'Monster' computers

From Alienware to VoodooPC, computer makers are cramming the fastest chips, the largest, the most powerful graphics into their products, turning them into "heavy tanks" decks.

'Monster' computers Picture 1 Source: BusinessWeek According to analysts, few people have a need to buy new computers to decorate their desks. The number of PCs shipped this year will only increase by approximately 1.9% worldwide, as demand in markets like the US has saturated and declined by about 8%. So, never have PC makers rushed so fast in "fishing" guests. Many firms have placed big gamble on the high-end market as a narrow exit for hard times. The day the computer was just plain boring color boxes seemed to have ended.

Instead of competing cheaply, big guys like Dell, HP, Gateway and others are "fighting" about new, trendy, and high-end features. They are racing to create super-powerful machines exclusively for gaming people or users with special needs for digital entertainment.

As a result, the price of "branded" computer models will be higher and higher, as opposed to the popular market. Here are the most "elite" and "quintessential" models, of course, because their prices are the lowest over 1000 USD and the roof is . 6000 USD.

1. Vooooooooo Omen a: 121

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Source: BusinessWeek

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Pros: Extremely powerful performance, suitable for even the most advanced games.
Cons: Price is too high
Conclusion: A powerful, impeccable machine, capable of handling and managing even extreme and extreme game environments.

At 6000 USD, Omen a: 121 is one of the most expensive computers available on the market. However, Omen deserves you to click the tongue "Expensive to slice".

Weighing 50 pounds, this upmarket computer is difficult to move because it is surrounded by premium aluminum aluminum. Running around the system are pipes containing aqueous solution and glycol, which helps cool the CPU and graphics card, ensuring that they run at the right speed of advertising. The right side of the case is made of transparent glass so you can see through the machine operating inside.

Omen's CPU is AMD's Athlon 64FX-60 dual-core chip. When shipped, the chip "only" reaches a maximum speed of 2.6GHz, but thanks to some "reinforced" and "chip" methods of VoodooPC and the help of cooling and performance solutions. The chip could reach a tremendous speed like a rocket: 2.95 GHz.

To serve the most "dinosaur" games, Omen's maximum picture / second speed reaches 229 frames per second, well above the average of 93-96 for midsize models. The magic is so powerful, but the machine still runs amazingly smoothly. Because of using a cooling system with a solution instead of a cool fan, Omen makes almost no noise. Not to mention the case is also designed with maximum sound absorption.

2. Gateway FX510XL

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Source: BusinessWeek

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Advantages: A powerful machine for high-end games
Disadvantages: Not significant
Conclusion: Gateway is struggling in hardship, but there are times when the gods create "monster" machines.

In terms of performance, this is a great gift for gamers. But if you think about the price of 2999 USD, please take back the two words of the said gift.

FX510XL uses Intel Pentium Extreme Edition 955 chip, clocked at 3.46 GHz in conjunction with Intel's 975X chipset supporting DDR2 memory. 2GB memory comes with a 1 TB hard drive and I / O port numbers for media applications are unspeakable. In charge of graphics is the prestigious Nvidia GeForce 7800GTX.

In addition, this machine has preinstalled Windows Media Center software from Microsoft. There is an integrated ATI card that allows you to connect your computer to a digital TV receiver and record your favorite programs via TiVO. The 9-in-1 smart card reader supports most types of memory cards available on the market today, meaning it is compatible with almost any camcorder, camera and MP3 player. In total, there are six USB ports, two optical drives, a dual-sided 16x multi-format DVD burner and a DVD-ROM 48x player.

3. HP Pavilion m7360n

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Source: BusinessWeek

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Advantages: Removable hard drive, extremely mobile.
Disadvantages: No built-in Personal Media Drive
Conclusion: Excellent performance, convenient storage.

Now, users have stored their hard drive data for a few years, from email, personal photos to movies, digital music libraries, some favorite TV programs, etc. .But also because of that, never storing data becomes an important issue like today.

Usually the desktop is only integrated with a 160GB hard drive. 5 years ago, this number can make you smirk: "Excessive" but not now. You even dreamed it was several times higher than that.

Therefore, HP Pavillion m7360n Media Center PC with removable hard drive is an interesting discovery. Slightly bigger than a VHS tape, but significantly heavier, Personal Media Drive is a removable and removable form of hard drive, able to easily connect to a computer and slide out when you no longer need it, or want to change to another drive. You can pull the drive in / out the drive without turning off the device.

The m7360n's integrated hard drive itself is quite impressive with 300-GB capacity. That's enough to store 70,000 MP3 songs, 300 hours of standard-definition video or 35 hours of high-definition video. If you add an additional $ 330, you will be able to upgrade the hard drive capacity to 400GB.

The price of m7360n is the "cheapest" type on the list, with $ 1,149. Using Intel Pentium D920 chip with 2.8 GHz speed, 2 GB DDR2 memory. There are two optical drives and one Firewire port, two USB ports, RCA audio and video jacks. Smart card reader slot 9-1.
The only thing to complain about is that Personal Media Drive is not included with the computer. If you want, you must purchase this type of hard drive separately.

4. Alienware Aurora 7500

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Source: BusinessWeek

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Advantages: Scary fast speed, top notch graphics
Disadvantages: slightly science fiction design, not easy to use and install for non-tech users.
Conclusion: A dream machine with people playing games always requires high speed and strong graphics, but the price is too "dreaming".

Playing games on the Aurora 7500 is a great experience, but the price of 2750 not to mention the screen can drag you to the ground at any time. Designed exclusively for heavy game players, the 7500 makes you feel like it comes out of the space "universe", just like the name Alienware.

Underneath the eye-catching form are all the unique "butt" details you can expect from a top PC: the Athlon 64 4200 dual-core chip, which supports heavy multimedia applications like games and editing. video. The graphics card also belongs to the "top" category with the ATI Radeon X1900 CrossFire 512 MB retail price of more than 500 USD. There is also a sound card that supports stereo surround sound. The device has been preinstalled with Windows XP Media Center Edition, a DVD player, four USB ports, a multi-format memory card reader and so on. In short, Aurora 7500 is equipped with teeth to act as the heart of home entertainment.

However, the drawback of Aurora 7500 is that it is not designed for amateur people. Installation is very complicated. There are up to 4 different jacks for the monitor, six other jacks and the Firewire lane for audio cards. It is difficult to determine which wires are plugged in. In addition, this machine has no headphone jack, so you have to use external speakers, and these speakers are required to connect directly to the audio card on the back of the device.

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Source: BusinessWeek

5. Falcon Northwest Mach V

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Advantages: Powerful, perfect for playing games
Disadvantages: The price is expensive, but you will harvest well worth the money
Conclusion: Not for "civilians", but computer experts will get drunk.

Falcon Northwest is a well-known and customizable computer assembly and manufacturing company. If you know exactly what you want, Falcon deserves your call. However, the Falcon does not have a repository of pre-configured models. When ordering, determine in advance the idea that you will have to spend a lot of time working with the company's experts to pick out your options.

The price of a Falcon computer is not cheap, 5185 USD does not include a monitor. The standard configuration is an AMD Athlon 4800+ dual-core processor and two Nvidia GeForce 7800 graphics cards. Wireless Logitech mouse and keyboard use, along with Creative Technology's i-Trigue L3500 speakers Rice bowl money. The ultra-quiet machine inside the case is painted exactly like an Acure MDX 2005 car.

6. Dell XPS 400

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Source: BusinessWeek

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Advantages: Perfect graphics. Acceptable price
Disadvantages: Headphone crunchy, mouse is defective
Conclusion: A great machine, so why not make it even better with an AMD chip?

Well-known as a low-cost, affordable computer maker, Dell is suffering from the consequences of its continuous discount policy. To compensate for this loss, Dell decided to invest heavily in the high-end XPS series.

Price of 2288 USD excluding screen, or 2648 USD fully equipped (in this case is 20-inch ultra-bright widescreen), XPS400 uses dual-core Intel Pentium D 930 processor with 3 GHz speed, set 1GB DDR2 memory, two 250GB hard drives integrated, Nvidia GeForce video card and Sound Labs' Sound Card X-Fi. In addition, it has preinstalled Windows Media Center, integrated television reception antenna and 13-in-1 card reader. In short, XPS has all the multimedia functions you expect.

Thien Y