Technology always marches on, and so our high-end systems recommendations continue to abound with 166 and 200MHz systems. The Pentium 133s have disappeared from this list, getting pushed down in price to under $3,000.
[Return to Recommended List index]
= 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).
5/96
| Product | Price as tested | Configuration | In brief | Issue reviewed | Box score |
| Compaq Deskpro XL 5133 800-345-1518, fax 713-518-1442 | $4,399 | 133MHz Pentium, 16MB RAM, 256KB cache, 1GB HDD, 4X CD-ROM, 17" monitor | Fast SCSI-2, Ethernet and more built in. | March 96 | 4.5 |
| Cyrix 6x86-P200 214-968-8387 |
$5,169 | 200MHz 6x86, 32MB EDO RAM, 256K pipeline burst cache, 4GB SCSI HDD, 8X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | Runs like a Pentium, loaded with all the goodies you want. | September 96 | 5.0 |
| Dell Dimension XPS P166s 800-289-3355, 512-338-4400 | $3,249 | 166MHz Pentium, 32MB SDRAM, 512KB pipeline burst cache, 2.5GB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 17" monitor | Intel's 430VX chip set and Dell's new case design. | May 96 | 4.0 |
| Dell Dimension XPS Pro200n 800-289-3355, 512-338-4400 |
$4,049 | 200MHz Pentium Pro, 32MB EDO RAM, 256KB on-chip cache, 2GB HDD, 8X CD-ROM, 17" monitor | One of the fastest yet,, with top components and room to grow. | May 96 | 4.5 |
| Dell OptiPlex GXMT 5166 XPS P166 800-289-3355, 512-338-4400 | $3,877 | 166MHz Pentium, 16MB RAM, 512KB cache, 1.6GB HDD, 4X CD-ROM, 17" monitor | Very fast office computer, with lots of expansion room. | June 96 | 4.0 |
| Dell OptiPlex GXPro 800-289-3355, 512-338-4400 | $4,532 | 200MHz Pentium Pro, 32MB EDO RAM, 256KB on-chip cache, 2GB IDE HDD, 4X CD-ROM, 17" monitor | Very fast office computer, with lots of expansion room. | July 96 | 4.5 |
| Digital Celebris GL 5133ST 800-642-4532, 508-642-6400 | $4,288 | 133MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 512KB cache, 1.6GB HDD, 4X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | A loaded, rapid-fire tower of power. | February 96 | 4.5 |
| Gateway 2000 P5-166 800-243-2000, 605-232-2000 | $3,249 | 16MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 512KB pipeline burst cache, 2GB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 17" monitor | Top-flight performance and lots of expansion room. | May 96 | 4.0 |
| HP Vectra 500 Series 515MCx 5/166 800-752-0900, 415-857-1501 | $3,426 (street) | 166MHz Pentium, 16MB RAM, 256KB level 2 cache, 1.6GB HDD, 15" monitor. | Power, bundled software and included telephony make for a top contender. | May 96 | 4.0 |
| Micron Millennia P200 800-243-7615, 208-463-3423 | $3,257 | 200MHz Pentium Pro, 16MB EDO RAM, 512KB pipeline burst cache, 2.5GB HDD, 8X CD-ROM, 17" monitor | 200MHz computing supportd by an array of top-notch components. | August 96 | 4.0 |
| Micron P166 Millennia Plus 800-243-7615, 208-463-3423 |
$3,348 | 166MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 2GB HDD, 1GB removable HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | This Pentium system behaves like a Pentium Pro. | February 96 | 4.5 |
[Return to Recommended List index]