down to the packaging. It has a sleek piano black design with elegant espresso side-panel highlights, and the HP Ambient Light lets you set a mood--or see your keyboard in the dark.

The TouchSmart IQ524 comes with a bevy of special software features to make your computing life a breeze, including TouchSmart Video and Photo for quickly sharing your snapshots and videos to the web, TouchSmart Calendar for helping your family manage its busy, overlapping schedule, and TouchSmart Notes for both text and voice notes right at your fingertips. And it comes with a wireless keyboard and wireless optical mouse to help you keep clutter to a minimum.
It's powered by the 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 processor, which boosts speed, reduces power requirements, and saves on battery life. It also offers a fast 800 MHz front-side bus speed and 2 MB L2 cache It has a built-in webcam and microphone for video chats with family and friends, and it includes integrated stereo speakers that produce crisp, clear audio from DVD movies and downloaded video purchases. Other features include a 500 GB hard drive, 4 GB of RAM (8 GB maximum), a dual-layer DVD±RW drive, the latest in Wi-Fi networking (802.11n as well as backward compatibility with 802.11b/g), Bluetooth wireless technology, Gigabit Ethernet, and an Intel GMA X3100 graphics with up to 1759 MB of total available memory.
The pre-installed 64-bit version of Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (Service Pack 1) includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center. In addition to easily playing your DVD movies and managing your digital audio library, you'll be able to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV). Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.
HP and the Environment HP is committed to providing products that are designed with the environment in mind, and all HP TouchSmart IQ 500 series PCs have earned Energy Star and EPEAT Silver designations. They also use HP power management technology can reduce PC energy use up to 45 percent, and their chassis design uses 55 percent less metal and 37 percent less plastic than standard PCs and monitors. To top it off, the new packaging design greatly reduces plastic foam cushioning materials.
The Basics
Processor: The Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 processor has a 2.0 GHz processor speed, fast 800 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and 2 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)
With two computational execution cores in a single processor, it provides greater system response when running multi-threaded applications simultaneously with no significant increase in power consumption. It's optimized for multitasking and is ready to support the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system. It can simultaneously run multiple demanding applications--such as graphics-intensive games or serious number-crunching business productivity applications--while downloading music or running virus-scanning security programs in the background. Some of the advanced Intel innovations of the Core 2 Duo processor include:
Smart Memory Access: Improves system performance by hiding memory latency, thus optimizing the use of available computer data bandwidth to provide data to the processor when and where it is needed.
Advanced Digital Media Boost: Effectively doubles the execution speed for instructions used widely in multimedia and graphics applications.
Dynamic Power Coordination: Coordinates Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology and idle power-management state (C-states) transitions independently per core to help save power.
Deeper Sleep with Dynamic Cache Sizing: Saves power by flushing cache data to system memory during periods of inactivity to lower CPU voltage.


Hard Drive: The 500 GB Serial ATA hard drive (7200 RPM) provides more than enough space for storing all your photos and home movies, your digital audio library, and downloaded movies and TV shows. This SATA hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to Firewire and USB 2.0.

Memory: The 4 GB of installed RAM (PC6400, 2 x 2 GB) helps boost the amount of available video RAM that's shared with this desktop's video card. It also offers a fast 800 MHz speed and an amazing 8 GB maximum RAM capacity (4 x 2 GB). To receive the faster data transfer benefits of the dual-channel DDR2 RAM, any RAM additions require memory modules of same capacity and clockspeed.

DVD/CD Drive: This multiformat DVD/CD drive is compatible with writing both DVD+ and DVD- disc formats as well as dual-layer (DL) DVD+/-R discs, which can store up to 8.5 GB of data. It features 6x DVD±R DL Write Once, 8x DVD+R, 8x DVD+RW, 8x DVD-R, 6x DVD-RW, 16x DVD-ROM, 24x CD-R, 24x CD-RW, and 40x CD-ROM speeds.

Keyboard & Mouse: This TouchSmart PC comes with an HP low-profile Wireless Keyboard with numeric keypad as well as an HP Wireless laser mouse.
Screen, Video & Audio The touch-enabled 22-inch widescreen BrightView LCD offers height/tilt adjustment for optimal viewing. It offers a native resolution of 1440 x 900 pixels. Video is powered by the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100, which includes 128 MB of dedicated video memory (and up to 1759 MB total graphics memory as allocated by the system) and provides Windows Vista Aero interface support and enhanced 3D graphics performance--delivering over 2x scores on 3DMark 06. Intel Clear Video Technology provides outstanding video playback with sharper image quality, increased clarity, and customizable color controls. It also enables enhanced visual quality of interlaced content on progressive displays. The integrated audio card is configurable to 6-speaker surround sound, and it can provide two-channel audio via its integrated 4W speakers.
Networking, Connectivity & Expansion Be ready for the next platform in wireless connectivity with the integrated tri-mode Wi-Fi chip. Based on the draft 802.11n Wi-Fi specification, it offers up to five times the performance and twice the wireless range as existing 802.11g wireless. It's also backward compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found in older home routers). You'll enjoy wireless connectivity to a wide range of peripherals with the built-in Bluetooth. This TouchSmart PC also offers ultra-fast Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000). It comes with the following external connectors:
5 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players (2 front, 3 rear)
1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
2 headphone jack (front
1 line-in and 1 line-out jack (back)
1 IR receiver
10/100/1000 Ethernet
5-in-1 memory card reader (Secure Digital, MultiMedia, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, xD Picture Card)

Operating System Windows Vista Home Premium (64-bit version) is the operating system for users with advanced computer needs, and it includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center for watching DVD movies and accessing your digital audio library. You can also use Windows Media Center to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV) and to access new kinds of online entertainment content. Computers that include Windows Vista Home Premium and an auxiliary Windows SideShow display will also allow you to access key data even when your computer is off. It is also easier than ever to share files between other PCs in your household and to manage your laptop computer settings to more securely connect via Wi-Fi.
Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you to manage and monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities.
Preloaded Software
HP MediaSmart Software Suite: Your one-stop multimedia and entertainment center to create photo slideshows, share personal videos, listen to your favorite music playlists and watch DVD movies.
muvee Reveal Premium: Automatically create professional looking home videos and burn to DVD.
Cyberlink DVD Suite: Automatically fix and edit videos and create CDs and DVDs. Edit, burn and archive data to discs.
Microsoft Works 9: Includes a word processor, spreadsheet, database and calendar.
Microsoft Office Home and Student Edition 2007 (60-day trial version).
Adobe Reader 8: Read and print PDF files.
Norton Internet Security 2009 protects your PC and your identity when you email, bank and shop online; 60 days of protection updates included.

Dimensions & Weight This desktop measures 21 x 17.4 x 2.6 inches (WxHxD) and weighs 24 pounds.
What's in the Box This package contains the HP TouchSmart IQ524 desktop PC, wireless keyboard, wireless mouse, and power cord. Every HP TouchSmart PC comes with special HP Total Care, which includes 24/7 service and support for the first year via HP's North America call center and dedicated toll-free telephone support in English and Spanish in the United States.

Click here for more information about HP TouchSmart IQ524 Desktop PC (2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T6400 Processor, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB Hard Drive, DVD Drive, Vista Premium)

Read More...

Apple Mac mini MB464LL/A Desktop Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)So I got one of these little bad boys (the cheaper model) from the apple store the day after they came out. With a student discount it came out to be just under $600 after tax, so I figured why wait for it to be available on amazon for the same price.
I just ordered 4GB of ram for around $65 after tax and shipping. Just read on a few forums that once you put another gig of ram into the new lower end mac mini, the NVIDIA 9400M graphics card automatically allocates another 128MB of VRAM, making it have a total of 256MB VRAM (instead of 128MB in which it is originally configured with)!
For another $90 or so you can plop a 320GB 7200RPM hard drive into it. A faster drive then the higher end model comes with.
This makes it virtually pointless to pay another $200 for the $800 model, when you can pay a total of $760 for a model that is better:
- 4GBs of ram vs 2GB
- 320GB 7200RPM hard drive vs 320GB 5400RPM hard drive
- with the same NVIDIA 9400M 256VRAM
So whats the only draw back? You have to pop the baby open and install the ram and hard drive yourself.
Is that so bad? Not at all for me, but it may be for some. However there are already forums that contain detailed instructions with pictures and videos for doing so, and as long as you can follow instructions it should not be too difficult at all. It is also somewhat less difficult to deal with than previous models, in terms of installing ram and hard drive.
Oh, I forgot to mention that you can (at the moment, 3/9/09) also get a $6 rebate for sending the 1GB ram chip from your stock mac mini to OWC if you are planning to buy the 2x2GB modular set from them. Another good buy is a $30 USB2 sata enclosure to plop that extra 120GB hard drive into for a little extra storage.
Hope this helps in you purchasing decision.
Oh forgot to mention the computer itself. I upgraded from a 1.42 DP Powermac G4 (FW800) to give you a perspective. First off it is much, much quieter and runs very cool. I have now left it on for 3 days straight and it is still cool. Leaving it on all night while processing video and other processes no longer keeps me up due to the absence of loud oscillating fans. I also like the idea that it uses very low power for a desktop, since I'll keep it on most of the time.
The main reasons for jumping to the mac mini bandwagon for me was because of its FW800 and better video card (two things you will never be able to upgrade on a mac mini without swapping out the entire logic board, which is basically a new computer anyway).
Although it has FW800, I was a little leery to make the upgrade from my Powermac G4 because I have an external 16x DVD burner that uses FW400, an external hard drive with FW400, and a RAID drive with FW800. All of which I wanted to use with my mac mini.
Due to its only 1 FW800 port, I was left to speculate whether daisy chaining all of my external drives together via one FW800 port would actually work properly and efficiently. (FW400 HD to FW400 DVD-R to FW800 RAID HD to one Mac mini FW800 port?).
Seems like a stretch, but all the drives have their own power source, and I am not going to use the FW400 HD much, so I figured what the heck, if it didn't work, I'd have to shell out the extra cash to update my external drives to USB 2 if I wanted to keep the same configuration I'd been using for years.
Anyway to get to the point... It works! I can burn a DVD at 16x from the external burner with media from the RAID drive while watching video, editing photos, and swapping files all from the RAID drive in which the burner is daisy chained to with no hiccups. (Don't know that my old G4 would have been happy with this set up, but it had 2 FW400 ports along with a FW800, so I needn't try.)
For those of you I have lost... this means that the new mac mini is a solid performer and although it has less expandability than my previous mac (less ports, no PCI expansion slots, no upgradeable video cards and processors), it still gets the job done at a faster rate and at a lesser price than upgrades.
So far it has saved me processing time, space, and the utter sound of a power hungry loud fanned G4 buzzing in my ear!
One more thing. I use "PC only" software for work, so having a mac that can boot up in windows was a definite plus for me, and another large factor in my upgrading/buying decision.
Yet another great addition is dual display support for those of you who want to hook up a couple displays at once. And to comment on another review, the mac mini does support a VGA monitor (or 2!), you just have to pay an additional $20 for the adapter from apple (as it only comes with a Mini-DVI to DVI Adapter in the box). And although the quality is going to be better with a DVI monitor, you may want to hold onto your VGA until it poops out (especially if you are low on cash like me) because by that time DVI monitors will be even cheaper and better in quality. Just a thought! (Not to mention the difficulty and expense to recycle those old VGA's).Update - April 12, 2009
Mac Mini is still great, I am just updating this review due to an important issue that was brought up by another reviewer in regards to upgrading Mac Minis.
Mac Minis have no user-serviceable parts inside according to apple, so upgrading it yourself may void the warranty. I did a little research on apple forums before I opened mine and found that the general consensus is if you break something, you void your warranty. If you don't break anything, it should not void your warranty, but ultimately depends on the apple authorized retailer's decision. If they can find that the defect was possibly caused from you opening it up, they may not uphold your warranty. For me the risk was worth it, as I have been working on macs for years, but definitely take this into consideration when installing yourself. I still recommend buying the low-end model as you can always upgrade it later if/when you want. If you are uneasy about upgrading yourself, you can always buy a larger hard drive and/or ram from OWC or another third party and have an authorized apple retailer install it for you. This will still save you a considerable amount of money and protect your warranty, as a money saving hassle free solution.
I would not like to be responsible in any way for people accidentally screwing up while installing their own ram/hard drive and possibly voiding their warranty. Sorry for not mentioning this issue previously in my review.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Apple Mac mini MB464LL/A Desktop

An innovative, tiny desktop that's a great choice for home computing tasks and creating a digital media hub, Apple's Mac mini fits everything that makes a Mac a Mac inside an elegant 2-inch-tall, 6.5-inch square. Just add your own keyboard, mouse, and display. It's been upgraded with a faster 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor as well as a boost in video processing power from the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics chip. The Mac mini also now includes a FireWire 800 port as well as dual video outputs--a Mini DisplayPort and a Mini-DVI port.
Continuing Apple's commitment to the environment, the Mac mini exceeds current Energy Star 4.0 requirements by consuming less than 13 watts when idle 45 percent less power than the previous generation. It's also made from highly recyclable aluminum, uses PVC-free internal components and cables, contains no brominated flame retardants, and even features smaller packaging.
This model of the Mac mini also includes a 320 GB hard drive, 2 GB of RAM (4 GB max), a slot-loading 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support, Draft-N Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g/n), Gigabit wired networking, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR connectivity, and optical digital audio input/outputs. It comes pre-loaded with Apple's Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard operating system--an operating system custom-designed for the advanced technology inside--and it also comes with the iLife '09 suite of applications, including iPhoto, iMovie, Garageband, and iTunes.
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor Experience improved energy efficiency and improved multitasking with the 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, which also offers an ultra-fast 1066 MHz front-side bus (FSB) and a large 3 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)
The new hafnium-infused circuitry--which reduces electrical current leakage in transistors--conserves even more energy, giving you more time away from the wall outlet. With a substantial 3 MB of shared L2 cache, data and instructions can be kept close to the two processor cores, greatly increasing performance and allowing the entire system to work more efficiently. And, because the processor cores share the L2 cache, either can use the entire amount if the other happens to be idle.
Hard Drive and Memory The 320 GB Serial-ATA (SATA) hard drive (5400 RPM) quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to FireWire and USB 2.0. The 2 GB of DDR3 RAM (two SO-DIMMs of 1 GB) have an industry leading 1066 MHz speed, and the RAM capacity can be increased to 4 GB.
Wireless Connectivity The built-in 802.11n wireless networking provides up to five times the performance and twice the range of 802.11g, but it's also backward-compatible with 802.11a/b/g routers, enabling you to communicate with the a wide variety of Wi-Fi resources. It works seamlessly with the new AirPort Extreme with 802.11n. Use the built-in Bluetooth wireless technology to connect to your PDA or cell phone, synchronize addresses, or download pictures from your cell phone. You can also use a wireless headset for iChat audio chats and VoIP calls as well as quickly share files with a colleague.
Graphics Processor The Mac mini now features the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics processor for up to five times better graphics performance than its predecessor, and its dual display support can drive two Apple or third-party displays with Mini DisplayPort or DVI connections. The NVIDIA GeForce 9400M shares 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM with main memory. You'll notice the difference when you work with high-resolution photos and high-definition video, where graphics-intensive features in iPhoto and iMovie are smoother. And 3D game play--from Spore to Call of Duty--is faster and more responsive.
Other Features
Five USB 2.0 ports (up to 480 Mbps)
One FireWire 800 port (up to 800 Mbps)
10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45 connector)
Video output: Mini DisplayPort and Mini-DVI (adapters for DVI and VGA output included)
Extended desktop and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports up to 1920 by 1200 pixels on a DVI or VGA display; up to 2560 by 1600 pixels on a dual-link DVI display using Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter (sold separately)
AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi wirelessnetworking (based on 802.11n draft specification); IEEE 802.11a/b/g compatible
Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate)
Combined optical digital audio input/audio line in (minijack)
Combined optical digital audio output/headphone out (minijack)
Built-in speaker
Slot-loading SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW): Writes DVD+R DL and DVD-R DL discs at up to 6x speed, writes DVD-R and DVD+R discs at up to 8x speed, writes DVD-RW discs at up to 6x speed, writes DVD+RW discs at up to 8x speed, Slot-load optical drive reads DVDs at up to 8x speed, writes CD-R and CD-RW discs at up to 24x speed, reads CDs at up to 24x speed
Kensington cable lock slot
Dimensions: 6.5 x 6.5 x 2 inches (WxDxH)
Weight: 2.9 pounds


The Greenest Mac mini Yet The energy-efficient hardware components in the new Mac mini work hand in hand with Mac OS X to create a system that can dynamically adjust power consumption to reduce the energy used overall. The new Mac mini uses an advanced power management system leveraged from technology that makes the most of battery life in Apple's MacBook family. This allows Mac mini to use dramatically less electricity--up to 45 percent less power at idle than its predecessor. And it makes Mac mini the most energy-efficient desktop computer (based on energy efficiency categories and products listed within the EPA ENERGY STAR 4.0 database as of February 2009).
Apple has worked hard to eliminate many of the toxins that are a common part of computer manufacturing. Apple engineers removed brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) from circuit boards, internal cables, connectors, insulators, adhesives, and more in Mac mini. And the Mac mini uses a combination of highly recyclable aluminum and polycarbonate to create its incredibly compact enclosure--making it one of the most material-efficient desktop computers available.
The Mac mini meets the stringent low power requirements set by the EPA, giving it ENERGY STAR certification. In addition, Mac mini meets the latest efficiency requirements of ENERGY STAR Version 5.0 Specification for Computers before its July 2009 effective date. It has also earned the highest rating of EPEAT Gold. The Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool, or EPEAT, evaluates the environmental impact of a product based on how recyclable it is, how much energy it uses, and how it's designed and manufactured.
Pre-Loaded with Mac OS X Snow Leopard and iLife '09Every Mac comes with Mac OS X Snow Leopard, the world's most advanced operating system, and iLife, Apple's innovative suite of applications for managing photos, making movies and creating and learning to play music. Snow Leopard builds on a decade of OS X innovation and success with hundreds of refinements, new core technologies and out of the box support for Microsoft Exchange. iLife features iPhoto, to easily organize and manage photos; iMovie with powerful easy-to-use new features such as Precision Editor, video stabilization and advanced drag and drop; and GarageBand which introduces a whole new way to help you learn to play piano and guitar.
Installed software
Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard (includes Time Machine, Quick Look, Spaces, Spotlight, Dashboard, Mail, iChat, Safari, Address Book, QuickTime, iCal, DVD Player, Photo Booth, Front Row, Xcode Developer Tools)
iLife '09 (includes iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, iWeb, iDVD)

What's in the Box Mac mini, Mini-DVI to DVI adapter, power adapter and cord, install/restore DVDs, printed and electronic documentation

Click here for more information about Apple Mac mini MB464LL/A Desktop

Read More...

Apple iMac Desktop with 17" Display MA590LL/A (2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 1 GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)With some trepidation, I made the big switch from PC to MAC. It takes a little getting used to, but so far, so good! The 17" iMac is gorgeous and does what it is supposed to do. The Dual Core processor is a nice touch, it is very fast. The 1gb of standard RAM is sufficient for most, and if you need more, it is upgradeable to 3gb. There is a user-accessable panel so you can install the memory yourself. I would have liked a larger hard drive, maybe that is something I can upgrade in the future. The slot loading Super Drive does it all and is very cool--no trays to malfunction or break off. The system comes with a cool little remote control that attaches magnetically to the side of the monitor when not in use. You can access the multimedia functions of the computer with the remote via Front Row. The only complaint I have about the remote is that the battery was completely dead when I received the package! What's up with that, Amazon??? The keyboard and Mighty Mouse are cool and sleek. I don't know how long all this white is going to look good in my house, but here's hoping. The cable for the keyboard is not long enough, so if you want to maintain the minimalistic look of the iMac, I would suggest going wireless. The display is crystal clear and bright--great for watching DVDs. The built-in speakers are OK, there is some room for improvement there. The included software is pretty good, but they only give you a test drive of Office 2004; a full version would be much nicer! The iSight camera built in on the top of the display is pretty cool, and the Photo Booth software is fun to play around with. All in all, this is a good deal for the money--I would recommend!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Apple iMac Desktop with 17" Display MA590LL/A (2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 1 GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive)

Apple MA590LL/A 17 Inch iMac - Featuring the Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, this iMac gives you the power and speed that you need to fly through business and creative applications, like iLife, the suite of Apple apps that comes included. iLife has everything for, well, your life - your digital life that is. Seamlessly integrated with the Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger operating system, it lets you easily edit, share, and store your digital photos; play, edit, and create both audio and video, including your own DVD movies. This iMac also comes with an iSight camera built-in, which is perfect for video chats. Give your fingers a rest and :) for real with friends and family around the world.160GB SATA 7200 RPM Hard Drive Slot-Loading SuperDrive - (write speeds) up to 2.4x DL DVD+R, 8x DVD-R, 8x DVD+R, 4x DVD-RW, 4x DVD+RW, 24x CD-R, & 16x CD-RW Slot-Loading SuperDrive - (read speeds) up to 8x DVD-ROM & 24x CD-ROM 17 Widescreen LCD Native Resolution - 1440 x 900 Built-in iSight Built-in 802.11g Wi-Fi Wireless Network Adapter Built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) module ATI Radeon X1600 with 128MB of GDDR3 of SDRAM Port - 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet, 3 USB 2.0, 2 USB 1.1 (on keyboard), 2 FireWire 400, Optical Digital Audio/Headphone Out, Optical Digital Audio In/Audio Line-In, Mini-DVI Out with support for DVI, VGA, S-Video, & Composite Video via optional adapter Built-in Stereo Speakers Built-in Microphone Built-in IR Receiver Unit Weight - 15.5 lbs.

Click here for more information about Apple iMac Desktop with 17" Display MA590LL/A (2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 1 GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive)

Read More...

Dell XPS Desktop Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The following is concerning my ordeal with ordering a Dell Studio XPS 8000 Desktop from Dell's website.
A few months before Christmas, I decided it was time to finally replace my old trustworthy desktop. It is about ten years old at this point, and while it still functioned to do what I needed, it had slowed to the point that pretty soon it would no longer be operational. Every time you update Windows or update virus protection software, these updates go onto a computer's C drive. While I had plenty of drive space on D, E,F and so on, the C drive of my computer is only fourteen gigs... huge for its day, but now is insufficient for properly running Windows. The more updates, the more in-stable the computer becomes.
Anyway, I eagerly explored my options for a replacement computer. I had been doing everything possible to keep my old desktop running hoping it would make it until Window's 7 was released. I had heard so many horror stories on Vista that I did not want to replace my puter with anything running Vista. Naturally, my old desktop started really waning about a month before Window's 7 was to be released.
There is something about a sale that makes one loose the caution one normally has in regards to expensive purchases. I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted in my new computer. It is a big purchase, and I wanted something that could survive another ten years and perhaps another malformed Window's release. Black Friday, a one day sale appeared on the Dell website for a computer I thought was sure to do the trick.
Nervous about making such a large order spontaneously, I first contacted a sales rep on one of those instant chat thingies that websites now have. The sale was on only until Midnight and it was already eleven o'clock. After waiting for nearly a half hour, I asked the sales rep if the computer had a specific feature I really wanted. "Yes" was the reply. Seemed a bit too simple an answer, but time was running out, and so I placed the order.
The next day I began to worry that perhaps this item was not really a part of the system. It is a pretty standard thing on computers nowadays for computers of a certain price range, but I decided it was better to be safe than sorry. I called the Dell support center to ask them if this feature was available on the computer I ordered. If it wasn't, the computer order had not yet been sent and could be can canceled. Four hours of musak version of "Lollipop Lollipop". Five transfers. I finally get a sales rep.
So, I asked if the feature was a part of this computer. Waited for person to check. "Yes, that is a feature of that computer" said the sales rep. I felt much better. My order was due two weeks before Christmas. Would be nice to have shiny new puter Christmas day. Week before Christmas I get an email. Delivery has been delayed until after Christmas. No appologies or special discounts, just the offer of a free Christmas card saying that computer would arrive eventually. No big deal, it wasn't a gift. I contemplated mailing myself one of these free Christmas cards and decided not to.
Being in a wheelchair, I can not setup a computer myself. I know how to setup a computer, mostly what wires go where... but can't crawl on the floor to actually hook them up. I thought about having a service person do this, but at two hundred an hour, the cost was ridiculous. My old computer is a monster. My friend laughed at me when he saw it. Over ten years, the computer had become an octopus of tangled wires, usb gizmos of technology now and past. The first job would be to dismantle this monster that I had relied upon for many many years.
Two days of dismantling I kid you not. I had wires hooked into this puter that led to nowhere... things plugged in I still have no idea what they are for. Each Christmas and birthday it seemed, someone gave me another usb device to plug in. USB hub after usb hub over ten years had turned my once sweet little computer into a monstrous malformed creature which wanted to grasp at anything approaching it.
Anyway, I finally unhooked the beast ... or rather my parents did. Tempers can raise when one is tossing computer equipment about and loosing wires to things that may or may not be critically important to the new computer. Lets just say, having my dad disconnect a computer is a bit like sending a bull into a china shop to pick out your glass pattern. My room is now an absolute disaster area... wires splayed from one room to the next. Well... least it will be worth it to have a nice new computer that actually works.
Setting up a new computer is like the dismantling, but in reverse but without knowing where things are suppose to go. It would seem that computer manufacturers some time ago had this clever idea to not include instructions with computers so as the average person, confronted with hundreds of unlabeled wires, would simply give up and hire their company to install it. All day long we unpacked the computer and struggled to find the connection ports. This would of perhaps been even harder except for the fact, there seemed to be a strange absence of connections on the back of the computer. I think at the time i was thinking more about how little things like a mouse pad hadn't been included, no speakers, and other little things one expects to be included with a relatively expensive computer.
It was around the time we got down to the last few connections when we realized something was missing other than a mousepad. Yes... that very connection I contacted Dell about not once but twice. There were no video ports, no AVI ports, nothing for video input. It was missing the component I was assured it had.
Today. On this dinky lil netbook I finally got Dell support. "So sorry sir, your computer does not have that component. I understand if you want to return it. You will have to call our customer support number." I knew I was in trouble as soon as they told me had to call customer support. Customer support is the modern equivalent of hell.
From twelve thirty until four I was on the phone. As "Lollipop Lollipop" droned on for the first hour, my temper grew. Now, mind you, I generally am not a person who gets angry. And when I do get angry, I am very very easy to console and make un-angry. But something about this musak is like slowly twisting a tourniquet around my brain until steam comes out. Hour and a half..."We must transfer you to our service department, please hold." Then the familiar tone of a phone being disconnected. "SON OF A BITCH!" I shout outload before family members unaccustomed to hearing me curse.
This time I ignore the automated messager asking me to tell it which department I wish to contact... which of course does not include the return department. Finally after the computer repeats the message a hundred times stating it can't hear my response, I get to some poor operator whom I yell at. "One moment please... I'll transfer you to the service department... please hold." Before I could protest, more musak of "Lollipop Lollipop" which is apparently Dell's new trademark song.
Time seems to stand still on hold. I was transferred maybe four of five times and back on hold again before at last, after several hours on hold, an actual person in the service returns department.
"Yes Sir, I understand why your upset. Would a thirty-five dollar credit to your account make up for this instead of return?" I think I actually laughed. The missing component alone without installation cost over a hundred. After she went back and forth to her supervisor she offered a usb plug in version of what was suppose to be an installed component. At first I was going to accept this, but my parent's had already re-boxed the computer for return. "Well Sir, you can return the computer, but there is a fifteen-percent restocking fee." OMG... I was furious. They mis-represented what the computer could do, than they had the nerve to want to charge me for their mistake. I asked to speak to the supervisor. On hold again.
"Ok Sir, I've been authorized to drop the restocking fee." At this point, I was too exhausted to fight over the fact that I also paid for shipping and handling for a computer that was not what I ordered. Too tired to bring up the fact that I spent three entire days to dismantle an old computer I would now need again and setting up then unsetting up a computer that I could not use. My only revenge is to post this here, and hope that it may in some way affect their future sales.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Dell XPS Desktop

Click here for more information about Dell XPS Desktop

Read More...

Apple Mac Pro MB871LL/A Desktop Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this Mac Pro to replace a PowerMac that was over seven years old, and which had fallen inadequate to handle my increasingly demanding digital image processing, and which was all but worthless at running Microsoft Windows.
This Mac Pro is probably 8x faster than the PowerMac at most tasks, and its case design is lovely. The way PCI cards snap into and out of place without screws, the easy accessibility of the DIMM slots on a pull-out card, and the ability to add and remove drives without cables, all reflect Apple's obsession with details.
Despite having at least one massive fan in the case, it is much quieter than the PowerMac. In another advantage over the older machine, it has ports on both the front and back. As with previous Mac Pros and PowerMacs, RAM, disk, connectivity, and optical drives are all very expandable.
The Mac Pro runs Windows Vista faster than any dedicated Windows box I've ever used, and with VMware Fusion, I can even run Windows applications within the Mac environment. The Mac Pro comes with all sorts of Apple software, though I use mostly third party alternatives (my first three installations were Microsoft Office, Adobe CS4, and Mathematica). The latter two run much better on this than they, or their predecessors, had ever run on the PowerMac. I'm keeping the old box around only to run some much older software, which by virtue of needing Mac OS9 or some other quirk, won't run on the new box. In general, software compatibility is excellent. I had no trouble with drivers for my tablet or printer or any of my scanners (Nikon, Canon, and Fujitsu).
What's not to love? Some will complain about the price, but I'm not going to bother; if you want a cheaper machine, iMacs and Mac Minis are available. The absence of Firewire 400 was a disappointment for me, though adapter cables and PCI cards are readily available. I bought a Sonnet card that adds two firewire 400 ports for about $50. This box is PCI-Express only, so you won't be able to use standard PCI or PCI-x cards. Some may grouse about Apple's standard keyboard and/or mouse, but I use third party solutions there too.
I got 7+ years out of my last computer, and I would not be surprised to get the same out of this one.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Apple Mac Pro MB871LL/A Desktop

Powered by an Intel "Nehalem" Xeon processor and featuring a next-generation system architecture, the Apple Mac Pro desktop PC delivers up to twice the performance of its predecessor. It combines a single, hyper-threaded 2.66 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon 3500 series processor with a new Turbo Boost feature that automatically boosts the processor clock speed based on workload.An updated interior provides easy access to all components within the Mac Pro for hassle-free expansion and massive upgrade ability--up to 8 GB of 800 MHz RAM and four hard drive bays for up to 4 TB (that's right--terabytes) of storage under the hood. And while it comes standard with a 16x SuperDrive (compatible with burning DVD±R/RW and CD-R/RW discs), you can also add a second writing SuperDrive.
Continuing Apple's commitment to the environment, the new Mac Pro exceeds Energy Star 4.0 requirements and is leading the industry as an early adopter of the more stringent Energy Star 5.0 requirements which will become effective later this year. The Mac Pro enclosure is made of highly recyclable aluminum and the interior is designed to be more material-efficient.
This model of the Mac Pro (MB871LL/A) features a 640 GB hard drive, 3 GB of RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 with 512MB GDDR3 memory, Mini DisplayPort and dual-link DVI video output, and a plethora of USB 2.0 and FireWire 800 ports on the back and front of the chassis. It comes pre-loaded with Apple's Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard operating system--an operating system custom-designed for the advanced technology inside--and it also comes with the iLife '09 suite of applications, including iPhoto, iMovie, Garageband, and iTunes.
The Nehalem Advantage Many quad-core processors are composed of two separate dies, which means some cached data has to travel outside the processor to get from core to core. That's an inefficient way to access information. Enter the Quad-Core Intel Xeon Nehalem processor. Its single-die, 64-bit architecture makes 8 MB of fully shared L3 cache readily available to each of the four processor cores. The result is fast access to cache data and greater application performance.
System memory is often connected to a processor through a separate I/O controller. But each Intel Xeon Nehalem processor features an integrated memory controller--another leap forward for workstation system architecture. By connecting memory directly to the processor, the new Mac Pro processors have faster access to data stored in memory, and memory latency is reduced by up to 40 percent. The integrated memory controller, along with fast 1066 MHz DDR3 ECC SDRAM, also gives Mac Pro up to a 2.4x increase in memory bandwidth over previous generations. More bandwidth allows for more data to be fed to the processor faster, helping each core spend its time processing data, not waiting for information to arrive. And Error Correction Code (ECC) corrects single-bit errors and detects multiple-bit errors automatically. That's especially important in mission-critical and compute-intensive environments.
The new Mac Pro introduces Turbo Boost: a dynamic performance technology that automatically boosts the processor clock speed based on workload. If you're using an application that doesn't need every core, Turbo Boost shuts off the idle cores while simultaneously increasing the speed of the active ones. The new Intel Xeon Nehalem processor also supports Hyper-Threading, which allows two threads to run simultaneously on each core.
This model of Mac Pro is powered by a single 2.66 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon processor, which also features 8 MB of fully shared L3 cache, an integrated memory controller, 128-bit SSE4 SIMD engine, and 64-bit data paths and registers.
Storage and Memory This model of Mac Pro includes a 640 GB Serial ATA (3Gb/s; 7200 rpm), but it comes with four 3.5-inch internal hard drive bays for an enormous amount of internal storage--up to 4 TB. Each bay provides its own independent 3Gb/s channel for fast access to data. For the ultimate in data protection and enhanced performance, add the new Mac Pro RAID Card with 512MB of RAID cache, a 72-hour cache-protecting battery, and hardware RAID levels 0, 1, 5, and 0+1. A new cableless connection and intuitive Apple software make it a snap to install this optional card.
It's also equipped right out of the box with 3 GB (three 1 GB DIMMs) of 1066 MHz DDR3 ECC SDRAM. It includes four memory slots supporting up to 8 GB of main memory using 1 GB or 2 GB DIMMs.
Graphics If you're a pro who wants a desktop computer that keeps pace with your imagination, the Mac Pro delivers with faster graphics application performance across the board. Whether you're decoding H.264 content in Final Cut Pro, creating 3D graphics in Motion, processing massive RAW images in Aperture, or playing the latest games, the graphics hardware in the new Mac Pro makes graphics applications faster. This Mac Pro comes standard with the NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 graphics processor, which includes 512MB of discrete GDDR3 video memory--perfect for motion graphics, 3D modeling, rendering, or animation.
Expansion and Connectivity The redesigned interior of the new Mac Pro feels like the well-organized workstation it is. No rat's nest of components here. You don't need to turn the system on its side or struggle to reach into awkward spaces to make changes. Just remove the side panel for instant, easy access to everything. Slide out the processor tray to add memory. Slide out hard drive bays to add storage. Slide a simple bar to change up to four expansion cards at once. And with plenty of I/O ports both front and back, you'll have room for all your external devices.
When it's time to upgrade, a quick slide of the retention bar frees up the four expansion card slots for easy access. Thanks to a thumbscrew PCI bracket, you can swap out cards without any tools. All four slots are now PCI Express 2.0 for up to twice the performance of the previous generation. And since the graphics slot in the Mac Pro is double-wide, your graphics card won't cover an adjacent slot.
The Mac Pro comes with four 3.5-inch internal hard drive bays for an enormous amount of internal storage--up to 4TB. The bays are direct-attach and cable free, so it's easy to add or remove drives. Just attach the drive carrier to a Serial ATA 3Gb/s drive and slide the drive into place. There are no connectors or cables to contend with. Lock the drives with the side door latch, and you're done. Install more memory in your Mac Pro in a snap. Literally. The redesigned interior lets you slide out the processor tray in one smooth motion, then simply snap new memory into place. You don't have to dig around inside the computer or wrestle with wires or cables.
There are plenty of places to connect external devices to your Mac Pro. You'll find two FireWire 800 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, and a headphone minijack right up front--where it's more convenient to connect storage, multimedia devices, and high-speed peripherals. And there are even more ports on the back: three USB 2.0, two FireWire 800, optical audio in and out, analog audio in and out, and dual Gigabit Ethernet ports.
Other Features
Four FireWire 800 ports (two on front panel, two on back panel)
Five USB 2.0 ports (two on front panel, three on back panel)
Two USB 2.0 ports on included keyboard
Front-panel headphone minijack and internal speaker
Optical digital audio input and output TOSLINK ports
Analog stereo line-level input and output minijacks
Three open full-length PCI Express expansion slots (one PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot; two PCI Express 2.0 x4 slots); all slots provide mechanical support for 16-lane cards
Two independent 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet (RJ-45) interfaces with support for jumbo frames
Bluetooth 2.1 + Enhanced Data Rate (EDR)
18x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW): 18x DVD±R, 8x DVD±R DL, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 32x CD-R/RW
One open optical drive bay for optional second SuperDrive
Dimensions: 8.1 x 20.1 x 18.7 inches (WxHxD)
Weight: 40 pounds

The Greenest Mac Pro Yet Even though the Mac Pro is the fastest Mac ever, nearly 2x faster than before, it is also more energy efficient. The energy-efficient hardware components in the Mac Pro work hand in hand with Mac OS X to create a system that can dynamically adjust power consumption to reduce the overall energy used. For instance, the CPU architecture allows individual cores to go into a low-power state to reduce energy consumption when they are not needed. The graphics card does the same, reducing power draw when not running graphics-intensive applications. The result is a smarter and more energy-efficient system that is not only as fast as possible when you need it, but also throttles down power use when it's not needed. Compared with the previous-generation Mac Pro, the power used when the system is idle has been reduced by 15 percent.
The Mac Pro meets the stringent power requirements set by the EPA, earning ENERGY STAR certification. In addition, it meets the latest efficiency requirements of ENERGY STAR Version 5.0 Specification for Computers before its July 2009 effective date. ENERGY STAR 5.0 sets significantly higher efficiency limits for power supplies as well as aggressive limits for the computer's typical annual power consumption. It has also earned the highest rating of EPEAT Gold. The Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool, or EPEAT, evaluates the environmental impact of a product based on how recyclable it is, how much energy it uses, and how it's designed and manufactured.
Pre-Loaded with Mac OS X Snow Leopard and iLife '09Every Mac comes with Mac OS X Snow Leopard, the world's most advanced operating system, and iLife, Apple's innovative suite of applications for managing photos, making movies and creating and learning to play music. Snow Leopard builds on a decade of OS X innovation and success with hundreds of refinements, new core technologies and out of the box support for Microsoft Exchange. iLife features iPhoto, to easily organize and manage photos; iMovie with powerful easy-to-use new features such as Precision Editor, video stabilization and advanced drag and drop; and GarageBand which introduces a whole new way to help you learn to play piano and guitar.
Installed software
Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard (includes Time Machine, Quick Look, Spaces, Spotlight, Dashboard, Mail, iChat, Safari, Address Book, QuickTime, iCal, DVD Player, Photo Booth, Front Row, Xcode Developer Tools)
iLife '09 (includes iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, iWeb, iDVD)

What's in the Box Mac Pro, power cord, Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad, Mighty Mouse, USB keyboard extension cable, install/restore DVDs, printed and electronic documentation

Click here for more information about Apple Mac Pro MB871LL/A Desktop

Read More...

Apple Mac Mini MC270LL/A Desktop Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)We've already put these new minis thru the paces here at Macminicolo and they're great. A few things to know:
-The RAM on these minis is VERY easy to upgrade. This machine comes with 2GB but can be upgraded to 8GB. Just twist off the bottom with your fingers and replace the RAM. (Literally, no tools required.)
- If you're looking to use the Mac mini connected to your TV, you'll be glad to hear that it now comes with HDMI. Nearly every current HDTV should have HDMI and it's a great fit.
- Speaking of TV watching, the new GPU (video card) is great. A wonderful upgrade.
- This Mac mini was reduced in power consumption AND the power brick is now internal instead of the big external one from before. That makes for a cleaner looking hookup.
- We use all our Mac minis as servers here and they're great. They run 24 hours a day and have no problems.
- This machine still has the IR capability so it can be controlled with the Apple Remote or one of the Harmony remotes with no problems.
All in all, a good upgrade.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Apple Mac Mini MC270LL/A Desktop


Introducing the new Mac mini. Redesigned in a very big way.
A completely redesigned, compact aluminum enclosure hides a powerful, full-size computer. And now with up to twice the graphics horsepower as before, Mac mini brings high performance to everything from 3D games to photos and video. Just connect Mac mini to your display, keyboard, mouse--even your HDTV, courtesy of a built-in HDMI port. It's the most affordable way to enjoy a Mac. And it's still the world's most energy-efficient desktop computer.
The redesigned Mac mini (see larger image).

Click here for more information about Apple Mac Mini MC270LL/A Desktop

Read More...