Compaq Presario 6400NX Desktop PC (1.53 GHz Athlon XP 1800+, 128MB RAM, 40GB hard drive)
Manufacturer: Compaq
Product Type: Personal Computer
Editorial Review:
Amazon Product Description
The Basics:
If you're the type who relishes or requires state-of-the-art computer technology, the Presario 6400NX Desktop PC is definitely not the ideal Compaq for you. Certainly you'll need to perform substantial upgrades to components such as its memory and graphics controller if you plan to go beyond basic tasks such as word processing, home finances or email correspondence. Yet the affordable, no-frills Presario 6400NX is otherwise a good bet for budget-minded individuals needing a very cost-effective entry-level workhorse for home, school or light business duty.
Processor:
At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (or processor), a massive collection of miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entire unit. Some are equipped with high-end CPU's suitable for any software currently on the market, while others are fast enough only for basic duties. Powered by an affordable yet powerful 1.53 GHz AMD Athlon XP 1800+ processor with Quantispeed architecture, the Presario 6400NX simply does not sport the horsepower needed for some of today's most popular but demanding virtual activities. But for students or home users on tight budgets who don't expect to be running high-end business applications, games, and the like, it should suffice nicely.
Memory:
Computers typically store information on their hard drive, but they keep frequently and recently accessed data in Random Access Memory (RAM) for faster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking and less strain on your hard drive. The Presario 6400NX is equipped with today's absolute minimum recommended amount of memory, 128 MB. This allotment will theoretically allow you to run Microsoft's Windows XP operating system, but is not sufficient for multitasking or complex applications. Fortunately, the system does permit upgrades to a full 1 GB.
Video:
CPU's are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need help translating visual output to the viewing screen. This is the duty of the graphics card (or graphics controller), the finest of which will include their own "dedicated" built-in video memory rather than "sharing" portions of the system's valuable main memory. For the Presario 6400NX, Compaq has installed a ProSavageDDR KM266 graphics chipset with 32 MB of shared memory. This configuration will not handle advanced graphic applications such as 3D games or 3D animation without first being upgraded. Still, general 2D applications should pose little problem.
Display:
The Presario 6400NX does not ship with a display, thus allowing you to utilize your current monitor or custom select a model from the many choices available today.
Hard Disk:
At 40 GB, the integrated hard drive is too small to store a library of space-gobbling games or multimedia files. But that's okay, because this PC isn't really cut out for that sort of stuff anyway. For text files, emails and the like, the smallish hard drive is adequate.
Optical Drive:
An optical drive is essential in today's computing environment. A "CD-ROM" drive allows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A "CD-RW" drive adds CD "burning", so you can also backup your important files to long-lasting discs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can watch DVD movies. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can "write" home movies to durable discs and archive files to DVD (DVDs boast more than seven times the storage capacity of a CD). Some drives allow you to do a combination of all of these tasks. This system features a CD-RW drive through which you can burn and play CDs. DVD playing and burning is not supported.
Audio:
The unit is equipped with an entry-level integrated audio chip. Speakers are purchased separately.
Keyboard and Controls:
Compaq will enclose a standard PS/2 Presario keyboard and a two-button mouse with convenient scroll wheel.
Connectivity and Expansion:
The Presario 6400NX features a variety of connectivity options, including serial and parallel ports, a 56K V.90 flex modem, a 10-Mbps/100-Mbps Ethernet connection, and a half-dozen high-speed USB 2.0 ports for plug and play peripherals. A FireWire port (for quick interaction with external devices such as digital camcorders) is not enclosed.
Operating System and Software:
Microsoft's Windows XP Home Edition operating system heads up a software bundle that also features Microsoft's Money 2002 Standard, Intuit Quicken Financial Center including Quicken New Users Edition 2003, and Microsoft's Works 7.0 productivity package.
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