HP Pavilion A6620f desktop

For our side-by-side comparison chart, we're using the , another off-the-shelf Best Buy computer similar to the HP Pavilion a6620 in both price and components. The two standout differences between these computers are processor speed and hard drive space. The Inspiron's 2.66 GHz processor is slightly faster than the 2.5GHz HP, but it adds an extra 140GB of hard drive space. Both computers offer an integrated Ethernet card and have the same amount of onboard memory, but the HP gets an extra point for the aforementioned digital audio in/out. For a paltry $30 difference, we argue that the Dell offers more generally useful features for your dollar.

The HP also provides a wide array of internal expansion options. You can add a secondary hard drive as well as an extra portable hard drive through the front bay. You can also put in a third-party video card or add two 1x PCI Express cards to your system. You can also squeeze in another PCI slot if you gut the inside and pull out the 56k modem. It's possible to increase the 4GB of RAM, but be prepared to sacrifice at least one gigabyte for future upgrades--all four slots are already filled with 1GB sticks.

Like many desktops in the , the tower integrates a media-card reader onto the top of the chassis for transferring files directly off a number of different card types including SD, MMC, Memory Stick Pro/Duo, Compact Flash I/II, SmartMedia, etc. A dual-layer DVD burner sits below the card reader, and under that there's an expansion bay for portable hard drives. Finally, a covered slot at the bottom hides microphone and headphone ports, two USB 2.0 ports, and a FireWire 400 port. The rear is standard for a budget PC, except HP includes ports for digital-audio out and in, something we hardly ever see in this price range. Home audio engineers might be glad to see those ports, but anyone with a digital-only display will be disappointed, because this system only has a VGA video output. Fortunately, most LCDs include the adapter you'll need; aftermarket adapters are also available for cheap.

The HP Pavilion a6620f desktop PC gives you plenty of features at a price that won't leave a smoking hole in your wallet. For $570, you get a dual-core 2.5GHz Intel processor, 4GB of RAM, a low grade integrated video chip, and 500GB of hard-drive space--a solid configuration for the price. The case itself is easy on the eyes and will blend into any home-office environment, and we also like the integrated digital-audio port on the back of the chassis. Dell offers another budget computer with better features, but it doesn't have a digital-audio connection and it costs $30 more. The HP Pavilion a5520f is an acceptable budget PC for audio enthusiasts who might want a digital output, but if you use programs that display intense graphics or need the extra storage, the competition gives you a better system for a little more money.

Specifications: Processor: Intel Pentium Dual Core E5200 (2.5 GHz) ; RAM installed: 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM ; Hard drive: 500 GB Standard ;

The bottom line: The HP Pavilion a6620f makes a decent case for its budget price. We like the design and the built-in digital-audio ports, and if you're on an unbreakable budget, the a6620f will get you through a variety of processes, but we recommend saving up for a system that will give you a more powerful set of components for a negligible price difference.

The bad: Faster PCs with better components are available for less.

The good: Built-in digital audio; stylish good looks; decent amount of upgradability.

Product summary

The good: Built-in digital audio; stylish good looks; decent amount of upgradability.