If you ask my kids, they'll tell you that the coolest part about having this new computer is the fact that we can now play DVD's on it. As you may know, I bought two Viewsonic 19 inch monitors, and we have been enjoying Coyote Ugly, Austin Powers 2, and Charlie's Angels for a few days now.

Of course, there are many other benefits to this computer, and I'll keep you informed as to what may go wrong in the future.

I wanted a Pentium 4 computer with about 1.5 gigs. However, I was having some trouble affording one. I wanted a DVD player, and of course the CD writer, because that thing has so far saved me hundreds of dollars- (I have one on my Compaq- which is by the way now out of commission after having it for exactly one year. Please read my review on Compaq, and don't buy one!)

Well, COmpUSA was running a special no payments no interest thing for a year, and it compelled me to buy a new computer for myself. Somehow, of course, my kids have taken it over.

This is a Pentium 3 1000 Mhz, (or 1 Gig) processor. I have asked around, (being the careful consumer that I am) and found that the Pentium 4's were not working too well with the Windows ME, and blah blah blah, I decided we wouldn't go there just yet. I was told to stick with the Pentium 3 for now, until everything gets figured out. I'm glad I did, because my sister bought a Dell 8100, 1.3 Gig, and has had nothing but problems, and even had to have them send her a brand new computer.

Anyway- on with it. There are virtually no programs in here, except for Microsoft Money, and the normal garbage you get in a store bought computer. Lucky for me, I own MS Office Professional, and several other programs, so that I don't really care. I think that Dell and Gateway offer software and that people like that aspect of it. These "shelf" companies really don't give you much. But so far, all of my programs are running beautifully on this machine, and I have no complaints.

Of course, one of the first things we did was download Napster, and begin downloading songs. The first CD I burned went off without a hitch, and it was fabulous. I am thrilled too that I have two CD drives, with which I can now copy CD's directly, instead of having to copy it onto the hard drive and then back onto a CD. The Adaptec CD burning software is simple to use, and works very well.

The DVD player is great, fabulous, terrific, I love it. I really didn't think I'd ever use it, but it is so much fun, and the kids love it so much. Right now this puter is in my daughters room until we get the Compaq fixed. They love it. It is so cool to see all of the outtakes and the behind the scenes footage. I love the way the DVD is made really for a computer, as you get screen savers, etc. Anyway, it's very cool, and I like that part of it. The picture is great - but I'm sure that's as much to do with the monitor as the DVD player. But it's fabulous!

The speed of the processor and the 128 MB's of SDRAM, are excellent, as I can have many programs open, and not worry that something is going to freeze or especially that the integrity of the programs I am working on won't be compromised while working on multiple programs.

I didn't purchase the monitor to match the unit, because I got a better deal on the ViewSonic, but the unit did come with 2 speakers, which I haven't used because I have Altec Lansing speakers with a subwoofer - due to the fact that we listen to a lot of music!

So far so good- as I said, I had so many problems at the first use of my Compaq, that I am impressed with this machine already because it actually works!

I think if you look around you can get this machine a bit cheaper than what I paid for it, but it is an excellent deal, and you will- if you like to download music- save that amount of money twice over, in the lifetime of the machine.

Have fun!

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 1299
Operating System: Windows
Processor: Intel Pentium III
Processor speed: over 1000
RAM: 128
Internal Storage: CD-RW and DVD
Hard Drive (GB): Over 50