Acer Aspire AXC-603-UR15 Desktop (Black)

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Amazing for its price, but it has windows 8 and bing and ie...not win7 home premium and chrome...good enough though.

Lenovo IdeaCentre H500s Slim Desktop (57327931) Black

H500s desktop uniquely combines a slim space-saving design with the latest processor technology and plenty of storage space for everyday home computing.

• Intel Celeron J1800 2.41 GHz Processor


• 4 GB DDR3 RAM


• 500 GB 7200 rpm Hard Drive


• Integrated Intel HD graphics


• Windows 8.1 with Bing

Lenovo C260 19.5-Inch All-in-One Desktop (57327436) Black

CUSTOMER REVIEW



I purchased this as a back up computer simply to access cloud based applications on the web in a business situation. For the price it is a pleasant surprise. It is able to access net applications without issue and it does so quickly. It is a bit slower to install software than my more robust computers, but outside of this, it does what I need it to do. I plan to purchase another one.

ASUS VivoPC-VM40B-02 Desktop

CUSTOMER REVIEW



At $250, the ASUS VivoPC-VM40B is a dream come true for customers needing a full interfaced desktop in a small, sleek package. Measuring 7.5" x 7.5" x 2.2", this sleek desktop with a spun metal finish allows me to have a nice computer attached to the playroom for both games, movies, and homework on the big screen. With 4GB of memory (upgradeable to 16GB) and 500GB of on board storage, this machine is just right for our playroom.



Powered with a dual core CPU driven by an Intel Celeron 1007U Processor (1.5 GHz), this is an all-around general purpose machine - not a machine geared towards hardcore gamers or video editors where a much faster chipset would be required.



It comes stock with the following connectivity ports:



2 x USB 3.0

4 x USB 2.0

1 x HDMI

1 x VGA Out

1 x LAN

1 x Optical S/PDIF out (Toslink)

3 x Audio Jacks (Line in/Mic in/Speaker out)



Its even Bluetooth 4.0 compliant!



I would prefer to have another HDMI slot, but you can't ask for the world at this price and in this size of a console.



The ASUS VivoPC-VM40B is a nice alternative to a Chromebox for those who need a little more functionality and control. It is quiet and doesn't get too warm during use. A great addition for my family's computing needs.

Dell Inspiron i3847-5078BK Desktop (Windows 7)

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Vine Customer Review of Free Product (What's this?) OK... A little background: I am the kind of guy who builds his own PCs. Sure, over the past three-and-a-half decades I've owned several pre-builts, including several from Apple, ASUS, IBM (old school!), Acer, Compaq, HP, Lenovo, Gateway and other companies, but those usually ended up being cannibalized for parts because I never really liked how limited the designs were in those systems. They lacked expansion slots, or the memory couldn't be upgraded, or they weren't flexible enough to allow me to add more hard drives (you can never have enough hard drives). So I frequently just built Frankenputers from pieces and parts, and tailored them to my needs, all the while working in various computer stores (years ago) selling pre-built units-- including Dells-- to customers (until all the computer stores went out of business thanks to Best Bigbox killing them). I have to add that my experience with Dell at that time left me less than enthused.



Enter the Dell Inspiron i3847. They advertised it as "That expandable" and I was intrigued. "Truly? A pre-built desktop that doesn't make expansion a chore? This I've got to see!"



When the Dell arrived, I fired it up and was, indeed pleased by the fast setup and the lack of bloatware-- indeed, the only extra software on it seemed to be the 30-day trial of McAfee, but as I have my own subscription with Kaspersky, I didn't even need this and it was easily deleted, leaving me the majority of the 1TB hard drive for future software installations.



The speed was also quite nice. I was coming from an AMD Phenom X4 955 3.2 GHz, and the boost in speed when going to the Intel Core i5 (also 3.2 GHz) is quite welcome. That's not to say the AMD was slow, but that the Intel is just more optimized. It's simply faster in day-to-day functions, and plays nicer with my various applications.



The 8GB of RAM was also pretty helpful, I must say. It's nice to get a PC loaded with enough RAM to do any job. Too many pre-built PCs cheap-out in this regard, giving the buyer 4GB to deal with. In this era of 64-bit Windows, there's simply no reason not to slap the other 4GB in there and make the end-user experience that much more pleasant.



The on-board graphics? Well, they're Intel on-board graphics. Fast enough for web browsing, basic games, basic video, and business applications, but I'm a bit of a gamer and video editor, and so I was exceptionally pleased to see the free slot and ample space in the Dell Inspiron to allow me to install my Radeon HD 7850. Yes, yes... I know I'd be better served on an Intel with a GeForce card, but right now I'm happy with my existing Radeon pulled from an AMD system, and you can bet I was happy to see that it fit in the Dell.



Of course, there was one problem: Power. The Dell Inspiron i3847-5078BK comes with a very basic 300-watt power supply, and no, it does not have PCI-E connections. That meant swapping over my Corsair RM550 so that I could provide power to my Radeon card... And then, as long as I was in there, I mounted a second and third hard drive. I had to provide an extra SATA connector, and to be clear, there is no third HDD bay, but I happened to have a 5.25 caddy around, and so my third hard drive fit nicely in the second optical drive bay (which I wouldn't have needed, anyway... I really don't see the point to two optical drives unless you do a lot of disc-to-disc copying). While I was making changes, I decided to pull the stock DVD-RW drive (not a bad drive, mind you) and replace it with my own BD-RW drive.



It took some work getting the cables from my modular power supply managed, but once done, everything worked perfectly. The power supply mounted with no problems, the new hard drives all work, and the system is still so remarkably quiet I'm amazed it's got such a beefy CPU.



I didn't stop there, though. This system came with Windows 7 64-bit. That's nice and all, but after a couple years of using Windows 8 and 8.1, I was too used to the new OS and all the advancement in it (and before you gripe about how terrible Windows 8.1 is, let me point out that the under-the-hood improvements are enough of a performance boost for any gamer to think twice about being pedantic about the UI changing slightly.) With Windows 8.1 in place on this Core i5 system, with an improved video card and 8 GB of RAM, the system boots up super-fast and everything blazes.



Even before I put Windows 8.1 on this PC, though, it was pretty darn fast. The hardware is solid. The Core i5 CPU is absolutely lovely, and I have no complaints about it. The added RAM was probably the real boost to the system, though. If you absolutely hate Windows 8.1 then you will still see plenty of speed on this system as-is, with Windows 7 on it.



Despite this being an excellent computer that has changed my mind about pre-built systems, I am knocking off a point from my review for a combination of things:



First, the stock power supply was woefully inadequate for any expansion of the system. It was enough to run the hardware included, but if the average user wants to add a hard drive or video card, they're going to find out soon enough that they needed to upgrade the power supply. What's more, the included PSU has exceptionally short wires going to the CPU and motherboard, making it useful only for this particular PC & motherboard's layout. This is a minor complaint, but when they advertise that it's "That Expandable", they really should see fit to stick a beefier, more well-equipped power supply in the case.



Second, I just don't see the point to having two 5.25 bays and only two 3.25 bays when there are four SATA connections. Most people simply aren't going to need an extra optical drive, and would want that extra hard drive some day. Maybe it's just me, but I think a third 3.25 rack would have been preferable in a case like this, or, barring that, at least include a caddy to transform that 5.25 bay into a 3.25 bay. I had one lying around, but most people won't, and again they're selling this series as "Expandable" so I'd think this hardware would be part of the case design.



Finally, there are no front fans whatsoever. No hard drive cooling, no intake. I may correct this myself if I can figure out how to make it work with the nearly-sealed front panel, but I found it strange that a system that is supposed to be expandable wouldn't take into account the possibility that future upgrades might increase the interior heat and require some additional cooling.



These are, of course, all nitpick from a PC builder's point of view. For the average consumer looking for a powerful system this is a great choice. You have the ability to add that GeForce (or AMD) video card, as long as you make sure to swap out the power supply, too. You have the ability to add an extra hard drive easily (the SATA and power connectors are right there, held in place on the empty drive bay). You have 8GB of RAM and almost the entire 1 TB hard drive to work with thanks to Dell not packing in a bunch of unnecessary bloatware. You have excellent speed, and best of all, quiet cooling and power that makes this system purr.



This is an excellent choice in pre-built PCs. I can safely say that the next time I am looking to help a layperson find a pre-built desktop computer that I won't have to help them fix all the time, it will likely be a Dell. My assessment of Dell's hardware (and software) has *vastly* improved after my experience with this system. They've made consumer-friendly systems that still cater to the desires and needs of tinkerers and people in-the-know, like me.



Final Verdict: FOUR STARS for me, but it could be FIVE STARS for the average consumer who never intends to do any upgrading themselves. Let's call it FOUR AND A HALF STARS, if Amazon would let me do that.

ASUS CHROMEBOX-M004U Desktop

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Our desktop died a few months ago and we were looking for a replacement. Because my wife and I both have tablets and a laptop, we have found that we have not used the desktop as much. As a result, we were wondering whether we should even get a replacement. We decided it would be nice to have but we didn't want to spend $500+ on a new computer. I had heard of the Chromebox previously but didn't pay too much attention to it. I decided it would be worth looking into and after seeing all the good comments, I felt it was worth taking a chance on getting one.



Is it anything spectacular? Yes! Does it do anything more than Chrome on Windows? No. But here is why (when your desktop finally dies/or you are just sick of how slow it is) you should buy a Chromebox:



1) Fast enough to do everything you want to on the internet. If you are like most people, you will realize that 90+% of the time you are on a computer, you are using a web browser. Everything else on your computer therefore is added weight to slow down your internet experience. This may include Virus/Malware Scanning Software, Viruses and Malware, other background processes, etc. ChromeOS takes all this out and gives you the the web browser and a great way of connecting to it. Will it handle the latest high intensity graphics game around? No, it won't come close but if you are looking for something to do that, you probably aren't even looking at Chromeboxes and therefore are not even reading this post.



2) Still can do Microsoft Office Online. This was actually a surprise to me but it actually works fairly well. For those of you who are not familiar with Office Online, it is a web version of Office that doesn't have all the bells and whistles of regular office. If you are like most people, you really don't use the bells and whistles. I do quite a bit of work in Office with my employment (law) and find that everything that I need can be done on Office Online. If you really don't need a lot of features, check of Google Docs, it rocks as well.



3) 100GB of online storage. From your new Chromebox (or Chromebook) go to http://ift.tt/T5gIes and type in some information an viola, 100GB of online storage.



4) It is simple to use. There is no learning curve with the Chromebox. It is the Chrome web browser and if you have used any browser in the last 5 years, you will be up to speed. There are a few features that you don't get on regular Chrome like Bluetooth and WIFI but even make that easy to operate.



5) It uses Google Print. So this could be a frustration for a lot of people. The Chromebox, even though it has USB ports, does not allow you to connect printers because it doesn't install drivers. So what can you do? First, get a printer that is Google Print capable. Okay, I am with you, I really don't need another printer laying around my house. Second, try the xPrint Server from Lantronix. Granted it is a little expensive (~$150.00) which makes one wonder why not just buy a new printer. Third, use an old computer that runs Chrome as a gateway. While not a great choice, it is better than some of the first options. Fourth, get geeky with a Raspberry Pi. For those that are not aware of what a Raspberry Pi is, it is a $35 computer capable of running Linux. Needless to say, Chrome can run on Linux and it can also install printer drivers. Here is a tutorial on turning a Raspberry Pi into your Google Cloud Print servant.



[...]



Again, this is a hurdle for a lot of people but I will say, after you get Google Cloud Print working, it is awesome. No more worrying about what computer your document is on and what computer is connected to which printer. It is simply, clicking this printer and this document.



6) It can be customized. If you find out that Chrome OS is not your thing that is okay. There are plenty of tutorials on how to install Ubuntu on the Chromebox either as a dual-boot or replacement. If you are interested in this, I would recommend getting an extra 2GB stick of ram (Laptop DDR3). It may also be smart to upgrade the size of the SSD as well. If that looks greek to you, then just stick with Chrome OS.



Hopefully you have found my review helpful of the Chromebox. Just to recap, this is a great desktop replacement if all you need is something to surf the internet with and do homework. You will be pleasantly surprised at how fast it loads up and how easy it is to use.

Dell Inspiron i3646-1000BLK Desktop

CUSTOMER REVIEW



I bought the desktop personally through Best Buy.



The website informed me there was 6 USB entries for 2.0 & 2 entries for 3.0. I opened the box, counted only 4 ports of 2.0 (two in front &rear) and only one 3.0 in the rear. The Amazon description also falsely advertised this PC several weeks ago when I went to purchase it, but I see they;ve updated the correct information. When I called them, they wanted me to bring it back and they suggested an adapter of multiple USB entries. I got so angry, I wanted my money back. Thing is, aside from this, the PC is fantastic. So I politely dismissed their suggestions & took it back home. I was caught in their web, along with many customers they've misinformed..



Now, if it's one thing that impressed me the most from this desktop--it's incredibly quiet & small. I keep it nice and safe on my desk, you can barely hear it. I adore the simplistic interface. And what a relief putting away my Ethernet cable away--the umbilical cord has been cut! I enjoy the wireless feature with my router, and the Bluetooth feature is fantastic. It also has an HDMI port in the rear so my TV can mimic as a monitor for special occasions. the power adapter cable is thin & small, so it can fit anywhere. Trying Windows 8 for the first time, is completely overrated & nothing special. Luckily you can always change it back the Windows 7 interface easily. Intel Core Celeron J1800 isn't the most impressive processors now, but this is perfect for casual computer users. I stream movies & I use Photoshop frequently so it runs smoothly. This is a great computer for common users & needing an upgrade from XP.



Yes, if you're not needy for USB ports then this PC is absolutely recommended by me. It's a great buy for its fair price. & I strongly suggest you purchase this kind of sensitive technology in person, if it's possible in your circumstances. It's not smart having this delivered on your doorstep.

ASUS CHROMEBOX-M004U Desktop

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Our desktop died a few months ago and we were looking for a replacement. Because my wife and I both have tablets and a laptop, we have found that we have not used the desktop as much. As a result, we were wondering whether we should even get a replacement. We decided it would be nice to have but we didn't want to spend $500+ on a new computer. I had heard of the Chromebox previously but didn't pay too much attention to it. I decided it would be worth looking into and after seeing all the good comments, I felt it was worth taking a chance on getting one.



Is it anything spectacular? Yes! Does it do anything more than Chrome on Windows? No. But here is why (when your desktop finally dies/or you are just sick of how slow it is) you should buy a Chromebox:



1) Fast enough to do everything you want to on the internet. If you are like most people, you will realize that 90+% of the time you are on a computer, you are using a web browser. Everything else on your computer therefore is added weight to slow down your internet experience. This may include Virus/Malware Scanning Software, Viruses and Malware, other background processes, etc. ChromeOS takes all this out and gives you the the web browser and a great way of connecting to it. Will it handle the latest high intensity graphics game around? No, it won't come close but if you are looking for something to do that, you probably aren't even looking at Chromeboxes and therefore are not even reading this post.



2) Still can do Microsoft Office Online. This was actually a surprise to me but it actually works fairly well. For those of you who are not familiar with Office Online, it is a web version of Office that doesn't have all the bells and whistles of regular office. If you are like most people, you really don't use the bells and whistles. I do quite a bit of work in Office with my employment (law) and find that everything that I need can be done on Office Online. If you really don't need a lot of features, check of Google Docs, it rocks as well.



3) 100GB of online storage. From your new Chromebox (or Chromebook) go to http://ift.tt/T5gIes and type in some information an viola, 100GB of online storage.



4) It is simple to use. There is no learning curve with the Chromebox. It is the Chrome web browser and if you have used any browser in the last 5 years, you will be up to speed. There are a few features that you don't get on regular Chrome like Bluetooth and WIFI but even make that easy to operate.



5) It uses Google Print. So this could be a frustration for a lot of people. The Chromebox, even though it has USB ports, does not allow you to connect printers because it doesn't install drivers. So what can you do? First, get a printer that is Google Print capable. Okay, I am with you, I really don't need another printer laying around my house. Second, try the xPrint Server from Lantronix. Granted it is a little expensive (~$150.00) which makes one wonder why not just buy a new printer. Third, use an old computer that runs Chrome as a gateway. While not a great choice, it is better than some of the first options. Fourth, get geeky with a Raspberry Pi. For those that are not aware of what a Raspberry Pi is, it is a $35 computer capable of running Linux. Needless to say, Chrome can run on Linux and it can also install printer drivers. Here is a tutorial on turning a Raspberry Pi into your Google Cloud Print servant.



[...]



Again, this is a hurdle for a lot of people but I will say, after you get Google Cloud Print working, it is awesome. No more worrying about what computer your document is on and what computer is connected to which printer. It is simply, clicking this printer and this document.



6) It can be customized. If you find out that Chrome OS is not your thing that is okay. There are plenty of tutorials on how to install Ubuntu on the Chromebox either as a dual-boot or replacement. If you are interested in this, I would recommend getting an extra 2GB stick of ram (Laptop DDR3). It may also be smart to upgrade the size of the SSD as well. If that looks greek to you, then just stick with Chrome OS.



Hopefully you have found my review helpful of the Chromebox. Just to recap, this is a great desktop replacement if all you need is something to surf the internet with and do homework. You will be pleasantly surprised at how fast it loads up and how easy it is to use.

Dell Inspiron i3847-5078BK Desktop (Windows 7)

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Vine Customer Review of Free Product (What's this?) OK... A little background: I am the kind of guy who builds his own PCs. Sure, over the past three-and-a-half decades I've owned several pre-builts, including several from Apple, ASUS, IBM (old school!), Acer, Compaq, HP, Lenovo, Gateway and other companies, but those usually ended up being cannibalized for parts because I never really liked how limited the designs were in those systems. They lacked expansion slots, or the memory couldn't be upgraded, or they weren't flexible enough to allow me to add more hard drives (you can never have enough hard drives). So I frequently just built Frankenputers from pieces and parts, and tailored them to my needs, all the while working in various computer stores (years ago) selling pre-built units-- including Dells-- to customers (until all the computer stores went out of business thanks to Best Bigbox killing them). I have to add that my experience with Dell at that time left me less than enthused.



Enter the Dell Inspiron i3847. They advertised it as "That expandable" and I was intrigued. "Truly? A pre-built desktop that doesn't make expansion a chore? This I've got to see!"



When the Dell arrived, I fired it up and was, indeed pleased by the fast setup and the lack of bloatware-- indeed, the only extra software on it seemed to be the 30-day trial of McAfee, but as I have my own subscription with Kaspersky, I didn't even need this and it was easily deleted, leaving me the majority of the 1TB hard drive for future software installations.



The speed was also quite nice. I was coming from an AMD Phenom X4 955 3.2 GHz, and the boost in speed when going to the Intel Core i5 (also 3.2 GHz) is quite welcome. That's not to say the AMD was slow, but that the Intel is just more optimized. It's simply faster in day-to-day functions, and plays nicer with my various applications.



The 8GB of RAM was also pretty helpful, I must say. It's nice to get a PC loaded with enough RAM to do any job. Too many pre-built PCs cheap-out in this regard, giving the buyer 4GB to deal with. In this era of 64-bit Windows, there's simply no reason not to slap the other 4GB in there and make the end-user experience that much more pleasant.



The on-board graphics? Well, they're Intel on-board graphics. Fast enough for web browsing, basic games, basic video, and business applications, but I'm a bit of a gamer and video editor, and so I was exceptionally pleased to see the free slot and ample space in the Dell Inspiron to allow me to install my Radeon HD 7850. Yes, yes... I know I'd be better served on an Intel with a GeForce card, but right now I'm happy with my existing Radeon pulled from an AMD system, and you can bet I was happy to see that it fit in the Dell.



Of course, there was one problem: Power. The Dell Inspiron i3847-5078BK comes with a very basic 300-watt power supply, and no, it does not have PCI-E connections. That meant swapping over my Corsair RM550 so that I could provide power to my Radeon card... And then, as long as I was in there, I mounted a second and third hard drive. I had to provide an extra SATA connector, and to be clear, there is no third HDD bay, but I happened to have a 5.25 caddy around, and so my third hard drive fit nicely in the second optical drive bay (which I wouldn't have needed, anyway... I really don't see the point to two optical drives unless you do a lot of disc-to-disc copying). While I was making changes, I decided to pull the stock DVD-RW drive (not a bad drive, mind you) and replace it with my own BD-RW drive.



It took some work getting the cables from my modular power supply managed, but once done, everything worked perfectly. The power supply mounted with no problems, the new hard drives all work, and the system is still so remarkably quiet I'm amazed it's got such a beefy CPU.



I didn't stop there, though. This system came with Windows 7 64-bit. That's nice and all, but after a couple years of using Windows 8 and 8.1, I was too used to the new OS and all the advancement in it (and before you gripe about how terrible Windows 8.1 is, let me point out that the under-the-hood improvements are enough of a performance boost for any gamer to think twice about being pedantic about the UI changing slightly.) With Windows 8.1 in place on this Core i5 system, with an improved video card and 8 GB of RAM, the system boots up super-fast and everything blazes.



Even before I put Windows 8.1 on this PC, though, it was pretty darn fast. The hardware is solid. The Core i5 CPU is absolutely lovely, and I have no complaints about it. The added RAM was probably the real boost to the system, though. If you absolutely hate Windows 8.1 then you will still see plenty of speed on this system as-is, with Windows 7 on it.



Despite this being an excellent computer that has changed my mind about pre-built systems, I am knocking off a point from my review for a combination of things:



First, the stock power supply was woefully inadequate for any expansion of the system. It was enough to run the hardware included, but if the average user wants to add a hard drive or video card, they're going to find out soon enough that they needed to upgrade the power supply. What's more, the included PSU has exceptionally short wires going to the CPU and motherboard, making it useful only for this particular PC & motherboard's layout. This is a minor complaint, but when they advertise that it's "That Expandable", they really should see fit to stick a beefier, more well-equipped power supply in the case.



Second, I just don't see the point to having two 5.25 bays and only two 3.25 bays when there are four SATA connections. Most people simply aren't going to need an extra optical drive, and would want that extra hard drive some day. Maybe it's just me, but I think a third 3.25 rack would have been preferable in a case like this, or, barring that, at least include a caddy to transform that 5.25 bay into a 3.25 bay. I had one lying around, but most people won't, and again they're selling this series as "Expandable" so I'd think this hardware would be part of the case design.



Finally, there are no front fans whatsoever. No hard drive cooling, no intake. I may correct this myself if I can figure out how to make it work with the nearly-sealed front panel, but I found it strange that a system that is supposed to be expandable wouldn't take into account the possibility that future upgrades might increase the interior heat and require some additional cooling.



These are, of course, all nitpick from a PC builder's point of view. For the average consumer looking for a powerful system this is a great choice. You have the ability to add that GeForce (or AMD) video card, as long as you make sure to swap out the power supply, too. You have the ability to add an extra hard drive easily (the SATA and power connectors are right there, held in place on the empty drive bay). You have 8GB of RAM and almost the entire 1 TB hard drive to work with thanks to Dell not packing in a bunch of unnecessary bloatware. You have excellent speed, and best of all, quiet cooling and power that makes this system purr.



This is an excellent choice in pre-built PCs. I can safely say that the next time I am looking to help a layperson find a pre-built desktop computer that I won't have to help them fix all the time, it will likely be a Dell. My assessment of Dell's hardware (and software) has *vastly* improved after my experience with this system. They've made consumer-friendly systems that still cater to the desires and needs of tinkerers and people in-the-know, like me.



Final Verdict: FOUR STARS for me, but it could be FIVE STARS for the average consumer who never intends to do any upgrading themselves. Let's call it FOUR AND A HALF STARS, if Amazon would let me do that.

HP Pavilion 500-281 Desktop (Windows 7)

CUSTOMER REVIEW



I had recently purchased a new computer with Windows 8 installed on it, and after using it for a few days, I returned it because I HATED Windows 8. Hate is not too strong a word. I am not a computer novice, I used to be a computer trainer before I retired, so I know how to use computers and was anxious to see what Windows 8 was all about. But after using it, I found that I hated everything about it returned the computer. I immediately started looking for a new HP computer with Windows 7 on it. I found this awesome HP computer with Windows 7 on Amazon and I have loved every minute of using it. It is super fast and came with a really nice wireless keyboard and mouse. It is going to be harder and harder to find new computers with Windows 7 installed on them. If you are in the market for a great computer at a great price, get one of these treasures before they are gone. You won't regret it.

Dell Inspiron i3647-1234BLK Desktop

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Performance wise, this computer stands up really well. The processor in this is extremely solid for those on a budget.

Some things that stand out to me:

- 4th Generation Intel Pentium (Haswell) processor (Released in Q2 of 2014)

- One 4GB stick of RAM (better than 2X2 GB, because you can easily upgrade to 8GB)

- On board WiFi, Bluetooth, and HDMI along with 6 USB 2.0 ports and 2 USB 3.0 ports (you just don't see that for this price)



In the short time I have had this computer, I have been thoroughly impressed. I use it as a Home Theater PC and I have not been disappointed. It is small and sleek looking so it doesn't look out of place below the TV. It runs very quiet and cool (even during downloading and video playback, the fan doesn't pick up at all!). And I am not concerned about leaving it on all the time because it is very energy efficient.



This isn't going to blow your socks off. But it is not meant to. For this price ($250 whenever I bought) it is hands down THE best computer there is.



Bottom line: If you need a computer for every day tasks such as web browsing, email, media playback, Microsoft Office work, and even light gaming, this is the computer for you. It will fly through these tasks without a hiccup. And with on-board WiFi and bluetooth, there are even fewer cables.



Now if you are looking for a top of the line gaming PC, obviously this isn't for you...

Lenovo IdeaCentre H500s Slim Desktop (57327931) Black

CUSTOMER REVIEW



It's a basic desktop that offers a lot for the price. Get quite a bit in terms of processor, memory and hard drive space. Mouse and keyboard are not wireless. 4 USB-2; 1 USB-3 ports. Has ethernet and WiFi. DVD recordable (not blu-ray) drive. Has a fan on the CPU but not on the case. If you are going to use it in a hot environment, adding an external fan would be a good idea. Internal upgrading or add-on possibilities are limited. Adding more memory or a bigger hard drive are possible. There is a PCI-express slot, but the space and power for it are limited. If you want a computer with good upgrade options, spend a little more and get one with a bigger layout.



Unfortunately, it comes with Win8 rather than Win7, and apparently Win7 can't be installed on it. Uses an external, wart-on-a-cord power supply. Lenovo website is only fair in providing info on the unit. A basic user's manual comes with the unit along with a DVD with drivers. However, there is a hardware manual on the website that does not come with the computer that should be downloaded. If you need a cheap, basic, small brick, and its limitations aren't going to bother you, it's a good choice.

HP Pavilion 500-281 Desktop (Windows 7)

CUSTOMER REVIEW



I had recently purchased a new computer with Windows 8 installed on it, and after using it for a few days, I returned it because I HATED Windows 8. Hate is not too strong a word. I am not a computer novice, I used to be a computer trainer before I retired, so I know how to use computers and was anxious to see what Windows 8 was all about. But after using it, I found that I hated everything about it returned the computer. I immediately started looking for a new HP computer with Windows 7 on it. I found this awesome HP computer with Windows 7 on Amazon and I have loved every minute of using it. It is super fast and came with a really nice wireless keyboard and mouse. It is going to be harder and harder to find new computers with Windows 7 installed on them. If you are in the market for a great computer at a great price, get one of these treasures before they are gone. You won't regret it.

Lenovo C260 19.5-Inch All-in-One Desktop (57327436) Black

CUSTOMER REVIEW



I purchased this as a back up computer simply to access cloud based applications on the web in a business situation. For the price it is a pleasant surprise. It is able to access net applications without issue and it does so quickly. It is a bit slower to install software than my more robust computers, but outside of this, it does what I need it to do. I plan to purchase another one.

Dell Inspiron i3646-1000BLK Desktop

CUSTOMER REVIEW



I bought the desktop personally through Best Buy.



The website informed me there was 6 USB entries for 2.0 & 2 entries for 3.0. I opened the box, counted only 4 ports of 2.0 (two in front &rear) and only one 3.0 in the rear. The Amazon description also falsely advertised this PC several weeks ago when I went to purchase it, but I see they;ve updated the correct information. When I called them, they wanted me to bring it back and they suggested an adapter of multiple USB entries. I got so angry, I wanted my money back. Thing is, aside from this, the PC is fantastic. So I politely dismissed their suggestions & took it back home. I was caught in their web, along with many customers they've misinformed..



Now, if it's one thing that impressed me the most from this desktop--it's incredibly quiet & small. I keep it nice and safe on my desk, you can barely hear it. I adore the simplistic interface. And what a relief putting away my Ethernet cable away--the umbilical cord has been cut! I enjoy the wireless feature with my router, and the Bluetooth feature is fantastic. It also has an HDMI port in the rear so my TV can mimic as a monitor for special occasions. the power adapter cable is thin & small, so it can fit anywhere. Trying Windows 8 for the first time, is completely overrated & nothing special. Luckily you can always change it back the Windows 7 interface easily. Intel Core Celeron J1800 isn't the most impressive processors now, but this is perfect for casual computer users. I stream movies & I use Photoshop frequently so it runs smoothly. This is a great computer for common users & needing an upgrade from XP.



Yes, if you're not needy for USB ports then this PC is absolutely recommended by me. It's a great buy for its fair price. & I strongly suggest you purchase this kind of sensitive technology in person, if it's possible in your circumstances. It's not smart having this delivered on your doorstep.

HP Pavilion 23-g010 23-Inch All-in-One Desktop

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Love this computer. Really great price, was looking for a desktop but nothing REALLY fancy and at a great price. Love the fact that this uses WiFi (can hard wire if you choose to) giving me the option to put it practically anywhere in the house! Super big screen, Awesome graphics and display! We did not get the touchscreen which would be fun but not necessary to enjoy this computer! it was so simple to set up I was online in minutes! comes with Windows 8, some nice video editing software, a DVDRW drive, and a nice integrated HD webcam. Truly for the price this was an excellent purchase. I did also get the 4 year warranty along with it...just in case!

ASUS CHROMEBOX-M004U Desktop

CUSTOMER REVIEW



Our desktop died a few months ago and we were looking for a replacement. Because my wife and I both have tablets and a laptop, we have found that we have not used the desktop as much. As a result, we were wondering whether we should even get a replacement. We decided it would be nice to have but we didn't want to spend $500+ on a new computer. I had heard of the Chromebox previously but didn't pay too much attention to it. I decided it would be worth looking into and after seeing all the good comments, I felt it was worth taking a chance on getting one.



Is it anything spectacular? Yes! Does it do anything more than Chrome on Windows? No. But here is why (when your desktop finally dies/or you are just sick of how slow it is) you should buy a Chromebox:



1) Fast enough to do everything you want to on the internet. If you are like most people, you will realize that 90+% of the time you are on a computer, you are using a web browser. Everything else on your computer therefore is added weight to slow down your internet experience. This may include Virus/Malware Scanning Software, Viruses and Malware, other background processes, etc. ChromeOS takes all this out and gives you the the web browser and a great way of connecting to it. Will it handle the latest high intensity graphics game around? No, it won't come close but if you are looking for something to do that, you probably aren't even looking at Chromeboxes and therefore are not even reading this post.



2) Still can do Microsoft Office Online. This was actually a surprise to me but it actually works fairly well. For those of you who are not familiar with Office Online, it is a web version of Office that doesn't have all the bells and whistles of regular office. If you are like most people, you really don't use the bells and whistles. I do quite a bit of work in Office with my employment (law) and find that everything that I need can be done on Office Online. If you really don't need a lot of features, check of Google Docs, it rocks as well.



3) 100GB of online storage. From your new Chromebox (or Chromebook) go to http://ift.tt/T5gIes and type in some information an viola, 100GB of online storage.



4) It is simple to use. There is no learning curve with the Chromebox. It is the Chrome web browser and if you have used any browser in the last 5 years, you will be up to speed. There are a few features that you don't get on regular Chrome like Bluetooth and WIFI but even make that easy to operate.



5) It uses Google Print. So this could be a frustration for a lot of people. The Chromebox, even though it has USB ports, does not allow you to connect printers because it doesn't install drivers. So what can you do? First, get a printer that is Google Print capable. Okay, I am with you, I really don't need another printer laying around my house. Second, try the xPrint Server from Lantronix. Granted it is a little expensive (~$150.00) which makes one wonder why not just buy a new printer. Third, use an old computer that runs Chrome as a gateway. While not a great choice, it is better than some of the first options. Fourth, get geeky with a Raspberry Pi. For those that are not aware of what a Raspberry Pi is, it is a $35 computer capable of running Linux. Needless to say, Chrome can run on Linux and it can also install printer drivers. Here is a tutorial on turning a Raspberry Pi into your Google Cloud Print servant.



[...]



Again, this is a hurdle for a lot of people but I will say, after you get Google Cloud Print working, it is awesome. No more worrying about what computer your document is on and what computer is connected to which printer. It is simply, clicking this printer and this document.



6) It can be customized. If you find out that Chrome OS is not your thing that is okay. There are plenty of tutorials on how to install Ubuntu on the Chromebox either as a dual-boot or replacement. If you are interested in this, I would recommend getting an extra 2GB stick of ram (Laptop DDR3). It may also be smart to upgrade the size of the SSD as well. If that looks greek to you, then just stick with Chrome OS.



Hopefully you have found my review helpful of the Chromebox. Just to recap, this is a great desktop replacement if all you need is something to surf the internet with and do homework. You will be pleasantly surprised at how fast it loads up and how easy it is to use.

ASUS VivoPC-VM40B-02 Desktop

CUSTOMER REVIEW



At $250, the ASUS VivoPC-VM40B is a dream come true for customers needing a full interfaced desktop in a small, sleek package. Measuring 7.5" x 7.5" x 2.2", this sleek desktop with a spun metal finish allows me to have a nice computer attached to the playroom for both games, movies, and homework on the big screen. With 4GB of memory (upgradeable to 16GB) and 500GB of on board storage, this machine is just right for our playroom.



Powered with a dual core CPU driven by an Intel Celeron 1007U Processor (1.5 GHz), this is an all-around general purpose machine - not a machine geared towards hardcore gamers or video editors where a much faster chipset would be required.



It comes stock with the following connectivity ports:



2 x USB 3.0

4 x USB 2.0

1 x HDMI

1 x VGA Out

1 x LAN

1 x Optical S/PDIF out (Toslink)

3 x Audio Jacks (Line in/Mic in/Speaker out)



Its even Bluetooth 4.0 compliant!



I would prefer to have another HDMI slot, but you can't ask for the world at this price and in this size of a console.



The ASUS VivoPC-VM40B is a nice alternative to a Chromebox for those who need a little more functionality and control. It is quiet and doesn't get too warm during use. A great addition for my family's computing needs.