Next to your business savvy and entrepreneurial spirit, your PC is your most valuable resource. The recent explosion of sub-$1000 PCs and the proliferation of new chips entering the marketplace and has created a buyer's bonanza.
Short on desk space? Take a look at our Notebook Buying Guide.
DESKTOP SPEC CHECK
When buying your desktop, we recommend the following minimum specifications: at least a 333 MHz
(if you're buying a value PC, make sure it has at least
a 266 MHz processor) processor, 32MB of RAM, a 2GB hard drive and a 15-inch monitor.
While the wide variety of components and processors
can be daunting, some basic knowledge will keep
you on the right track.
For complete information on buying a desktop PC, consult our Buyer's Checklist. Also check vendors' service and reliability ratings. When you're ready to go shopping, check our listing of the best places to buy a PC.
600-MHz PCs: Athlon Vs. PIII
If you're looking for the fastest processor available, you'll find it here.
The value pack: Under-$1,000 PCs
These six systems won't require you to sacrifice high-end features when buying a low-cost PC.
Speedy silicon successors
Two of the first PCs to use Intel's new Pentium III/600 and Celeron/500 chips target small business.
A better business PC
These five systems balance features, price and performance with manageability and maintenance.
Sub-$1,000 PCs go to work
With all the hype surrounding "value" PCs, you may wonder exactly
what you're not getting. Most sub-$1000 machines have less than
333MHz.
Celeron caches up
The Pentium II's little brother, Celeron, hit the
market running at 366MHz and 400MHz. PCs
running the Celeron are more affordable and,
according to PC Week, just as fast as 350MHz and
400MHz Pentium II chips.
K6-III: AMD aims high
AMD's new processor makes possible a powerful PC at a lower price
EDITOR'S PICKS
Dell Dimension V400C
Dell puts Intel's new 400MHz Celeron CPU to work in a home-office system that means business.
Micron Millennia C400
A unique feature offered with this 400-MHz Celeron machine is a one-year
scholarship to Micron University, which lets you
take instructor-led or self-paced courses online
on computing-related topics.
Axis Orion LXN266
The Axis Orion offers a terrific hardware bundle
and boasts one of the largest hard disks (6.4 GB) among value PCs.
Power play
These eight 450MHz Pentium II systems are rigged for speed, loaded with extras, and priced to please
HOW MUCH IS IT GOING TO COST?
At $999, the price is right for a new PC -- but what do you get for a grand? This comparison chart tells you what you can expect from $1,000, $1,500 and $2,500 systems.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Remember when buying a PC, everything is
negotiable. If the system you want comes with a
feature or peripheral you'd rather do without, ask the
vendor to swap it for the software bundle you really
need.
Read more about desktop PCs in the ZDNet Products Guide.
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