Review: Top 10 power PCs

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(IDG) -- There's been a shake-up at the top of the power chart this month: New systems appear in the first three slots and at number five. All four newcomers feature 1.2-GHz Athlon processors, and the top two -- Micron's Millennia Max XP2 and Polywell's Poly 880K7-1200 -- pair the CPU with speedy DDR memory.

Note: Micron Electronics has recently announced that it is selling its MicronPC.com business; see "New in the Top 100" for details.

Also of Note

IBM's $1899 NetVista A40p scored only 171 on our PC WorldBench 2000 tests, 11 points below the average for 1-GHz PIII systems running Windows 2000. This poor performance keeps it off the chart.

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All-in-one systems typically don't fare well on our PC WorldBench 2000 tests, and NEC's latest $2699 PowerMate 2000 is no exception: This PIII-800 machine running Windows 98 earned a PC WorldBench 2000 score of 139 -- 9 points below the average for similarly configured systems. The PC (which uses laptop components) does fit into a very small space, but its high price and lackluster performance keep it from making the chart.

1. Micron Millennia Max XP2: With its easy upgradability, very respectable performance, and excellent display, this Millennia Max has the chops for any small office.

2. Polywell Poly 880K7-1200: From day-to-day computing tasks to making presentations, no small-office user would be disappointed with this performance beast--which looks as good on the inside as it does on the outside.

3. Micro Express MicroFlex 1200B: Bang-for-the-buck bells ring with this inexpensive, powerful PC, but the monitor was somewhat disappointing.

4. Gateway Professional S 1500: The Professional S 1500 is a powerful performer. With its excellent display and IEEE 1394 ports, it would work well as a digital video processing machine. Its strong software bundle makes this workhorse Gateway ideal for any small to medium-size office.

5. NuTrend Ultra 2: Though an average performer, the Ultra 2 offers a variety of features to appeal to small- or home-office users.

6. Sys Performance 1100T: Brag to your friends that you've got a faster-than-1-GHz processor that hasn't been recalled.

7. HP Vectra VL800: The VL800 offers blazing speed and excellent display quality for the corner office in a well-heeled corporation.

8. Dell Dimension 8100: This solid Dell computer, with top-of-the-line components, has the goods for any power user willing to pay a high price for the latest technology.

9. ABS Performance Ultra: Experienced power users should appreciate this fast Athlon-1100 system. You'll want to add a network card for most small office applications, however. And in light of the short support hours, you should look elsewhere if your business will suffer if the PC suddenly goes haywire while you're working late some evening or over the weekend.

10. HP Vectra VL400: A powerful system with excellent management, security, and networking tools, this Vectra would be a near-perfect PC for a high-end environment.

Review: Top 10 power PCs
April 10, 2001
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Review: Top 17-inch monitors
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Review: Top 15 home PCs
February 23, 2001
Review: Top 10 scanners
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January 15, 2001
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Power PCs Overall Ratings (chart)
(PCWorld.com)
Power PCs Test Report (chart)
(PCWorld.com)
Three PC makers slash prices for desktop models
(Computerworld)
Micron sells off PC unit to turnaround firm
(Computerworld)
Review: Micro Express MicroFlex 1333A
(PCWorld.com)
Top 10 value PCs
(PCWorld.com)
HP adds CD-RW to entire consumer PC line
(IDG.net)
Gartner says PC price war on top of economic slump
(InfoWorld.com)

MicronPC.com
Polywell
MicroExpress

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