Desktop PCs

If you are a game lover with excessive interest in high quality image and sound output Novatech Ricochet is your system. Apart from the usual hardware configurations that are offered the system is stuffed with features like ATI Radeon HD 4650 1GB DDR2 PCI-E Graphics and 5.1 Channel High Definition Audio sound card for ultimate gaming spree. Considering the upgrade and new add-ons went on building this new version of Novatech PC it is definitely far ahead of its predecessors.

Design wise it has very less to boast about. Modest look and simple design characterises Novatech Ricochet desktop PC. Novatech offers two choices in terms of the colour of this desktop PC: toned down black finish and smooth silver colour.

The image shown below is the black version of Ricochet Gaming Desktop PC with power button enveloped in a shiny silvery ring. CD/DVD drive is fitted at the front end in the same panel where 2 USB ports located. Rest 4 ports are located at the rear end which also accommodates 1 x 10/100 LAN networking port.

Irrespective of the colour of the CPU unit both keyboard and mouse is wrapped in smooth black colour.

Intel Q9550 Core 2 Quad Processor:

At the core of the system resides powerful Intel Q9550 Core 2 Quad processor built using Intel quad-core technology. The processor works at the speed of 2.83GHz. If you go through the list of Intel processors available till date it is worth mentioning that Core 2 Quad processors and Core 2 Extreme are the most powerful ones. As the name implies, Core 2 Quad processors comprises of four physical cores including 65nm and 45nm parts, and it is based on the Kentsfield and Yorkfield cores respectively. In other words, Core 2 Quad houses a pair of Core 2 Duo processor built into one chip. However, if you compare it to AMD processors Core 2 Quad is less efficient than the fully integrated design of Phenom CPU, as core processors cannot intercommunicate directly at the chip level full internal speed. Instead, core processors have to pass data back and forth through the slower front side bus.

NVIDIA MCP73V Chipset Motherboard:

Apart from the powerful state-of-the-art processor the system is built on NVIDIA MCP73V Chipset Motherboard. The NVIDIA motherboard features unique characteristics, such as LGA 775 CPU that supports 2 DDR2 RAM where Front Side Bus (FSB) speed include 533/800/1066/1333MHz, built-in Geforce 7050 Graphics, 1 PCIE x16,1 PCIE x1, 2 PCIs, 8 USB2.0, 4 SATA2.0, 1 IDE, built-in 6-Channel HD-Audio, built-in 1000Mbps network support.

320GB Serial ATA II Hard Drive:

For permanent storage the system is backed up by huge 320GB Serial ATA II Hard Drive spins at  7200RPM. The impressive 16MB cache ensures fast disk access; with the average read seek time of just 8.9 ms for fast disk access. The Serial ATA interface transfers data at the rate of up to 300 MBPS.

This storage unit from Novatech Ricochet Desktop Computer is definitely a huge boast to your digital storage insuring high-performance enabling users to store large amounts of data at a single location. Most importantly with its WhisperDrive™ and SoftSeek™ technologies, CPU noise is reduced to minimum. For easier accessibility it comes with software utility Data Lifeguard Tools™ which makes the hard drive installation, drive management and diagnostics super easy and simple.

This roomy drive also features Shock Guard™. Its main job is to protect the hard drive against damage from knocks and vibrations while it is running.

ATI Radeon HD 4650 1GB DDR2 PCI-E Graphics:

The graphics hardware of Novatech Ricochet Computer system is taken care of by the VisionTek Radeon HD 4650 Series graphics cards which deliver highest quality gaming performance previously only available in high-end expensive graphics cards. With Radeon HD 4650 Series graphics cards unlimited HD performance is guaranteed because it possess the same engine architecture as the award-winning ATI Radeon HD 4800 Series that prompts fast frame rates and high resolutions.

You can play HD games and enjoy real life new images which are made possible by 320 stream processing units, 1GB of DDR2 memory, and support for Microsoft DirectX10.1 games and ATI CrossFireX technology. Radeon HD 4650 graphics card not only offers options like watching Blu-ray movies and playing HD content but it brings in new dimension to your multimedia experience. With this break-through energy efficient system take full advantage of Blu-ray’s dual-stream, picture in picture (PIP) capabilities. That’s not all. Use the sophisticated ATI Avivo HD technology to edit videos and convert them to H.2.64 and MPEG-2 formats. This graphics cards is also capable of boasting up to 3 times the performance of the previous generation of GPUs and deliver a filmic gaming experience. This further strengthened by enhanced anti-aliasing (4X AA) and Anisotropic filtering features which creates imposingly vibrant graphics with utmost clarity and transparency required for next-generation games.

This graphics card is also perfect for business users who spends lot of time in video conferencing or use creative software tools that require fast frame rates and exceptional visual quality.

White balance in the image is controlled by Dynamic Contrast which automatically adjusts the contrast and brightness during scenes to consistently deliver a vibrant picture. When multitasking and working on more on one video files make use of Unified Video Decoder 2 (UVD 2). It frees up your CPU for other tasks so you get unparallel visual experience for the most processing- intensive content. Also, take full advantage of PCI Express 2.0 feature which will prepare your system for bandwidth-hungry games and most of the 3D applications. Other interesting options include Dynamic geometry acceleration, Edit and transfer your videos to a portable video player with new Accelerated Video Transcoding (AVT) technology.

5.1 Channel High Definition Audio sound card:

5.1 High Definition audio card with surround sound feature provides surround sound by using in-built five regular speakers and one subwoofer all working together. The surround sound effect is created by two speakers arranged on both the left and right sides of the system, and a center channel situated directly in front and a subwoofer located close to the listener.

Other than producing high quality surround resonance effect the sound card is also capable of playing back more channels at higher quality than the older integrated audio formats. In addition to this, Intel® HD Audio also supports wide variety of latest and greatest audio content. By enabling enhanced custom models, Intel High Definition Audio, available with the Intel® Express Chipsets, will also change how computer users interact with sound. Such as it enables enhanced voice capture facility through the use of array microphones, giving you more accurate speech input. Intel HD Audio supports larger array microphones compare to other audio implementations which has limited support for simple array microphones.

Other Features:

For creating CD/DVD from this desktop PC make use of in-built 22x Dual Layer +R/-R/RW DVD burner optical drive. The real time access is aided by 4GB DDR2 RAM fitted in 2 x DDR2 Memory slots. Real access speed is 800MHz. Support period of this desktop PC is 12months. Logitech Keyboard and Optical Mouse are the only accessories that come with this system.

Verdict:

With platform-independent and capable ATI Radeon HD 4650 graphics cards your system will deliver the power needed for intense applications while carefully preserving energy when the system is idle or when demand is down. The best part of this system is its large storage space which makes it popular among home and business users. Coupled with that is its gaming capabilities enabling vibrant picture with highest transparency and colour balance. Up-to-the-minute Core 2 Quad processor is undoubtedly the best hardware specification of this system guaranteeing maximum speed and performance.

However, the greatest drawback of this Novatech Ricochet Desktop PC (PC-1278) is its constraint on real time memory. With Ricochet’s promise for never ending multimedia experience, 4GB RAM is not at all sufficient. You will feel the pinch during video editing, working on large word files, or simply when running multiple processes. When you experience slow performance during multitasking you should not blame your processor but your memory. Nevertheless, if big storage and rich multimedia experience are your requirements Novatech Ricochet PC is the best bet.

Check other Novatech Desktop PC Reviews, Specifications in this website.

Novatech Ricochet Desktop PC - Technical Specification Table

Manufacturer	Novatech
Model Name	Ricochet
Product Code	PC-1278
Dimensions ( H x W x D)	420 x 190 x 400mm
Available Colours	Black and Silver
Hard drive Capacity	320gb
Optical drive	22x Dual Layer +R/-R/RW DVD burner
Graphics hardware	ATI Radeon HD 4650 1GB DDR2 PCI-E Graphics
Motherboard	NVIDIA MCP73V Chipset Motherboard
Memory	Installed RAM: 4GB DDR2 RAM running at 800MHz
Processor	Intel Q9550 Core 2 Quad Processor
Processor speed	4 X 2.83GHz
Audio	5.1 Channel High Definition Audio
Mouse	Logitech optical Mouse
Keyboard	Logitech Keyboard
I/O ports	6 x USB2 (2 Front, 4 Back) 1 x 10/100 LAN
Warranty	12Months

Low price and small size characterises Mac mini. Apart from being economical and versatile Mac mini is all-inclusive. It is a pleasant surprise when Mac announced that it has updated Apple Mac mini to include Intel Core 2 Duo processors, the exact same processor unit that the iMac, MacBook, MacBook Pro have been using since the end of 2006.

It is also good news for those who are looking for inexpensive version of Mac PC. But that does not mean it is compromised on the performance. Several upgrades have given this Apple Mac Mini Desktop PC impressive performance boost in several applications.

In terms of design, there is not much to talk about. It is cased into an aluminium-and-white, 6.5-x-6.5-x-2-inch enclosure with white plastic top. The white finish of Mac mini matches with Apples’ iPod definitely attracts your attention. Clean line and simple finish makes up Mac mini.

Closer look at the system reveals that the main cosmetic changes to the mini have been made on the rear end. The updated Mac houses two video ports: a mini-DVI port that uses a pre-packaged adapter to connect to standard DVI displays, and a Mini DisplayPort connector similar to those found on the current MacBooks. Both video outputs include High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP), allowing you to output HDCP-protected content to other HDCP-enabled devices.

This feature enables you to hook up non-Apple monitor using Mini-DVI and single-link DVI adaptors. At the moment, the only monitor that connects to a Mini DisplayPort input without an adaptor is Apple’s 24-inch LED Cinema Display.

At the rear end you also see USB ports (totalling up to five), a single FireWire 800 port. Apple has set a standard in terms of its graphics output and it is commendable. This led to the inclusion of support for two displays.

The breadth taking feature of this mini device is not the price but its size. Hold it in your hand since it weighs only 1.4Kg similar to an internal DVD-ROM drive of a desktop computer. One thing you need to be careful of is its abrasive factor. But as ever with Apple products, there are plenty of accessories available including protective case that enables you to mount the tiny gizmos sideways to protect it from any scratches.

Quick-Spec

-    2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo P7350
-    Mac OS X Leopard 10.5.6
-    120GB 5400rpm 2.5in HDD
-    1GB (1×1GB) DDR3-1066 RAM
-    nVidia GeForec 9400M graphics with 128MB shared system RAM
-    1 x mini DVI, 1 x mini DisplayPort
-    slot-load 8x DVD±RW DL drive; Gogibit Ethernet
-    5 x USB 2.0
-    FireWire 800
-    line in/line out audio with Toslink S/PDIF
-    mono speaker
-    802.11b/g/draft-n
-    Bluetooth 2.1+EDR

Inside the Box

Unwrapping any Apple Mac Mini Desktop Computer Package is always enjoyable considering its neat and tidy packaging. The first thing you will notice when opening up the box is its external power supply, with the size of the block being about one third the size of the system itself. But Apple has added a touch of class to all its cabling that includes the connectors at each end; fitted closely into their slots.

Configuration wise Mac Mini owes a lot to Apple’s current iBook. The system is loaded with Intel Core 2 Duo processor which works at the speed of 2.0 GHz supporting large L2 cache and RAM, enabling faster bus speed required to run DDR3 RAM. The Core 2 Duo is the best addition to Mac mini. Its chipset contains 128-bit SSE3 vector engine; capable of processing twice the amount of data per cycle than the Core Duo version of Intel processor, which can only manage 64 bits at a time. The best part is its 5,400rpm hard drives with a higher capacity enough for performing day-to-day computing requirements.

The 2.0GHz Mac mini desktop computer ships with 2MB of L2 cache, the same feature found in the last generation of Mac mini. This is supported by 1GB of RAM, upgradeable up to 4GB. In terms of the available memory slots, 1GB (1×1GB) DDR3-1066 RAM takes up the one portion leaving rest for expansion. Adding up another 4GB definitely eases up real time access power of this device. This is back up by 120GB hard drive running at 5,400rpm, and a dual-layer DVD burner, slot-load and 8x DVD±RW DL drive near the exhaust vent from the near-silent cooling fan.

Graphic output is taken care by new graphics chipset Intel’s integrated Nvidia GeForce 9400M graphics chip, which takes up 64MB of the system’s main memory, instead of the dedicated RAM for video usage common in most Macs.  With this graphics adaptor, you have the option of playing 3D games. This is definitely a reduction to CPU load, by offloading the processing of high-definition video within QuickTime.

Added bonus to the above features in Mac Mini Desktop PC from Apple is the option that allows you to attach two displays to the mini and use them in either mirrored or extended-desktop mode. Alternatively, with the help of the Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter, you can now hook up Mac mini with Apple’s 30-inch Cinema Display, making the mini the first desktop consumer Mac with such a great capability.

Remaining features include digital/analogue audio input and output jacks, mini’s gigabit Ethernet port, and the security lock slot.

Spec wise, the Mini contains most of the technical requirements of desktop users. Its iLife ‘09 application suite includes iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, and iWeb, GarageBand allowing you to have real world movie, photo, and web experience all in a single click.

New mini also comprises of an immobile 8x dual-layer SuperDrive, and wireless capability: 802.11g has finally been replaced by built-in AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi wireless networking based on 802.11n draft specification and IEEE 802.11a/b/g compatible.

Considering all the above requirements it is worth-mentioning that Mac mini Desktop Computer PC does retains its classifiable appearance, jam packing plenty of features into its space-saving build.

In addition, the entire packaging is now made up of recycled paper, which makes it 31 percent smaller than before. Also, if you’re a lover of green computing, Mac Mini got a lot going for it.

If you are hunting through the box to find out the peripherals then you will be disappointed. The only items in the box other than the Mac mini itself are the power adaptor and cable, a mini-DVI-to-DVI video adaptor, software DVDs (for Mac OS X and iLife ‘09), and documentation.

Verdict

Mac mini is more of a display than it is about a performance. Rather, it is an affordable computer from Apple with a good array of features in a tiny package. Small size is not the excuse and Apple has understood that so it has incorporated some of the basic requirements expected by the desktop user. To start with the most important feature is its multitasking capability. The miniature size of Mac mini does not affect its multitasking ability. Rather it requires less system resources than Windows. Word processing, Web surfing and emailing, all can work together perfectly.

Gaming performance is also worth mentioning. Considering its past history of inability of rendering 3D image this device is able to showcase quite a performance. Thanks to Nvidia graphics chip that successfully displays decent resolution. But newer games might throw some challenges but otherwise budget gaming system works fine.

Apple mini has impressive power efficiency. When the system is idle, it uses only 15.4W. That means you have the option of saving more power even when you leave it on for longer time. While Mac Mini’s multitasking performance is impressively energy-efficient but if your Apple is not your only choice for desktop PC you should check out other brands that offer better overall performance and greater flexibility in the same price.

While the Mac mini’s tiny chassis is the greatest advantage and attraction over larger desktop computers, but this design is actually its prime concern. Apart from being difficult to upgrade it is not a good idea to force the little plastic and metal pieces of this beautiful desktop PC to fit in additional components. Also, devoid of any peripherals such as mouse, keyboard is not something everyone wants. But in case you want a new PC for your home office or just want to add Apple to your living room décor this is something meant for you.

Check Latest Desktop PCs, Reviews of Apple iMac in this website.

Apple Mac Mini Desktop PC - Technical Specification Table

Manufacturer	Apple
Model Name	Mac Mini
Dimensions ( H x W x D)	50 x 165 x 165mm
Colour/Finish	Silver
Hard drive Capacity	120GB SATA Hard Drive
Optical drive	DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW (Slot-loading SuperDrive with double-layer support)
Graphics hardware	NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor with 128MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory
Memory	Installed RAM: 1GB DDR3 SDRAM expandable up to 4GB
Processor	Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
Processor speed	2.0GHz
Audio	5.1 Channel High Definition Audio
Operating system	Mac OS X
I/O ports	1 x FireWire 800 port (8 watts) 5 x USB 2.0 ports (up to 480 Mbps) Mini-DVI output VGA output (using optional adapter) Mini DisplayPort
Software	Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard (includes iTunes, Time Machine, Quick Look, Spaces, Spotlight, Dashboard, Mail, iChat, Safari, Address Book, QuickTime, iCal, DVD Player, Front Row, Xcode Developer Tools) iLife ’09 (includes iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb, GarageBand)
Warranty	12 Months

Novatech Ion Fusion Desktop PC Review

Novatech’s Ion Fusion is the first desktop PC which has been built on Intel’s Atom 330 processor. Features that make this system unique are Intel Atom 330, 1GB 667MHz DDR2 RAM, 160GB hard disk, DVD writer, Intel GMA 950 graphics, and 1year warranty.

Look wise this system may not be the best but it does serves your purpose by taking care of all your computing needs.

Design

Entire frame of Novatech Ion Fusion Desktop PC looks simple. The CPU case is wrapped in two thick chrome bands engrossed in a black polish. The system is coated with piano-black colour with silver strip running across the front panel containing the power button. This gives the system classy look.

Peripherals like keyboard and mouse do not have a trendy finish. But the two buttons of the Logitech mouse operates with a positive click and glides along smoothly on four small Teflon feet and four-way rubberised scroll-wheel. This generic mouse brushed in matte black and very well matches with the colour of monitor and PC.

The black keyboard is not the special one either. It does not come with any media shortcuts or other special keys. Even wrist-rest is not provided which makes typing somewhat difficult and uncomfortable. But the keyboard layout is uncomplicated.

Setting up the 19-inch monitor for Novatech Ion Fusion Desktop Computer is a straightforward matter. Just click the stand’s neck into its round base and start it. However its styling is simplistic and matches with the rest of the unit. Controls laid on the monitor are its fancy blue-backlit power button, variety of presets, basic aspect ratio controls.

The CPU is designed to fit in ample ports. To start with it has two USB ports and a pair of audio jacks is located at the front side are joined by an eSATA port. At the rear panel you will find four more USB ports, parallel and serial ports, VGA, a D-SUB socket and two PS2 ports. Even parallel and nine-pin serial ports are provided. Also three 3.5mm audio jacks are created for outputting analogue 5.1-channel surround sound.

Overall the connectivity is more or less outdated, but convenient enough to hook up your computer to any peripherals.

Features

The most talked about feature of this Novatech Desktop PC is its Intel Atom 330 processor which runs at 1.6GHz aids in maintaining steady performance in this system. But other features are also worth mentioning. Such as impressive 160 hard drive, Intel GMA 950 Graphics card, DVD writer, 1GB DDR2 RAM works at 667MHz, 1,440 x 900 anti-glare finish LG Flatron W1934S monitor; D-SUB, 6 x USB ports, eSATA, Gigabit Ethernet port, parallel port, serial port, preassembled Logitech keyboard and mouse, Windows XP Home Edition operating system.

The width, depth, and height of this system are 268 x 318 x 77mm respectively.

The DVD writer that comes fitted with the system lets you install software from disc, watch movies from the DVD, back up your files. Its 160GB hard disk will provide ample space for office documents as well as enough room for accommodating photos and albums.

The Ion Fusion has a good selection of ports for a nettop. There are six USB ports, Gigabit Ethernet. However there is no wireless networking. The best part of this desktop PC is it is bundled with pretty much everything you need to get started: monitor, peripherals and CPU unit. The only disadvantage is that there is no optical drive. But it does makes up by offering smaller, and quieter desktop PC.

Inside the PC

As you unlock the system you can pretty much see all the CPU components. With Ion Fusion CPU unit is now better organised. DIMM socket is no longer hidden rather it is visible the moment you open up the CPU case. Even optical drive and hard drive are tucked in such a way that they are more accessible to the user. Unlike previous Novatech’s system this CPU unit has spread out its components in such a way so that they are not only easy to replace but simple to upgrade.

The CPU also constitutes 1GB preinstalled Single Channel DDR2 RAM works at 667MHz. The RAM can be expanded max to 2GB Ram. However, there are no extra slots allocated for upgrading your real time access unless you have move out an existing chip. But such tiny power is only good enough for gentle multitasking, such as web browsing, word processing and MP3 encoding, but adding dual-core Atom definitely makes this machine twice faster in performance than other nettops.

At the heart of the system resides Intel D945GCLF2D motherboard. It is based on the less clunky 945GC Express Chipset. Opening up the motherboard unit reveals PCI slot, which is quite unusable since the case is devoid of any bracket at the back end to match the slot unlike the original Ion. Also there is barely any room to fit in memory card reader.

The difference between Ion and its successor such as Fusion is that it comprises of dual-core version of the Intel Atom 330 processor. The processor runs at 1.6GHz. It also houses an L2 cache of 1MB which doubles the size of cache found in most of the Atom range. But it runs only at 1.6GHz. But the 330 is the only dual-core Atom which not only has double cores but also includes twice the cache of any other Atom.

The permanent storage is provided by 160GB SATAII Hard Drive. The hard drive is a 3.5-inch and quite easy to replace.

Performance

Performance wise Novatech Ion Fusion Desktop Computer PC is faster than any other contemporary nettops available. The processors are efficient enough to multitask and this is possible due to optimised dual-core Atom 330 processor. It performs smoothly even when you are video encoding, downloading movies, and editing large word documents. The processor can efficiently manage multi-tasking scenario running multiple video streams, word editing and browsing internet all at once without any problems.

Apart from power and performance the system is effective enough to handle day-to-day office jobs and administrative tasks, such as generating reports and invoices, composing e-mails. Even with rigorous multitasking the system quietly does its job. In spite of all the qualities the system does comes with some pitfalls.

The monitor included with this desktop PC displays poor colour, mostly the tones which are from bright colour scheme. Improper colour balance makes the system unpopular among photo editors. However, there is barely any backlight bleed.

Even the quality of the image is average with poor greyscale gradation. But the viewing angles are good enough with sharp display of texts. However there is a tendency of ghosting, but that is pretty rare. Considering its configuration this PC is not ideal for game lovers. But games involving less power may work just fine.

Nevertheless, this desktop PC excels in terms of its energy usage. Even when it is running from a USB flash drive and optical drive plus video editing and internet streaming tasks running at the background the Ion Fusion never needs more than 46W. Surprisingly for everyday use it requires just 30W less than its 19-inch LCD monitor.

Ample storage space makes most of the user happy and so is its performance. 160GB hard drive allows you to organise all your personal and official materials at a single location. The system never gives any trouble even when you store entire stack of your family album. Roomy storage definitely helps you manage your resources all in one place eliminating the need to move around files to an external storage.

Though it is not loaded with wide variety of software but thankfully it comes preinstalled with Windows XP which supports pretty much each and every software applications. This unquestionably gives you the freedom to install any software products without worrying about the compatibility issue.  Novatech Ion Fusion is best suited for someone who needs additional desktop PC at home or for the home office which requires the ability to expand and upgrade when required and offers steady performance.

You may also be interested in Novatech Ion Fusion Plus Review.

Technical Specification Details of Novatech Ion Fusion Desktop PC

Manufacturer	Novatech
Model Name	Ion Fusion
Model Number	PC-1253
Display screen size	19-inch
Dimensions ( H x W x D)	75 x 270 x 325mm
Hard drive Capacity	160GB SATAII Hard Drive
Optical drive	8X DVD±RW drive
Graphics hardware	Integrated Intel GMA 950 Graphics
Memory	Installed RAM: 2GB DDR2 RAM
Processor	Intel Atom 330
Processor speed	2 x 1.6GHz
Audio	5.1 Channel High Definition Audio
Operating system	Windows XP Home Edition
Mouse	Logitech optical Mouse
Keyboard	Novatech PS2 Keyboard
I/O ports	6 x Hi-Speed 2.0 USB 1 x Gigabit LAN port / 1 x 9 Pin Serial port / 1 x Parallel Port
Warranty	12Months

Dell’s studio laptop series was a great success and hence the desktop counterparts of Dell had decided to take the same path and has come out successfully with flying colours. Dell has introduced both the dell studio desktop pc as well as the Studio XPS range. The Dell Studio Desktop has come up as a good replacement for the aging Inspiron desktop lineup.

The Dell Studio Desktop PC computer has a very decent processor, RAM and hard drive capacity. It does not have much for gamers and a jewel piece as in a living room, but it provides you with a solid everyday Vista performance.  Dell Studio certainly shows a better performance in most of the areas that the desktop PCs of the same range such as, HP Pavilion Elite m9402f, Apple iMac and Gateway DX4200.

Design:

The PC is a very compact minitower. The dimensions and look of the PC is similar to that of the Medion Akoya and this cannot be considered as a compliment as you must keep in mind that Medion Akoya was a budget PC and Dell Studio Desktop PC is certainly not one of that kind. The chassis is a plain metal box and the facia of the PC is plastic which contains a slide down panel and two drive bay covers. The top has a glossy black metal finish and the facia is of piano black. The chromed buttons of the drive bays compliment the silver ringed Dell logo as well as the power button well. When you start up the PC, the backlight of the chrome power button shifts from orange to white and gives a very attractive look. The built quality of the main casing is very good which is evident from the absence of any flex when you press it in. One major thing that Dell has omitted is the ventilation as no fan ventilation can be noticed either in the sides or at the top. There is only one 92mm fan at the rear and the air intakes at the front that runs down both the sides to provide some kind of air flow. It does not come with any clunky accessories.

Ports:

Only one optical drive is available which is the DVD+/-RW drive, but you need not worry much as, this is a Dell PC it can easily be upgraded to one with Blu-ray. The sliding panel simply comes down without a smooth mechanical action as you can observe in the Medion’s panel. The rear of the machine has four USB ports, a FireWire port, memory card reader slots and a standard 3.5mm head phone jack. Most of the ports that you will ever need is available in the rear of the PC which includes the S/PDIF and eSATA. While the former is used for outputting surround sound digitally, the latter is used for hooking up external storage with ease. The other ports are, 4 USB ports, a FireWire port, a Gigabit Ethernet port and 7.1 analogue audio outputs. You also get a Hauppauge TV tuner card that sports 3.5mm audio, composite, S-Video and antenna connectors, while the video card provides a complement of twin DVIs.

DisplayPort:

The Dell Studio Desktop Computer also comes with a DisplayPort for connecting new DisplayPort-capable monitors. So far those are rare, and DisplayPort will not be a “must-have” feature for another year or so, if ever. We like the inclusion of multimedia friendly 802.11n wireless networking, but you will need to have an 802.11n router at home to use it at its full speed. The built-in TV tuner can record HD over the air or from your local cable TV’s unencrypted HD feed.

Keyboard:

The keyboard is a slim one and has a very classy appearance. The stylish look the keyboard is given particularly by the circular volume control wheel. The overall built quality of the keyboard is very good and the key feedback, though on the lighter side, is quite decent. The media remote offered by Dell is powered by AAA batteries and has a sharper edge than it previously had. The layout cannot be said as perfect as the keys are not that accessible as some of the buttons are very small. It has a metallic silver finish and the square navigational pad alone in the top is coloured black. The style factor is given by the vista start green icon in the media remote. Yet, it is usable and the built quality is quite decent.

Mouse:

The mouse coming with Dell Studio Hybrid Desktop PC has an versatile look having a glossy black finish that matches the PC in a perfect manner. The top part of the mouse is removable which is held on magnetically and by removing the cover, you will be able to change the batteries and also clean the dust that must have accumulated around the two way mouse wheel. The curved sides that have a matte black finish provides you with a perfect grip.

Inside the case:

If you want to remove the case, it can be done quite easily by unscrewing just two thumb screws. And one you remove the case, you will get the feel that this is one of the most crowded arrangements that you would have ever seen. You would feel so because of the twin hard drives that are mounted vertically with their bottoms facing against the side of the case, wall like. As there is no hard drive cage, you may be able to install full length video cards, but there is hardly any space between the drive and card which makes it practically impossible to install any video cards. The available space for the optical drive highlights the Studio Desktop’s most glaring omission, the Blu-ray player. All that we feel is that the cabling could have been done in a tidy way.

Dell Studio Desktop PC set up:

The setting up of the Dell Studio Desktop PC is very easy as you get a lot of assistance form Dell. Two quick start guides are provided which are full coloured. One of the guides explains to you how to plug in your television tuner equipped computer to a set-top box or how to connect it directly to your cable or digital antenna. The other quick start guide explains to you how you could set up the wireless mouse and keyboard that comes with the package. You also get a complete guide that explains how to set up the computer along with complete illustrations.

No crapware:

The Dell Studio Desktop, as in the case of the Velocity Micro Vector Z20, comes with very little of unwanted stuffs installed. As in some of the PCs of HP and Gateway, install programs that will be seen in the desktop or in your Start menu and will wait for you to try them out so they can offer to sell you the full version. The Microsoft Office 2007 60-day trial and extraneous links to eBay and some other online shopping sites have been omitted. Yet, Dell cannot be labelled as completely innocent as there is an icon available in the Dell dock, which is a quick launch program takes you to a Dell website where you can download some Dell games. The good news is that they are not pre-installed.

Dell does give you a despicable trial subscription of 30-days to McAfee Internet Security which includes antivirus, antispam, and much more. By comparison, Velocity Micro provides a 12-month subscription which is very essential for a media based computer.

Features:

Since Dell has used the 1GB DDR3 sticks to achieve the Studio XPS’ total 6GB capacity, all the slots of the motherboard are filled. But this is not of a big worry as with a RAM of this huge, you will not need to upgrade it any time soon. Another boon is that the 64-bit edition of Windows Vista Premium that is installed will be able to take full advantage of the RAM. The processor used is a Core i7 920 that runs at 2.67GHz.

With the 6GB RAM, twin 500GB hard drives and Core i7 920 having a of speed 2.67GHz, the Dell Studio Desktop is one of the fastest processors that are available in the current market. Yet, it cannot be said as one of the greatest gaming machines as a few compromises have been made by Dell and the machine can get annoyingly noisy. The Studio Desktop can load fairly strenuous 3D games, but it cannot play them that efficiently. ATI Radeon HD 4850 graphic card is used which is one the best cards that Dell can offer, but it is not up to the power of the other components that are included in the PC.

Noisy PC:

Coming to the noise factor of the PC, the Dell Studio usually does a quite operation but does gets you annoyed when you stress it. Though this will be only for a small period of time, this PC is quite noisy. Even if this does not matter for most of you out there, we raise the question, “What is the great point in getting a Core i7?”

Package:

For the price tag offered by Dell, the package is quite satisfactory with Intel Core i7 920, 6GBs of DDR3 RAM, the ATI Radeon HD 4850 and twin 500GB hard drives. The exterior package is decent too with DVI to VGA and HDMI adapters, Two quick start guides, a complete guide, Bundled discs include Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit SP1, one with drivers and utilities, and another with Microsoft Works 9, wireless mouse and keyboard both of which works on a pair of AA batteries. Overall, the package is same as that of the other XPS desktops of Dell such as the Studio Hybrid and One.

Service and support:

The service and support provided for Dell Studio XPS is standard which is one year for parts and labour. You also get 24 x 7 phone support. On site warranty service is also available which still requires a remote diagnostic and diagnosis before a tech is sent out, but this is a major step up for service.

Verdict:

Dell Studio desktop PC is a very capable PC with a great set of specifications. The only issue with the machine is the noise that can be compromised for the kind of performance the system offers. Heavy gamers and professional digital media editors have to choose something else. It has enough features though a bit less than that of the Gateway and HP which also cost more. Keeping in mind that it is a Intel Core i7 unit, it provides you with excellent value for your money. It has almost all of the most happening “latests” included in itself except for the Blu-ray playback capability. It is perfect for anyone in need of something more than a simple budget PC.

Check other Dell Desktop PCs, Compaq Desktop PC Reviews in our website.

Dell Studio Desktop PC - Technical Specification Details

Manufacturer	Dell
Model Name	Dell Studio desktop PC
PC form factor	Mini tower
Dimensions (H X W X D) inches	14.3” x 6.7” x 17.1”
Weight	24.9 lbs
Colour	Black
Processor	Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 / 2.33 GHz (also available with Intel Pentium Dual Core, Intel Core 2 Duo)
Chipset	Intel X58 +ICH 10
Processor bits	64-bit processor
Maximum processors supported	One
Cache memory type	L2 cache
Cache memory installed	4 MB
Chipset type	Intel G45 Express
Data bus speed	1333MHz
RAM Installed Size	6 GB
RAM Technology	DDR2 SDRAM
RAM form factor	DIMM 240-pin
Storage controller type	Serial ATA - Integrated
Controller interface type	Serial ATA-300
Hard Drive	1 x 750 GB - Standard - Serial ATA-300 - 7200 rpm
Optical drive	DVD RW
Graphics controller	ATI Radeon HD 3450 256MB supporting HDMI
Sound output mode	7.1 channel surround
Keyboard	Wireless
Mouse	Optical Wireless
Data Link Protocol	Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet
Networking	Network adapter - Integrated
OS Provided	Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-Bit
Software	Adobe Reader 8.1 , Microsoft Works 9.0
Warranty	1 year

The Novatech Ion Fusion is a net-top computer, so called because it is similar in power to the more common mini-notebook or ‘netbook’ computers. Novatech Ion Fusion is the successor of the award winning Novatech Ion nettop. The Ion Fusion has a lot of “Firsts” attached to its title. Novatech Ion Fusion plus is to make nVidia’s 3D Vision kit available in the UK, the first one to come fitted with the Intel’s Atom 330 processor and it was the first after Asus to offer a range of nettop systems.

Decent Display:

The Novatech Ion Fusion Plus has a 19-inch LG Flatron W1934S monitor which is quite surprising for this price and the original version too had only a 17” display. The display resolution is, 1,440×900 pixels which is a surprise again. Bigger monitors are always preferred as they give you a more spacious feel enhancing the quality of the display. The viewing angles are not wide but anti-glare finish has been given and so you will not experience and distracting glares from any of the light sources. You will notice that some white areas look a bit greyish. The image quality is average as a result of poor grey scale gradation. But, the texts displayed are nice and sharp. The monitor sits on a stand with a round base which is simple and attractive. The monitor is having a blue backlit power button and below that are the other controls having some faint labels. Novatech has upgraded the Fusion’s peripherals as well as the spec. The original Ion came bundled with a 17in Hanns.G monitor, while the Fusion includes a 19″ LG Flatron display.

The CPU unit:

The unit’s dimension of 270 x 75 x 325mm (W x H x D) is quite a lot for a netbook and is hence heavy too weighing 3.65kg. But you will have to forgive the dimensions as the unit is built of a large metal chassis which gives you excellent built quality and durability. The facia has a piano black finish with a silver power button.

Peripherals:

The peripherals, keyboard and mouse are both cheap. They are the generic Logitech models that have a matte black finish that matches the system. The keyboard provided is not ergonomically designed and so typing can be uncomfortable. They layout is uncomplicated and in the name of being simple, shortcuts to any media has been neglected.

Menu:

The menu has been designed logically with variety of presets along with the aspect ratio controls too.

Ports:

Novatech has given Ion Fusion Plus Desktop Computer (PC-1266) a good range of ports. There are six USB ports, forget the two because they will be required to fit in the Novatech keyboard and mouse, the rest four is for the use of your wish. Gigabit Ethernet has been provided but you will not be able to do any wireless networking with the WiFi being absent. A PCI slot is available inside the motherboard, (don’t jump!), it cannot be used as the case has no bracket at the rear that matches the slot, which is very disappointing and unexpected as with the original Ion, it could be fitted with a PCI card. The absence of a memory card slot or room to fit in one is ridiculous! The unit otherwise sports a VGA, twin PS2 ports, parallel and serial ports, three 3.5mm audio jacks, headphone and microphone jacks, and an eSATA port. The eSATA port is available as the Fusions motherboard supports only two SATA ports.

Some might be also intending to connect the system to a TV, in that case, the only connection for a screen is the VGA socket, so while it can connect using that to some flat-panel televisions you are out of luck if your TV only has an HDMI socket.

Atom 330 processor:

Most of you might get confused by Novatech Ion Fusion Plus’s name that it is based on the nVidia’s revolutionary Ion platform, which is not true. Instead, it uses the Intel D945GCLF2D motherboard that is based on the less complicated 945GC Express Chipset. Ion platform would have been better as it incorporates significantly better graphics than the current alternatives. It is not that convincing to have something in the name and deliver something else. Atom 330 processor not only doubles the cores but also the cache.

Intel’s Atom 330 processor is a dual core version of the Atom 230 processor that is commonly found in the other nettops. Atom 330 processor runs at 1.6GHz. The dual core system makes windows more responsive, but the complete benefits can be witnessed and enjoyed only when you run multiple applications. Intel Atom processors feature multiple threads for better performance and increased system responsiveness whilst maintaining a low cost. Certain applications that are optimised especially for dual core processors like most of the video encoding software, has an increase of 40 percent in their performance. You can get the most out of multitasking only when there is ample RAM. The Novatech Ion Fusion Desktop PC Computer has only 1GB RAM and so, you will have to upgrade it to 2GB, but since there is only one slot, you will need to replace the existing chip. Ion Fusion is about 23% quicker than the other nettops available in the current market which is evident with the speed at which it responds to a wide variety of tasks.

Novatech claims that it has included the Intel processor that is based on the entirely new micro architecture, specifically for targeted performance and low power consumption while maintaining full Intel core performance.

Other features:

Apart from the fact that the Fusion is using Atom 330 dual core processor, all the other specifications are the same as the other nettops that are available in the current market. The specs also include the undesirable integrated Intel GMA 950 graphics chip. The integrated graphics does not do much for its games performance, but gamers will need a more powerful computer than this and so it is not a big deal, and this chip is perfectly capable of a respectable video playback and DVD playback. DDR2 introduces some new features which allow it to ramp up to much higher speeds with correspondingly higher bandwidth and higher memory densities, with lesser power consumption. SATA hard disc, which is the next generation drive interface, following the traditional Parallel ATA is employed. Cables used are are very thin with small 7-pin connectors and they can be up to 3 feet in length. These cables and pins are easily routed to stay out of the way that allows maximum airflow inside the case.

Gigabit Ethernet:

Gigabit Ethernet is 10 times faster than Fast Ethernet. This means that as your network and the amount of information that is sent across as it grows, speed will be very important. When moving music, video files, pictures and large files your data transfer will be up to ten times faster than a standard network. With the emergence of interactive TV on the Internet and the streaming of Internet TV, fast networking has never been more important.

Hard disk:

The desktop 3.5” hard disk provides you with 160GB memory that provides you with sufficient space for all your data needs such as office documents, music, video and photos. However, if you feel that it is not going to be enough for you, you can replace it with a larger model of your own choice. You will not find it hard to open the case of fusion, but the assembly that holds the optical drive and hard disk is a little tricky to deal with.

Slimline DVD rewriter:

Novatech Fusion Plus Slimline Desktop PC has employed a DVD writer which a latest net top like Eee Box B204 does not have and in that way the Ion Fusion has an edge over the other nettops. DVD writers are a very essential need as you will want them for installation of any software or back up your files or even watch movies. The CD and DVD drive is a slimline model which can read and write most kinds of disc except Blu-ray. The slimline model makes sure that it allows some space-saving inside the case which in turn will be of great help when you want future upgrades.

Power efficiency:

Though the performance factor has been increased a great deal, the nettop is not as power efficient as its predecessor. Though the stand-by power usage of 1W looks good, the maximum power consumption rate of just 30W of Samsung’s 23in EcoFit SyncMaster P2370 makes Novatech Fusion’s 36W look less impressive. Having an efficient processor, large casing, 120W power supply and passive graphics cooling, you would have thought that the system works quietly; unfortunately, it is the other way round, very noisy.

The package:

Just by looking at the whole package of the Novatech Ion Fusion PC-1266, you can say that the system is compact as the package has just the size of an average PC tower-case box. All the units are well packed but, you will not find it that tough to unpack it.

Novatech offers Ion Fusion plus 1 year standard warranty.

Verdict:

Novatech Ion Fusion is a compact and an very affordable nettop. The performance up gradations made possible with the help of the dual core processor is not that evident in some tasks but is worth having it. By costing a very minor amount higher than the original Ion, and having a bigger monitor makes this nettop very cost efficient too. If you are asking us what can be an alternative, then you can look for some old laptops in good condition that will have a 2GHz or faster Intel Celeron CPU, 2GB of RAM, 160GB hard drive and running on Windows Vista for the same price. Hence, you will have a better RAM, updated Operating System and you might also get WiFi and a card reader too.

Check Latest Desktop PC Reviews, other models of Novatech Desktop Computers.

Novatech Ion Fusion Plus Desktop PC - Specification Details

Manufacturer	Novatech
Model Name	Novatech Ion Fusion plus
Product Code	PC-1266
PC type	Nettop
Colour/Finish	Black and silver
Monitor	19″ LG Flatron W1934S
Processor	Intel Atom 330
Processor Speed	2 x 1.6GHz
Chip set	945GC Express
RAM	1GB
Hard disk drive	160GB SATAII Hard Drive, 7200rpm
Optical drive	Slimline DVD rewriter
Graphics processor	Integrated Intel Express 4
Audio processing	Integrated Intel Express 4
Ethernet	Yes
Modem	No
Wireless	No
Bluetooth	No
Video connectivity	VGA
Audio connectivity	1 x head phone out 1 x microphone in S/PDIF optical 7.1 surround sound analogue
Memory card reader	No
Other ports available	6 x USB ports 2 x PS2 Serial Ethernet Parallel
Operating system	Windows XP 32bit
Peripherals	Logitech keyboard and mouse
Warranty	1 year