All Desktops

The Bottom Line: No other all-in-one PC can offer touch-based input or an LCD screen as large as that of the HP TouchSmart IQ816. It's hard to deny that those features make this a compelling desktop for families with a place to put it. Weak performance hinders its suitability for work, and it's not the best digital entertainment center, but we recommend this system to anyone looking to get in early on the touch-computing experiment.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 (2.1 GHz), 2.1 GHz, 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 750 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GS, EPEAT Silver, EPA Energy Star, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Personal computer

The Bottom Line: The (PRODUCT) RED version of Dell's XPS One 24 is the most fully featured of Dell's all-in-ones and would serve as a fine PC to anyone in search of a Windows-based all-in-one for basic digital entertainment and productivity tasks. A few more innovations or forward-thinking options would earn a warmer recommendation.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200, 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 750 GB, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate Service Pack 1

The Bottom Line: Sony's Vaio LV180J updates its digital-media-oriented all-in-one with a larger LCD, more powerful hardware, and an exceedingly smart method for switching between the Windows desktop and other components connected via the unique HDMI input. No other all-in-one can make as strong a claim as this one as a command center for your digital media.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 (3 GHz), 3 GHz, 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 500 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS, RoHS, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition, Media center

The Bottom Line: Although the eMachines EL1200-05w's price tag is tempting, an extra $100 will land you a competitive desktop that can handle a wider variety of applications and even leaves room for future expansion opportunities.

Specs: AMD Athlon 64 2650e (1.6 GHz), 1.6 GHz, 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 160 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Personal computer

The Bottom Line: Even if we have a few reservations about this system, we can't deny that Alienware has an outstanding deal on its hands, with the Area 51 X58. It offers the same core hardware and twice the storage capacity as PCs that cost $1,500 more. High-end bargain hunters, assuming they exist, will find an amazing deal in this PC.

Specs: Intel Core i7 965 (3.20 GHz), 3.20 GHz, 12 GB DDR3 SDRAM, Solid state

The Bottom Line: Averatec's 18.4-inch All-in-One PC is a good-looking little Nettop, but you must make huge sacrifices in performance. Most users would be better off buying a cheap laptop or low-end desktop, depending on one's needs.

Specs: Intel Atom N270 (1.6 GHz), 1.6 GHz, 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 160 GB Standard, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Personal computer

The Bottom Line: You can find flashier PCs than Dell's $1,299 Studio XPS, but few have as much power where it counts. We don't recommend its small, pared-down case for upgraders, but this PC will satisfy anyone who needs a loaded, powerful PC for gaming and consumer-level digital media editing.

Specs: Intel, 6 GB, 750 GB, ATI Radeon HD 4850, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-Bit

The Bottom Line: With lots of useful features (some cleverly hidden), Gateway's FX6800-01e stands out from the boring mainstream pack. It also uses Intel's new CPU and motherboard combination to provide speed and upgradeability. You can find faster PCs for a similar price, but few with this much promise.

Specs: Intel Core i7 920 (2.6 GHz), 2.6 GHz, 3 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 750 GB, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Service Pack 1 64 Bit

The Bottom Line: Velocity Micro's Edge Z55 provides a powerful example of the leap ahead in performance afforded by Intel's new Core i7 CPUs. Velocity Micro's own overclocking efforts don't hurt either. Any PC gamer would love to make this upper midrange desktop their own.

The Bottom Line: Falcon Northwest's latest Mach V provides a model for the coming trends in high-end computing. From the latest Intel CPU, to solid-state storage, to copious amounts of memory, there's lot to admire about his PC. You will also have to pay for it, which unfortunately will thwart all but the most well-off gamers and enthusiasts.

Specs: Intel Core i7 965, 12 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 1 TB, ATi Radeon HD 4870, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition