The Bottom Line
Pros
- Very Low Cost
- Good Storage Options
Cons
- No FireWire
- Poor Integrated Graphics
- Slower PC2700 DDR Memory
Description
- AMD Athlon XP 3000+ Processor
- 512MB PC2700 DDR Memory
- 160GB 7,200rpm Hard Drive
- 8x DVD+/-RW Burner and 48x CD-ROM Optical Drives
- nForce 6-Channel Audio and Amplified Stereo Speakers
- NVIDIA GeForce 4MX Integrated Graphics with 64MB Shared Memory
- v.92 56Kbps Modem and 10/100 Ethernet
- Five USB 2.0 Ports and 8-in-1 Media Reader
- Windows XP Home, MS Works 7, MS Money 2004, Nero 6 Suite and Norton Anti-Virus (60-day)
Guide Review - eMachines T3092
EMachines is a well known name for the budget computer market, but they shifted that focus to also try and build some higher end computers. Since the purchase by Gateway, that effort seems to have shifted again with the T3092 being the top of the line desktop but with a price not that far ahead of the budget market.
The T3092 desktop is powered by the AMD Athlon XP 3000+ desktop processor. This is a well tested and nice performing processor that should be plenty for most users. Since it only has a 333MHz frontside bus, the system only uses 512MB of PC2700 DDR memory. With the price difference being so low between PC2700 and PC3200 memory, it would be nice to see them include the faster PC3200.
Storage is suprisingly good for such a low cost machine. Hard drive storage space is provided by a very sizable 160GB hard drive. Even more surprising though is the inclusion of an 8x DVD+/-RW burner. This is a feature that is even missing on many more expensive mainstream desktop system. Also included is an 8-in-1 media card reader for digital peripherals.
Graphics are very disappointing for the T3092 though. The system uses a very dated GeForce 4MX integrated graphics that isn't even DirectX 8 compatible. Thankfully, the system does have an 8x AGP slot to allow for an expansion graphics card.
All of this makes the eMachines fairly competitive with other mainstream desktops, but the price is the ultimate goal of the T3092 even at the cost of some more advanced features.
