Desktops

The bottom line: Drobo takes the pain and confusion out of data protection and lets you tailor and expand the drive according to your needs. This so-called storage robot works exactly as promised and is the most innovative storage device we've seen in a long time. We want one.

The bottom line: The gyroscopic mouse finally gets a mainstream makeover with the Logitech MX Air, aimed at Media Center users.

The bottom line: 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.

The bottom line: Logitech finally earns a CNET Editors' Choice award with this update to its flagship gaming mouse. An extra thumb button, an updated laser sensor, and more convenient and flexible customization options than the competition make this mouse easy to recommend to any PC gamer.

The bottom line: By offering its overclocking on the mainstream Vector GX Campus Edition desktop, Velocity Micro gives students--and anyone else in need of performance on the cheap--best-in-class performance.

The bottom line: 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.

The bottom line: 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.

The bottom line: The HP Photosmart A826 snapshot printer offers an attractive design, is easy and fun to use, and works better without a PC than any other snapshot printer we've reviewed thanks to its huge touch screen, but we wonder who will spend $250 for a dedicated photo printer.

The bottom line: The last of the major desktop vendors to update this year's desktops, Dell used that time to good advantage. On some tests, the Inspiron 531 is even faster than systems that cost $500 more. Keep your gaming and digital media ambitions modest, and this PC should deliver nearly everything you'd want in a mainstream system.

The bottom line: We wish Razer had considered the value proposition a bit more with its iPod dock-equipped ProType keyboard, but if you think minimized cable clutter is worth an extra $30 and the loss of some configurability, you'll find yourself with an attractive keyboard that's a pleasure to type on.

The bottom line: The Canon Pixma MP600 occupies the sweet spot between quality and price. It's one of our favorite photo all-in-ones for home users.

The bottom line: AVADirect's newest Core 2 Duo SLI desktop would be a great buy for a gamer looking to dominate on a current-generation title. We wish it had a quad-core chip, and we'd also rather that tweaking this configuration didn't involve choosing from such a vast array of parts. AVADirect seems to build quality PCs, including this one, but you should definitely go to its Web site knowing what you're looking for.

The bottom line: Dell may not have the most bang for the buck in its new, trim Inspiron 531S, but it offers more options than the competition in this new, small-scale Windows desktop. For systems in its slimmed down class, we recommend it. For budget PCs in general, you can find a better deal if you shop around.

The bottom line: The HP Pavilion Media Center m8120n boasts a quad-core Intel processor and outstanding overall performance, particularly for the price. Media consumers and creators alike will love its speed and AV connections but may rue the lack of a next-gen optical drive.

The bottom line: We don't recommend Sony's new VAIO LT19U as an all-in-one PC for everyday computing, but if you're shopping for a flexible, self-contained, HD-capable digital entertainment center, look no further. It has its flaws, and it's not cheap, but this new VAIO makes up for its shortcomings with sheer capability.

The bottom line: Logitech's Cordless Desktop Wave stands out for its comfortable ergonomic touches, an easy learning curve, and its affordable price. We have minor issues with its hot keys--the media controls get short shrift--but heavy typists will like what Logitech has to offer here.

The bottom line: The HP Deskjet 460c printer is a boon if you're constantly on the go and absolutely need to be able to print from wherever you are. The option of Wi-Fi printing gives it a slight edge over the competition.

The bottom line: If you're inclined to spend a lot for silence and slim design, Sony's new XL3 Digital Living System delivers better than any other full-size home theater PC we've seen. If you're looking for customizability and the most bang for your buck, other vendors have this system beat.

The bottom line: The Mac Mini remains unique as the smallest mainstream desktop, but competition from Dell and HP has narrowed the gap in features while also offering room for expansion, and at a better price. If your goal is saving space, the Mac Mini is a winner. If you'd rather get the best deal, there are better options.