Cyberpower Gamer Ultra M2 Quad

The keyboard also has task-specific VoIP, search and email buttons, as well as a laptop-style FN key that gives the row of function buttons at the top of the keyboard more uses. And the speakers are good, too - a set of 7.1 Creative T7900 speakers are the same as those packaged with the Chillblast Fusion Juggernaut. The seven satellites don't provide perfect audio quality, but they're easily good enough for gaming, playing music and watching high-definition movies.

Cyberpower's choice of screen, however, is disappointing. The Hannspree Verona 22in TFT just doesn't offer the quality of rivals. The backlight bleeds through at the bottom of the screen, and colours aren't reproduced particularly well either: there's an off-putting blue hue to the poorly-defined lighter shades, which can't be removed. Fortunately specifying a better monitor, such as the Samsung SM2232BW won't cost the earth, and is well worth spending £74 more on.

Despite this extra cost, there's no doubt that the Gamer Ultra M2 Quad is a fantastic machine. Couple the quad-core processor with the brand-new Radeon HD 4870 and there's more than enough performance for any task. Add a decent selection of peripherals and a still-brilliant price and you have a machine well worth its Recommended award and place on our A List.

Author: Mike Jennings