Compaq Presario SR5210NX Desktop PC (Intel Celeron Processor 420, 1 GB RAM, 120 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium)

Our Price - $528.00

1 Used - from $257.42

Compaq Presario SR5210NX Desktop PC (Intel Celeron Processor 420, 1 GB RAM, 120 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium)

HP COMPAQ PRESARIO SR5210NX MT C420/C-1.60G 1024MB 120GB/SATA LS/DVDRW 56K 10/10

Whether you're e-mailing family and friends, balancing your online checkbook, or listening to your digital music collection, the newly restyled HP Compaq Presario sr5210nx desktop PC offers a versatile, strong base for your home computing needs as well as easy-to-use multimedia features. Focusing on affordability, this desktop provides room to grow with the ability to add up to 4 GB of RAM, available PCI and expansion slots, and access to a wide variety of peripherals via its seven USB 2.0 and two FireWire ports. It's also chock-full of security and productivity software to get you going as soon as the PC's unpacked from its box, including Symantec Norton Internet Security 2007 and Microsoft Works 8. You can also easily burn your home video productions to DVD for friends and family with the 16x dual-layer, multi-format LightScribe DVD/CD burner, which enables you to store up to 8.5 GB of data on a DL disc, and manage your family's photo library with HP Photosmart Essential 2 software.

Other features include a 1.6 GHz Intel Celeron 420 processor, 120 GB hard drive, 1 GB of installed RAM (4 GB maximum), Intel GMA 950 video card with 64 MB of dedicated video memory, and 6-channels of surround sound audio. It comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, which includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center. In addition to easily playing your DVD movies and managing your digital audio library, you'll be able to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV). Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.

The Basics

• Processor: With the accent on affordability, the Intel Celeron 420 offers enough processing power for basic home computing needs, from budget spreadsheets to managing photo albums. The 1.6 GHz speed is complemented by a speedy 800 MHz front-side bus (FSB) and 512K L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)

• Hard Drive: The 120 GB Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive (7200 RPM) is a bit on the small side for desktop PCs, but is in line with comparable affordable models. This SATA hard drive has a 3Gb/s interface speed that enables up to 300MB/s data transfer rates (double the speed of the current SATA interface of 1.5Gb/s).

• Memory: The 1 GB of installed RAM (2 x 512 MB, PC2-5300) is a good start, but you'll want to add more RAM to handle today's demanding multimedia and productivity suites. This desktop has a good 4 GB maximum RAM capacity (4 x 1 GB). Also, to receive the benefits of the dual-channel DDR2 RAM, any RAM additions require memory modules of same capacity and clockspeed.

• DVD/CD Drive: This multiformat DVD/CD drive is compatible with writing both DVD+ and DVD- disc formats as well as dual-layer (DL) DVD+/-R discs, which can store up to 8.5 GB of data. It features 8x DVD-R DL Write Once, 8x DVD+R DL Write Once, 16x DVD+R, 8x DVD+RW, 16x DVD-R, 6x DVD-RW, 12x DVD-RAM, 40x CD-R, 32x CD-RW write speeds and 40x CD-ROM, and 16x DVD-ROM read speeds.

  This LightScribe DVD+/-RW drive lets you laser-etch silkscreen quality text and images on to CDs and DVDs . Your software, PC and discs work together for a no-hassle way to burn just the labels you want. After you burn content, just flip the disc over, reinsert and burn your label--anything from a simple title to a full-disc work of art.

• Keyboard & Mouse: It comes with a Compaq keyboard and scroller mouse (both with PS/2 connections).

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
For expansion, this desktop has two PCI slots (one available), one PCI Express x16 slot (available), one PCI Express x1 slot (available), two 5.25-inch external bays (one available), three 3.5-inch bays (two available). It comes with the following external connections:

• 6 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players (2 in front, 4 in rear)
• 2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
• 1 VGA monitor port
• 1 headphone (front)
• 1 microphone/line-in/line-out (rear)

Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium is the operating system for users with advanced computer needs, and it includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center for watching DVD movies and accessing your digital audio library. You can also use Windows Media Center to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV) and to access new kinds of online entertainment content. Computers that include Windows Vista Home Premium and an auxiliary Windows SideShow display will also allow you to access key data even when your computer is off. It is also easier than ever to share files between other PCs in your household and to manage your laptop computer settings to more securely connect via Wi-Fi.

Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you to manage and monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities.

Preloaded Software
Includes Microsoft Works, Microsoft Office 2007 Student and Teacher Edition (60-day trial), Muvee Autoproducer, Roxio Creator 9 Basic, Roxio MyDVD 9 Basic, HP Photosmart Essential 2, HP DVD Play 2.4, and Symantec Norton Internet Security 2007 (with 60 days of Live Update).

Dimensions & Weight
It measures 6.7 x 14.9 x 16.8 inches (WxHxD) and weighs approximately 21 pounds.

What's in the Box
The HP Compaq Presario sr5210nx desktop PC comes with a power cord, keyboard, and scroller mouse. It is backed by a one-year warranty for parts and labor from date of purchase, one-year technical phone service, and 90 days of software application support.

Compaq Presario SR5210NX Desktop PC (Intel Celeron Processor 420, 1 GB RAM, 120 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium) Accessories

HP Officejet 5610 All-in-One Printer/Fax/Scanner/Copier (Q7311A#ABA)
HP Deskjet F4180 All-in-One Printer/Scanner/Copier (CB584A#A2L)
Samsung SyncMaster 920NW 19-inch LCD Monitor
ViewSonic VA1703wb 17-inch Wide LCD Computer Monitor
HP 22 Tricolor Inkjet Print Cartridge (C9352AN#140)
Acer AL2216Wbd 22" LCD Monitor - Black
HP W1907 19-inch Widescreen Flat Panel LCD Monitor
HP Deskjet D2430 Printer (CB614A#B1H)
Acer AL1716FB 17-inch LCD Monitor
HP 21 Black Inkjet Print Cartridge (C9351AN#140)

Compaq Presario SR5210NX Desktop PC (Intel Celeron Processor 420, 1 GB RAM, 120 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium) Reviews

Now my total is $262, a real good deal for a Pentium Dual-Core Processor that can be upgraded to 2gb. The kids are going to love this. Since I am giving this computer to relatives that have a dinosaur of a computer, I will not use the extra 1gb memory. I purchased the extra 1gb for $29 when I brought the computer for $262 4th of July weekend. Keep looking until you find your value for the buck. Hate that they filled the two memory slots with 512 each because I wanted to upgrade it to 2gb.

I've used it for a day or two and already have Vista on two other systems, so no complaints from me. Got this for a good price. If you get it low buy but if it's over $319+ put a little more and get a system with more memory and a little faster processor. What will I do with the free 512mb chip. I'm returning the memory to cut down on costs.

I added a 21" wide screen and wireless keyboard/mouse to it and I'm happy, over all, with the set up The price was right and it worked fine right out of the box. This computer does not have slots for photo memory cards. This is my first time with Vista. I'm not happy with that yet. It isn't very fast.

I tried to add some memory to it (this is only 2 months after first starting up the PC). He told me I should ship the PC back again for repair. That's where things stand today. Even that was limited because the case manager told me that the technician would only replace the motherboard, not do any more troubleshooting.

Once again, spent an hour or two on the phone with HP support for them to confirm that one of the memory banks was not working. system will shut down to prevent damage". I preferred the technician over shipping it back. I would have been content if after the first time I shipped it back, and it came back with more problems, you offered to replace it then (or give me my money back). They promised a case mananger would call me in the next two days. But to insist that I should send it back twice before you replace it with a new machine shows an unbelievable lack of customer understanding. What's really ironic about this whole experience is that you have probably spent 3 or 4 times the cost of a replacement PC by now with all the hours spent on the phone

I can't wait to see what happens next. Two or three weeks later, it came back. I called again and finally got myself through to a case manager. I told him that was unacceptable but no budging on their part. This time, nothing whatosever appeared on the monitor. So we scheduled a technician and they FedEx'd a new motherboard to me for him to install. Finally, it turned out to be a cable inside the PC that was not seated properly. I know once a blue moon a PC will be shipped with issues.

I had to unplug the cable and plug it back in for it to work. Nothing. TheY replaced the motherboard and cpu fan. I told him the last time I did that it came back defective and I didn't want to go through the hassle of shipping it again. On starting up the PC for the first time, I got an error message "CPU Fan Failure. Do you really think I'm ever going to buy another one of your products if you expect that I should have to go through the trouble of shipping something back to you TWICE before you finally give me what I paid for. But then again, maybe the object of your policies is not to retain customers, in which case you've certainly succeeded.

I called their support people again trying to get my money back or a replacement PC. Tried starting it up again. So he put in an order for yet another motherboard to be sent to me. He came yesterday, spent an hour working on the PC only to find out that lo and behold, the motherboard they sent was missing a plate on the bottom that attaches it to the inside of the PC. One week later, no phone call. He told me I have to ship it back twice before they'd ship me a replacement PC. Now it worked, or so it seemed. They told me only a "Case Manager" could do that for me.

In the process of adding more memory, I discovered that one of the memory banks was not working. Note, this is a cable INSIDE the PC that had to be reconnected. I doubt it. Very disappointing. Would you do that. Just to be clear, that meant that the PC was running on 512MB of RAM instead of 1GB. It seems to me your Support policies have been developed from an internal HP perspective as oppsed to a customer perspective.

Spent another 1 or 2 hours on the phone with HP's support people. After spending over an hour on the phone trouble shooting it with HP's tech support, I had to ship it back for service. My fundamental message to HP is: If your Support processes are supposed to keep customers returning to you, you might want to reconsider them. Once again was promised a phone call the next day. I called again, this time left my cell phone number. The best they could do for me was to send a technician out to my house to fix it instead of me shipping it back.

I couldn't be happier with my purchase. By far the best PC I've ever owned. The computer does everything I need for both personal and business purposes, and the price certainly can't be topped.

We will never buy again from this Compaq or HP. We got it on time. Franck. I hope it helps. Eventually at the end of January-08, they accepted to send us a special box to return the PC.

We asked them many times to return the PC because we were feed fed up to spend so many hours on the phone. To all: we bought the PC for Christmas. They could not fixed it. Now the PC seems to work. We wasted hours with HP customer service + tech service on the phone.

Apparently it was a problem of memory. . It took them a week to fix it and send us back. It was not working.