Desktops Reviews

Shuttle SD39P2 review

Review A barebone PC isn’t for everyone, but Shuttle has made the SD39P2 almost foolproof by supporting good components, although the lack of support for AMD processors will disappoint some.

Blade PCs: the ultimate managed desktops

Tech Guide If you want total control over users' desktops, putting their PCs on blades in the datacentre is one increasingly popular solution.

Alienware MJ-12 8550i review

Review Available in single- and dual-processor configurations and featuring up to eight total processing cores, the Xeon-based MJ-12 8550i should deliver plenty of performance. But although it’s a solid system with immaculate build quality, similar-specified workstations can be had for less money.

Benchmarks: the unofficial eight-core Mac Pro

Tech Guide Unless you normally work on high-end workstations, perform massively multitasking workloads or just want the bragging rights, eight cores is definitely overkill -- at least for now.

Apple Mac Pro review

Review Apple's Mac Pro has design innovations that we hope will cross over to other systems. Its performance is as strong as you'd expect for a system in its class, and it's priced right, too. You might need more flexibility in your configuration options, especially for 3D design. But otherwise, the Mac Pro is as solid a professional-class PC as we've seen.

HP Compaq t5720 Thin Client review

Review The AMD-based t5720 is a welcome addition to HP Compaq's family of thin clients, but documentation needs to be improved.

Lenovo 3000 J100 and J105: a first look

Preview Lenovo's 3000-series desktops are the first PCs it can truly call its own. These small-business systems offer an affordable, flexible set of configurations with an attractive design and added business features.

ClearCube PC Blade solutions review

Review For maximum security and performance ClearCube's C/Port technology matches what you’ll get from a similar desktop PC. For maximum flexibility, however, the thin-client I/Port solution is a better option, especially when teamed with virtualisation software to host multiple users per PC blade.

HP dx5150 review

Review You can find faster work PCs, but we like the HP dx5150 as a low-cost business desktop, particularly when paired with the L1740 display.

Apple Power Mac G5 (dual 2.7GHz) review

Review Apple has upgraded the Power Mac G5 with Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger and faster parts, but our complaints about limited expandability still apply.

Apple iMac G5 (2.0GHz, 17in.): a first look

Preview Tiger's not the only story; the iMac G5 gets a complete hardware overhaul, too.

Apple Power Mac G5 (dual 2.7GHz): a first look

Preview Along with the Tiger OS, Apple gives the Power Mac G5 new hardware, starting with the 2.7GHz processor.

Dell OptiPlex GX280: a first look

Preview Dell's much needed case revamp of its OptiPlex GX280 benefits from the new BTX standard and a number of smart improvements.

Apple Mac mini (1.25GHz) review

Review Apple trimmed some corners to keep the Mac mini's price so low, but its great design and big software bundle make it a winner among budget computers.

Apple Mac mini: a first look

Preview Get our first impression of Apple's smallest and cheapest desktop computer.