Microsoft's new Windows Vista operating system is out and the latest crop of desktop computers feature various iterations of the OS. Whether you're looking for a basic budget PC to get your foot in the Vista door or a cutting-edge multimedia PC, we've reviewed a system to match your needs.

Acer Aspire E380

Another mid-range option is Acer's Prestige E380 family with systems starting out at just over $600. These desktop computers ship with AMD's Athlon X2 64 4200+ processor with twin cores operating at 2.2GHz each. Acer pairs this CPU with a respectable gigabyte of 533MHz memory.

These desktop computers ship with the Vista Home Premium edition and well-rounded multimedia components including a hefty 320GB hard drive and a dual-layer DVD writer. There's also a 9-in-1 media card reader, eight USB 2.0 ports, and a Firewire port for connectivity. The integrated graphics tempered our enthusiasm a bit, but overall we were still impressed with these mainstream desktop computers.

Acer Aspire E380 desktop

Lenovo 3000 J115

If you're looking for a budget system geared more towards a small business or home office user, Lenovo's 3000 J115 family of desktop computers is a great option. This system starts out under $450 and ships with dual-core AMD Athlon 64 X2 processors.

Lenovo has a variety of configurations for this series. Our suggestion is a modest upgrade package with a fast 4200+ processor featuring twin 2.2GHz processing cores, 1GB of 533MHz memory, a DVD writer, and Windows Vista Business edition. These systems also ship with gigabit Ethernet for connecting to high-speed networks, Lenovo Care Tools for password management and system crash recovery, and Corel's WordPerfect Office 12.


EMachines T5200

Getting more into mainstream systems, the eMachines T5200 desktop computers still sport a great price (just over $500), but ship with more powerful components. With an Intel Pentium D 820 processor featuring twin 2.8GHz cores and a gigabyte of 533MHz RAM, the T5200 systems have a solid performance foundation.

EMachines rounds these desktop computers out nicely with 250GB hard drives, dual-layer DVD writers and 15-in-1 media card readers. They also ship with the Home Premium edition of Windows Vista with its Media Center capabilities. Our only complaint was the integrated graphics, but the open PCI Express slot gives you room for adding a dedicated video card later.

Gateway GT5400 series desktop

Gateway GT5400 series

For potential movie-makers or gamers looking for a bargain system to beef up, the GT5400 series offers excellent core power and high-end multimedia components for a modest price. It ships with two Pentium D 935 chips (operating at 1.8GHz each) and has a whopping 320GB hard drive (running at speeds of 7,200 rpm, no less) for storing all your multimedia files.

This system ships with Windows Vista Home Premium and has the hardware to run it right, with the speed and storage mentioned above and a gigabyte of 533Mhz DDR2 RAM. Should that ample storage space somehow not be enough, the GT5400 ships with a 16x DVD burner that supports CDs, DVDs, and dual-layer DVDs that store up to 8.5GB. If you're looking for a mid-range system with strong performance and a painless price tag, this is an excellent option.