Typing is comfortable on the solid, good-looking keyboard that includes full controls for playing CDs or DVDs. This system sports both a V.90 modem and a network adapter, giving you both broadband and old-fashioned Internet connection options. The front of the case is very difficult to remove, slowing down the installation of additional drives. And a poor instruction poster might confuse novices during setup. Both the 17-inch monitor and the speakers with subwoofer provide respectable quality for gaming, music, and DVD movies.
Drives ride on tool-less carriers that are difficult to release.
NuTrend's signature black binder with clear plastic sleeves neatly stores documentation and software, including Corel WordPerfect Office 2000. The Athlon Force 2 is a tempting bargain for home or home-office buyers who crave power and performance. But serious gamers should upgrade to a better graphics card.