Product Reviews

The ValueMax is a good system, but by cutting the odd corner here and there Compute-IT has just missed out on a prize.

Features 4/6

The 60Gb Maxtor hard disk inside this system gives you plenty of space to store your files and install as much software as you like. Likewise, 256Mb of RAM is more than enough to run any mainstream programs currently on the market. Neither the CD burner nor the DVD drive is anything to have a fit of the vapours over, but they're serviceable parts that run at a decent speed. Pretty much the same can be said of Corel WordPerfect - it's solid, it gets the job done, but it's not likely to make anyone wet themselves with excitement. In keeping with its steady, dependable spec the Valuemax gets a workmanlike four out of six.

Ergonomics 5/6

The Logitech Deluxe keyboard with this system is a cracking piece of kit. The action of the keys is firm and responsive, the keyboard is well laid out and the keys themselves nicely spaced and the right size, so you don't end up hitting two at once by accident. The Hansol monitor is pretty good as well, with decent overall focus and convergence, though its power regulation is a little shaky. Unfortunately, Compute-IT didn't follow this success up by including a decent mouse, throwing in the A4Tech wheelmouse instead, with its slack, unresponsive scrollwheel.

Expansion 4/6

The Elite K7S5A motherboard that this system is built on has DIMM slots for both normal SDR RAM

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and for DDR, which runs at twice the speed. You can't use both at once, so the SDR slots must be for those who are upgrading their motherboard and don't want to replace their existing SDR RAM quite yet (but may want to later). In the context of a new PC they're useless, as you already have DDR. And you're left with only one useful slot for any memory upgrades. If you want to add an extra CD or Zip drive, however, you're in luck - there's space for both. As for hard drives, there are more bays free than you could ever use, so you'll never be short of space. Crucially, you also get four free PCI slots, so you won't be short of opportunities to add new functions to your PC. It's a shame there are only two USB ports, though. USB is a really simple, convenient way of adding new devices to your computer without having to mess around inside the case. It would have been good to be able to add more USB devices without having to resort to one of those little four-way adaptors, known as a hub.

Performance 6 /6

It's when you start looking at 3D performance that this PC really comes into its own. The teaming up of a Duron 1.3GHz, a GeForce4 MX 440 graphics chipset and 256Mb of DDR RAM certainly brings home the performance bacon, with scores not far off this month's winners. The decision to go for a 5,400rpm disk probably cost them a few points, particularly in the 2D benchmarks. This won't matter too much at the moment, but in a few years' time, when the current applications are putting a bit more strain on your PC, that old hard disk is going to start looking a bit creaky.

Overall

This computer comes close to getting a prize, but in the end it's just pipped to the post. There are a few things Compute-IT could have done to get themselves ahead. A faster hard drive and a few more interesting features wouldn't have gone amiss, and a better mouse could certainly have dragged the ergonomics score up to full marks. A couple more USB ports would be nice, too. None of this, however, should obscure the fact that the ValueMax is certainly a good PC.