Description:
Compaq's new and very wide-ranging Presario SR1000NX series of PCs targets most every segment of the computer buyer market -- from financially strapped students to high-power business executives. This model, the Presario SR1030NX Desktop PC, is a full-featured and capable rig that most definitely suits the latter. It would also make a wonderful multimedia platform, and is really only unsuitable for high-end 3D graphics applications. And even then, a quick upgrade to the unit's video controller would bring it up to spec. Though not the absolute fastest computer currently available, the Presario SR1030NX delivers all that most computer users need, at a price that won't leave you with a bad case of sticker shock. Driven by an AMD Athlon XP 3000+ CPU running at 2.16 GHz and an ample 512 MB allotment of main memory, the Presario SR1030NX sports plenty of processing and multitasking power. However, the integrated graphics chipset, an Intel Extreme Graphics controller with 64 MB shared (not dedicated) video memory, simply won't cut the mustard when it comes time to display the latest and greatest 3D games or 3D animations. Fortunately, the unit features two available PCI slots for future video card additions. Data handling options are near state-of-the-art. Apart from a standard 3.5-inch diskette drive, Compaq has installed a massive 160 GB hard disk and two optical drives -- a high-speed CD burner and a DVD+RW/CD-RW drive. With this setup, you can play and burn audio CDs, archive your files to long-lasting digital media, watch DVD movies, burn home movies to convenient DVD format, and execute super-quick CD copies. The Presario SR1030NX is very well connected, with seven high-speed USB 2.0 ports (three on the front) for plug and play peripherals and gadgets such as digital cameras and printers, two IEEE 1394 FireWire ports (commonly used for fast data transfer from digital camcorders), and a 9-in-1 card reader for downloading information from today's most popular memory cards. Other desirable amenities include an integrated 10/100Base-T networking interface for fast Internet and network communication, a low-speed 56K dial-up modem, a Compaq keyboard and a Compaq mouse with scrolling wheel. The comprehensive software package includes Microsoft's Windows XP Home Edition operating system, Microsoft's Works productivity suite, Quicken's New User Edition financial center, and everything you need for playing, burning and ripping CDs, editing movies, playing and writing DVDs and setting up digital photo albums. A display screen is not enclosed, thus allowing you to utilize your current monitor or select from the many alternatives currently available.
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