| Desktop Systems -- $2,000 to $3,000 | Price as tested | Configuration | In brief | Box score |
| ACMA zPower P133
510-623-1212 | $2,799 | 133MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 256KB pipeline burst cache, 1.2GB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 17" monitor | Fast CD-ROM, fast video. (3/96) | 4.5 |
| ARM P133 Terminator III
707-795-0800 | $2,999 | 133MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 256KB secondary cache, 1.2GB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | Quality components a great price, and one-thumbscrew access. (4/96) | 3.5 |
| Gateway 2000 P5-120
605-232-2000 | $2,114 | 120MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 256KB pipeline burst cache, 1.6GB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | The performance you need. (2/96) | 3.5 |
| Gateway 2000 P5-133XL
605-232-2000 | $2,604 | 133MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 256KB pipeline burst cache, 2.5GB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 17" monitor | New design, feature-packed and with room to grow. (2/96) | 4.5 |
| Gateway 2000 P5-150
605-232-2000 | $2,494 | 150MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 256KB pipeline burst cache, 2.5GB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | Faster than a fast-forward videotape. (3/96) | 4.5 |
| HP Vectra VL Series 4 5/100MT 415-857-1501 | $2,755 (street) | 100MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 256KB cache, 1.2GB HDD, 4X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | The only system to get our top rating. (2/96) | 5.0 |
| NEC PowerMate P166
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) | 4.0 |
| NEC PowerMate V100
508-264-8000 | $2,598 (street) | 100MHz Pentium, 16MB RAM, 256KB cache, 1GB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | Gets your business moving. (2/96) | 3.5 |
| NEC Ready 9522 508-264-8000 | $2,648 (street) | 100MHz Pentium, 16MB RAM, 256KB cache, 1.6GB HDD, 4X CD-ROM, 15" monitor | Loaded with useful features from IR to telephony. (12/95) | 3.5 |
| Quantex QP5/120 SM-1
908-563-4166 | $2,299 (direct) | 120MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 512KB pipeline burst cache, 2GB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 17" monitor | Great performance at a low price. (2/96) | 4.0 |
| Quantex QP5/150 SM-2
908-563-4166 | $2,749 | 150MHz Pentium, 16MB EDO RAM, 512KB pipeline burst cache, 2GB HDD, 8X CD-ROM, 17" monitor | Top components for a mid-level price. (5/96) | 3.5 |
| Tangent MediaStar 5133/95
415-342-9388 | $2,895 | 133MHz Pentium, 16MB RAM, 512KB secondary cache, 1.2GB HDD, 6X CD-ROM, 17" monitor | Puts multimedia in its place with its speakers and CD-ROM. (4/96) | 4.5 |