Kalai Murugesan
Compaq Presario 7000T
Disc writing has never been easier than with Compaq's Presario 7000T, which includes a 2X DVD-R drive offering 8X/4X/32X CD-RW functionality. DVD-R drives possess multiple advantages over DVD-ROM drives (which are only capable of reading discs) and DVD-RAM drives (the only drives capable of writing to DVD-RAM media). DVD-R drives can write to CD-R, CD-RW, and DVD-R media and can read multiple media types as well. To help you take advantage of this cutting-edge optical drive, Compaq bundles Pinnacle Studio DV, Easy CD Creator, and DVDit, which let you edit video and write it to CD or DVD. The Presario 7000T has an IEEE 1394 card, 256MB of RAM, and a huge 75GB hard drive, which should come in handy when you're transferring, editing, or creating large digital images. This Presario carries a set of Klipsch THX 400 W speakers, with a street value of about $280. The speakers and subwoofer together created rich treble tones and an impressive bass range.As configured at $3448, the Presario 7000T ranks as the most expensive system in our current roster of home PCs. The 7000T's PC WorldBench score of 166 is eight points (about 5 percent) higher than the average mark of Pentium 4-1500 units with 256MB RAM, but it falls short of the scores posted by comparably configured (and markedly less expensive) 1.2-GHz and 1.1-GHz Athlon systems. In addition, Compaq offers a relatively brief one-year warranty on parts and labor. For $149 more, you can obtain a three-year parts and labor warranty from Compaq.
Compaq's 19-inch MV940 monitor produced bright colors and sharp text. The Presario 7000T features a nicely designed midsize tower case that permits tool-less access and has a functional holding area on the front portion of the case for frequently needed CDs, as well as a recessed port hub with room for one IEEE 1394 and two USB connections.
If you want to create DVD-R discs, this PC has everything you need. If DVD authoring isn't a requirement, you can save a bundle by choosing a system with a standard DVD-ROM drive, like the Compaq Presario 7000Z.
| Buying Information |
| Compaq Presario 7000T PC WorldBench 2000 score of 166, Pentium 4-1700 CPU, 256MB of RDRAM, 256KB L2 cache, Windows Millennium Edition, 75GB hard drive, 20X-48X CD-ROM drive, 2X DVD-R and 8X/4X/32X CD-RW combo drive, Creative Labs 3D Blaster Annihilator 2 Ultra graphics card with 64MB of DDR SDRAM, 19-inch Compaq MV940 monitor, Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live Value sound card, Klipsch THX 400 W speakers, V.90 modem, ethernet adapter, IEEE 1394 adapter, midsize tower case, Microsoft Word 2000, Microsoft Money 2000, Pinnacle Studio DV, Easy CD Creator, DVDit, Quicken TurboTax. One-year parts and labor warranty; unlimited 24-hour toll-free tech support. $ 3448 PC WorldBench 2000 score of 166, Pentium 4-1700 CPU, 256MB of RDRAM, 256KB L2 cache, Windows Millennium Edition, 75GB hard drive, 20X-48X CD-ROM drive, 2X DVD-R and 8X/4X/32X CD-RW combo drive, Creative Labs 3D Blaster Annihilator 2 Ultra graphics card with 64MB of DDR SDRAM, 19-inch Compaq MV940 monitor, Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live Value sound card, Klipsch THX 400 W speakers, V.90 modem, ethernet adapter, IEEE 1394 adapter, midsize tower case, Microsoft Word 2000, Microsoft Money 2000, Pinnacle Studio DV, Easy CD Creator, DVDit, Quicken TurboTax. One-year parts and labor warranty; unlimited 24-hour toll-free tech support. 800/888-0220 http://www.compaq.com |