Advent Firefly FP9004 review

Question

I'm curious to know what everyday tasks, other than those involving graphics - for which you say it isn't suitable - most people would use this machine that would not run so well on an Atom 330 device? Surely, most PC's get used for Internet, Music, Word Processing, a bit of Digital Photography and that's about it. Any current processor (Atoms included) can handle that lot - all at the same time.

The next level seems to include Video processing, graphics processing, games etc. I'm not sure what is "in between" that lot and therefore I can't work out what market this is aimed at?

I vaguely remember, many years ago, you used to do a guide as to what you saw low, mid and high-end PCs being used for.

Today, there seems to be a High-end for HD video editing, graphic-design, computer games etc. Then there is a "the rest". The mid-range seems to have disappeared from the PC market with even the most basic machines being more than adequate for the vast majority of users.

By Bassey1976 on 23 Dec 2009

@Bassey1976: Selling increasingly powerful desktops relies on making people believe that they need a 3GHz quad-core and a GTX295/HD5970. An Atom is easily powerful enough for web browsing and Microsoft Word.
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The above machine with an ATI HD4650 and 4GB of RAM is what I use for gaming (COD4, Fallout 3 and similar.) It runs modern games at maximum detail (with the exception of only 3 titles like Crysis) at 1440*900 with no problems. High-end PCs are simply over-specified unless you have a truly enormous monitor.
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Only professional video editors or obsessive gamers need bother paying more than about £500 for a desktop. But don't tell anyone, or the PC industry will collapse.

By phantombudgie on 23 Dec 2009

where can I buy this for this price!!!

Dixons / PC World / Currys etc.. for £419

Come on its been a month and already the price has changed. I cry foul to the A - List

By DSuthers1 on 22 Jan 2010

Graphics card

I have the following graphics card and was wondering if this will fit into this unit?

ATI Radeon X850 XT PE 256MB PCI-Express

By Icosphere on 29 Jan 2010

great pc

i would reccommend this Pc as it runs superbly, the RAM capacity is great also the wireless internet is really good as i thought i would connect because my router id at the other side of the house but i connects perfectly.
5*

By PcMan123 on 2 Feb 2010

CHECK THE PRICE!

What's it all about?
Has anybody checked the PC Worlds price? On it's web site it gives you £419- and at this price it's not all that great at all!

By pasma1 on 10 Feb 2010

£419 not £319

Thought this looked too good to be True :(

By MAugier on 12 Feb 2010

PRICE CHANGE

Thanks for the comments. You're correct, the price has gone up. PC World told us the demand created by this review sold the stock out quickly. Given the review was six weeks ago they're within their rights to raise the price, so the Firefly is no longer on the A List.

By DavidBayon on 12 Feb 2010