Gateway LX6200-01

The Gateway LX6200-01 is a passable option for the cash-strapped power user who absolutely has to have quad-core power, but there are better choices out there.

Reasonable price. Lots of RAM. Loads of hard-drive space. Easy hard-drive expansion. Digital TV tuner. Front-panel controls.

Quite a bit slower than other quad-core PCs at some tasks. Plastics are cheap feeling. Poor 3D performance. Crapware. Case requires screwdriver to open and service.

Another thing you won't need, but you'll be saddled with anyway, is the crapware. While I forgave the FX6800 its crapware because of its gaming performance, the LX6200's more modest performance makes you notice the crapware more. There's the usual...