Cheap PCs aren't what they used to be. Today's budget desktops can handle once-exotic tasks like ripping CDs, touching up photos, and editing simple videos, albeit a tad sluggishly. Might a few hundred dollars buy all the PC you need?
To find out, we tested low-cost systems from Compaq, Dell, EMachines, HP, IBuyPower, Polywell, Sys Technology, and WinBook. Prices for these offerings ranged from $505 to $750. Though not the very cheapest models on the market (we asked the vendors to configure the systems with at least 512MB of RAM, and all but two of them did), their average price is only about half that of the value machines ranked in our latest Top 15 Desktop PCs chart. (Even Apple is getting into the act: As we went to press, it announced the Mac Mini, starting at $499.)
We found many of these desktops fine for most home and office tasks, but less suitable for high-action gaming and heavy-duty graphics or audio work. Advanced users should look at the power machines in the Top 15, though they might also consider a budget box for family members or employees with modest needs.
But even in this low price range, offerings vary among vendors, and every PC we reviewed involves sacrifices. On balance, we found Dell's Dimension 3000 to be the best deal. Its so-so performance was more than offset by the included LCD monitor and inkjet printer--all for $505. See our chart for our other picks.
Several amenities once considered luxuries are now commonplace. For example, all the systems in this roundup provide at least one USB 2.0 port on the front of the computer, where it is easy to reach, and every model has an ethernet port for a broadband Web connection. (Most also come with modems for dial-up.) The Compaq, Dell, EMachines, HP, and IBuyPower systems also feature front-mounted audio ports (convenient for plugging in headphones), and all except the Dell, Polywell, and WinBook systems come with multiformat card readers that accept media such as CompactFlash, Memory Stick, Secure Digital, and XD-Picture Card from digital cameras, PDAs, and other devices. The Compaq, HP, and IBuyPower PCs even have FireWire ports for plugging in digital video cameras or external hard drives.
While all the systems we reviewed provide at least a few options for upgrades, none can be transformed, swanlike, into dream PCs. Manufacturers typically keep costs low by using older technologies and limited components. For example, most systems here have 250-watt power supplies that are adequate to run the PCs as configured but don't provide much room for growth. And most of the motherboards support neither top-tier AMD and Intel processors nor the fastest RAM. Although most of our test PCs have slots for adding an AGP graphics board, they don't use the new PCI Express system bus for maximum performance from the latest and fastest graphics cards.
Even some of these basic computers, however, provide leeway for tweaking features and performance through component upgrades, either during the initial configuration or after they arrive.
Another trend is improved aesthetics. Though certain models are fancier than others, even the most basic contenders look good. Gone are the chintzy putty-colored cases that identified bargain systems of the past. For example, the HP Pavilion A706n's case is silvery lavender with dark gray. Otherwise, basic black, with gray or silver highlights, is the standard-issue uniform. And for some brands, such as the Compaq Presario series and the HP Pavilion series, the low-end models sport the same smart-looking cases as their upscale siblings.
Speed costs money. So the relatively low WorldBench 5 scores of these systems did not surprise us. Their low performance is largely due to their entry-level CPUs (for details, see our chart). IBuyPower's LAN-Party Mini PC was the fastest of the bunch, but its WorldBench 5 score of 80 is still about 10 points below the average for PCs tested in our Top 15 review. Most other units here hovered in the high 60s and low 70s. The Dell Dimension 3000, the Sys Technology Sys TaskMaster S2600+, and the WinBook PowerSpec 4988 were another rung down, turning in WorldBench 5 scores of 62, 60, and 59, respectively.
In all fairness, though, the collection of tests in WorldBench 5 represents nearly every duty a PC might be called upon to perform, including some jobs you would not expect a budget model to handle. For instance, every system bombed in tests using Discreet 3ds Max, a program for modeling and animating 3D characters and objects. But you probably wouldn't try to use one of these PCs as a workstation for creating the next
Amateur videographers might want to use an entry-level video editing package like Roxio VideoWave, which is also included in WorldBench 5. The budget systems did fine in our VideoWave tests, but most were still below the average score for all PCs we've recently tested.
The budget systems also took a beating in a WorldBench 5 multitasking test that consists of loading Web pages in Mozilla while encoding music and video clips with Windows Media Encoder. But several of the models came close to the
In addition to WorldBench 5 evaluations, we did some informal speed tests. We found that performance deficiencies in many of the budget PCs are too small to show up in casual usage. For example, most of the systems applied a simple filter effect to photos in Adobe Photoshop Elements about as quickly as did a high-end comparison PC, a Gateway 5200XL with a 3.2-GHz Pentium 4 processor, 512MB of DDR400 SDRAM, and a 200GB Serial ATA hard drive. The same high-end system was up to about twice as fast at applying a complex filter, however. It was also far faster than most of the budget systems at ripping a CD in ITunes, which might matter if you want to digitize your entire CD collection over the weekend, but not if you just rip a disc now and then.
Whatever processor you have, pairing it with sufficient RAM is essential to overall performance. While several of these systems are available at a lower cost with 256MB of RAM, we asked each manufacturer to outfit its test PC with 512MB of memory, the minimum we recommend for Windows XP users. Sys Technology and WinBook, however, submitted systems with 256MB of RAM, and they had the two lowest WorldBench 5 scores. Equipped with 512MB of RAM, the Polywell Poly 880NF2-MX was the second-fastest budget system in the group, with a WorldBench 5 score of 71. As a test, we removed half the RAM, and its score dropped significantly to 67.
StorageHard drives can have a dramatic effect on performance in some systems. Today's fastest drives use the Serial ATA interface, but none of these budget desktops come with a SATA drive. Instead, they have Parallel ATA drives capable of spinning at a decent 7200 rpm--cutting-edge technology about two years ago.
Most of our test systems include an 80GB hard drive--plenty of room for any assortment of applications, plus good-sized music and digital photo collections. However, folks who have even more pictures and tunes, or a lot of video clips, should consider investing not only in a larger hard drive but also in a more powerful PC for its data-processing abilities.
One small-budget scenario that might demand more storage would be using the PC as a low-cost server to store backups or a music collection for a home, or to centralize files for a small office. For networking, each of these systems has an ethernet port and spare PCI slots for adding a Wi-Fi card, plus ports for attaching a USB-based Wi-Fi adapter.
If you're looking for high-capacity storage, you might be better off buying a dedicated network-attached storage appliance like the Buffalo LinkStation Network Storage Center or the Snap Appliance Snap Server 1100 (for more information, see last month's "Net Drives"). But the PC can offer more storage and expansion options, plus the ability to double as a low-end workstation.
If you anticipate needing additional storage, it's best to spend the money for it up front. Ordering the Dell Dimension 3000 with an 80GB drive instead of the 40GB one we received costs a mere $18 more. But adding a 40GB drive later can cost about $60, plus labor (likely your own). Unfortunately, some vendors sell fixed budget-PC configurations with no upgrade options at time of purchase.
The options are more plentiful for optical drives. Most of the systems come with a DVD-ROM drive, a CD-RW drive, or both (sometimes a combination unit). The WinBook PowerSpec 4988 even has a DVD writer (alas, the system didn't make our Top 5 list due largely to slow overall performance). CD-R/RW capabilities are virtually a must for archiving or passing along data--especially since floppy drives are disappearing. (Only the Polywell includes a floppy drive.) And DVD-ROM drives are essential for watching movies on DVD and for installing large applications such as Microsoft Encarta Reference Library Premium 2005 and DeLorme Street Atlas USA 2005 Plus. All the budget systems had enough power to play movies smoothly in our tests.
Several PCs make it easy to upgrade components. The Compaq, HP, and Sys Tech PCs, for instance, open via thumbscrews and allow you to unlock and remove drives by flipping latches rather than using a screwdriver. Other systems are less helpful: The WinBook, for example, requires you to do some work to remove both side panels and four mounting screws that anchor the optical drive.
Graphics and SoundBudget computer makers typically save money by eschewing sound cards and graphics cards with dedicated video memory in favor of basic processors integrated on the motherboard and dependent on system memory. However, today's integrated graphics systems do surprisingly well for most tasks, offering full color depth for movies and photo editing. All the budget PCs we reviewed except the Sys TaskMaster could support 1600 by 1200 resolution, enough for a 21-inch monitor. The Sys topped out at 1024 by 768, about right for a 17-inch CRT; at the flickering 60-Hz setting, though, it can go up to 1280 by 1024. Except for the Dell and the EMachines, all the PCs here offer an AGP slot for adding a graphics card, which can make a big difference.
These systems can run 3D action games, but not fast enough to make them enjoyable. For example, frame rates in Unreal Tournament 2003 at 1024 by 768 resolution and 32-bit color were painfully slow, ranging from an almost palatable 44 frames per second on the Polywell to an abysmal 6 fps on the Compaq and the HP. Evaluations by the PC World Test Center show that 30 fps is acceptable for first-person shooter games but 60 fps is required for smooth play. On several of the budget machines, complex textures broke up at times, making scenes look blocky. Worse, the graphics sometimes couldn't keep up with game play. By the time you see an opponent aiming at you, he may have already fired a fatal shot.
Low-impact games, however, were no problem. In our informal tests, all the PCs offered smooth play in the popular The Sims 2 and the movie-inspired title The Incredibles: When Danger Calls.
Integrated audio suffers even less compromise. These low-cost PCs provide analog output for stereo, and all but the Dell and the EMachines support 5.1 surround sound that will produce impressive results if paired with midrange speakers (such as Logitech's $60 X-530) or if fed into a good home theater system. Integrated audio has no effect on digital music sent to a sound system via a wired or wireless streamer like the Apple AirPort Express with AirTunes; in that case, the audio processing takes place in the streamer itself, not the PC. For audiophiles who desire a beefier setup, these budget systems offer a few free PCI slots that can accept a sound card, such as the $80 Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2. Adding a sound card should automatically disable the integrated audio; at worst you'll have to change a BIOS setting or adjust a jumper on the motherboard.
Peripherals
While most of the systems we received came with a monitor, the offerings varied. Dell was the most generous, bundling a 15-inch LCD with its $505 system. The E153FPB screen displayed bright images and fairly rich colors, as well as the sharp text that we expect from any flat-panel monitor. However, the LCD presented a very narrow vertical viewing angle--colors and brightness changed with even a slight head movement. Such an issue would cause no difficulties during most everyday tasks, but it would preclude color-sensitive graphics work.
IBuyPower bundled the ViewSonic E70FB, a fine-looking 17-inch CRT with a flat screen. The other PCs we saw came with low-end 17-inch CRTs that displayed washed-out colors, and some had glare-catching rounded faces.
We gave the vendors the option of not bundling a monitor, and Compaq and HP chose not to do so. This helped lower the prices of their PCs, but they still weren't the cheapest in the bunch. Getting a CRT would add about $180 to either purchase.
All the keyboards were serviceable, and some were appealing. The Polywell, for example, included a well-designed Logitech Internet Pro and an optical mouse. Another nice extra was the inkjet printer included with the Dell Dimension 3000. But there was a catch: When we bought the PC, the USB cable cost an extra $22 (a generic one would be a few bucks less).
ExtrasLike a car without wheels or a flashlight without batteries, some budget PCs require additional investment before they are ready to use. So don't assume that the first price you see is what you will end up paying. For instance, many of the budget systems lack essential software such as antivirus protection (though some come with trial versions).
Only the Sys and WinBook PCs included the full version of an antivirus product. A good security package, such as Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security 2005, costs about $50. You may also need to purchase productivity software. The Dell and Sys computers offered a version of Corel WordPerfect; the Compaq, EMachines, and HP systems were bundled with Microsoft Works. The IBuyPower, Polywell, and WinBook PCs lacked an office suite. You can upgrade, of course--but expect to pay up to $150.
When adding features, beware the barrage of "upsells." Configuring and buying our Dell system required clicking through four Web pages bearing offers for more than two dozen extra hardware items, software packages, and training and installation services. The pages even recommended upgrading to the Microsoft Windows XP Media Center OS--overkill for a budget desktop with integrated graphics that can't handle the tasks for which you buy a Media Center PC. And Dell's online configurator automatically bumped customers up to a two-year warranty (an extra $27); we had to manually specify the standard, one-year policy.
Also, watch closely for hoops you must jump through to get a system at the advertised price. Compaq, EMachines, and HP list prices after rebate on their sites. Vendors love rebates because not every customer will bother to send in the paperwork. (For cautionary tales, read "Rebate Roulette.") For this reason, the prices we list for products do not take rebates into account. Note, too, that some vendors offer short-term specials. The bargain you saw while shopping online Friday may not be there when you come back to buy on Monday.
Ultimately the old saying about getting what you pay for still applies when buying a PC: Saving money involves some compromises. But with overall improvements in technology, the trade-offs for budget PCs are far more palatable today than in years past. Entry-level models can offer substantial savings and a pleasant surprise in capabilities, provided that you are clear about what you need and realistic about what you can expect.
Cheap Notebooks: What You Get and What You Don't
Though the price is right on the $899 Dell Inspiron 1150 and the $849 HP Pavilion Ze2000, you won't get the speed and handy extras--such as media card readers and Bluetooth--of higher-priced ($1500 and up) portables. The question is whether you'll be happy with what you're getting and comfortable with what you're not.
You can expect the basics. Both laptops provide ports for USB 2.0, ethernet, headphones, a microphone, and a modem, as well as a PC Card slot. The Pavilion Ze2000 has a FireWire port; the Inspiron 1150 omits that, but it does have 802.11g wireless. The optical drives are fixed rather than removable, so the notebooks are heavy. The 1150 has a DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive; the Ze2000, a solo DVD-ROM drive. You get a few good software packages, too: The Ze2000 has Microsoft Office 2003, Microsoft Works, and Sonic RecordNow. The 1150 has WordPerfect Productivity Pack.
Expect decent but not great battery life. The Inspiron lasted a respectable 3 hours, 41 minutes in our tests, while the Pavilion managed an underwhelming 2 hours, 12 minutes.
The fairly predictable bad news: Both laptops take a hit in performance, offering Celeron processors rather than the more powerful Pentium M. The HP, with a 1.4-GHz Celeron M 360 CPU, earned a WorldBench 5 score of 62. The Dell, with a 2.6-GHz Celeron chip, was slower, garnering a WorldBench 5 score of 54. In comparison, notebooks with a 2-GHz Pentium M 755 have earned WorldBench 5 scores of 83 to 97--but they cost $2000 and up.
Both notebooks come with limited storage capacity, offering 40GB hard drives. The units also lack ATI Mobility Radeon or NVidia GeForce Go graphics chips, providing instead Intel graphics using main memory. The absence of dedicated graphics memory doesn't adversely affect basic office apps, but the integrated graphics are insufficient for serious video editing and gaming.
Refurbished PCs: Cheap, CapableAnother way to save money on your next PC is to consider a refurbished system with higher-grade features. It's a computer with a little history.
"Refurbished" means the PC came back to the factory for any of a number of reasons, from faulty components to buyer's remorse. "If [customers] don't like something, they'll just take it back," says Elaine Gasser, a director of consumer PC remarketing at HP.
Because of quick turnaround, you can sometimes find refurbs that are identical to new models but far cheaper. For instance, at press time Dell offered a refurbished Dimension 4700 carrying a 3-GHz Pentium 4 530 processor, 512MB of RAM, an 80GB SATA hard drive, and Microsoft Office 2003--all for $624. Purchased new it would have cost $1013. But can you rely on a refurb?
According to several of the major PC makers, all returned PCs go through inspection, repair, and testing. This involves wiping the hard drive and reinstalling the OS and apps, and it may include rebuilding the PC. Vendors say that any blemishes will be slight, such as minor scuffs or discoloration.
Warranty coverage varies. Dell presents the same warranty options for new and refurbished models. HP, however, sells refurb systems with a meager 90-day policy. HP does offer extension options for about $150.
Vendors also allow unconditional returns shortly after purchase of a refurbished computer. Dell will take a system back in the first 14 days, Gateway in the first 15, and HP in the first 30. So the risks are fairly small, but the rewards can be big.
Budget Linux PCs: Too Cheap for Their Own Good?
Linux's reputation for running lean encourages vendors to pair it with very low-end systems. The result: a radically cheap PC, such as the $200 Microtel PC SYSWM4005 or the $280 GQ 3111.
As you might expect, such machines offer entry-level features. The Microtel we reviewed comes with a Sempron 2200+ CPU, a 20GB hard drive, 128MB of RAM, and Xandros Linux (available at Wal-Mart). The GQ 3111 from regional retailer Fry's Electronics (and at Outpost.com) is equipped with an Athlon XP 2000+ CPU, a 40GB hard drive, 128MB of RAM, ethernet, a modem, and the Linspire OS.
The Linux-based Linspire and Xandros operating systems resemble Windows, with similar icons, menus, and shortcuts. Both feature a button similar to Windows' Start that you click to access pop-up menus for launching applications or tweaking the OS.
Both distributions also offer software in a way that might surprise Windows users: via links to installed apps and to others you may download online. The selection for both companies is surprisingly good. Both systems come with versions of the Mozilla Web browser and OpenOffice, a suite of applications compatible with Microsoft Office. The Microtel Xandros PC also includes a handy image editor called The GIMP.
In our hands-on tests, the biggest disappointment with these PCs was their abysmal performance. Linux may not require as much power as Windows does, but it demands more than these systems provide. Booting up and launching apps went agonizingly slowly, as did performing basic operations. For example, rotating a photo, which occurs nearly instantaneously in Photoshop Elements on most Windows-based budget PCs, took over 10 seconds in The GIMP on the GQ 3111 Linspire system. When we boosted the machine's RAM from the included 128MB to 512MB, the excruciating delays disappeared, but CPU-intensive tasks still dragged; ripping a CD took about twice as long on the GQ Linspire as on the other PCs, regardless of the amount of RAM. The Microtel Xandros system was even more feeble than the GQ Linspire--it was barely able to run two applications at once.
Considering such disappointing performance, we don't recommend either of these ultracheap Linux machines, though Linux is probably not the culprit. The hardware is simply too wimpy. In the end, it doesn't pay to go rock-bottom cheap.
Sean Captain
