Review: Packard Bell iMedia 2424 – The Next Generation of Personal Computers

Overview

With processor speeds getting faster and faster, it was only a matter of time before PCs caught up with the technology speed race. Packard Bell has brought out a range of PCs, which include the Packard Bell iMedia 2524 that take advantage of these leaps in technology while keeping the price nice and low. So does Quad core (4 processors) justify the leap?

Review

Style

With it being a Packard Bell, this PC looks just as good as you would expect from a top brand PC. Coming in a slick black case this PC will look the part in anyone's home, although the sides leave a lot of be desired for with it’s dull grey frame. However, somehow this PC pulls it off and with the mouse, keyboard and monitor coming as a matching set which will please even the toughest of pickiest partners.

Under the bonnet

As we have said before this PC comes with Quad core technology, which means that rather than the usual 1 processor we are all use to, this PC comes with 4 processors on one chipset. So let’s say for example that we have a PC and say it has a Quad processor that runs at 2.0GHz, to find out its true speed we must multiply this number by 4 so 2.0 X 4 = 8.0.

Now lets get back to the iMedia. This has a processor that runs at 2.4GHz so when all processor are running at their peak you can expect performance in the range of 9.6Ghz, which is a huge boost. But at the time of writing most of this software does not support Quad core technology so expect to be running at least 2 of the processor at the peak for now, but hey at least your future proof.

Coming built in with this PC is 4GB of DDR2 667MHz RAM so with this amount of memory, Vista and all other applications should run like a dream. This helps with having 4 processors running as well as the operating system will use the processor to full effect making multiply applications run without a hitch.

Now we come to my favourite bit, the graphics card. I just don't understand why PC manufactures have to build a top notch PC system with the above spec, only to drag it back down to earth by putting in a slow performance graphics card…I suppose it’s to keep the costs down. Anyway, this PC comes with a NVidia GeForce 7050 but I cannot tell if this is a integrated graphics card without opening the case up as Packard Bell are also a bit sketchy with the spec of the card so don’t quote me on this but I am assuming it is integrated.

However, even if this was not an integrated card it still doesn’t change the fact that this is not a powerful card. Coming from the 7th series of NVidia card (we are now on the 9th series) means that this card is old. It will handle most gaming applications well but for the near future this card will become obsolete I would advise upgrading this card asap.

Back on to better news. Storage wise, this PC comes with a whole 640GB to play with, which means that it should leave even the happiest storage hog ample space to play with even with thousands of high def videos and more MP3’s that can be played.

After that it's a usual affair, Dual layer DVD writer etc. This PC even comes with a monitor that can handle gaming like a dream thanks to its 5ms standard response time.

The Gaj-It Verdict

Design 8/10
Usability: 8/10
Features: 7/10
Value: 8/10

We Say

If it was not for the graphics card this PC would have scored more, so my advice would be to ask if you can place a better graphics card in without voiding the warranty, if so then this is a PC that will last and with £100 off at the moment it's a bargain to boot.

Technical Specs

• Processor – Intel® Core 2 Quad Q6600 processor / 2.40 GHz ( Quad-Core )
• 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM – 667 MHz
• 640GB – 7200 rpm
• Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
• 19" Widescreen TFT – 2.5 ms with overdrive / 5 ms
• Dual Layer DVD Rewriter
• NVIDIA® GeForce® 7050

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