HP upgrades Media Center desktops

Hewlett-Packard has touched up the processors and prices on its HP Media Center m400 Photosmart PCs. The Media Center machines now offer the latest Pentium 4 processors from Intel, running at speeds of up to 3.4GHz.

The Media Center PCs, which come with Microsoft's Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004, are designed to help consumers organize and view photos and videos and capture TV programs. Different versions of the desktops will come with Pentium 4s, ranging in speed from 2.8GHz to 3.4GHz. Some will include Intel's Prescott Pentium 4, an updated version of the chip, now available at speeds ranging from 2.8GHz to 3.2GHz. The chip will soon hit 3.4GHz. Prices on the m400 desktops, before rebates, now start at $1,299 for preconfigured versions sold at retail. Configurable models sold directly to customers via the Web or kiosks located at retail stores start at $929, HP said.