Sony VAIO VPC-EH35FM/B

Measuring 1.5 by 14.6 by 9.8 inches and consideration 5.2 pounds, the Sony VAIO VPC-EH35FM/B is incased in evil impressible, with a beautiful diamond-embossed figure on the lid and region quietus that nevertheless picked up a few fingerbreadth smudges on our judge unit. If you don't same the dark keyboard, our attempt object came with a organization polymer keyboard pare that enhanced stream and crumb resistivity without subtracting from the keyboard's slightly squashy yet comfortable typewriting comprehend. There's a full-sized numeric keypad with dedicated Place, End, PgUp, and PgDn keys (tho' they, the answer and Remove keys, and the indicator arrows are slightly small than the symmetrical keys), and a medium-sized touchpad with a nicely rough articulator and clicky

The door resolution is the boilerplate 1,366-by-768 you'll hear on most separate 15- (and 14- and 13-inch) laptops-for this price, you shouldn't look the 1,920 by 1,080 of Sony's 4.4-pound VAIO VPC-SE23FX/S ($999 forthright, 4 stars) or the HP Rancor 15 (2012) ($1,249.99 outspoken, 4 stars). That's sufficiency for vigil 720p videos from the Web; you can't timepiece them from a Blu-ray circle because the VPC-EH35FM/B has a DVD±RW swing. The door is lucid and glistening, with adequate vigil angles and pure flag (and no, our eyes couldn't see the conflict between the Sony's 15.5- and competitors' 15.6-inch panels, and we bet yours can't either). Oftenness through the built-in speakers is fuck the WiMAX changeful broadband saved in our Editors' Selection Asus U56E-BBL6, nor the Bluetooth engineering victimized to sync a laptop and handheld. But it has two opposite wireless features: the old 802.11n Wi-Fi, which worked penalty in our surfriding and downloading tests, and Intel's Wireless Showing (WiDi) for moving the laptop's video and oftenness to an Television set seaworthy with a $100-or-so Belkin or Netgear device.

Sony VAIO VPC-EH35FM/B

There are two memory-card slots on the Sony's beguiler bezel, one for SD cards and the new for the militia's Memory Thrust Pro Duo information. On the ripe face of the chassis are threesome USB 2.0 ports and the DVD journeying. On the leftmost are VGA, HDMI, and Ethernet ports; microphone and headphone jacks; and a fourth USB 2.0 port-we looked for the dirty connector or SS (Caretaker Fastness) label that designates a USB 3.0 porthole, but were thwarted.

By differ, only a grump could be frustrated that the VPC-EH35FM/B's 5,400-rpm granitelike swing is an ample 640GB instead of the justified more abundant 750GB of models suchlike the Lenovo IdeaPad Z570-10249ZU ($699.99 tip, 3.5 stars) and Asus K53SD-DS51 ($779.99 street, 3 stars). Sony preloads it with a Mac OS Dock-alike info launcher dubbed VAIO Gate, a duad of photo and recording managers, and a scanty 30-day affliction of Norton Internet Guarantee.

Sony VAIO VPC-EH35FM/B

Sony backs the laptop with a one-year warranty with on-site or at-home run. Superfine Buy offers a option of two-year sprawled function plans: a $149.99 manage that covers native delapidate and hie, power surges, a single peer of a extinct battery, and "no maize" exchange of a method that's required quartet repairs; and a $269.99 project with the above quality discharge and move covering.

Action

Sony VAIO VPC-EH35FM/B Armored with a 2.5GHz Intel Core i5-2450M processor and 6GB of RAM, the Sony VAIO VPC-EH35FM/B did rise in our fruitfulness benchmark tests. Its PCMark 7 performance slit of 2,400 edged that of the Acer Aspire TimelineX 5830TG-6614 ($779.99 list, 4 stars) (2,388) and Asus U56E-BBL6 (2,255).

Sony VAIO VPC-EH35FM/B

It knotted the Asus K53SD-DS51, based on the same CPU, in our Handbrake (1 distance 47 seconds) and Photoshop CS5 (3 transactions 55 seconds) multimedia tests. Exclusive on the graphics anterior did the Sony's Intel HD Graphics 3000 organic graphics prove no correspond for the Nvidia GeForce GT 540M of the Acer 5830TG-6614: The latter posted 58 and 39 frames per gear respectively in Crysis and Wasted Follower 2 versus the VAIO's 19 fps in apiece.

The Sony's 44Wh shelling proved a discourtesy dissatisfaction, dropping just momentaneous of the five-hour gospel that we speculate a impartial lead for a screen compeer system (4 hours 53 proceedings). By differ, the Asus U56E-BBL6 lasted 7 hours 42 proceedings and the Acer 5830TG-6614 a brimfull figure hours.

Still, before we objection too untold nigh its shelling story or that nonexistent USB 3.0 embrasure, it's worth remembering that the VPC-EH35FM/B is priced $100 or more below most of its competitors. At $629.99, it's a valuable alternative to our Editors' Pick Asus U56E-BBL6 and opposite top regard contenders.

P7-1030 HP Pavilion

HP Pavilion P7-1030 (580 million street) is a desktop entry-level/mid-range, with the kind of parts and performance usually seen in desktops higher prices. The P7-1030 Intel Core i3 and 8 GB of RAM can not offer professional-quality multimedia or gaming muscle, but it is an ideal system for the household, especially if you want to replace a system of six or seven years.

Design and Features

The P7-1030 is a mid-tower PC with an aluminum chassis and a black plastic front panel. The panel has the same glossy black finish, we've seen in other entry-level equipment HP as the HP Pavilion-p7 1047cb ($ 799 list, 4 stars). The front panel has a sliding cover that hides two USB 2.0 ports and headphone and microphone. In the upper panel, there is a media card reader (SD, MMC, MS / Pro, xD and Compact Flash) and the power button. Then the card reader is a DVD + / - RW. A bay for 5.25 inches just below the second is empty and ready for an upgrade. In the back of the tower there are four USB 2.0 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet port and three audio jacks: microphone, audio input and audio output.

P7-1030 HP Pavilion

The P7-1030 offers video output VGA and DVI to connect the desktop to an external monitor or display, you can even use both outputs simultaneously for a dual monitor setup. You will not be able to use your TV as a monitor, however, as there is no HDMI connection available. This exemption is generally the case when sellers want to keep the cost low. Although it can not come with a monitor, the P7-1030 includes a USB keyboard and optical mouse cable. The keyboard is surprisingly comfortable, though perhaps on the side of rose water, and its low profile design is attractive. The mouse is also possible for a device provided, but you want to make a new keyboard and mouse, if only to move to wireless is something that will not take two of the six USB ports available.

Internally, the P7-1030 is equipped with a large 1TB 7200-rpm hard drive, which has the same size and speed of the disc can be found in the Editors' Choice for Lenovo Idea Centre K330-11691AU ($ 599.99 list 4 stars). PCIe Mini Card offers Wi-Fi 802.11n, which means you do not need hard to find a place close to the router, or run a long ethernet cables for the web. There is little room to grow in this mid-tower case. In addition to those 5.25-inch drive bay empty, you will find the available PCI Express x16 slot and three open PCI Express x1 slots. 250 watt power supply means it will only increase the level of output graphics card, but even something as basic as AMD Radeon HD 6450 would bring an improvement in graphics and gameplay features. As the system becomes 8GB of DDR3 memory, which takes two DIMMs, the memory update means eliminating at least one of the memory stick. That said, it is difficult to think that you need more than 8 GB, at this point.

P7-1030 HP Pavilion

The P7-1030 comes with several preinstalled programs on the hard disk. Some of them are useful as a starting version of Microsoft Office 2010, a 30-day trial of Norton Online Backup, and a 60-day trial of Norton Internet Security 2011, but we have seen trial periods longer for competing systems, such as the 90 day trial of Lenovo K330-11691AU. The P7-1030 also comes with HP LinkUp, a program that allows you to access other Windows 7 computers on the same LAN. Even computers from other manufacturers can download the software to share files LinkUp. It's like having your own local cloud. Desktop links on sites like Hulu and Netflix is ​​not a problem, but you can be bothered by the display of many reading programs from Blio, Kobo, PDF Complete, and Zinio. You will certainly want to eliminate extra material such as toolbars Bing and Google.

Performance

P7-1030 features a 3.1GHz dual-core Intel Core i3-2100 processor, which acts as a quad-core thanks to Intel Hyper-Threading Technology. Paired with 8GB of memory, twice the Dell Inspiron 228NBK-i620 ($ 479.99 list, 4 stars), P7-1030 was placed in PCMark 2536 points 7 tests faster performance of the Dell-i620 228NBK 241 points. . In Cinebench, R11.5, P7-1030 approved rates produced by other systems, which have the same processor as the Dell-i620 228NBK (2.99) and Lenovo K330-11691AU (2.98). It 'was, however, remained i5 equipped HP 1047cb P7 (4.15) and Asus Essentio CM1730-05 ($ 569.99, 3 stars) (5.19) and its six-core AMD processor.

The P7-1030 is also an office capable when it comes to the creation of the media. In our test of the brake, we completed the coding of video file of 1 minute and 40 seconds, while AMD Asus CM1730-05 took more than 2 minutes to complete the task (2:03). The Dell-i620 228NBK other hand, just missing the mark of 1:40 in two seconds. The P7-1030 ended in Photoshop CS5 03:46. The only comparative system to produce better results was the 1047cb-equipped HP i5 p7, which produced over time 1:29 ET 3:31 handbrake Photoshop.

P7-1030 Intel integrated graphics will not give you too much in terms of 3D games, because the heavy lifting, the graphics card is necessary. Desktop will not even run our graphics, 3DMark 11 benchmark tests, and without the support of DirectX 11, does not work, we tested with Lost Planet 2, either. The only test we had to run Crysis (DirectX 10), who has been placed in an unplayable 13 frames per second at medium resolution and additional settings. You need to upgrade to a separate graphics card to play something more challenging World of Warcraft with low settings.

As entry-level systems go, the HP Pavilion P7-1030 offers a surprisingly powerful set of hardware with processing power and storage space to meet the entry-level buyers. Features such as 1TB of storage space and a real Intel Core i3 makes a compelling choice for anyone on a budget. Customers can buy with confidence, but bargain hunters will notice that the HP Pavilion P7 1047cb includes a screen, and the choice of editors Dell Inspiron I620-228NBK offers a similar package for about $ 100 less.

HP Pavilion Elite H8-1050

HP Pavilion Elite H8-1050 ($ 1,299.99 direct) is a media office decorated with all the right components to satisfy power users. Blu-ray, TV tuner, and a team of powerful hardware tag consists of an Intel Core i7 and AMD discrete graphics cards are only the tip of the iceberg for this PC. All these features make the dream PC power user, and our editors choice news. "

The design and development

This mid-tower case is composed mainly of black aluminum. He broke the glossy black plastic front panel, which attracts fingerprints and smudges, but HP has a different look elegant H8-1050. There is an indent in the upper part to keep your PC hard disks, MP3 players and the like while you are connected to a nearby USB 3.0 ports. There are also separate headphone and microphone next to two USB 3.0 ports. On the front panel sliding door to reveal two USB 2.0 ports, and aa memory card reader (xD / Smart Media, Compact Flash I / II / III, MS / PRO / Duo / PRO Duo and SD / mini / RS / Plus / Mobile ). BD-ROM allows you to watch Blu-ray, as well as regular DVD. Behind desktop has two DVI-I, HDMI, and two mini-DisplayPort ports for connecting an external monitor or HDTV. There is also a TV tuner, S-video and left and right, Ethernet and four USB ports-2.

HP Pavilion Elite H8-1050

Cracking open the box you will see that there is not much room to expand. There is an open PCIe x1 (the other is occupied by a TV tuner), and there are two open SATA ports for connecting a second optical or hard drive. But since the system has a TB 1.5, 5400 RPM hard drive, it is unlikely that you need more storage space soon. It should be noted that most of the desktop in this category and price range comes with a faster 7200 rpm hard drive. Each of the four memory slots are filled to capacity with 10 GB of DDR3 RAM (can accommodate up to 16 GB) and PCIe x16 is filled with an AMD Radeon HD 6850 (1GB) discrete graphics card. There's also a 802.11n Wi-Fi card installed. In short, this PC very excited. If you have any plans to expand this office in the future, you will need to work through the supply of 450 W of power.

Unfortunately, there is a considerable amount of bloatware on your desktop that includes HP-specific software suite Bing Bar, three different e-readers (Blio, Kobo, and Zinio Reader 4), Netflix, Hulu, and eBay. I'm of the mind that a new team means a new beginning, and when a foreign software on it, it seems ... contaminated.

HP Pavilion Elite H8-1050

Performance

The H8-1050 has a strong list of components that includes i7-2600 a 3.4 GHz Intel Core, 10GB RAM above and AMD Radeon HD 6850 GPU. These components add up to a machine powerful media manipulation (ie Photoshop and video editing) will also play games to the public mid-range. The H8-1050 completed our test image in Photoshop CS5 2 minutes 57 seconds, while Dell XPS x8300-5215NBK ($ 1099.99 list, 4 stars). In Cinebench R11.5 two systems was only 0.6 points difference, H8-1050 (6.82) is the higher of the two.

In the game, H8-1050 was clearly a superior machine. Comparing the Radeon HD 6850 GPU and the Radeon HD x8300 Dell XPS 5770 is not a competition. H8-1050 achieved a playable frame rate at our Crysis DirectX 10 (98.9frames per second), and Lost Planet DX11 2 (77.6fps), medium settings at 1280 x 720 resolution, as well as the Dell XPS x8300. When the resolution came up at 1920 by 1080 system is not able to play an average frame rate, but the Pavilion H8-1050 was better.

HP Pavilion Elite H8-1050 definitely has a leg up on Dell XPS x8300 when it comes to features. TV tuner, Blu-ray player and USB 3.0 ports to attract those who want to make this machine's media hub, which is why it is our choice of editors. But Dell XPS x8300 features a reception with numbers similar performance when it comes to media creation (not games), which is $ 200 cheaper. So really, it all depends if the list you need / want to include things like a Blu-Ray and USB 3.0-If not then you might consider the cheaper option. Dell XPS x8300 will give you an excellent multimedia performance without the option (and that includes bloatware), but H8-1050 is the best of both systems.

0 doors, one of which is a plug-in USB receiver to connect the keyboard and mouse on PC. There's also an infrared remote control included in the package is useful when browsing the menus on Blu-ray, especially if you're thinking about putting a PC in my living room.

Acer Revo RL100-UR20P

The Acer Revo RL100-UR20P ($ 569.99 list) combines the world of home theater in a nettop PC Slim, resulting in a Blu-ray, browse the Internet, use of multimedia machine. If you are looking for innovative PC, the RL100-UR20P has some of the best features and best bang-for-money for a nettop worldwide. It has everything you need for the fun of IPTV (Internet Protocol TV) and Blu-ray on a large screen for a decent price, and therefore, is the choice of our new editor nettop PC.

Design and Features

The RL100 UR20P as a kick-back to the Sony PlayStation 2 Slim. Can be placed vertically or horizontally, as the PS2, but the chassis has a couple of interesting motifs that are quite revolutionary. The RL100-UR20P comes with a wireless controller that acts as a combination touch screen / keyboard, eliminating the need to go out and buy something like the Logitech diNovo Mini to access multimedia content and browsing the Web. It has a power button / mode at the top: one click and the surface becomes a responsive touchpad for cursor control. Another click on the mode button and a backlit keyboard appears on the same surface.

Acer Revo RL100-UR20P

The touch panel can handle two big fish fingers and holding your finger on the panel invoked the right mouse button. The reassuring tone buttons when writing, but no haptic feedback, as in other keyboards (ie, smartphones and tablets). The bottom of the controller has a volume control, suitable for modeling the system with TV-centric. It is noteworthy that the remote contact replaces any kind of TV-style infrared remote control: it is simply not necessary, unless you're an aggressor FF / REW keys. As a small and flat touchpad / keyboard, you can take a medical exam if you have a lot of writing.

Other system features include a media Blu-ray combo player / DVD for playing movies, home theater specific ports such as HDMI and S / PDIF, a 750 GB drive, and a low power processor AMD Athlon K325 not need high fan to avoid overheating. The RL100-UR20P comes with Acer Clear.fi ecosystem, which adds an easier to use layers on top of the DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance). With Clear.fi, you can share photos, videos and music between computers connected to Acer laptops, desktops, and tablets like the A100 Acer Iconia Tab (Wi-Fi). It is easier to configure than just ordinary DLNA, but it is not quite as easy to use as Apple's Bonjour sharing available on iTunes and Apple TV. The system included 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi or Ethernet port manages the network.

Acer Revo RL100-UR20P

The system includes three USB 2.0 (a big consideration is equipped with a wireless touchpad / keyboard), card reader, and the number of completed software. Some of the software, it makes sense, such as Netflix to watch movies and TV shows online. Some pre-installed software is a bit 'controversial Times Reader, (NY Times), Nook, Skype and eBay their presence on the desktop, to comply with the icons. I understand that product placement will help to reduce the price of computers, but there are simply too many pre-loaded programs and icons are everywhere. Topping pre-installed software is a short 60-day trial subscription of McAfee Internet Security, which is a few months longer.

Performance

The RL100 is UR20P-K325 AMD Athlon running at 1.3 GHz relatively slow, but K325 is dual-core, multimedia prowess with the system a bit. Dual-core system more NVIDIA ION will display 1080p videos online and Blu-ray movies smoothly, showing a nettop may be sufficient if all you're looking for media consumption. But it is slower on the uptake when it comes to creating media: 5 minutes and 43 seconds to encode a video on the handbrake and 1:19 p.m. to browse Photoshop CS5 test image manipulation - the best score mag . In comparison, our editors choice nettop last Lenovo IdeaCentre Q150 ($ 399 direct, 4 stars), a test ice CS5 23:38. The Zotac ZBox AD03BR-PLUS-D ($ 519.99 list, 3.5 stars) also works behind Acer to "nearly 15 minutes" for CS5. Large HP Pavilion Slimline S5-1020 ($ 429.99 list, 3 , 5-star) has an Intel Pentium dual-core processor gives the 2:05 and 4:29 handbrake on CS5.

The HP Slimline S5-1020 is a little cheaper and more powerful than the RL100-UR20P to be sure, but the S5-1020 is more or less an ordinary PC-Jane office in a small box (which is much thicker than Revo). The RL100-HP UR20P exceeds its innovative wireless controller, HDMI port and Blu-ray. The ZOTAC ZBOX is so similar such as the Revo, with its compact size, low power processor, and Blu-ray. However, the ZBOX is more of a DIY project: the system lacks an operating system (figure on $ 99 more for Windows 7 Home Premium), is almost as expensive, slower, has a smaller hard drive, less system memory, and doesn t 'have the remote control products.

RL100-Revo features UR20P simply out run and out-Q150 in all areas, but the price and the dollars more worth it, that one of the better home theater PC out there. So if you want to add low-cost computer for HDTV, Acer Revo RL100-UR20p is one of the better choices out there, especially if you're looking for the easiest way to watch movies IPTV and Blu-ray on a large screen. For these reasons, RL100-UR20P nettop computer is the latest Editors' Choice.

However, the lack S5-1020 Blu-ray and many other features that make the RL100 Revo so attractive to the media a dog.

Lenovo IdeaCentre B520

Lenovo Idea Centre B520 ($ 1,799 list) is one of the few truly 3D-capable all-in-one desktop out of the market. However, for this price you get quad-core processor, lots of hard disk space, and the ability to watch almost every video that exists today. You can watch TV via the Internet, Blu-ray Disc (2D and 3D), a DVD, upload videos, in addition to air programming in HD HDTV DVR, and even an old VCR to the video (assuming that the VCR still works). For those obsessed with the video nuts out there that need to be a Star Wars in all its forms, we can have a PC of your dreams. All others, has chosen quieter, work better than run-of-the mill PC touch screen.

Design

B520 has seen the development of design systems, such as Lenovo Idea Centre B305 (list $ 949, 3.5 stars) and B500 (1399 $ directly, 4 stars). B520 shares the look of the previous regime, including a featured speaker bar below the screen, which prevents the following storage area of ​​a wireless keyboard and mouse. A major new feature is the glass front of the touch screen system. Previous touch screen required to show the difference between the surface and the outer frame, so that the house system for infrared light sensors. Basically, the system IR sensor bar on the grid on the screen, and when your finger over the flow, there will be touch. B520-screen seamlessly using a projective capacitive technology, which is more than the touch technology in most smartphones, and tablets. The result is that the touchscreen is more responsive and more accurate.

Lenovo IdeaCentre B520

B520 is a set of external ports for expansion, including six USB 2.0 ports, HDMI, HDMI output, composite video, audio, and audio and Ethernet ports as usual. The system does not have ports like USB 3.0 and the latest eSATA, but the two HDMI ports and an AV port means that it takes more than an internal desktop technology. The HDMI port allows a way to expand your life to follow a separate feature on the DVR, game console or PC of the future. When the large intestines B520 is updated, the display can not live as an external monitor to another on your laptop or desktop. Composite AV port looks to the past, allowing you to connect old school VCR to see a relic of VHS recorded in a garage. The rear of the system is easy to open without tools, so you can get the hard drive and memory slots.

The system has a wealth of fun features HD: HDTV tuner, Blu-ray 1080p (1920 by 1080 resolution) display, infrared remote control, mouse control of movement, and a 3-D mode. The B520 also has a webcam that acts as a motion control unit (think Xbox Kinect), so mouse movement control and a webcam, the system can function as a Nintendo Wii / Xbox 360 Kinect hybrids. Shame that there are many games that use these technologies outside of the demo games preloaded. The 3D display using Nvidia GeForce 3D Vision, and the system comes with a pair of active shutter glasses Nvidia. The effect was pretty good looking Blu-ray movies like Avatar and Monsters against Aliens give you a very cinema-like experience. The integrated 5.1 B520 (simulated) speakers provide a sound shallow, but not so much as a surround speaker setup right. The surround effect also works through the headphones, which can be a better choice for movie fans office.

After a while, the 3D effect in both eyes get tired (the 3D long sessions can give you eye strain) and head (Nvidia glasses are not the most comfortable in the world, this tight). You have to buy additional pairs of 3D glasses 119 million Vision, if you are sharing the 3D experience, a definite disadvantage. At least the infrared emitter that controls the lens is built into the B520: 3D Vision-old implementations requires an external adapter. Speaking of external dongles, the B520 comes with a IR remote included to control Blu-ray/DVD playback, Media Center and an integrated HDTV tuner. IR Dongles tend to clutter the desktop space as you, and would have been better if it were integrated into the system chassis, as it is in systems such as supplier selection "HP TouchSmart 610-1150y ($ 1,199.99 Best Buy, 4.5 stars).

Lenovo IdeaCentre B520

The B520 comes with a lot of new software, including services to Lenovo. Apart from the brief 60-day trial to McAfee VirusScan Plus, most of the other programs mentioned are not classified as bloatware version / trial. The system comes with some games for the camera (you can control the game with a Kinect the body) and control mouse movement (you can pick the mouse up and use it as a Wii Remote). Lenovo includes a software DVD (Power2Go), film plauback (WinDVD), webcam (YouCam), and comes with Lenovo Rescue and Recovery Utility. Lenovo has included a rudimentary touch optimized program launcher takes over the screen, but far from HP TouchSmart interface polite. A moment of glory is the full version of Angry birds is included. What better way to get used to a touch screen with colorful birds to kill green pigs?

Performance

Thanks to quad-core Intel Core i7-2600 processors and 8 GB of DDR3 memory, B520 is one of the fastest high-end all-in-one desktop PC we've done. And 'dominated by video and photos the benchmark tests, with a first class 1:13 handbrake a test video and 3:02 in Photoshop CS5 is a test. To put that in perspective, which is faster than the HP TouchSmart 1065qd 610 ($ 1,789.99 list, 5 stars), (1:28 handbrake, 3:38 CS5), the HP TouchSmart 610-1150y (handbrake 1 : 29, 3:56 CS5), and the Apple iMac 27-inch (Thunderbolt) (1999 $ list, 4 stars) (1:18 Handbrake, 3:17 CS5). IMac is still a 3D game better, but because the Mac AMD Radeon HD 6970 for the production of graphics and game quality is very high average for our Crysis benchmark tests. B520 is only able to produce a playable frame rate in the level of average quality. Then again, the B520 has more to enjoy the 3D video and 3D games.

On a function by function, the last all-in-one PC that had this much video valor was the HP 610-1065qd: this system had an HDTV tuner, Blu-ray, large hard drive, processor quad-heart, decent graphics and HDMI ports you really want a fun video. Trump HP Lenovo offering a transparent touch screen and 3D video using active shutter glasses, but that's not enough to replace the 610-HP 1065qd and its successor, the 610-HP 1150y desktop computers that touch screen better than we have seen. HP systems in particular, tilting mechanism that makes using the touch screen much more ergonomic use. The model 610-1150y is also much cheaper $ 1199 to $ 1799 Lenovo B520. IMac 27 inch (Thunderbolt) is $ 200 more expensive yet, but it gives you a much larger screen with high resolution, better 3D performance benchmark, and (for better or worse) a better integration between iTunes and iLife.

Really, really, want to have 3D video playback machine to use the Lenovo Idea Centre B520 in its fullness, and those people, this can be considered almost nirvana. Butfor most users are looking for more than gimmickry blue alien-cat jumping off the screen for you, there are other choices of low-profile.

HP Pavilion P7 1047cb

If you need to replace your old pileup of a desktop PC, the HP Pavilion 1047cb-p7 (list $ 799 at Costco) is a no-muss, no problems doing that. This system of mid-tower comes with a 23-inch monitor, and includes a handful of additional equipment. Your processor will not impress multimedia power users may find yourself limited opportunities for expansion, and there is a fair amount of bloatware on the hard disk. But otherwise, the P7-end 1047cb is an artist and the value of a well.

The design and development

P7 1047cb Pavilion is an aluminum body and black plastic, which is accentuated by glossy silver front panel framed with a plastic liner. Sliding open the door to reveal two USB 2.0 ports and jacks for headphones and microphone. On the front is starting to read memory cards: xD / Smart Media, SD / MMC, Memory Stick and Compact Flash. No DVD-Multi drive with LightScribe technology, and another empty 5.25-inch.

HP Pavilion P7 1047cb

The back office gives up multiple connectivity options: four USB 2.0 ports, VGA, DVI-D, Ethernet, and analogue audio. The system lacks eSATA and USB 3.0 ports, but comes with 802.11n Wi-Fi. The kit comes with VGA and DVI cables for connecting up to 1 920 by 1, 080 HP 2311x screen has an HDMI port on the screen, too, but the lack of one on the computer that makes unnecessary. Because the monitor does not have built-in speakers, you should use a small pair of HP flows into or provide your own.

HP Pavilion P7 1047cb

Cracking open the office is to loosen a screw with a Phillips screwdriver and slide the side panel. Inside you will find only two RAM slots, both filled with a total of 6 GB of DDR3 memory. There is a PCI Express (PCIe) x16, three PCIe x1 slots free, but the power of 250 watts limits you to low-end graphics cards like Radeon HD 6450 available in the HP Pavilion 1067cb P7 (list 999, $ 99, 4 stars). There are two additional SATA ports on the motherboard that could accommodate more than two hard drives, but the hard drive of 1 TB is already installed should be able to satisfy all but the most eager to download. It comes preloaded with its fair share of bloatware, but Blio, eBay, Snapfish, Kobo, Netflix, Hulu, Zino and Bing Bar.

Performance

HP Pavilion 1047cb P7 has a 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5-2400 processor and 6 GB of RAM. This combination offers a wonderful computing experience. The pavilion was able to manage our multimedia tests in time, encoding a video in Handbrake to 1 minute 29 seconds, 2 seconds after the Editors' Choice HP Pavilion 1067cb P7. Both systems have the same amount of time, 3 minutes 31 seconds to apply 12 filters Photoshop CS5 in our test.

HP Pavilion P7 1047cb

The P7-1047cb our test could not run 3DMark 11, but drove 11 frames per second (fps) in Crysis at 1280 x 720 resolution, on average retail. These results indicate that this team does not play well with high-end games in 3D, but could handle World of Warcraft, with torches, and even play of light, no problem. If you need a little more on the video front, the HP Pavilion 1067cb and p7-based discrete graphics work is a little better but not ideal for serious 3D gaming.

HP Pavilion 1047cb P7 is a business interest with the consumer in search of the whole package: PC, monitor, keyboard and mouse. And 'slightly altered, but not as much as, for example the Asus Essentio CM6850-07 ($ 829.99 list, 3.5 stars). Current Editors Choice 'P7 1067cb Hall becomes a bigger screen (25 inches) and a separate graphics card. But if your budget is limited, and graphics needs are modest, the HP Pavilion 1047cb P7 is a good way to go.

ODE Digital Storm Level 3

ODE Level 3 is one of four pre-gaming desktop Digital Storm, and the second most powerful of the new assembly line in ODE, you can buy. Although consumers who want the game a lot, but do not want to buy and install individual components, only those with deep pockets can afford the $ 2,399 (direct) price tag. Yet, this machine should keep the game in the coming years, and Digital Storm to give any updates may require or desire.

Design and features

Built in white Corsair Graphite Series 600T 20-inch high case, the level of 3 ODE is an easy and neat. Plastic window on the right side you will see neatly arranged inside: The wires are routed under the motherboard tray, and a red interior lighting to display all the components, even in the dark. The frame is air-friendly, with a top drilled to release the hot air in a natural and liquid cooling system for the CPU (the Corsair) and many fans will also be present. PC ports has four USB 2.0 ports and one USB 3.0 port, microphone and audio connectors and one FireWire 400 The rear panel features even more ports, including four DVI-I, two HDMI and DisplayPort, two Eight USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 400, eSATA, power, eSATA and audio connectors. There are also two USB 3.0 ports on the back, but one is on the plug connected to a port on the front of the pass-through cable.

ODE Digital Storm Level 3

Cracking open the system is easy and requires no tools, by just pushing the two side levers ODE panel. Six drive bays contain a sliding disc Caddies, two of which have been met. One contains a 120GB solid state disk (SSD) for use in the operating system and applications, and other 1TB 7200-rpm hard drive storage. One of the four optical drive bays are available on Blu-ray combo. Sabertooth Asus P67 motherboards are equipped with eight SATA ports, of which three are used (two one 6Gbps 3Gbps), 3Gbps SATA 6Gbps two three are free. Two PCI Express (PCIe) x16 uses the Nvidia GeForce GTX 570 graphics cards, which prevent the expansion slot, except an empty PCIe x1 slots on two of the four RAM slots are filled with a total of 8GB of memory. All these components are powered by power supply 800 watts of power, which is more than enough for the existing equipment, and supports a number of add-ons as well.

Digital Storm is a builder, so it is not surprising that the company offers a premium-support systems. This is a three-year limited warranty, which covers part of the trade of work, optimization and diagnostics. It is also possible to replace defective parts of the year, and lifetime access to work and free updates and customer support for Digital Storm.

ODE Digital Storm Level 3

Performance

Game performance is the name of the PC game, its core 3.4 GHz Intel Core i7-2600K GTX 570 cards and two videos to help clean his rival, although the storm Enix Digital Black Ops Edition ($ 3,627 , 4 stars). Crysis in our DirectX 10 (DX10) Test Level 3 ODE play scored a solid 71 frames per second (fps) at the highest point in 1920-by-one, resolution 080, just two shy executives score Enix 73fps. Similarly, in our test Lost Planet DX11 ODE 121.7fps both won the highest setting just behind the new 2fps Enix. The Maingear F131 Super Stock is even more in price level 3 ODE, which costs $ 99 less, and scores on high production values ​​were far below the level ODE 3: Crysis at 47fps and won Lost Planet 2, arrives at 72FPS.

In our tests multimedia, however, you can barely tell the difference between ODE and F131 Super Stock. Both times collected similar in both our test of Photoshop CS5 (2:21 ODE to level 3, at 2:18 F131 Super Stock) and our test of Cinebench R11.5 (9.14 ODE for Level 3, 9.35 for F131 Super Stock.)

Digital Storm is a Level 3 ODE ideal desktop for those who want to choose every detail of your gaming system. Digital Storm eliminates the difficulty of this process and provides a well-balanced pre-configured system will last. It comes with a warranty and a strong program focused on improving customer service, which still has for him. The components and results of our rivals reference publishers the choice of more expensive "for the platforms in the prices of high-end games, the Black Ops Enix, and beats our CE, Maingear F131 Super Stock, if we account for the performance. For these reasons, Level 3 Digital Storm ODE is our choice of new editors "for desktop gaming audience.

This is common, such cases are not routinely connect these ports to motherboard, but it's always an awkward and unattractive.

IBuyPower Gamer Power BTS11

Boutique Desktop PC vendors usually offer a wider opportunity to personalize the big manufacturers make, and that comfort is to be exploited. But the systems are ready for the sellers can be just as good as it shows iBuypower BTS11 Power Player ($ 999 direct). This is a special back-to-school model offers the Intel Core i5, Nvidia GeForce GTX 550 graphics card Tues, lots of memory and to help port to connect old and new devices. You can quickly find entry-level PC gaming, but even if you do not want to choose other, more powerful components, Power Gamer BTS11 is a good performer and a good relationship.

IBuyPower Gamer Power BTS11

The design and development

The Phantom Power Gamer NZXT case is a white BTS11. Quite edgy and impressive chassis-perfect for players who have a lot more boisterous room to room a lot of internal components and in collaboration with its vents and fans, promoting ventilation Cables and son inside are intelligently set rout, giving the interior a clean look. Top of case has an eSATA port and two USB 2.0 ports, plus headphone and microphone jacks. On the back of the cabinet is a large number of ports: one PS / 2 (for older mice and keyboards), four USB 2.0 ports and two USB 3.0 ports, analog audio and S / PDIF digital audio, VGA, DVI and HDMI (the latter for connection to HDTV and widescreen), Ethernet and legacy serial and parallel. USB 3.0 and eSATA ports for faster data transfer speeds between your computer and compatible external hard drives, but it is not integrated into the Wi-Fi, so you'll need to connect to Internet via Ethernet, unless you want to install an expansion card.

IBuyPower Gamer Power BTS11

Cracking open the system requires only loosening a few screws. Inside Gamer Power BTS11 offers plenty of room to grow: There are two open PCI Express (PCIe) x1, two PCI standard PCIe x16 slot and a x4 cabled. (The first video card slot.) Two of the four memory slots are free, as are the internal SATA ports, power to 700 watts should be sufficient to launch the smallest collections of components. Gigabyte GA-B3-D3-P67A motherboard supports CrossFireX technology, rather than SLI, so if you want to install multiple video cards, you will have to take on Nvidia and AMD use of the material in place. In addition, other PCIe x16 cause second PCIe slot to run x1 x4 instead, further reducing performance. A DVD burner is located behind a hidden door in the front part of the system (sorry, no Blu-ray player or a card reader) and a 750 GB hard drive, you get off to a good start to the storage-wise.

Performance

BTS11 Player power 3.3GHz Intel Core i5-2500K processor and 8 GB of RAM helped raise the impressive number in our tests. R11.5 CineBench noted in 6.68, on par with similarly configured speed Micro Edge Z40 ($ 1.199 Direct, four stars), our Editors Choice for PC games basic level, who scored a 6.41. In our test of Photoshop CS5, the BTS11 12 image filters applied in 2 minutes and 38 seconds, seven seconds faster than the Z40 edge. (2 GB of RAM for your additional accounts iBuyPower likely perform better, despite a slight overclock the Z40).

We have also seen good results in our tests, the player scoring a power BTS11 excellent frame rates 109 frames per second (fps), medium quality settings at 1280-by-720 resolution play DirectX 10 (DX10) Crysis, play hard, and 63.5fps on the DX11 Lost Planet 2 Since the video is intended to be used at lower resolutions, you want to change the settings if you intend to play a larger monitor: BTS11 Player power has proved much slower than and the results of 17fps 22fps is Crysis and Lost Planet 2, respectively, both of which use maxed-out the details of the 1920 by-1, 080 resolution. Z40 top GeForce GTX 560 graphics card Tues gave the edge here, leaving earning a respectable frame rate is 33fps and 49fps is Crysis, Lost Planet 2, even at maximum resolution.

IBuyPower Power Player BTS11 offers great gaming performance for its price at lower resolutions and the election, even more efficient some of our editors, the Velocity Micro Edge Z40, other basic computing tasks. However, for high end games on the Z40 power video card makes the road ahead, and the system is more widely appreciated features (such as Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n Blu-ray) iBuyPower Trump eSATA , USB 3.0 and the existing ports. But if your needs are modest and are looking to save $ 200 on a PC game players, entry-level energy is an attractive buy BTS11, though not beyond the capabilities of the Z40 Velocity Micro.

Basic keyboard and mouse are included, even if fans can find the Logitech and Razer are available to customize the process.