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| eMachines eMonster 1000b |
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Hardware Reviews May 2001 • Vol.4 Issue 5 |
eMachines eMonster 1000b | ||
 Even if you didn't know other computer manufacturers made sub-$1,000 PCs, you probably knew eMachines did. This company shocked the big boys by blazing the low-cost trail, and along the way, selling systems like crazy. We have heard rumors the recent slump in PC sales may have affected eMachines more than those big boys, though, so here's hoping the company weathers the storm. Like other eMachines, the eMonster 1000b is long on features. Its primary point of interest in this price category is its Samsung SW-208F CD-RW (CD-rewriteable) drive. This 8X/4X/32X (write/rewrite/read speeds; 1X for CDs equals 150KBps [Kilobytes per second]) drive promises cheap data backup and multimedia CDs. Thirty cent, write-once CD-R (CD-recordable) discs can store 650MB or 700MB, while reusable CD-RWs of the same sizes cost just a bit more. Such inexpensive storage should pique your interest even if you never plan to make your own music mix, video, or photo CDs. Of course, a CD-RW drive can also play your CD-ROM software. Another enticement that's relatively scarce under $1,000 is a 1GHz Intel Pentium III microprocessor. Connected to 128MB of SDRAM (synchronous dynamic RAM) by a 133MHz system bus, the Pentium III is fast enough for whatever tasks you have in mind. The older Intel 82810E chipset in the motherboard holds the Pentium III back somewhat compared to competing systems using 82815-based boards, but it also costs less. We explain the performance ramifications further in the testing section below. eMachines does pay attention to the little perks users like. The eMonster 1000b comes with a 20GB, 5,400rpm (revolutions per minute) Seagate hard drive, which brings with it a virtual warehouse of space for your digital stuff. The keyboard has a whole passel of Internet shortcut buttons, including obscure ones such as Telephone, Pay Bills, Tickets, and Auctions. The two-button mouse doesn't have a scrolling wheel, but its contours feel just fine. The eMonster also has one of its two USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports, a joystick port, and microphone and headphone jacks on its front panel. We'd like to see front-mounted ports and jacks on every PC, in case anyone's listening. As for drawbacks, we noticed the 15-inch (14-inch viewable) eView 15p monitor accompanying our test system had a display that vibrated. Most stores sell this PC by itself or with a different monitor, though, so this may not matter to you. Also, the cheap SP-12N speakers (different than shown) never let us forget they're essentially hollow plastic shells. It's always a blast to test a new computer system as if we've just brought it home. We play around with its hardware and software goodies, noting its smart features and its flaws. While we're at it, we check to see how easy it would be to add future devices as prices drop. Next, we ran MadOnion.com's BAPCo SYSmark2000, Video2000, and 3DMark2000 benchmarking utilities. These quantify just how fast each system can perform specialized work and play tasks. (NOTE: We had the 2001 versions of these benchmarks at this writing, but not all sub-$1,000 systems meet the minimum requirements to run them.) Finally, we played audio files and a 3-D game called Quake III Arena to judge the eMonster's entertainment potential. Even with its faster CPU, the eMonster 1000b falls behind the Acer Veriton 7100-T933A with a 933MHz Pentium III ($999 configured as tested) and the 850MHz ABS Duron Special ($799) in several tests. We could have been happy with the eMonster's very nice 136 SYSmark2000 score, though, if we didn't know the others could do better. Its 1,336 Video2000 rating was actually quite good, but the integrated 82810E Intel graphics controller limited its 3DMark2000 score to a low 812. The AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) 2X Intel graphics controller shares an unspecified amount of system RAM. We were able to play Quake III Arena on the eMonster 1000b at 640 x 480 resolution with just a little sluggishness. If you ever decided to upgrade this eMonster, you could easily reach the one free DIMM (dual in-line memory module) slot to top off the RAM at 256MB. It's just as simple to get to the two free PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) slots and the unused 5.25-inch drive bay with front panel access. The illustrated user's manual even gives you step-by-step instructions on upgrading these areas, plus the hard drive. As with most other sub-$1,000 PCs, though, you can't upgrade the integrated graphics with an AGP video card, because there's no AGP slot. Besides MS Works 6.0 and Money 2001, the eMonster comes with the Eudora e-mail client, PC-To-Phone, Encarta Online Deluxe!, and other software titles. Buyers get three months of free AOL service, as well. With a different monitor and speakers, the eMonster 1000b could be a solid way to get CD-RW and other extras without overspending. by Marty Sems
$933 eMachines (877) 566-3463 (714) 481-2828 http://www.e4me.com
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