eMachines' T5254 desktop computers carry a standard price that's $100 higher than their sister line (the T3646 series), but they offer a far greater value for the money. For starters, these computers offer much more core power; the included processor is an AMD Athlon BE-2350 dual-core CPU running at 2.1GHz. eMachines pairs this with a healthy 2GB of 667MHz DDR2 memory. There's no option to add any more RAM, but 2GB should be enough for most users. This memory and CPU combination makes these desktop computers capable of 3D gaming and light media editing.

Storage space is provided by a 320GB 7,200rpm hard drive. This provides lots of room to house video files, install games and other applications and create backup partitions. Its size will even allow you to add a TV tuner card, which will let you use this desktop computer as a personal video recorder. eMachines doesn't include a TV tuner as an upgrade option, however, so you will have to opt for a third party card if you choose to explore this opportunity.

These systems ship with the Home Premium version of Microsoft Vista, so the ability to record television shows is provided from a software standpoint. This operating system also offers lots of other multimedia tools and the Aero graphical interface.

The T5254s also feature a solid DVD writer that allows you to record to dual-layer media and DVD-RAM disks.

There's also a 15-in-1 media card reader included on these computers. This lets you transfer files and photos from your PDA or digital camera just by popping in a flash card. This reader supports a wide variety of formats, including SD and mini SD, CompactFlash, Memory Sticks and more.

In addition to the media card reader, there are two USB ports on the front of the tower and four more in the rear for hooking up high-speed peripherals. There are also headphone and microphone jacks for connecting a headset. Both a modem and built-in network interface are provided on the motherboard, so you can connect these computers to the Internet via both dialup and broadband.

The included keyboard and mouse are both quite basic. The keyboard includes some multimedia keys, but the mouse is a bland two-button roller rodent. Unlike a lot of other desktop computer vendors, eMachines includes a pair of speakers with all of their computers; they're low-wattage -- powered through a USB port -- but they do deliver basic PC audio.

Standard software includes Microsoft Works 9.0 as well as a 60-day trial of the more robust Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 version. You also get eMachines' BigFix troubleshooting application and Cyberlink's Power2Go DVD burning software in addition to other trial versions such as Norton Internet Security and WildTangent games.

The main corners that are cut in these desktop computers are in the areas of the graphics and display. First off, these systems utilize integrated graphics. Nvidia's GeForce 6100 provides these, so they're better than typical integrated graphics, but you still have to share video memory with the main system RAM. There is, however, an open PCI-Express x8 slot, so you can add a high-end graphics card if you'll be using your T5254 for gaming.

Secondly, these computers don't include displays, so if you don't already have a screen that you're recycling from another system, you'll have to add the expense of a new one into the cost of a T5254. eMachines offers 17- and 19-inch LCDs for very reasonable prices, if you want to purchase a matching display from the company.

Even with the cost cutting required to offer these systems for such a low price, the eMachines T5254 desktop computers deliver solid core power, relatively impressive components and excellent value.


Pros: Good core power, respectable components
Cons: No monitor