Reviewed on October 23, 2007Dell's new XPS 420 offers almost all of the latest in PC-based digital-video capability, as well as a few unique features you won't find elsewhere. The default configuration fares poorly against the other new PCs, but if you're willing to spend money on upgrades, you can turn this system into a powerful digital-media nerve center.TAGS:Dell XPS, digital media, digital video, home network, Intel Core 2 Duo, Blu-ray, LCD, Microsoft Windows Vista, Intel, DVD, video, PC, Microsoft Windows
Reviewed on December 10, 2007AMD's new Phenom quad-core CPU has little to recommend it over competing chips from Intel. The Phenom is marginally less expensive, but not enough to make up for its subpar performance. Unless AMD drops prices more aggressively, it looks like Intel will maintain its grasp on the CPU market for the foreseeable future.TAGS:Intel Core 2 Duo, AMD, quad-core, Intel, CPU, PC
Reviewed on September 14, 2006With so many systems on the market that have planted their home-theater flags deeply in the living room rug, Dell's noncommittal XPS 210 feels too much like it's trying to please everyone. The addition of Intel's Core 2 Duo chips helps overall performance, but in general, this small-scale desktop needs more than a new brain to keep up with the competition.TAGS:Intel Core 2 Duo, WinBook, wireless networking, PCI, Intel, memory, hard drive, CPU, PC, Apple Computer
Reviewed on September 11, 2006Other vendors might offer more flexible configurations and better deals on components, and the specter of HD video looms darkly, but the 24-inch iMac's sprawling display and convincingly capable features should set most people's minds at ease. We highly recommend this new iMac as a PC that doubles as a secondary home-entertainment system.TAGS:Apple iMac, Intel Core 2 Duo, Apple Computer, Dell XPS, vendor, graphics chip, LCD, PC, hard drive
Reviewed on January 29, 2008Gateway's FX7020 matches an AMD quad-core CPU and a fast Nvidia graphics card to make a compelling gaming PC, with some basic multimedia features to boot. Upgraders looking for a deal might wish Gateway had added a beefier power supply, but as is, this is a fine PC for its price.TAGS:Gateway Inc., quad-core, Velocity Micro, HP Pavilion, Intel Core 2 Duo, CPU, AMD, DVD burner, Intel, multimedia, HP, DVD, games, PC
Reviewed on November 1, 2006If you thought dual cores were over the top, get ready. Intel presents the Core 2 Extreme QX6700, a single CPU with four distinct processing cores. At $999, the first quad-core CPU will remain an enthusiast part for a while, but as a glimpse of the future, it's clear that clock speed is out and core counts are in.TAGS:quad-core, multi-core, Intel Core 2 Extreme, clock speed, CPU, dual-core, Intel Core 2 Duo, Intel, digital media, AMD, PC