For the moment none of the best selling applications exploits the new Pentium III features, although this is due to change as the year moves on. The GX1p came pre-loaded with Window NT 4.0 Workstation and Service Pack 3, leaving it to the IT department to switch on support for the new instructions in the Pentium III by loading SP4 and a patch available from Intel. Windows NT 4 Workstation will have Service Pack 4 installed as well as Intel's patch. However, due to current Java-related legal issues, IE3 will be bundled instead of IE4. Compared with the other 500MHz PIII systems tested, the GX1p pipped the IBM E Pro by an inconsequential half a point in High End Winstone 99 and by one and a half points in Business Winstone 99.
Price is competitive, however.
Similarly, RAM expandability is typical of desktop PC systems. The GX1p has just three DIMM slots. Support staff will be pleased with the layout inside the chassis. An ATI Rage Pro Turbo with 2x AGP graphics forms the base of the graphics subsystem. Our review unit was supplied with the maximum available 8MB of video memory.