I just was playing around the Compaq 2100 model (with Cyrix
GX processor)in two local shops: BestBuy and Computer City.
It is a very nice box, looks like a VCR, with built-in front
stereo speakers, 8x CDROM and 1.44 floppy.
It comes with 2GB
hard drive, 24MB of some DRAM, and the screen can accomodate
up to 1024x768x16bit resolution. They (CPQ) rated the box as
P-133 equivalent. 33kbod modem, of course. Boots W95 in 17
seconds - a quick and dirty test a salesman demonstrated.
I think the 2100 model is more than fine for basic home
computing and Net browsing. The only thing is that it is
not expandable. I think if a user could plug in a modern
3D-accelerator, there is nothing more to dream about,
especially at $999. I still think that CPQ wants to make
some bucks on this model and slightly overpriced it (my bill
of materials for comparable box is about $700).
Another bad thing was that there were no advertising,
the floor sample was running at 640x480, no demo was
running, etc. I believe that to get over Intel's swirl with
MMX inside (pasted everywhere in the shops) both Cyrix and
AMD must work much harder. In any case, the 2100 box is VERY
nice.
- Ali |
