PC Specialist Aurea i3-530 Pro

Like the Cyberpower computer we looked at recently, the PC Specialist Aurea i3-530 Pro uses one of the latest Intel processors, the Core i3-530.

It’s not the fastest model in the range (in fact, it’s one of the cheaper and slower ones) but it’s certainly no slouch. The computer, which also has 2GB of memory, is powerful enough to cope with most home and office tasks such as web surfing, email and word processing. Similarly, it will handle photo editing and playback of DVDs or internet video.

The computer has integrated graphics, though, which means it’s no good for gaming. We got a couple of recent titles running on it by turning the detail and quality levels right down. It was playable, but gamers really should look to a model with a graphics card or add one later.

It does not come with a monitor, either. Buyers should factor the price of one into the cost (you can attach your own if you have one, or connect it to a flat-panel TV using the HDMI socket).

A 500GB hard disk provides plenty of room for storing music, video and pictures, although it’s not unusual to see 1TB (1,000GB) models in some computers. A DVD writer is built into the computer’s front panel, which can read and create all DVDs and CDs, but not the newer Blu-ray discs.

The PC also allows for expansion. Besides the slots inside the case there are two USB sockets on the front and a further six on the back, as well as connections for a keyboard and wired network. There are also surround-sound and optical sound outputs.

Besides the DVD drive, the front panel contains sockets for headphones, a microphone and memory card reader, and two spare drive bays, should you wish to add a Blu-ray drive, for instance. The price does not include a keyboard and mouse but you can add one when buying, or connect your own.

The 64-bit edition of the Windows 7 Home Premium operating system is loaded onto the Aurea i3-530 Pro. This might cause some problems for people with older hardware such as printers and scanners - if you think there might be a problem, check with the hardware manufacturer to see if a 64-bit Windows 7 driver is available.

The Aurea i3-530 Pro has a one-year warranty and the price includes delivery to the UK mainland. For many people who are not interested in games, a laptop will suffice, but if you prefer a desktop model, the PC Specialist Aurea i3-530 Pro would be a good choice.