These systems, priced in the middle of our range of Recommended Systems, are just the ticket for those who need a desktop unit for a small business or for a high-end home-based system. Clock speeds generally run between 100 and 133MHz, but 166MHz systems are starting to proliferate.
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= Preproduction product reviewed.
= Best buy.
= Fastest performer.
Click on the product name to visit the vendor's Web site (where available).
Products ranked on a scale of 1 (worst) to 5 (best).
| Product | Price as tested | Configuration | In brief | Issue reviewed | Box score |
| ARM P133 Terminator III 800-ARM-9450, 707-795-0800 | $2,299 | 133MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 256KB secondary cache, 1.2GB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | Quality components at a great price, with one-thumbscrew access. This system gives the big players a run for their money. | April 96 | 3.5 |
| AST Advantage 829 714-727-4141 |
$2,799 | 200MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 256KB cache, 2.1GB HDD, 8X CD-ROM, no monitor | Speed and solid components but you have to add your own monitor. | September 1996 | 4.5 |
| Gateway 2000 P5-133XL 800-846-2000, 605-232-2000 | $2,304 | 133MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 256KB cache, 1.6GB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | New design in a feature-packed unit with room to grow. | February 96 | 4.5 |
| Gateway 2000 P5-150 800-846-2000, 605-232-2000 |
$2,279 | 150MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 256KB cache, 1.6GB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | Faster than a fast-forward videotape. | March 96 | 4.5 |
| HP Vectra VL Series 4 5/100M T 800-752-0900, 415-857-1501 | $2,605 (street) | 100MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 256KB cache, 1GB HDD, 4X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | Even demanding users will love it. Our only system to get a top rating, because of its design, components and performance. | February 96 | 5.0 |
| NEC PowerMate P166 800-NEC-INFO, 508-264-8000 | $2,575 (street) | 166MHz Pentium, 16MB RAM, 256KB cache, 1.6GB HDD, 4X CD-ROM, no monitor | Easy expansion and great graphics performance. | March 96 | 4.0 |
| NEC PowerMate V100 800-NEC-INFO, 508-264-8000 | $2,046 (street) | 100MHz Pentium, 16MB RAM, 256KB cache, 1GB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | This system gets your business moving. | February 96 | 3.5 |
| Quantex QP5/120 SM-1 800-632-5022, 908-563-4166 | $2,249 (direct) | 120MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 256KB pipeline burst cache, 2GB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 17" monitor | You'd expect to pay more for this great-performing system. | February 96 | 4.0 |
| Quantex QP5/150 SM-1 800-632-5022, 908-563-4166 | $2,299 | 150MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 512KB pipeline burst cache, 2GB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 17" monitor | High-end components for a mid-level price. | May 96 | 3.5 |
| Robotech Cobra XLT/2 P166 800-255-2215, 801-565-0645 |
$2,799 | 166MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 256K pipeline burst cache, 1.2GB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 17" monitor | Not just well-built, it's also a super performer. | March 96 | 4.0 |
| Tangent MediaStar 5133/95 800-800-5550, 415-342-9388 |
$2,395 | 133MHz Pentium, 16MB RAM, 512KB secondary cache, 1.2GB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 17" monitor | Like its 166MHz big brother, this system puts multimedia in its place with built-in speakers and a 6X CD-ROM. | April 96 | 4.5 |
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