Computer Reviews

The Systemax Venture Intel Core2 Duo based computer provides a balance of power and value, with relatively new technology it manages to keep pace with latest developments, while steering clear of ridiculous pricing.

I am always aware of how much new stuff costs, with the rapid drop in prices within a few months of the launch of something new I can always wait. Based on an Intel Core2 Duo processor and with an Intel 945GC + ICH7R chipset, the combination works well, and give a nice overall set of features. They are some of them:

• 2.2GHz Intel Core2 Duo
• 2GB DDR2 RAM
• 500GB SATA II hard drive
• DVD burner

The bits and pieces of this barebones desktop computer look tempting, but lack a little in the up-to-date department. Let’s have a look.

The processor is one of the original, slower Core2 processors, with only a 800MHz FSB, it lacks the speed of the newer 6000 series processors that support 1066/1333MHz FSB. This is not bad in itself, but does mean that any upgrade in processor will mean an upgrade to the motherboard.

The motherboard, based on the Intel 945GC Northbridge chipset is really designed for the older Pentium 4. It only offers up to a 800MHz FSB and will hold back many of the faster chips available today. The other features of the motherboard are quite admirable for a low to mid-range motherboard.

There is a PCIe x16 slot available for a graphics card, good. There are some PCI slots for older cards, good. The SATA ports support RAID, so performance can be increased, or data safety can be increased, both good. The usual array of features are built-in. A network port a few USB ports, and one of the fancy little extras is a panel for memory cards on the front of the box itself.

For the price it does meet some needs. It is great for a computer for right now, but is a little limiting with future upgrade potential, but will remain quite viable for a few years still.

Faster is better, and the Lite-On DVD burner pushes the limits just that little bit more with write speeds of up to 20x. But does it deliver.

There is not too much to consider with DVD burners and much of the difference between them is in the software that comes packaged with the drive. The Lite-On 20x DVD drive only writes at 20x, here is the full set of read and write features:

• DVD+R write speed: 20x
• DVD+RW rewrite speed: 8x
• DVD-R write speed: 20x
• DVD-RW rewrite speed: 6x

The warning signs are all over this product unfortunately.

I have used a Lite-On CD burner for over 5 years now and it still works great, but companies do have their rough patches.

User reviews of this product are a mixed batch. Many people have had problems installing it and getting it working. One or two bad experiences could be overlooked, but play it safe and don’t buy this one.

Check it out if you like, but rather go for a Sony, and pass up the 20x in favor of a reliable drive.

Sharp have added to their list of great goodies a 3 way directional LCD monitor. Simply put, you can see three different images from 3 different angles.

From straight-on, to the left an to the right you can have 3 different images displayed, allowing the driver to see a map, the passenger to see pictures of their destination and the person in the back to watch a movie.

It does seem like you will need quite a video card to pump out 3 different images at the same time, unless there is some more elegent solution to getting the 3 images.

Sharp already have a dual directional monitor on the market.

Press release at the Sharp website