A family PC is not what it used to be. No longer is it expected to be the beige box, banished to the spare room. No longer is it expected to be a jumble of unsightly cables, wires and peripherals. Today the family PC is expected to be a stylish addition to the other living room appliances such as the TV, sound system and DVD player. Or it may be called upon to replace some of these devices altogether. So the role of the family PC has expanded beyond a learning tool for the kids and something for Mum and Dad to e-mail friends with. This has meant greater variety among the machines submitted for testing this year in terms of equipment and capability. However, an interesting difference from previous years was the absence of an AMD-based PC.
Even though the role of the family PC may be changing, there are still certain things it must be capable of. It must be useful to the kids as a learning tool. This might entail either learning software, but would certainly mean the inclusion of Internet capability. With digital cameras of both the still and moving variety common place, the family PC should be able to both interface with devices and process the data produced. This year has also seen a distinct trend toward the PC becoming more of a media centre, so TV/radio reception and recording is now also a capability that may be expected. And, let’s face it, if the humble family PC was able to handle the odd 3D game, no one would complain.
With all of this in mind, there are many things to look out for in both evaluating and choosing the family PC. Performance, though important, is not everything. The software bundle, feature set and extras are equally as important, with looks becoming a major factor as the PC makes its way into the living room. The price too must be considered along with what the machine is primarily expected to do. Will it be a media centre? Will it be a homework tool? Will it be a digital media editor? Will it be used to show Aunty Mary in Sydney the new puppies?
Let’s take a look then at the contenders for this year’s test (in no particular order).
Iqon MMBP923
EUR1,399
The Iqon is manufactured with Philips peripherals and as such is finished to a fairly high standard. The case, though predominantly beige, is adorned on the front with silver panels that give it the look of an appliance instead of a computer. The specification, and therefore performance, was good, with sound being particularly well catered for through a Philips Sonic Edge soundcard and 5.1 surround speakers. The inclusion of an Nvidia Geforce FX 5200 graphics card was puzzling. While it provides excellent DVD and 2D graphics through the crisp and bright 15 inch TFT screen, it is far from cutting edge and is even towards the back of the budget market, in terms of performance. Bundled with this was a Lexmark X1150 Printer/Scanner/Copier all-in-one device. This bit of kit also had a DVD offer allowing the user to select a title from a range of 12 covering all genres.
The software bundle was good too – covering games, educational, graphics, disk authoring and productivity software. However a major plus for this machine was the inclusion of PCEye200 and PixAlert, which are monitoring and picture search tools to allow you to track the activity of children using the machine to ensure their safety and protection.
The set up instructions were good, though some variations in the kit were not accounted for and given that these packages may be intended for families who may not be IT gurus, it may be seen as a con, though a small one. The warranty is a three-year package covering hardware and software.
Packard Bell iXtreme
EUR1,099
The iXtreme was certainly different. With a nicely rounded styling that was carried through from the mouse to the TFT screen, it was curiously done in white and grey plastic. The overall effect was something akin to a Kenwood kitchen appliance. This is certainly not in keeping with the current trend of making a PC look at home beside your widescreen TV and DVD player. The specifications and performance were certainly on the budget side. A Celeron processor and on-board graphics chip, which was not DirectX 9 compatible, meant that it was the lowest performer in the benchmark tests. The on-board graphics also shared system memory, which didn’t help.
Set up instructions were better than most, though again did not cater for all variations in equipment seen. The software bundle covered the usual bases of education, graphics, DVD watching and disk authoring. Norton Internet Security 2003 was included too, to protect the user against online and virus threats. The warranty was a fairly standard one-year, though on-site, with a three-year software warranty.
HP m370UK
EUR2,199
The first thing that must be said of the HP is that it is over budget for this test; the criteria asked for sub EUR2,000 machines. That said, you do get a lot for your money with it.
Opening the box, the set up instructions not only account for every equipment variation encountered, but do so in a concise and easy to understand manner.
The specifications were good, though again, a Geforce FX 5200 graphics card let things down in the 3D test. But the real capability here was a full TV/radio facility handled through Microsoft’s Windows XP Media Centre Edition. The inclusion of this operating system, based on Windows XP Professional, essentially allows your PC to act as a full media centre. You can record TV and radio, then convert it to a suitable format and burn it onto a DVD. You can use Media Centre to set up a recording schedule for an entire TV series that can cope with schedule delays or changes.
Added to all of this is a six way media reader for Compact Flash, Smart Cards, Memory Sticks and more, plus Firewire, multiple USB, and this machine has the ability to unify all the digital media sources you have in your home. Remote control and wireless keyboard and mouse also mean that the box itself need not be conspicuous, though with its sleek silver and gloss black finish, this is not an ugly duckling that needs to be left in the spare room.
The software bundle was good, with Microsoft Works and Encarta providing a basis for a package that covered all the major areas you would expect.
An odd addition is the set of Altec Lansing speakers. Stereo with a subwoofer, or 2.1, their quality is excellent, but why restrict such capability with only stereo output? A near silent power supply completes this as fine media centre device for your living room. A one-year collect and return warranty on hardware can be expanded by the retailer to a two-year parts and labour warranty.
Sony Vaio PCGRZ 424
EUR2,299
The Vaio like the HP offers much in capability, though not within the criteria price. The most expensive machine here, it went a step further than the HP.
Also a media centre, it comes with Sony’s own Network Media Receiver which allows you to use your TV as a monitor and to view any of the digital media normally viewed on your PC. So not only can your Vaio receive TV and radio signals, but your TV, probably the largest and best quality screen in your home, can be used as a monitor to all your PC operations. The NMR (Network Media Receiver) connects to your TV through S-Video and then to your PC through either normal Ethernet or Wireless. Full remote control means that the NMR can sit with your TV and allow you control of your Vaio’s functionality.
Sony also bundles Gigapocket software which allows the user to carry out intelligent scheduled recording.
The downside of all this is expense. An excellent package, with titanium-like colouring dominating sleek styling, this box would be at home beside your Hi-Fi separates system. But this is let down by a keyboard and mouse set that look like they came from the spare parts bin. Though this is meant to be a fusion of the AV and IT worlds, as the marketing literature says, you would at least expect the styling of the various devices to be carried through to the interface devices.
Again a multimedia reader means that almost any digital device in your home can be accommodated, with Sony’s iLink also catered for among the USB and Firewire options.
Sound was taken care of by an integrated 5.1 capable chipset, though alas only stereo 2.1 speakers were provided. A nice surprise was the Nvidia Geforce FX 5600 which gave a significant jump in 3D performance over the 5200 seen on a few machines, should anyone wish to use such a device for mere gaming.
PC Pro iX-3
EUR1,898
And now for something completely different: Styled like a gamer’s hot rod machine, the iX-3 sports a metallic silver finish on an organic curved tower with a blue-lit power supply fan, topped off by a sturdy carry handle that folds flush into the curvy case. Very flash indeed. Not going for that in the “living room” look, this machine certainly gets marks for being different and I have to say, I loved it.
Alas, performance is a bit lacking; one would have expected it to have a bit more in the graphics card department. While it’s no slouch in CPU, RAM or hard drive specs, it is limited by the inclusion of the now ubiquitous Geforce FX 5200 graphics card which just does not cut it against the likes of the recent ATI offerings.
Its software bundle too was excellent, covering the usual bases expected for a family audience and a full game, Gun Metal, will ensure hours of arcade fun for the kids. A notable departure though was Office Small Business Edition from Microsoft, which provides greater capability than the usual Works suite. Bundled too was an Espon CX3200 Printer/Scanner/Copier allowing full advantage to be taken of the productivity tools.
The screen was the usual 15 inch TFT with the keyboard and mouse sharing the overall styling and adding to the overall appeal. Though not a media centre, this machine covered all the bases better than most. But looking like a gaming monster, it may not be the ideal DVD player for the family. The warranty was the standard one-year, but limited to return to base.
PC World Advent 3010
EUR1699
The Advent from PC World, while a media centre PC like the Sony and the HP, was different in two important ways. First of all it was well within the budget criteria set out. At EUR1,699 it was the least expensive media centre PC tested. But secondly, its form factor was less than half that of the either the Sony or the HP. About the size of a Playstation 2, it was very small and compact. A nice purple-blue anodised finish meant it looked all the more stylish.
Being small meant it was by no means short on capability. Specifications and performance were good, though again gaming may be hampered by the Geforce FX 5200. But this was made up for by the full media centre capability. Bundled with a 17 inch TFT screen, this machine also has remote control, which allows you to handle the media capabilities from the comfort of your armchair. The multimedia reader was again present and an optical SPDIF connector front and rear means that even the high-end kit can be connected to this lovely PC.
The usual bases are not covered in the software bundle. No reference material is provided and a Safe Surfing guide does not go far enough for protection on the Internet.
Sound is provided through an on-board 5.1 capable chipset, but again, this was let down by a set of Creative Itrigue 2.1 Speakers. Innovative but somewhat lacking, these speakers do look great. However, they do not provide the depth of sound reproduction the machine is capable of.
Overall, this is a great package at a great price and the looks and form factor seal the deal. As the PC evolves into an entertainment centre, this machine embodies the direction to be taken. If only it had a better graphics card.
Dell Dimension 8300
EUR1,899
This Dell is a dark horse, literally. Featuring the dark tones and ergonomic styling Dell has fostered of late, the Dimension is a discrete addition that would be at home in either the office or the living room. Though not as pleasing to the eye as the HP or the Advent, the Dell more than makes up for it with a strong performance. A fairly standard 3Ghz Pentium IV is coupled with an ATI Radeon 9800 Pro graphics card – the cutting edge of 3D graphics. Sound is provided by the excellent Creative Audigy 2 with a 5.1 Speaker system for top quality audio reproduction. A 17 inch TFT screen completes an impressive specification. The software bundle is somewhat lacking though. While productivity and media authoring are well catered for, there are no reference titles or games provided. The final cherry on top, is a clamshell-type case which allows you easy access for upgrades, should you be that way inclined.
The Dell offers a high level of equipment for a good price, but the down side is a trackball type mouse and a poor software bundle. This machine may be perfect for the home gamer, for graphics or movie editing, but for Christmas morning when the kids want to play with it, there is nothing there for them.
Apple iMac
EUR1450
While a direct performance comparison of the iMac with the other machines is not possible, it was decided to include one as an alternative to the Windows platform.
The iMac offers an unheard of level of integrated capability. A 15 inch TFT screen is mounted on a multi position arm over a solid base which houses all of the machine internals, including DVD/CDRW drive and all port connectors. A very aesthetically pleasing package, the iMac requires almost no set up, with the Operating System 10 providing a solid base of UNIX technology. You just turn it on and away you go. One area of direct comparison though is the graphics card. Based on a Geforce 2 MX, this is way behind even the budget offering of the Packard Bell. But people don’t buy Macs for gaming.
As standard, the Mac OS has iPhoto, iTunes, iMovie and Apple Works covering the media and productivity side of things, with World Book for reference.
It is Internet ready, Firewire capable and has USB ports for other devices. The down side here is its limited upgrade options. Once bought, it can be expanded in RAM or hard drive space, but it is not as easy as popping the side off the case and fiddling with the bits, as with the PCs. However, the Macs tend not to need upgrades as often as PCs, so it is a balance.
In terms of an alternative to the PC, the iMac is very good and its styling only adds to this.
My only gripe was that I used it as a CD player while testing the rest of the machines, thanks to its superb stereo speakers. However, an old scratched CD jumped and skipped like a school girl to the sweetshop. But none of the PCs had a problem with the same disk. It’s almost as if the iMac didn’t like Megadeth. For shame!
Conclusion
The family PC has come along way since the first PCs began appearing in homes many years ago. No longer is it for home accounts or the odd bit of printing, it is now evolving into a media control centre from which all aspects of entertainment, but also digital media, can be managed. You can now plug your digital camera, DV camcorder, voice recorder, web cam, TV or stereo into your PC and have it manage and manipulate the contents and then burn it to a DVD when you are finished.
With all this capability, the PC need no longer be a beige box on the table in the spare room, it can take pride of place among your most treasured entertainment devices. As a learning tool, these unified media, coupled with Internet broadband makes the family PC a powerful tool for the kids, with proper supervision.
Even in the course of a year, the direction has evolved significantly in the family PC and by this pick from the current crop, the future is secure for the family PC.
Best Software Bundle
Iqon Multimedia by Philips
A family PC software bundle needs to take into account the main uses of the family machine. As such, not only do the media authoring tools for CD/DVD burning need to be present, but reference for the kids, productivity titles and even games have all come to be expected. With the world as it is and the Internet the focus of so much concern, some sort of protection in terms of virus and or firewall is also good. The Iqon delivers on all these fronts.
Best PC Performance
Dell Dimension 8300
When trying to assess a family PC, performance isn’t everything, but it does count for a lot. So, a performance evaluation was done on each of the PCs. This testing was done with MadOnion.com’s PCMark 2002 and Futuremark’s 3dMark 2003.
PCMark 2002 provides a performance benchmark for CPU, RAM and hard drive performance. 3Dmark 2003 tests the 3D performance based on the DirectX 9.0 standard.
To perform these tests, each machine was prepared by ensuring that all unnecessary processes were stopped, such as anti-virus software, print monitors or anything that was not needed by the system. Then, each test was run three times, with the final result being an average of the three runs.
The Apple iMac was not benchmarked in this way. The programmes are not Mac-compatible, so the iMac was not performance rated.
The Packard Bell machine, the iXtreme, had an on-board graphics controller by SiS which was not DirectX9 compatible and so was not able to run the 3DMark 2003 benchmark.
If you wish to get these applications yourself, they are available free to download from www.madonion.com for PCMark and www.futuremark.com for 3DMark.
As mentioned, in a family PC performance isn’t everything, but it does count. With the exception of the Packard Bell, none of the machines here were really lacking and even the iXtreme could hardly be called slow. But the Dell, through its combination of 3Ghz Pentium 4, 512Mbyte of DDR (Double Data Rate) RAM and the superb ATI Radeon 9800Pro, was clearly the best overall performer. While the benefits of this are to be had in most PC uses, it doesn’t make up for limitations in the software bundle.
Best Budget Buy
Packard Bell iXtreme
At EUR1,099, the Packard Bell iXtreme offers quite a decent level of performance for not a lot of money. The TFT screen and DVD/CD RW alone also mean that it is well equipped. However, any real digital media or 3D capability is seriously hampered by the lack of a good graphics card.
Best Family PC
PC World Advent 3010
The best overall award has got to go to the system with the best balance of price, equipment, software and styling. That has to be PC World’s Advent 3010. The media centre truly offers a wonderful capability that most users would find invaluable. Retaining enough performance to manage digital media and do a little light gaming, the looks of this little gem seal it for a price that’s right. Not necessarily the best at any application, but good enough at everything.
08/12/03
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