Desktop Computers Reviewed - HP Pavilion Slimline s3710t - Compact on all fronts

Desktop Computers Reviewed - HP Pavilion Slimline s3710t - Compact on all fronts

Though thin is in, and full-size desktop components are becoming more and more of a part of space-saving PCs, there is usually a sacrifice to be made somewhere. What the HP Pavilion Slimline s3710t there is no exception. While priced at approximately $1000 and slightly larger than a Mac Mini, the small form factor HP model might be "just enough" PC for you, and let's hope so. Cased within black metal and plastic, this not so larger-than-life desktop computer does have some impressive features, such as a quad core Intel processor, a blue-ray disk drive (though it is read-only), 4 GB of RAM, 500 GB HD, and an Intel graphics GeForce 9500GS GPU. In addition to the standard features, wi-fi wireless networking, and ATSC digital TV tuner,and a Pocket Media Drive make for some nice surprises for a small form factor PC. This Slimline PC would make a very good home multimedia system, and it seems that this is its target audience. This is definitely not the system for an enthusiastic gamer, nor was it ever intended as such. While each individual component of the system might indeed be just what the doctor ordered for most users, choice seemed to be the last factor taken into consideration when building this model. There is no room for expansion,period. If your intention is to buy this PC for home entertainment use or routine desktop tasks, then that is fine, and the $1000 price tag might be justified. But with only 500 GB available for data storage, with today's media use, that might still be a challenge. The video and TV tuner cards take up both PCIe slots and both DIMM slots come pre-filled with systems maximum amount of memory (4GB). The other unfortunate situation that afflicted this Slimline PC was the amount of advertising software and unwanted crapware that every new user was met with from the first splash screen. The 60 day MS Office trial, "HP Games", HP IE toolbar, and even adware from dial up internet service providers Juno and Netzero, Ebay, and AOL plagued the screen of this multimedia desktop PC model.

The benchmark tests run for the HP Pavilion Slimline s3710t showed it to be exactly what it was, a basic, multipurpose, phone or small office computing platform. If you're into gaming were serious about your digital imaging then I would pass. If you use your computer to browse the Internet, watch movies, reattach photos, or other such tasks, with no intention on upgrading in the future then you will be fine.

This computer is a space saver and as desktop computers go is not the bottom of the barrel. In fact, this might be exactly the computer for you, but you better hope so, because it's all it will ever be.

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