| Desktop Systems | Price as tested | Configuration | In brief | Issue Reviewed | Mos. on list | Box score |
| OVER $3,000 | ||||||
| Preproduction | ||||||
| Compaq Deskpro XL 5133 800-345-1518, fax 713-518-1442 | $4,999 | 133MHz Pentium, 16MB RAM, 256KB cache, 1GB HDD, 4X CD-ROM, 17" monitor | Fast SCSI-2, Ethernet and more built in. | 3/96 | 3 | 4.5 |
| Digital Celebris GL 5133ST 800-642-4532, 508-642-6400 | $4,249 | 133MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 512KB cache, 1.6GB HDD, 4X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | A loaded, rapid-fire tower of power. | 2/96 | 4 | 4.5 |
| Gateway 2000 P5-133XL 800-846-2000, 605-232-2000 | $3,499 | 133MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 256KB pipeline burst cache, 1.6GB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 17" monitor | New design in a feature-packed unit with room to grow. | 2/96 | 4 | 4.5 |
| Gateway 2000 P5-150 800-846-2000, 605-232-2000 | $3,092 | 150MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 256KB pipeline burst cache, 1.6GB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | Faster than a fast-forward videotape. | 3/96 | 3 | 4.5 |
| Gateway 2000 P5-166 800-846-2000, 605-232-2000 | $3,899 | 166MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 512KB pipeline burst cache, 2GB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 17" monitor | A performance topper with tons of expansion room. | 5/96 | 1 | 4.0 |
| Micron P150 Millennia 800-243-7615, 208-893-3423 | $3,047 | 150MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 1.2GB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | Its performance is at the top of the charts. | 2/96 | 4 | 4.5 |
| Micron P166 Millennia Plus 800-243-7615, 208-893-3423 | $4,446 | 166MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 2GB HDD, 1GB removable HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | This Pentium system behaves like a Pentium Pro. | 2/96 | 4 | 4.5 |
| Robotech Cobra XLT/2 P166 800-255-2215, 801-565-0645 | $3,699 | 166MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 256KB pipeline burst cache, 1.2GB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 17" monitor | Not just well-built, it's also a super performer. | 3/96 | 3 | 4.0 |
| Dell Dimension XPS P166 800-289-9955, 512-338-4400 | $4,499 | 166MHz Pentium; 32MB SDRAM; 512KB pipeline burst cache; 2.5GB EIDE HDD; 6X CD-ROM; 17" monitor | Intel's new 430VX chipset on the inside and Dell's new case on the outside. | 5/96 | 1 | 4.0 |
| HP Vectra 500 Series 515MCx 5/166 800-752-0900, 415-857-1501 | $3,426 (street) | 166MHz Pentium, 16MB RAM, 256KB level 2 cache, 1.6GB HDD, 15" monitor | Power, bundled software, included telephony features make this a machine to be reckoned with. | 5/96 | 1 | 4.0 |