Compaq presario desktop computer

Compaq Presario 7000: Speed and creature comforts

Dell Dimension L800r: Best value, best support

In the home PC market, it's not necessarily about how fast your new machine is; it's more about how reliable and hassle-free your whole PC experience is going to be.

In this highly competitive market, we found that the Compaq Presario 7000 ($1,582 direct) is deserving of our Editors' Choice among the midrange machines. The Compaq Knowledge Center is a great resource that lets you run self-diagnostics, and after that, if you still need assistance, a technician will run remote diagnostics from wherever you left off. Dell also has its home PC act together, and its Dimension 4100 ($1,768), with high test scores and sufficient expansion room, gets honorable mention in this class.

The Dell Dimension L800r ($899) grabs the Editors' Choice for the value-priced models. The Dell Solutions Center can be launched right from the desktop and includes superb Resolution Assistant diagnostics for troubleshooting. The unique service tag on every Dell allows customizable and personal support that is unlike any we've seen so far.

Gateway is one of our top picks, with an honorable mention for its Essential 667c ($899). Its uniquely designed easy-to-open chassis and terrific on-disk and Web support tools made us take notice. This choice is especially enticing to those who live near a Gateway Country location. The stores offer a wide range of training courses for all topics and skill levels. You can even take one class for free. Though all these companies provide excellent self-help features, there's something to say about face-to-face training.

Copyright ?? 2004 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in PC Magazine.