Mick Lockey

IBuyPower Value XP Pro

The brushed aluminum Value XP Pro earns praise for bringing top-notch components to a PC that costs less than $900. Foremost among these are a 2.66-GHz Pentium 4 CPU and 512MB of DDR400 memory. This configuration earned a score of 119 on our PC WorldBench 4 test suite--above average for systems of this type. Our review unit also came with a memory card reader that accepts CompactFlash Type I or II and SmartMedia cards (used with PDAs, MP3 players, digital cameras, and the like)--an extra normally found only on pricier units. Whereas most systems we've seen in this price range come with a 17-inch CRT, the Value Pro adds a solid 19-inch CRT, the ViewSonic E90. In image quality tests, it displayed vivid colors on a photo image and reasonably sharp, legible text at all font sizes. Its image quality makes it suitable for a wide range of computing tasks, from reviewing spreadsheets and Web surfing to playing games. The Value XP Pro has as much room for expansion as many pricier rigs. We found seven open drive bays (four that accept removable-media drives, and three that accept hard drives only), two open memory sockets, and four PCI slots--plenty to handle the upgrades that general home and productivity use typically call for. Eight USB 2.0 ports grace the back of the case; that's two more than most systems we see these days.Other high points include a 52X/24X/52X CD-RW drive and an 80GB hard drive. Both are generous for a machine priced at $810 (at the time of our review).
Our test unit lacked a DVD-ROM drive. Most other systems--even those costing less than $900--offer one. IBuyPower does offer a 16X DVD-ROM drive as a configuration option for $39. You'll need one to watch DVD movies on the monitor or to use convenient one-disc DVD-ROM multimedia encyclopedias, national phone directories, and the like. Front-mounted USB ports would have made connecting devices such as cameras, USB storage drives, and digital music players easier.
The layout inside the case is a mixed bag. Though the interior is roomy and has fairly well-organized cabling, you can't access the drive cages without a screwdriver. The system offers four open PCI slots, but a USB adapter blocks access to one of them, reducing the number of available slots (and options for add-on cards) to three.The black-and-silver-accented speaker set consists of two satellites and a subwoofer; the subwoofer's funky shape would be right at home on the bridge of the Enterprise. Paired with the system's integrated audio, this lightweight set emitted thin trebles and overpowering bass notes in our audio tests. They're best for casual gaming or for listening to quiet music while working; serious gamers and users who like to listen to loud music will want better speakers. The silver keyboard is accented with black keys and includes 21 programmable hot-keys, tidily grouped in sections labeled "Internet," "Audio," and "Program." Typing was quiet and smooth. IBuyPower provide include a setup guide or an integrated system manual, but we found individual manuals for all major components. At this price you don't get a lot of applications thrown in: The only software we received was Nero Burning ROM Express 5.5 and a version of Norton AntiVirus 2003 that supplies 90 days of signature updates.
This shiny PC will appeal to value hunters looking for a system to grow with.

Buying Information

IBuyPower Value XP Pro PC WorldBench 4 score of 119, 2.67-GHz Pentium 4 CPU, 512MB of DDR400 SDRAM, Windows XP Home, 80GB hard drive, 52X/24X/52X CD-RW drive, Integrated NVidia NForce2 graphics with 64MB of DDR SDRAM, 19-inch Viewsonic E90 monitor, Mitsuko Shadow XX-119AA speakers, network adapter, Midsize tower case; Norton AntiVirus 2003. One-year parts, three-year labor warranty; 24-hour daily toll-free support during warranty period. $ 810 PC WorldBench 4 score of 119, 2.67-GHz Pentium 4 CPU, 512MB of DDR400 SDRAM, Windows XP Home, 80GB hard drive, 52X/24X/52X CD-RW drive, Integrated NVidia NForce2 graphics with 64MB of DDR SDRAM, 19-inch Viewsonic E90 monitor, Mitsuko Shadow XX-119AA speakers, network adapter, Midsize tower case; Norton AntiVirus 2003. One-year parts, three-year labor warranty; 24-hour daily toll-free support during warranty period. http://www.ibuypower.com 888/462-3899