Overall, this isn't a bad system, but it's a little over-designed. For example, the bays for HP's media drives aren't really necessary, they just take up space. But the PC does have a lot of useful connectivity options and also looks quite nice. It's a decent home PC that can also double as a media centre.

This machine is sluggish when it comes to business application performance, but it has excellent provisions for security, and its data backup software is very simple to use. We think the unit is way too big for what it is though, and think it could either be built smaller or even turned into a tower.

Small, rugged and good looking, the ThinkCentre A51 is suitable for everyday office tasks and won't occupy too much space on the desk. Its tool-less design and its comfortable keyboard and 17in monitor make it a pleasure to work on. We do wish it was a better performer and had a longer standard warranty period.

The all-new iMac has been given an aesthetic overhaul and the changes are positive. It's a more than capable machine for general use, and the included iLife '08 software only sweetens the deal.

For the price this system is a very decent all round performer.

In many respects the Vostro, though aimed at small businesses, is just another PC. However the layout, safety features and included maintenance tools and services make this a promising choice for businesses searching for a no-fuss solution.

The NEC Powermate C9500-2401 is small and suitable for users who want a decent PC with plenty of storage. However, its RAID 0 array isn't entirely appropriate for office use; we'd prefer it if NEC would halve the capacity and offer a mirrored array for security. It also lack a few useful features, such as a FireWire port and a media card reader, and the price doesn't include a monitor. These omissions, and the RAID 0 array, are the reason for our low rating.

While it's not the most sophisticated looking machine it does well in the gaming stakes, especially at this price.