Acer Aspire 9810-6994

The first thing that will strike you about this Acer desktop replacement model is its sheer size. At over 17-pounds it obviously was not designed to be used as a notebook PC, but rather a fully functional desktop that folds away for easy storage or transportation.

This machine’s 20.1-inch widescreen display, with a default resolution of 1680 x 1050, is nothing short of spectacular for viewing pictures and DVDs, playing games, or editing video. The large design allows allows for the convenience of a comfortable full-sized keyboard, surrounded by dedicated multimedia buttons and application quick-launch keys.

The Aspire 9810-6994 comes equipped with Windows Vista Premium, complete with the full line-up of Media Center features and functions.

Predictably, this giant’s battery life is far from perfect, at only 1 hour and 17 minutes while watching a DVD. Its Wi-Fi throughput is also unimpressive at just over 3-Mbps, but as previously mentioned, portability isn’t this machine’s strong suit. Those seeking a fully functional desktop replacement for use at home and in the office, however, will be impressed by its solid specs and functionality.

Processor: 2.16-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Hard Drive: 120GB (x2)
RAM: 2GB
Display: 20.1-inch widescreen
Built-in Wireless: 802.11a/b/g; Bluetooth

Weight: 17.2 lbs.

Price: $2,899*