Designed for home use, Packard Bell iXtreme 9600 boasts all the basic technical specification required for a computer at your home office. Packed with wireless keyboard and mouse for clutter free work space the system also comprises of 40GB Hard Drive, Intel Pentium 4 Processor, 128MB RAM, and a bighearted software products.

Along with the wide variety of software tools the system is also pre-installed with useful publishing software such as Dreamweaver 3. Thus makes this Desktop PC ideal for web designer, content developer. But if you need additional software for publication work some of your authoring products may not work on Windows Vista. But the system offers option for downgrading to Windows XP.

Apart from the technical specs, Packard Bell iXtreme 9600 Desktop Computer look wise the system appears pretty neat with round edges and black finish wrapped all around the CPU unit depicts a professional look.

Roomy hard drive, efficient processor, and wide software diversity makes iXtreme 9600 unique in the Packard Bell iXtreme family.

Design

Simple exterior with subtle modern touch makes up iXtreme 9600 desktop PC.

Wrapped up in a black plastic case with thin silver line extends right across its face; imparts a neat finish to this desktop computer, whereas round edges adds a modern touch of class to its visual facet. Modest appearance enhances the ‘personality’ of this desktop PC.

Thin CPU case makes it easy to unlock the unit.

Both the sides of the base unit are painted in matt silvery white colour and are curved out for vents required for the exhaust fan resides inside the CPU.

Accompanying Odyssey USB keyboard and mouse colours are twinned with the black polish of the CPU case. Both keyboard and mouse are wireless models. But the matching speakers are wired however with clever arrangement of the cables you can minimize the wire mess.

Entire base unit is also designed to accommodate USB ports, IEEE 1394 ports, Parallel ports, Serial ports, PS2 ports, Audio line ports, and so on.

At the front end of the CPU you will see 2 high speed USB ports and they are stuck inside a shiny silvery border. The metal border definitely gives stylish look to the CPU.

At the rear end you will find remaining ports which includes 3 IEEE 1394 ports, 2 Serial ports, 1 Parallel port, 2 PS2 ports for keyboard and mouse, 1 VGA out for external monitor, 1 Audio line In port, 1 Microphone In port, 1 Headphones Out port, and 1 Midi or joystick port.

Monitor is not bundled with this system. But plug in any 17-inch LCD monitor and you are good to go.

Features

iXtreme 9600 Home Desktop PC is aimed at those looking for power and performance.

The hardware bundle includes powerful components which comprises of Intel Pentium 4 Processor, spacious 40GB Hard Disk Drive, impressive 128MB RAM, easy-to-use DVD and CD-RW optical drive, internal card reader enabled Floppy Drive.

Graphic output is taken care by Intel 850 Graphics chipset with dedicated video memory of 64MB delivering excellent image quality on any LCD monitor, and integrated AD1881A sound chipset offers excellent audio output.

Software bundle includes Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition operating system. For gaming adventure FIFA 2001, Zeus, Master of Olympus are preinstalled on iXtreme desktop PC.

The entertainment package includes Real Player, Shockwave, My Music Studio, New DJ, Atomix MP3, Real JukeBox, Music Maker 6, Primo CD/DVD, Power DVD, Video Wave 4 SE, Power VCR II 2.0, and Flash Player.

Photo editing suite comprises of My Imaging Studio, Photosuite 3 SE.

Internet browsing and communication are facilitated with a help of Phone Tools, Callserve (IP Telephony), Voice Link Basic, Surfairy, ActivSurf v3, Quick Time, SCOL Voyager 3.5, Freeserve

The all-in-one security solution is provided by Norton Internet Securities FE which includes Norton Antivirus 2001. This anti-virus is not only simple to use, but is automatically updated to protect you against any kind of identity theft, spyware, viruses threats.

Support options include ActivDoc online documentation, ActivSupport, Easy Crypto Deluxe, Sensiva, and Recovery Program which includes Smart Restore.

For internet browsing hook up your network cable with RTC modem which consistently works at the speed of 56Kbps CNR offering maximum data speed.

External connectors are holed out both at the front and rear end for easy use. USB2 ports are mounted at the front, and the rear end of the CPU is designed to accommodate 3 IEEE 1394 ports, 2 Serial ports, 1 Parallel port, 2 PS2 ports, 1 VGA out, 1 Audio line In port, 1 Microphone In port, 1 Headphones Out port, and 1 Midi or joystick port.

Inside the PC

The CPU unit of iXtreme 9600 Desktop PC Computer is packed with mixed bag components.

To start with the system houses furnished motherboard which includes pretty much all the required elements including Evergreen II Reference, PGA 423 socket, Intel 850 chipset, one AGP slots and five PCI slots of which four slots are kept free for further upgrade.

The RIMMS Removable RAM is supplied on two 64MB modules which makes a total count of 128MB of memory. The unit is further backed by impressive 40GB hard drive. This is indeed a lot of space for storing all your audio and video files.

At the heart of the system resides Intel Pentium 4 processor which works at the speed of 1.4 GHz. For efficient performance 256K RAM is kept aside for Cache Memory. Permanent storage unit is designed to fit in 40GB of data.

Graphics come courtesy of Intel 850 chipset with AGP integrated. The total size of the dedicated Video Memory is 64MB.

Sound output is guaranteed by Tempest Speakers which has built-in integrated AD1881A Chipset for better quality sound output whereas the optical drive is configured to support separate DVD and CDRW Drives.

The system supports efficient networking capabilities and this is strengthened by RTC modem which works at the speed of 56Kbps CNR.

Though it may appear from the configuration specs that the system comes with basic features but it does provides enough room for upgrade. Along with great upgrade features the system also offers ample blanks for permanent storage, effective real time memory, and strong Pentium 4 processor.

Considering all these impressive options not only make the system accessible to all but also makes it worthwhile to use in all purposes.

Performance

If your requirement is a new system for general office use or regular home computing iXtreme 9600 is more than good enough.

But in terms of its exterior finish the system has received some criticism. The quality of the case is not great, though it gives lighter feel to the CPU unit, but flimsy outer case fails to add any lustre to this desktop computer.

However, the system is well appreciated for its huge storage space. Store your personal and professional documents, as well as download movies and audio files; the system works just fine. Play games like FIFA 2001, Zeus, Master of Olympus this desktop PC delivers steady performance and excellent graphics and sound output.

Even publishing tools like Dreamweaver 3, Acrobat Reader 4.05c, Word 2000 when used with photo editing software such as My Imaging Studio or Photosuite 3 SE the system barely irks, except if you have opened up too many windows.

Design your own web site using Dreamweaver 3 and work on your web site image, the system will do it all without any interruption. 128MB memory will do your entire job.

With all the educational software, such as Britannica 2001, Tell Me More Beginner for learning French, GCSE for Maths/English/Science the system is an informative device for kids. Software like, Disney’s Buzz Lightyear of Starcommand, Kidoclic, Disney Magic Artist Studio are continuous entertainment source of entertainment to kids.

Protection wise the system is well-equipped with Norton Internet Securities FE including Norton Antivirus 2001.

Support is provided by ActivDoc online documentation, ActivSupport, Easy Crypto Deluxe, Sensiva, Recovery Program (includes Smart Restore)

iXtreme 9600 Intel Pentium 4 Desktop PC attends your day-to-day computing job as well as your office work. 128MB memory works efficiently all through even when you are working on office application and playing audio files and downloading movie files.

Large storage provides you with an opportunity to manage your important documents all in one location without having the necessity of moving your files to a separate external hard drive.

Packard Bell iXtreme 9600 is indeed a great family system.

Check other Packard Bell Desktop PC Reviews, Sony Vaio Desktop PCs in this website.

Packard Bell iXtreme 9600 Desktop Computer - Technical Specifications, Features

Manufacturer Packard Bell
Model Name iXtreme 9600
Display Check with your Dealer
Hard drive Capacity 40GB
Optical drive DVD and CD-RW (Separate Drives)
Graphics hardware Intel 850 chipset with AGP having 64MB dedicated
Graphics Memory
Memory 128MB (2 x 64MB RIMMS Removable) PC800 RD-RAM
Processor Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor
Processor speed 1.4GHz
Audio Integrated AD1881A chipset Audio output
Operating system Genuine Windows XP Home Edition
Mouse Odyssey USB mouse
Keyboard Odyssey USB Keyboard
I/O ports 4x USB Port (2 front 2 rear) / 2 x Serial ports /
1x Parallel port / 2x PS2 ports /
4x IEEE 1394 ports (3 external and 1 internal) /
SVHS and RCA TV out /
1x VGA out for external monitor /
1x Audio line in /
1x Microphone in /
1x Headphones out /
1x Midi/joystick port
Software Personal Management
Home Affairs
Money 2000

Publishing
Publisher 3
Avery Design Pro
Windows Millennium Edition
Dreamweaver 3
Acrobat Reader 4.05c
Word 2000

Entertainment
Real Player
Shockwave
My Music Studio
New DJ
Atomix MP3
Real JukeBox
Winamp 2.72
Music Maker 6
Primo CD/DVD
Power DVD
Video Wave 4 SE
Power VCR II 2.0
Flash Player

Photo editing
My Imaging Studio
Photosuite 3 SE

Games
FIFA 2001
Zeus
Master of Olympu
Education
Britannica 2001
GCSE Maths/English/Science
Disney’s Buzz Lightyear of Starcommand
Kidoclic
Disney Magic Artist Studio
Tell Me More Beginner (Learn French)

Internet & Communication
E-Phone Tools
Callserve (IP Telephony)
Voice Link Basic
Surfairy
ActivSurf v3
Quick Time
SCOL Voyager 3.5
Freeserve

Services & Support
Norton Internet Securities FE (incl. Norton Antivirus 2001)
ActivDoc (online documentation)
ActivSupport
Easy Crypto Deluxe
Sensiva
Recovery Program (includes Smart Restore)

Warranty 12 Months
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