Review: Mesh Elite Quad Q6600CA desktop computer

For the last couple of years, it's been true that an investment of seven hundred pounds in a new computer would buys a fairly decent, capable home or office PC.

Prices have dropped so much recently that it's not uncommon now to see high-quality systems for the same price, of which the Mesh Elite Quad Q6600 CA is an excellent example.

The computer uses an Intel quad-core processor (a Q6600 running at 2.4GHz), which means it has, effectively, four separate processors. It's the next step up from the dual-core computers we've been reviewing for a year or so, and it means a good performance boost for Windows Vista and programs that are capable of using the four processors (more and more programs are being written in this way).

It also includes 2GB of memory, which together with the processor provides a good computer that should be capable of dealing with most applications with ease. The case, a small tower model, doesn't look particularly impressive from the outside, but this certainly is a powerful computer. That fact was borne out in our lab testing, the results of which pitched it at the level of computers that, a few months ago, cost nearly twice as much. In fact, it posted a higher score than the similarly specified Advent T9509, with the same processor and amount of memory.

Its performance when it came to graphics was less impressive because of the Nvidia Geforce 8600GT with 256MB of its own memory. It's a fairly reasonable graphics card, but it's not a powerful one, and it provides the main difference between this computer and much more expensive ones. It would be unfair to gripe too much about this, however, because the computer does so well in other terms. Despite that, and because of the sheer power of the processor, the Elite Quad 6600 should still be able to cope with recent games, although the detail levels might have to be turned down a notch or two.

The computer comes with a 500GB hard disk, and a the multi-format Lightscribe DVD drive, both of which provide plenty of storage. For extra storage, and to make it more convenient to use a music player or digital camera, there's also a memory card reader installed in the front panel. Those components leave a couple of bays free at the front for extra devices - perhaps for a Blu-ray or HD-DVD drive in a few months' time, when those devices become a bit cheaper.

The monitor that came with the unit we looked at was a widescreen Hannspree 19in model with decent screen quality, and the computer also comes with a set of Creative Labs T6100 5.1 surround-sound speakers. The Logitech keyboard and mouse supplied were reasonable, and as for software, it is supplied with Windows Vista Home Premium installed, along with Microsoft Works 8.5. Mesh offers a two-year warranty with on-site service.

The power of the Mesh Elite Quad Q6600 CA offers excellent value for money given both the power of its processor, the monitor and speakers with which it's supplied and the expansion options of the computer's case. For everyone except hard-core games players, it's a very good choice of computer indeed, and one that will be suitable for almost all home uses.