| Desktop Systems -- OVER $3,000 | Price as tested | Configuration | In brief (Issue Reviewed) | Box score |
| Compaq Deskpro XL 5133
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) | 4.5 |
| Dell OptiPlex GXMT 5166
512-338-4400 | $4,257 | 166MHz Pentium, 16MB RAM, 512KB cache, 1.6GB HDD, 4X CD-ROM, 17" monitor | Very fast performer, with lots of room to expand. (6/96) | 4.0 |
| Digital Celebris GL 5133ST
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) | 4.5 |
| Gateway 2000 P5-166
605-232-2000 | $3,549 | 166MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 512KB pipeline burst cache, 2.5GB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 17" monitor | A performance topper; tons of expansion room. (5/96) | 4.0 |
| Micron P150 Millennia
208-893-3423 | $3,047 | 150MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 1.2GB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | Performance at the top of the charts. (2/96) | 4.5 |
| Micron P166 Millennia Plus 208-893-3423 | $4,446 | 166MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 2GB HDD, 1GB removable HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | Pentium that behaves like a Pentium Pro. (2/96) | 4.5 |
| Robotech Cobra XLT/2 P166
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) | 4.0 |
| Dell Dimension XPS P166
512-338-4400 | $3,949 | 166MHz Pentium, 32MB SDRAM, 512KB pipeline burst cache, 2.5GB EIDE HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 17" monitor | Intel 430VX chipset inside Dell's new case. (5/96) | 4.0 |
| HP Vectra 500 Series 515MCx 5/166
415-857-1501 | $3,426 (street) | 166MHz Pentium, 16MB RAM, 256KB level 2 cache, 1.6GB HDD, 4X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | Power, bundled software, included telephony features. (5/96) | 4.0 |