Budget systems aren't slackers any more. The systems we recommend here are almost all Pentium (or Cyrix 6x86) based, and have clock speeds from 75 to 120 MHz, speeds that, a year ago, would have made them high-priced computers.
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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 |
| AMS InfoGOLD P100 800-888-6615, 408-945-2296 | $1,595 | 100MHz Pentium, 16MB RAM, 256KB pipeline burst cache, 1.2GB HDD, 4X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | The InfoGOLD takes the gold. Sleek case styling, cool color, top performance all make this one a keeper. | December 95 | 4.0 |
| Dell Dimension P100t 800-289-3355, 512-338-4400 | $1,599 (direct) | 100MHz Pentium, 8MB EDO RAM, 256KB cache, 1.08GB HDD, 4X CD-ROM, 17" monitor | The design emphasizes functionality, not extras. | February 96 | 4.5 |
| Digital Venturis 575 Slimline 800-DIGITAL, 508-624-6400 |
$1,409 | 75MHz Pentium, 8MB RAM, 256KB cache, 620MB HDD, no monitor | Spartan design, but it can do the job. | February 96 | 4.0 |
| Gateway 2000 P5-75 Family PC 800-846-2000, 605-232-2000 | $1,419 | 75MHz Pentium, 8MB RAM, 850MB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 14" monitor | All the hardware you'll need for multimedia computing. | February 96 | 4.0 |
| Gateway 2000 P5-120 800-846-2000, 605-232-2000 | $1,809 | 120MHz Pentium, 16MB RAM, 256KB cache, 1.2GB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | The performance you need when you get down to business. | February 96 | 3.5 |
| MicroExpress 686/P166+ 800-989-9900 714-852-1400 | $1,799 | 133MHz Cyrix 6x86, 16MB RAM, 512KB cache, 1,2GB HDD, 4X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | Matches or beats a Pentium 166 on our application-macro tests. | July 96 | 4.5 |
| MicroExpress PCI/166 800-989-9900 714-852-1400 |
$1,799 (street) | 166MHz Pentium, 16MB RAM, 512KB cache, 1.2GB HDD, 4X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | Fast and well constructed. Appeals to those who already have software. | July 96 | 3.5 |
| Micron P150 Millennia 800-243-7615, 208-463-3423 | $1,999 | 150MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 1.2GB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | Its performance is at the top of the charts . | February 96 | 4.5 |
| MidWest Micro P5-75 Office PC 800-235-9148, 513-368-2309 | $1,875 (street) | 75MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 256KB cache, 1GB HDD, 4X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | Excellent components are a welcome bonus to this machine, which delivers performance on a budget. | March 96 | 3.5 |
| Quantex QP5/75 M-1 800-632-5022, 908-563-4166 | $1,349 (direct) | 75MHz Pentium, 8MB EDO RAM, 1.08GB HDD, 15" monitor | Multimedia on a shoestring, but this system won't let you down. | May 96 | 3.5 |
| Quantex QP5/100 M-2 800-632-5022, 908-563-4166 | $1,749 | 100MHz Pentium, 8MB EDO RAM, 256KB cache, 1GB HDD, 4X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | Value for the money, but no bundled office suite. | February 96 | 4.0 |
| Robotech Cobra XL-100 800-533-0633, 801-565-0645 |
$1,249 | 100MHz DX4, 8MB RAM, 256KB cache, 850MB HDD, 4X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | A good system for students or computing neophytes. | February 96 | 4.5 |
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