Home > Consumer Reviews > Compaq S6500NX Presario Desktop PC (2.1GHz AMD Athlon XP 3000+, 512MB RAM, 160GB Hard Drive, DVD+RW/CD-RW combo)

I went looking for the eMachine ... and came across this computer.... I happened to look at this Compac Presario .... Compared favorably in every aspect. Has better ability to connect all those extras from the front of the computer. Then I looked at the package of 17 in flat screen screen and printer INCLUDED. Details, ... included screen and color printer....I will sell the sealed color printer ...and keep the screen. ...
Very happy with the computer (I better be, it is only one week old).
Great deal. I'm Happy.
Personally, I wish they would just price it without the rebates, but it is a marketing gimmick and that is why they do it. Also, I read somewhere, something like 25% of the people NEVER send in their rebate form...go figure.

I've used this model now for several years and I find the only drawback is the built-in video card does not support wide-screen monitors. Of course an add-on card is inexpensive and readily available.

I upgraded from 512MB to 1GB RAM recently and this seems to make a very small difference with Windows XP, so I don't recommend it, unless you are going to upgrade (?) to Vista.

I've owned PCs since 1988 and this model is the easiest to work with, to upgrade and to maintain.

This desktop computer does not have one of the faster processors available, but there are other more pressing major problems with the system.

The OS is Windows XP Home Edition, with a 90-day trial version of MS Works 7.0. This means that after the 90 day period, you have go out and buy a copy of Microsoft Office. Compaq's decision to load "trial version" software is pure idiocy! After the trial period is over, you're totally helpless, and can't even save a document. A major inconvenience to say the least. The fact that trial software is loaded should be prominently disclosed to all buyers before they purchase. You'll notice that it this is not mentioned in most descriptions of the system.

The processor is an AMD Athlon XP 3000+, with a listed speed of 2.167 GHz. Not the fastest, but adequate for most routine applications, including a program like Photoshop 7.0. Basic RAM provided is 512MB, upgradeable to 2G. The large capacity 160GB hard drive is a plus, and most users won't have to worry about running out of space for a while. The drive is partitioned, with essential files located on a separate directory with restricted access to help prevent accidental deletion of files.

The unit has a CD/DVD burner, CD ROM drive, and floppy disk drive. The DVD drive functions with Record Now software. The software available to view DVD's are Windows Media Player, and WinDVD. The computer has an abundance or ports, with 8 USB 2.0 (two on the front face), two firewire, one parallel, and one Ethernet. Internal modem is a basic 56K.

Another major drawback to this system concerns game play. The video and audio cards support some games, but not most new high end games. Many games do not install properly and cannot be played on this system. Other games load and can be played initially, but crash at specific points such as level changes. Apparently the stock components must be upgraded in order to accommodate these games. Anyone seeking processor intensive gameplay should not get this system.

Those few consumers who are not at all interested in gaming, word processing or writing documents may find this a suitable purchase. Buyers should be prepared to either buy MS Office 2003 separately, or load in an older version of the software. Those interested in playing games are better off getting something that doesn't need to be upgraded. With this castrated system, Compaq definitely does not deliver a winner.