XP Supersystems

It feels an awful lot like we're repeating ourselves, but there has simply never been a better time to buy a new computer.

PC makers, the darlings of Wall Street only two short years ago, are now resorting to everything from mergers (Hewlett-Packard and Compaq) to dramatic business reorganizations (MicronPC's owner paid to have the sagging division taken off its hands) to boost sales. But the tactic that we like best of all is the old-fashioned price war.

Seriously, 2GHz for around $1,500? Believe it or not, it's here, and our roundup of the highest-end PCs shows that your technology investment goes further than ever—and that's a trend we commend.

We asked the biggest PC vendors for their highest-end machines—outfitted with top-speed Pentium 4 processors, 256MB of RAM, and a minimum 40GB of hard disk space. We also insisted on DVD and CD-RW drives as well as top-flight video cards. Then, we gave them a workout in our labs, running speed tests (checking business productivity and graphics-creation/Web-design tasks) under Windows XP. In terms of performance, none will disappoint, though the Gateway 700C Deluxe and Dell Dimension 8200 stood out as our favorites. But which computer is perfect for you depends on the features you need.

* Performance is relative, based on an average of scores on Ziff Davis Media eTesting Labs' Business Winstone and Content Creation Winstone benchmarks (see etestinglabs.com/ benchmarks). For general business or home use, buyers are best off considering either of those top-placing machines from Gateway or Dell, both of which use ultrafast RDRAM to boost performance. The only real difference is that the Gateway includes a modem, while Dell's system boasts a video card with 32MB of extra VRAM. That VRAM translates into extra performance—with the Dell scoring highest on our benchmark tests (see table, left), more than 18 percent faster than the lowest-scoring entrant (the Sony PCV-RX580). Gateway's system was close behind at 14 percent faster than the Sony, and it's virtually impossible to recommend one over the other.

Sony's latest revision to its VAIO Digital Studio line includes the PCV-RX580, a capable if underwhelming machine designed for video editing enthusiasts. The PCV-RX580 doesn't come in a 2GHz configuration, so we tested the default version, which ups the RAM to 512MB in an attempt to compensate for a slower 1.8GHz CPU. The extra RAM doesn't really make up the performance gap, as Sony's system was still the slowest in the comparison (though it's still plenty fast for most users).

Of course, with this system, it's all about the features—FireWire ports (front and back) are perfect for connecting digicams, and a Memory Stick slot is available as well. The PCV-RX580 also comes with a DVD-Rewritable drive, the only machine in our roundup to do so. All around, this is a great computer for home use, and at $1,499 it's also a good value.

Systems from Acer and Hewlett-Packard ranked last in this group, though each machine is still appropriate for specific uses. Acer's Veriton 7200, at $1,499, is a budget choice, though a smallish hard drive may need upgrading for power users. (What's more, its blue-and-white case design is homely.) But in a surprise showing, Hewlett-Packard's Vectra VL420 earned faint praise— it ranked last in performance among 2GHz PCs but stood at the high end of the price range. Coupled with badly misconfigured management software, it was easy to overlook the Vectra VL420's corporate features such as the Toptools management software and secure-yet-accessible case design.

But what of the no-shows? IBM and MicronPC were unable to meet our requirements and deadlines for this comparison, but most puzzling was the response from Compaq, which reported its system "lost in the mail."

Nothing for buyers to worry about, we're sure.

Editors' Top Picks: High-End PCs

System* Key Specs Verdict Gateway 700C Deluxe $1,628 2GHz Pentium 4, 256MB of RDRAM, 80GB HD, DVD, CD-RW, modem, network interface card, 32MB of VRAM A solid powerhouse, but check out Gateway's other models for real bargains. Dell Dimension 8200 $1,577 2GHz Pentium 4, 256MB of RDRAM, 80GB HD, DVD, CD-RW, NIC, 64MB of VRAM Power performance for a price; love the easy-open case. Sony PCV-RX580 $1,499 (after $100 rebate) 1.8GHz Pentium 4, 512MB of SDRAM, 80GB HD, DVD-RW, CD-ROM, modem, NIC, 32MB of VRAM Slower than the rest, and that hurts when you're editing video, but other video features are stellar. Acer Veriton 7200 $1,499 2GHz Pentium 4, 256MB of SDRAM, 40GB HD, DVD, CD-RW, modem, NIC, 32MB of VRAM Not everyone will appreciate the design of this blue monster. Hewlett-Packard Vectra VL420 $1,609 2GHz Pentium 4, 256MB of SDRAM, 80GB HD, DVD, CD-RW, NIC, 32MB of VRAM A disappointing and rare misfire from HP: expensive, slow, and buggy. * All prices are without monitors or external peripherals. RATINGS Excellent Good Fair Poor Unacceptable

Copyright © 2004 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in Ziff Davis Smart Business.