Compact Case Is Designed for Smaller Work Areas
This compact computer is smaller than the standard and midsize tower PCs that fit under your desk, making it ideal for limited work areas. Small case designs vary, too. However, such PCs tend to be underpowered (especially on gaming), and mini cases also have few available expansion slots and drive bays. Generally you'll have to expand the system via USB, FireWire, or eSATA peripherals, so make sure your compact system has a large number (and assortment) of ports.
Core 2 CPU: One of Intel's Latest and Greatest Is Inside
This system is built around one of Intel's latest, greatest processors. The Core 2 Duo consists of two separate CPUs on a single die, sharing the same second-level cache. If this machine has a Core 2 Quad, that's two Duos married on the same die for a total of four cores. Meanwhile, Extreme Edition Core 2 processors, aimed at enthusiasts and gamers, are unlocked for overclocking, a process in which you increase the clock multiplier (9X, 10X, and so on) without increasing the computer's frontside bus speed (1066 MHz, 1333 MHz, or the like).
Most consumer applications can't take advantage of more than two cores, so spend the extra money on four cores only if you'll be using an application that you're certain can utilize them. Intel has strayed from the Celeron designation for its budget CPUs, so be sure to check a given processor's cache size and price (more of each roughly indicates faster performance) before buying.
A PC With Little Included RAM Can Do Light Work
This system offers less than 1GB of memory, which is the bare minimum that any full-featured new computer should include. Whether this amount of RAM is optimal for you depends on the PC's operating system: Windows Vista and Apple's Mac OS X don't run well with less than 1GB, Windows XP is fine with 512MB and not too bad with 384MB, and Windows 98 is good with 256MB. Depending on the distribution, Linux can run with as little as 128MB, but most Linux users are better off with at least 512MB--and 1GB is better.
The more installed memory your PC has, the more applications you can run smoothly at once, and the better the system will perform. Upgrading memory in a desktop after you purchase the PC is a snap, but usually it's worthwhile to buy the amount of memory you want preinstalled with the system.
Adequate Hard-Disk Capacity for Business or Light Home Use
With respect to hard-drive space, this system is in the low-to-midrange tier. Whether that's important depends on your needs. Though video gobbles up drive space at a prodigious rate, most other data types take up far less than 500GB.
For basic business purposes or light home use, even 80GB or 120GB might be enough. A better minimum is 300GB, especially if you download movies or music. Compact desktops that use smaller, 2.5-inch laptop drives offer less capacity. In that kind of setup, 120GB is a more realistic minimum, though 80GB will be enough for most users.
Included Disc Writer Burns CDs and DVDs
The DVD burner on this system will allow you to burn CDs and DVDs (including movies, with the right software), play DVD movies, install software from CDs and DVDs, and play audio CDs and other types of discs. Most DVD burners have a slide-out media tray, though you'll find some slot-loading models on smaller or more-stylish PCs. Half-height drives exist, too; you'll find them mostly in laptops or external boxes. Since DVD burners are now a commodity item, even entry-level models are fast.
Integrated Intel Graphics Chip Can Handle Everyday Computing
This system uses a video chip from the leading graphics-processor manufacturer in the world: Intel. Though nVidia and ATI enjoy all the press, Intel has the biggest graphics market share because it supplies the integrated graphics chips for a huge number of desktop computers. For everyday computing, the performance of an Intel GPU is excellent. Unfortunately, by current standards the gaming performance is pathetic--largely because these chips usually use system memory instead of faster dedicated graphics memory.
With this PC, stick to business or general-application home use. And since only the most recent Intel GPUs can drive large wide-screen displays at their full resolution, be sure to check the chip-specific specs.
Windows Vista: Good Multimedia and Security, but a Resource Hog
This computer ships with Microsoft's latest operating system. Windows Vista offers improved multimedia and networking savvy, looks better than Windows XP, and has greater security than its predecessor, but it can be a slower-feeling operating system due to heavier resource requirements. You can run it with only 512MB of main memory in your PC, but having at least 1GB will provide a much better experience.
Common 32-bit versions of Windows Vista can address no more than 4GB of RAM, even if your machine has more available. So unless you're using the 64-bit version of Vista (or 64-bit XP, if you can still find a copy), a computer with 2GB to 4GB of memory is the right target.
USB Connections Let You Connect Various Peripherals
USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports allow this system to use any number of USB peripherals such as printers, keyboards, and mice. You can also use an external USB hard disk or a USB thumb drive to expand this desktop's storage or back up your data.
Note that the older, much slower (11 megabits per second) 1.x implementation of USB was fine for peripherals, but is frustratingly slow for storage. New desktop computers all support the speedier USB 2.0 (480 mbps)--but double-check on that if you're buying a used or older system. And when it comes to USB ports, the more the merrier.
Card Reader Takes MultiMediaCard
This system's MMC slot allows it to read the older MultiMediaCard format--the predecessor of SD Card media. SD and SDHC slots will read MMC, too, but not vice versa. For the most part, MMC is simply an additional spec for an SD or SDHC slot, which will read the two (or three) types.
Card Reader Accepts Sony Memory Stick
This computer can read and write to Sony's proprietary Memory Stick flash memory devices, and with an adapter it could also support variants such as Memory Stick Pro, Duo, Pro Duo, and Micro. Few non-Sony devices use Memory Stick; however, the company is so large that chances are you might need to read data from one someday. Most times, Memory Stick is just one among several media card types that a desktop PC can accept.
Media Reader Takes SD Card
Equipped with an SD Card (Secure Digital) reader, this PC can transfer photos from a digital camera when you have no cable. With the proper adapter, SD slots will also read data from the miniSD media used in cell phones.
The newer SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) standard is not backward-compatible, so the slot may not read such cards; check the PC's specs further to determine whether it offers SDHC support. The latest SD variant, the microSDHC, is the tiniest flash memory card to date, measuring only 11mm across. It's also the fastest and roomiest, capable of holding up to 16GB of data.
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