Polywell contends its Qbox system boosts return on investment by letting two users independently, and simultaneously, share the unit's hardware--splitting the cost per user in half. Thanks to the specialized graphics card and tweaks Polywell made to the system, this single system can support two separate users, each accessing their own Windows desktop with a dedicated keyboard, monitor, and mouse.

While this would seem an interesting approach for a high-performance system, the poky $1999 Polywell Qbox865T-2800E fails to please one user, let alone two. In our performance tests the 2.8-GHz Pentium 4-based machine, backed by 512MB of DDR400 SDRAM, underperformed most similarly equipped rivals--achieving a PC WorldBench 4 score of only 115. Likewise, the unit fumbled through our demanding graphics tests using Return to Castle Wolfenstein and Unreal Tournament.

Beyond subpar performance, we found the Polywell Qbox865T-2800E's dual-user system confusing to set up, and there was no documentation to walk us through the specifics of configuring the dual-user access to Windows, attaching the second monitor, and so on. Polywell did include a basic quick-start poster and user manual, but it doesn't provide the much-needed assistance to take users through how to set up and use the unit's primary gimmick.

Other aspects of this dual-user system also failed to impress us. The two bundled Jetway J1711 17-inch LCDs displayed text, details, and colors that were acceptable, but both lacked the vibrant punch and crispness we've seen on other monitors. And the two Jetway keyboards, one wireless and one wired, had uninspired, boxy designs and felt cheaply made (the sole nod to ergonomics on either model: an inadequate wrist rest). If you're thinking about this system for its dual-use feature, we'd suggest considering two separate systems instead.

Shoebox-sized, the Polywell Qbox865T-2800E has a front facade with a small display screen (for showing system information), as well as three USB 2.0 and two FireWire ports. The ports, however, were difficult to access (they're recessed too far into the case to be handy).

The system's interior is quite accessible, so if you need to change one of the components--including the 128MB EVGA GeForce FX 5700 graphics card or the 120GB hard drive--you can do so with little trouble. But don't count on expanding the system: This model has no open RAM sockets or expansion bays.

Although the dual-user feature intrigues, poor documentation, poor performance, and mediocre displays undermine the Polywell Qbox865T-2800E's sole selling point.

Polywell Polywell Qbox865T-2800E

PC WorldBench 4 score of 115, 2.8-GHz Pentium 4 CPU, 512MB of DDR400 SDRAM, Windows XP Professional, 120GB hard drive, DVD±RW drive, EVGA GeForce FX 5700 graphics card with 128MB of DDR SDRAM, two 17-inch Jetway J1711 LCD monitors, Labtec 805 speakers, compact case. Three-year parts, five-year labor warranty; lifetime 24-hour weekday toll-free support (4 hours Saturday). $1999800/789-8027www.polywell.comScott Plamondon