Intel Core 2 Duo E6700
13/7/2006 external link
Intel's Core 2 Duo E6700 offers the best price-to-performance ratio we've seen in a desktop chip. For half the cost of AMD's top-of-the-line chip, you get identical if not superior performance and better power efficiency. AMD surprised us last year with its completely dominant dual-core chips, but Intel regains the crown with Core 2 Duo.
Apple iMac (20-inch, 2.4GHz)
11/8/2008 external link
Apple's smaller-scale iMac remains our favorite all-in-one. And while its looks, its ease of use, and its performance are all selling points, Windows PCs are starting to catch up (at least with the latter). A few components could also stand an update, but in general you'll find the 20-inch iMac a remarkable computer for its price.
Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650
28/10/2007 external link
The CPU market is due for a lot of upheaval over the next 12 months, so you might be wise to wait for a clearer picture before plunking down $1,000 or so on Intel's new Core 2 Extreme QX9650 quad-core desktop processor. But if you want to claim ownership of the fastest multicore CPU around today, look no further.
HP Pavilion Slimline S3330f
28/2/2008 external link
The HP Pavilion Slimline S3330f delivers a remarkable combination of features, value, and flexibility. It excels as both a traditional desktop, and a full-fledged living room PC, complete with a Blu-ray and HD DVD drive. Any nongamer in the market for a sub-$1,000 PC should put this system at the top of their list.
Apple iMac (20-inch, 2.4GHz, 1GB RAM)
8/8/2007 external link
With its super-elegant new design and a strong configuration, Apple's new iMac competes with the PC desktop market better than perhaps any previous Mac to date. Unless you're a gamer or an upgrade enthusiast, we can think of very few reasons not to make an iMac your next desktop.
Sony Vaio JS190J (black)
3/9/2008 external link
By virtue of its price, its desktop processor, and its Blu-ray drive, the Sony Vaio JS190J makes a case for itself as the new king of the all-in-ones. Its screen might be a bit smaller than some, but no other all-in-one, including Apple's iMac, can do as much, as fast, for the same price.
Proxim Orinoco 11a/b/g ComboCard Gold
30/6/2003 external link
High throughput, long range, and lots of options make this wireless dual-band card an excellent choice for business users on the go, but consumers should pick a product with friendlier software.
Dell XPS M1730
23/10/2007 external link
With a redesigned case that's chock-full of cutting-edge technologies, the Dell XPS M1730 tops our list of our favorite gaming laptops.
Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850
17/7/2007 external link
The quad-core Core 2 Extreme QX6850 keeps the desktop CPU performance belt tied firmly around Intel's waist at a price that helps offset the lack of sizable performance gains. New products at the end of the year may outclass this new chip when they arrive, but for now, the QX6850 reigns supreme.
Dell Studio MT
24/10/2008 external link
This off-the-shelf version of the Dell Studio Desktop reminds us of a classic Dell computer. This system is faster and better equipped than its competition, and at a better price. You can certainly get away with a cheaper everyday PC, but this one is a bargain among lower midrange desktops.
Netgear WG511T 108 Mbps Wireless PC Card
23/1/2004 external link
The WG511T is a good choice for speed demons and those looking for a long-range PC Card adapter.
Apple MacBook Pro 2007 Edition (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD)
21/6/2007 external link
Apple's 15-inch MacBook Pro gets a solid under-the-hood upgrade for better performance and longer battery life, allowing the MacBook Pro to put enough distance between itself and the lower-end MacBook to justify its higher price.
Apple MacBook - white (Core 2 Duo 2.2 GHz, Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard)
17/12/2007 external link
Apple has been content to issue minor periodic hardware updates to the 13-inch MacBook, but the modest performance gains and new Leopard OS keep it in our top tier of laptop recommendations.
HP Pavilion dv3510nr
11/11/2008 external link
Best Buy listened to its customers and then teamed up with HP to create the Pavilion dv3510nr, one of the big box store's first Blue Label laptops. This sleek-yet-loaded 13-inch laptop deserves a blue ribbon, too, for its all-around excellence and value.
Lenovo ThinkPad T41 2379 (Pentium M 1.6 GHz, 256 MB RAM, 40 GB HDD)
14/11/2003 external link
The fast, reliable, and easy-to-manage ThinkPad T41 series is a traveler's delight, as well as one of the best thin-and-lights on the market.
Velocity Raptor Signature Edition Gaming PC
5/1/2007 external link
We have one major issue with the Velocity Micro Raptor Signature Edition (the price), and two minor ones (it's loud, for one), but those aside, this is one of the most feature-complete high-end desktops we've reviewed. Its performance is media-creation- and game-minded, and anyone buying it for those or almost any other purposes won't be disappointed.
NetGear WG602 54Mbps Wireless Access Point
30/3/2003 external link
With its outstanding performance and compatibility with 802.11b gear, Netgear's WG602 delivers on the promise of the upcoming 802.11g standard.
HP Pavilion Slimline s3020n
2/4/2007 external link
With new polish and a whole lot of bang for the buck, HP's new Pavilion Slimline s3020n leads the small PC field overall. The glossy black chassis, added expandability, and even a new keyboard make this system attractive both inside and out.
Callpod Chargepod
27/6/2007 external link
The Callpod Chargepod does its job well, but the convenience comes at a high price.
Velocity Micro CineMagix Grand Theater
12/2/2007 external link
Velocity Micro's first full-fledged home theater PC pulls very few punches in providing a complete digital media experience. It's big, it lacks a built-in audio receiver, and it invites PC gaming into the living room, which has never been the best fit. It's also the victim of a few Vista-related growing pains. On balance, though, Velocity Micro has as complete a home theater PC as we've seen.
Lenovo ThinkPad X60s
22/3/2006 external link
The first ultraportable to accommodate Intel's Core Duo processor, the ThinkPad X60s combines blazing performance and incredible battery life with a full feature set and a compact case. We like it.
Apple iMac (24-inch, 2.8GHz)
1/5/2008 external link
A slight bump to the specifications for the same price in addition to a much appreciated option to upgrade the graphics means the 24-inch iMac keeps the Editors' Choice it earned last year when the brushed-aluminum-and-glass design was first introduced.
Intel Core i7-965 Extreme Edition
3/11/2008 external link
Thanks 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.
Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800
13/7/2006 external link
AMD's Athlon 64 FX line has worn the desktop CPU performance crown for over a year. The king is dead. Intel's new flagship Core 2 Extreme X6800 not only hands AMD a defeat on all of our benchmarks, but it's also a more efficient, better designed chip overall.
HP Officejet Pro L7680 All-in-One
23/3/2007 external link
With its wealth of office-oriented features, fast prints, and great print quality, the HP Officejet Pro L7680 is a very compelling all-in-one for small businesses or work groups. We wholeheartedly recommend it.


