BUYING YOUR DESKTOP

Remember when buying a desktop computer was simple?
You'd stroll into your local electronics boutique, pick
out the homely beige box with a logical moniker that
perfectly complemented your needs (and a copy of
Windows XP), and then head home, eager to begin what
was sure to be an effortless setup and installation process. No?
We don't either. The PC market has always been inundated with more
option than the average shopper could hope to puzzle through, and
the march of time has been muddled, as towers of varying
size have been joined by computers of entirely new designs.

Fortunately, the most important choice you can make is also the
easiest: Whatever shape, size, and price range you settle for,
you'll want your new PC to run Windows 7. The disappointment
of Vista is still fresh on many minds, but Microsoft's latest operating
system offers improved peformance, surpassing even the venerable
Windows XP. And while each class of desktop offers divergent capabilities,
strenght, and weakness, they also take advantage of windows 7's
features in thier own ways.

We tested a number of Windows 7 based desktop computers
spanning the three major categories: compact PCs, all-in-ones,
and the traditional tower. The six system that we discuss here represent
new and notable entries in each of those categories.

The first step in buying a PC is identifying a need: Who is going to use
the machine, and why? You might be tempted to buy Grandma an
inexpensive e-mail appliance, to help keep in touch. But what if she wants
to stream Matlock in high definition to her living-room TV, edit and store
terabytes of family photos, or video-blog her cooking show? A pricey
high-end desktop computer could handle those tasks with aplomb.
The trick is to know what you want and, as a smart shopper, to find a
machine that delivers exactly what you need in a convenient, cost-effective
manner.

Which Kind of DESKTOP Is Right for You?

Compact PC
If you're on a shoestring budget and you just want to send a few
e-mail messages, a compact PC can get you on your way
for as little as $200 (sans monitor). If high def video strikes your
fancy, you'll want a machine equipped with an nVidia de-coding,
and an HDMI output, for HDTVs. Such PCs start at just over $300.

All-in-One
All-in-one PCs are self-contained-the innards are mounted behind
displays typically ranging between 18 and 27 inches. Many models
tout thier wireless fuctionality (wireless keyboards and mice,
Bluetooth support, and wireless Internet connectivity). This keeps
cord clutter at a minimum, an important consideration in space
where a rat's nest of cables may clash with a neat, spare decor. You
are also likely to end up with a single-touch display-but even
multitouch support is becoming more common on budget
all-in-ones now.

Tower
A system that is built with the right components will play the latest
video games, steam movies and music to every media outlet in your
home, store a lifetime's worth of memories, and give you the
computing power you need to create rich media content. The right
tower is also readily upgradable--an important consideration, as that
will let you keep your machine in top shape for years to come.