THE ASUS Eee Top may look like a toy, but it's actually an all-in-one PC with a touch screen.

Touch screen, six USB 2.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11n wireless networking

Looks a little tacky, reflective screen, keyboard and mouse are small and uncomfortable, audio jacks not located on the front or side

BUSINESS users who want a small PC that's well-armed for running the latest office programs will appreciate the Dell Optiplex 960

Small size, quad-core CPU, e-SATA, DisplayPort, 3-year on-site warranty

Price, uncomfortable keyboard and mouse, no DVI port, no media card reader

There's no doubt the Dell Optiplex 960 is quick, and its small size and quiet operation make it an ideal unit for a cubicle environment, but it does cost a lot of money.

IF you are looking for something out of the norm, the HP Touchsmart IQ518 can be used as a typical PC or as a media centre in your home.

Touch screen, space-saving design, integrated hybrid TV tuner

No expansion slot, no DVI or HDMI port

The TouchSmart is one of the first PCs on the market to employ the benefits of touch-screen technology, and it does a good job of it. This unit can be used as a typical PC or as a media centre/music kiosk in your home.

THE Claritas media centre PC is a powerhouse that can handle all your entertainment at high definition.

It's powerful enough to play back any current media format, great build quality, VFD screen

Might be too large and obtrusive for your A/V rack

If you've got somewhere to put it, Claritas' new media centre PC is more than powerful enough for your high-definition media playback needs.

A RELATIVELY simple computer designed to be as power-efficient as possible.

Small stature, has plenty of processing power, energy efficient

Lacks a media card reader

This is a relatively simple PC which has been designed to be as power-efficient as possible. For the most part, it consumes well under 100W of electricity, even under a full load, yet it's definitely not a slow coach. It's suited to large PC roll-outs ...

ACER'S attempt at creating a monster of a PC in an Alienware-like vein ultimately fails.

Case design is quite functional despite the front-panel door, good monitor, fast performance, liquid-cooled CPU

Doesn't have an option for the latest and greatest in graphics and RAM technology

Acer has made a decent attempt at creating a monster of a PC in an Alienware-like vein, but ultimately, its attempt falls short because the high-end model doesn't include options for the latest in memory and graphics technology.

THE Powermate S7000-003 is a capable machine for the office that undertakes basic, everyday tasks.

Looks stylish when positioned as a tower, relatively easy to work on, energy efficient

Has a standard desktop-style optical drive, no media card reader, uses a 65nm CPU instead of a 45nm CPU, very limited expansion options

While it's not perfect, NEC's Powermate S7000-003 is a capable machine for the office that undertakes basic, everyday tasks.

A BASIC but well-featured PC that is useful for multitasking and running everyday office applications.

Quad-core CPU, plenty of USB and FireWire ports, standard micro-ATX motherboard

A little slow in the mp3 encoding test, no Gigabit Ethernet, no wireless network adapter

A basic but well-featured PC for use in the home or small office. It's useful for multitasking and for running everyday office applications, as well as photo and video editing.

THE Hybrid represents a new wave of small PCs that are small yet functional and quite affordable.

Small size, good performance, plenty of connectivity features, DVD burner

No eject button on the unit (nor on the keyboard) for the DVD burner - apart from that, we think it's great

The Hybrid represents a new wave of small PCs that are actually small yet functional and quite affordable. If you're after a small PC, we think the Hybrid is the one to go for.

ITS low power consumption, gigabit Ethernet and small footprint mean this is best as an Internet cafe PC.

Very small, quiet, won't consume too much power

No optical drive, problematic wireless networking drivers under Windows XP

Its low power consumption, Gigabit Ethernet and small footprint mean its best use is probably as a PC for an Internet cafe. Home users might also want to consider it as a second PC for basic tasks, but office users might want to shy away from it due ...