Novatech Ion Fusion

The Novatech Ion Fusion is a net-top computer, so called because it's similar in power to the more common mini-notebook or 'netbook' computers. It doesn't have a screen and isn't portable – instead, like the Medion E2005D net-top we reviewed recently, it is designed to sit on a desk or table or in among home entertainment kit alongside a television.

The Ion Fusion is more powerful than the E2005D as it uses the dual-core version of Intel's Atom processor, the 330 model. It comes with the same 1GB of memory as the Medion and most mini-notebooks. That's not enough for Vista, but it's plenty for the Windows XP Home Premium operating system with which it's supplied. There is a 160GB hard disk inside for storage.

As with the Medion this is a full-size model, as opposed to the smaller ones used in laptops. Those are more expensive, though, so it's not a bad trade-off. The CD and DVD drive is a slimline model (which can read and write most kinds of disc except Blu-ray) so that allows for some space-saving inside the case.

There's no real room for expansion inside (there's only one memory slot so if you want to upgrade you'll have to remove what's already there) but it's all neatly packed away, allowing for good air-flow which means less cooling is required. Consequentially, while the Fusion is not exactly silent, it's not loud in operation either.

The integrated graphics don't do much for its games performance, but gamers will need a more powerful computer than this all round so it's not a big deal, and it's perfectly capable of showing video and playing DVDs. There are a decent six USB ports and an eSata port for connecting external storage, though.

Disappointingly for a computer that would sit well beneath a television, the only connection for a screen is the VGA socket, so while it can connect using that to some flat-panel televisions you're out of luck if your TV only has an HDMI socket. It does have connections for getting full surround sound out of it, should you have the appropriate speakers or amplifier, as well as serial and parallel ports, and it can connect to wired but not wireless networks.

Despite our qualms, at £218 the Novatech Ion Fusion represents extremely good value for anyone who wants a small, cheap PC for word processing, email, web surfing and other office tasks.

While there's no screen and it's not portable, that's made up for by the increased power and the fact that it's cheaper than all but the very cheapest (and weakest) of the mini-notebooks we've looked at. There's a one-year return-to-base warranty. It’s also available with a 19in monitor for £310.