From Alienware to VoodooPC, computer manufacturers are stuffing the fastest chips, largest hard drives, and most powerful graphics into their products, transforming them into “heavy-duty tanks”.
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| Source: BusinessWeek |
According to analysts, very few people are looking to buy new computers just to spruce up their work desks. Global PC shipments this year are projected to increase by only about 1.9%, as demand in saturated markets like the United States has dropped by approximately 8%. As a result, manufacturers are more eager than ever to “hook” customers. Many have placed significant bets on the high-end market as a narrow escape route during these tough times. The days when computers were merely dull gray boxes seem to be over.
Instead of competing on price, giants like Dell, HP, Gateway, and others are “battling” over new, trendy, premium features. They are racing to create super-powerful machines specifically designed for gamers or users with particular digital entertainment needs.
The consequence is that the prices of “brand-name” computers are rising, contrasting sharply with the budget market. Below are the most “elite” and “refined” models, with prices starting at over 1000 USD and peaking at… 6000 USD.
1. VooDooPC Omen a:121
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Source: BusinessWeek |
BW’s Review: 
Pros: Extremely powerful performance, suitable for the most demanding games.
Cons: Very high price.
Conclusion: An exceptionally powerful machine capable of handling even the most extreme gaming environments.
At a price of 6000 USD, the Omen a:121 is one of the most expensive computers currently available on the market. However, the Omen is worth the price as you might say “You get what you pay for”.
Weighing 50 pounds, this luxury computer is difficult to move as it is entirely encased in high-grade black aluminum. Running around the system are tubes filled with water and glycol, helping to cool the CPU and graphics card, ensuring they run at their advertised speeds. The right side of the case is made of transparent glass, allowing you to see the machine operating inside.
The CPU of the Omen is an AMD Athlon 64FX-60 dual-core chip. When shipped, this chip “only” reaches a maximum speed of 2.6GHz, but thanks to some of VoodooPC’s proprietary “enhancement” techniques and cooling solutions, this chip’s performance can soar to a staggering rocket-like speed of 2.95 GHz.
To handle the most demanding games, the Omen can achieve a maximum frame rate of 229 frames per second, far exceeding the average 93-96 of mid-range models. The amazing thing is that despite its power, this machine runs incredibly quietly. The use of a liquid cooling system instead of fans means the Omen generates almost no noise, in addition to the case being designed to maximize sound absorption.
2. Gateway FX510XL
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Source: BusinessWeek |
BW’s Review: 
Pros: A powerful machine for high-end gaming.
Cons: Not significant.
Conclusion: Gateway is struggling, but occasionally manages to create “monster” machines.
In terms of performance, this is a wonderful gift for gamers. However, considering the price of 2999 USD, I retract the term “gift”.
The FX510XL uses an Intel Pentium Extreme Edition 955 chip running at 3.46 GHz, paired with an Intel 975X chipset supporting DDR2 memory. It comes with 2GB of RAM, a 1TB hard drive, and an abundance of ports for media applications. The graphics are handled by the prestigious Nvidia GeForce 7800GTX.
Additionally, this machine is pre-installed with Microsoft’s Windows Media Center software. There is an integrated ATI card that allows the computer to connect to a digital TV tuner and record favorite shows via TiVo. The 9-in-1 smart card reader supports most types of memory cards available today, making it compatible with nearly all camcorders, cameras, and MP3 players. It has a total of 6 USB ports, two optical drives, one dual-layer 16x DVD burner, and a 48x DVD-ROM drive.
3. HP Pavilion m7360n
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Source: BusinessWeek |
BW’s Review: 
Pros: Removable hard drive, extremely portable.
Cons: No built-in Personal Media Drive.
Conclusion: Excellent performance, convenient storage.
Now, users have stored years’ worth of data in their hard drives, from emails and personal photos to movies and digital music libraries, as well as a few favorite TV shows, etc. However, because of this, never before has data storage become such an important issue as it is now.
Typically, desktops only integrate a 160GB hard drive. Five years ago, this number might have made you smirk, “Too much”, but now it does not. In fact, you might wish for several times that amount.
Therefore, the HP Pavilion m7360n Media Center PC with a removable hard drive is indeed an interesting discovery. Slightly larger than a VHS tape but significantly heavier, the Personal Media Drive is a removable and portable hard drive that can easily connect to the computer and slide out when you no longer need it, or want to switch to another drive. You can pull the drive out/insert it without needing to turn off the machine.
The integrated hard drive of the m7360n is also quite impressive with a capacity of 300GB. This is enough storage for 70,000 MP3 songs, 300 hours of standard resolution video, or 35 hours of high-resolution video. If you pay an additional 330 USD, you can upgrade the hard drive capacity to 400GB.
The price of the m7360n is among the “cheapest” on the list, at 1,149 USD. It uses an Intel Pentium D920 chip running at 2.8 GHz, with 2GB of DDR2 memory. It has two optical drives, one Firewire port, 2 USB ports, RCA audio and video jacks, and a 9-in-1 card reader.
The only complaint is that the Personal Media Drive is not sold with the computer. If you want it, you have to purchase this hard drive separately.
4. Alienware Aurora 7500
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Source: BusinessWeek |
BW’s Review: 
Pros: Terrifyingly fast speed, top-notch graphics
Cons: Sci-fi design, not user-friendly for non-tech-savvy users.
Conclusion: A dream machine for gamers who demand high speed and powerful graphics, but the price is also quite “dreamy”.
Gaming on the Aurora 7500 is truly a fantastic experience, but the price of $2,750, not including the monitor, can bring you back to reality at any time. Specifically designed for hardcore gamers, the 7500 feels like it stepped out of the “alien” universe, just like its name Alienware suggests.
Beneath its eye-catching form are all the “bells and whistles” you’d expect from a top-tier PC: a dual-core Athlon 64 4200 processor, supporting heavy multimedia applications such as gaming and video editing. The graphics card is also top-tier, featuring the ATI Radeon X1900 CrossFire 512 MB, retailing for over $500. Additionally, it includes a sound card that supports surround sound. The machine comes pre-installed with Windows XP Media Center Edition, a DVD drive, four USB ports, and a multi-format card reader, among other features. In short, the Aurora 7500 is fully equipped to serve as the heart of a home entertainment system.
However, the downside of the Aurora 7500 is that it is not designed for amateurs. The installation is quite complex. There are four different jacks for the monitor, six additional jacks, and a Firewire port for the audio card. It can be very difficult to determine which cable goes where. Furthermore, this machine does not have a headphone jack, so you must use external speakers, which must be connected directly to the audio card at the back of the machine.
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Source: BusinessWeek |
5. Falcon Northwest Mach V
BW’s Review: 
Pros: Powerful, perfect for gaming
Cons: Expensive, but worth the investment
Conclusion: Not for the “average Joe,” but computer experts will be thrilled.
Falcon Northwest is renowned for their custom-built, handcrafted computers. If you know exactly what you want, Falcon deserves a call from you. However, Falcon does not stock any pre-configured models. When ordering, be prepared to spend a significant amount of time working with the company’s specialists to select your options.
The price of a Falcon computer is not cheap, at $5,185, not including the monitor. The standard configuration includes an AMD dual-core Athlon 4800+ processor and two Nvidia GeForce 7800 graphics cards. Using a Logitech wireless mouse and keyboard, along with Creative Technology’s i-Trigue L3500 speaker system, is well worth the investment. The machine operates extremely quietly within a case painted just like a 2005 Acura MDX.
6. Dell XPS 400
Powerful, perfect for gaming Expensive, but worth the investment Not for the “average Joe,” but computer experts will be thrilled. Falcon Northwest is renowned for their custom-built, handcrafted computers. If you know exactly what you want, Falcon deserves a call from you. However, Falcon does not stock any pre-configured models. When ordering, be prepared to spend a significant amount of time working with the company’s specialists to select your options. The price of a Falcon computer is not cheap, at $5,185, not including the monitor. The standard configuration includes an AMD dual-core Athlon 4800+ processor and two Nvidia GeForce 7800 graphics cards. Using a Logitech wireless mouse and keyboard, along with Creative Technology’s i-Trigue L3500 speaker system, is well worth the investment. The machine operates extremely quietly within a case painted just like a 2005 Acura MDX.
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Source: BusinessWeek |
BW’s Review: 
Pros: Perfect graphics. Acceptable price
Cons: Headphone noise, mouse defects
Conclusion: A great machine, so why not make it even better with an AMD chip?
Renowned for producing budget, low-cost computers, Dell is now facing the repercussions of its continuous price-cutting strategy. To compensate for this loss in profit, Dell has decided to heavily invest in its premium XPS line.
With a price tag of $2,288 without a monitor, or $2,648 fully equipped (in this case, with a bright 20-inch widescreen monitor), the XPS 400 uses an Intel Pentium D 930 dual-core processor running at 3 GHz, 1 GB DDR2 memory, two integrated 250 GB hard drives, an Nvidia GeForce video card, and Creative Labs’ X-Fi sound card. It also comes pre-installed with Windows Media Center, an integrated TV antenna, and a 13-in-1 card reader. In summary, the XPS has all the multimedia functions you would expect.
Destiny
Powerful, perfect for gaming Expensive, but worth the investment Not for the “average Joe,” but computer experts will be thrilled. Falcon Northwest is renowned for their custom-built, handcrafted computers. If you know exactly what you want, Falcon deserves a call from you. However, Falcon does not stock any pre-configured models. When ordering, be prepared to spend a significant amount of time working with the company’s specialists to select your options. The price of a Falcon computer is not cheap, at $5,185, not including the monitor. The standard configuration includes an AMD dual-core Athlon 4800+ processor and two Nvidia GeForce 7800 graphics cards. Using a Logitech wireless mouse and keyboard, along with Creative Technology’s i-Trigue L3500 speaker system, is well worth the investment. The machine operates extremely quietly within a case painted just like a 2005 Acura MDX.
