| Desktop Systems | Price as tested | Configuration | In brief | Issue | Mos. on list | Box score |
| $2,000 to $3,000 | ||||||
| ACMA sPower P133 800-786-6888, 510-623-1212 | $2,195 | 133MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 256KB cache, 850MB HDD, 4X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | 133MHz power at a value price. | 3/96 | 3 | 4.5 |
| ACMA zPower P133 800-786-6888, 510-623-1212 | $2,995 | 133MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 256KB pipeline burst cache, 1.2GB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 17" monitor | Fast CD-ROM, fast video-this system is a winner. | 3/96 | 3 | 4.5 |
| AMS InfoGOLD P100 800-888-6615, 408-945-2296 | $2,499 | 100MHz Pentium, 16MB RAM, 256KB pipeline burst cache, 1.2GB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | The InfoGOLD takes the gold. Sleek case styling, cool color, top performance all make this one a keeper. | 12/95 | 4 | 4.0 |
| ARM P133 Terminator III 800-ARM-9450, 707-795-0800 | $2,999 | 133MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 256KB secondary cache, 1.2GB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | Quality components at a great price, with one-thumbscrew access. This system gives the big players a run for their money. | 4/96 | 2 | 3.5 |
| Gateway 2000 P5-120 800-846-2000, 605-232-2000 | $2,299 | 120MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 256KB pipeline burst cache, 1.2GB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | The performance you need when you get down to business. | 2/96 | 4 | 3.5 |
| HP Vectra VL Series 4 5/100MT 800-752-0900, 415-857-1501 | $2,805 (street) | 100MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 256KB cache, 1GB HDD, 4X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | Even demanding users will love it. The only system to get our top rating, because of its design, components and performance. | 2/96 | 4 | 5.0 |
| NEC PowerMate P166 800-NEC-INFO, 508-264-8000 | $2,881 (street) | 166MHz Pentium, 16MB RAM, 256KB cache, 1.6GB HDD, 4X CD-ROM, no monitor | Easy expansion and great graphics performance. | 3/96 | 3 | 4.0 |
| NEC PowerMate V100 800-NEC-INFO, 508-264-8000 | $2,199 (street) | 100MHz Pentium, 16MB RAM, 256KB cache, 1GB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | This system gets your business moving. | 2/96 | 4 | 3.5 |
| NEC Ready 9522 800-NEC-INFO, 508-264-8000 | $2,648 (street) | 100MHz Pentium, 16MB RAM, 256KB cache, 1.6GB HDD, 4X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | Loaded with useful features ranging from IR to telephony. | 12/95 | 4 | 3.5 |
| Quantex QP5/120 SM-1 800-632-5022, 908-563-4166 | $2,599 (direct) | 120MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 256KB pipeline burst cache, 2GB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 17" monitor | You'd expect to pay more for this great-performing system. | 2/96 | 4 | 4.0 |
| Quantex QP5/150 SM-2 800-632-5022, 908-563-4166 | $2,999 | 150MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 512KB pipeline burst cache, 2GB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 17" monitor | High-end components for a mid-level price. | 5/96 | 1 | 3.5 |
| Tangent MediaStar 5133/95800-800-5550, 415-342-9388 | $2,895 | 133MHz Pentium, 16MB RAM, 512KB secondary cache, 1.2GB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 17" monitor | Like its 166MHz big brother, this system puts multimedia in its place with built-in speakers and a 6X CD-ROM. | 4/96 | 2 | 4.5 |