Core 2 Duo E6550 processor 2.33GHz, 1GB RAM

HP flagship Pavilion Elite m9000 series is aimed at multimedia lovers who demand high-performance from their PC and budding gamers. One of the first in Asia to offer a hybrid Blu-ray/HD-DVD drive, this desktop is also one of the few to offer a one-touch backup button that greatly simplifies archiving the system. The Elite is not a hardcore gaming machine with its Nvidia GeForce 8600 graphics card (GPU), given that today's gaming systems require at least an Nvidia GeForce 8800 GPU or dual-SLI configurations. Nonetheless, this HP is more than competent as a multimedia machine for the family.

Pros

At the heart of the m9000 model is a 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Quad processor, alongside an ample 2GB of RAM and an Nvidia GeForce 8600GT with 512MB of dedicated memory adding some oomph for video graphics and gaming. Running Windows Vista Ultimate, the m9000 model also supports 7.1-channel surround sound and has a plethora of rear and front connections, including Gigabit Ethernet, two FireWire ports and six USB 2.0 ports. Wi-Fi is built-in and a wireless keyboard and mouse are bundled.

The m9000 comes with a massive 1,000GB (two 500GB SATA drives) of storage capacity as well as HP expansion bays, which can accommodate the removable HP Pocket Media Drive (80GB or 120GB) and a 500GB HP Personal Media Drive.

High-definition aficionados can hedge their bets in the ongoing Blu-ray vs HD-DVD battle as the m9000 Series has a dual combo drive with LightScribe (to burn your own covers on supported discs). Similarly, there's no need to worry if you've got a bunch of different memory cards; the m9000 has a 15-in-1 card reader and handily includes a recessed space on top of the tower to place USB devices such as iPods, digital cameras and external drives.

HP touts the m9000's "one-touch" backup system on the front of the PC, which can perform automatic backups or you can just press it when required.

Cons

Unfortunately HP doesn't include twin HD tuners with the m9000 series. Instead, there's a single PAL TV tuner. There is, however, a remote control bundled in with the PC.

Although the black-and-silver case is attractive as far as computer peripherals go, it's still basically the same old tower design. It may look sleek in your study or office, but we can't see too many people setting up this beast in their lounge room.

Bottomline

The HP Pavilion Elite m9000 series desktop PC is available in two bundles--with the 19-inch HP w1907 widescreen monitor for S$2,299 (US$1,512.50) or the 22-inch HP w2207 Wide LCD monitor for S$2,899 (US$1,907.01). Both options are available now.