Description:
The Basics
In the world of computers, customers pay a premium price for top-level state-of-the-art gear. Fortunately, there are plenty of powerful, capable choices just a notch or two below the pricey state-of-the art trendsetters. One such computer is the HP Pavilion A362N Desktop PC, a unit that's suitable for virtually any business, home, home office, or even home entertainment situation yet isn't priced inordinately high. Top amenities include a DVD burner, a powerful 3D graphics card, and an impressively spacious hard drive. Processor
At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (or processor), a massive collection of miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entire unit. For the Pavilion A362N, HP has installed a 3.0 GHz Intel Pentium 4 with Hyper-Threading technology. Hyper-Threading, a new Intel innovation, allows a single CPU system -- which most are -- to behave at times as a dual CPU system, thus adding substantially more speed to some high-end applications. Running at a snappy 3.0 GHz, this particular CPU would be considered fast even without its Hyper-Threading. Memory
Computers typically store information on their hard drive, but they keep frequently and recently accessed data in Random Access Memory (RAM) for faster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking and less strain on your hard drive. The Pavilion A362N features 512 MB of PC2700 DDR SDRAM main memory, an average allotment in today's desktop market and perfectly satisfactory for most single task and multitasking assignments. The system is also constructed to support later RAM upgrading, to a stunning total of 4 GB (eight times the stock allotment and more than any user will probably ever need). Video
CPU's are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need help translating visual output to the viewing screen. This is the duty of the graphics card (or graphics controller). The Pavilion A362N features one of todays most respected graphics cards, an ATI Radeon 9200. Sporting 128 MB of video memory and futuristic architecture, this card is capable of accurately displaying virtually any 2D application and delivering smooth frame rates and immersive, lifelike visuals to the 3D animations found in industry leading computer games and 3D animation packages. Display:
HP has not included a display screen, thus allowing you to continue using your current monitor or select from today's many alternatives. Sound
The Pavilion A362N produces sound via an audio chip integrated on its mainboard. This is a typical setup for many PCs, producing satisfying but not earth shaking output and six channels of surround sound. Speakers are not enclosed. Hard Drive
At 160 GB, the internal hard drive is one of the most spacious in any desktop PC, offering enough room for a massive allotment of files and applications and ample music, video/photo and multimedia libraries too. Optical Drive
An optical drive is essential in today's computing environment. A "CD-ROM" drive allows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A "CD-RW" drive adds CD "burning", so you can also backup your important files to long-lasting discs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can enjoy all of the above plus watch the same big budget DVD movies you watch on your home entertainment system. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can also "write" home movies to durable discs and archive files to DVD (DVDs boast more than seven times the storage capacity of a CD). This system features dual optical drives - a fast 48-speed CD-ROM drive for playing music and data CDs, and a versatile DVD+RW/CD-RW drive through which you can burn music and data CDs, play DVD movies, and record home videos to long-lasting DVD media. Moreover, two drives allow you to make extremely quick copies of any CD. Connectivity and Expansion
With no less than six high-speed USB 2.0 ports -- two of which are conveniently located on the front of the unit -- you'll have plenty of room for plug and play gadgets such as digital cameras and printers. HP has also included two IEEE 1394 "FireWire" ports (commonly used for fast data transfer from digital camcorders) and a 7-in-1 card reader for reading memory cards from devices such as digital cameras, PDAs and more. Communication options include an integrated 10/100Base-T networking interface for fast Internet and network communication and a V.92 data/fax modem for low-speed dial-up connections. The system's two available PCI slots may be used for add-on audio cards, video cards, and the like. Operating System and Software
The Pavilion A362N features an extremely comprehensive software package headed by Microsoft's Windows XP Home Edition operating system. HP will also pre-install the Microsoft Money 2003 and Quicken New User Edition 2003 financial centers, Microsoft's Works 7.0 productivity suite and an impressive assortment of multimedia and Internet utilities. Keyboard and Mouse
To help free your workspace of cumbersome cables, HP will include a convenient wireless keyboard and wireless mouse combo.
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