Aberdeen
Power EMP2
From December 1, 1997 c|net
Reprinted with persmission from CNET:The
Computer Network ©1997.
Snapshot
An undersized hard drive and second-class components sandbag this otherwise promising contender.
Review
For $995, Aberdeen's Power EMP2 gets you up and running, if not in style, then at least with an adequate KDS VS4 14-inch monitor. The midclass performance offered by the Cyrix 6x86MX CPU with 512K of cache is also promising. But a buzzing processor fan on our test unit foreshadowed substandard system components.
The 1.6GB Western Digital hard drive is among the smallest in our review, and the 6X CD-ROM is similarly behind the times. The EMP2 comes with 16MB of RAM and 2MB of VRAM, which is par for the course. Although there's room to expand the main memory (up to 512MB), the Jaton Video-67P card's video memory is maxed out. And a set of flimsy MLi 168 II speakers distorts the sound from the Creative Labs Sound Blaster 16 card.
A 12-month parts-and-labor warranty covers the Power EMP2, and phone support is available, but only during West Coast business hours. You won't need to call for help when installing the system (provided the helpful stickers that tell you where to plug in the peripherals don't get rubbed off) and that's a good thing, because Aberdeen's value price doesn't include any software--not even a setup tutorial.
On a brighter note, an Archtek 33.6-kbps modem offers voice mail features, and a fancy sliding cover on the PC's front panel can protect the system's CD-ROM and floppy drive doors from a dusty work environment. If you don't have a dust problem, though, you'll want to look for a system with a better mix of components.
Aberdeen
Power EMP2
toll free:
888/300-5545
ph: 562-801-5626
fax: 562-801-5629
Processor: Pentium
Processor speed: 166 MHz
Amt. of RAM: 16MB
Hard disk: 1.6GB
Monitor: no
Software included:
Windows 95
Est. price: $995
Reprinted with persmission from CNET:The
Computer Network ©1997.
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