Desktops

The good: Quad-core CPU and reasonable price mean great price-performance ratio; lots of audio and video connections, including TV inputs; quiet operation; Personal Media Drive slot for easy expansion or backup via external hard drive; built-in Wi-Fi adapter; quiet operation.

The bad: No next-gen optical drive on this retail model; little room for future expansion; shovelware offender--annoying trial offers clutter desktop and hard drive; no mouse control on wireless keyboard.

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.

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