Reviewed on November 3, 2008Thanks to an expensive new motherboard requirement, Intel's new Core i7 desktop processors will remain enthusiast and professional-level parts until more affordable complementary hardware comes out later next year. Speed never comes cheap, however, and if you're willing to spend for it now, you'll find yourself in possession of the fastest CPU on the market.TAGS:Intel, Intel Pentium 4, chipset, CPU, motherboard, memory stick, platform, Intel Pentium, dual-core, AMD
Reviewed on July 11, 2008The Dell Inspiron 1525-121B is the textbook example of a midsize, mainstream laptop. Switching to slower CPU knocks a little off the performance, but also takes $80 off the price and adds battery life, compared with Dell's more mainstream configurations.TAGS:Dell Inspiron, Intel Core 2 Duo, Intel Pentium, Dell, dual-core, Intel, laptop computer, keyboard, CPU
Reviewed on February 11, 2008eMachines nailed the $300-$400 desktop with the T3642. It has a faster CPU, a larger hard drive, and is generally more capable than any other system in this price category. We would recommend it over anything else out there for the same price.TAGS:eMachines Inc., AMD Athlon, Lenovo, dual-core, AMD, Intel Pentium, hard drive, PC