Time Machine TX3200

BUY IT! - Computeractive

Although we're seeing a lot more design-led PC's, consumers are wising up to the fact that it's what's under the pretty exterior that counts.

The TX3200 sports an AMD Athlon 64 3200+ processor, which is backed up by a massive 1Gb of memory. Without delving into technical matters, you can be sure that this PC will handle anything you choose to throw at it - be it video editing, games or just browsing the web. Unsurprisingly, it did very well in our benchmarks test and met all our expectations.

In addition to the 200Gb hard disk there is a recordable DVD+/-RW drive, which allows you back up upto 4.7Gb of data on one DVD. There is a separate DVD drive that will play back movies too.

Gamers are amply catered for with a 128Mb ATI Radeon 9800SE All-in-Wonder card. Whilst not the most powerful card on the market it performed effortlessly and returned good results in our 3D graphics tests, which was no surprise when supported with the fast processor and gargantuan amount of memory.

The TX3200 doesn't come with a monitor, so unless you've already got one you'll have to add this cost to the Time's £799 asking price. Alternately you can connect it to a TV via the graphics card?s TV-out or S-Video ports.

The supplied wireless and mouse and keyboard are a bit of a let down, though. While being very easy to set up (a constant criticism of wireless kit) the mouse is very flimsy and the keyboard isn't much better too. What's more, the mouse has two annoying side-buttons that get in the way when in use.

However, these are minor criticisms when compared to the rest of the system. The case is tidy, compact and conceals the DVD drives behind flaps that spring open when the drive trays eject. However, these also seem flimsy and won't last long for a heavy-handed user or with young children- but the effect is pleasing

Under a flap on the front of the case is a 4-in-1 memory reader, microphone and headphone sockets and one USB 2 port. The headphone connection isn't great and we could hear a great deal of interference from the PC itself so a soundcard upgrade might be in order. External peripherals can be connected via FireWire port or four more USB 2 connectors on the rear of the case. This is in addition to the usual collection of ports and sockets found on most modern PCs.

Microsoft Works is a welcome inclusion but there is also a free 60-day trial of its big brother - Microsoft Office. Even without a monitor, the Time Machine TX3200 is generally a well-considered, well-specified desktop computer. We would have liked to have seen a decent set of 5.1 speakers but for the price, we can't complain.

Contact: Time 01282 777555
www.thecomputershop.co.uk