Thread: HCL Beanstalk Classic Z944 PC

There's nothing to beat a home theater PC when it comes to all-roun dentertainment. With the capabilities of a television set, FM radio, music player, picture viewer, gaming machine and much more, these PCs serve as a home entertainment hub. Boasting sleek designs and resembling video players rather than typical desktop PCs, HTPCs have now started creeping into living rooms in India. Bundled with a slick 22-inch TFT monitor, the HCL Beanstalk Classic Z944 is a fine example of one such PC. Let's find out what it packs within.

FEATURES: HCL has been very particular in choosing the components that make up the Beanstalk Classic Z944. The PC is powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo E6320processor clocked at 1.86 GHz and 2 GB of DDR2-667 memory. Even though the motherboard is based on the Intel 946 GZ chipset with an onboard graphics processor, HCL has included a passively¬cooled GeForce 8400 GS graphics card. The reason for adding this graphics card is to process high-definition video rather than accelerate graphics for games, although you can also play most recent titles at 1024x768. The installed hard drive is a speedy 500 GB Western Digital Caviar SE 16 for storing all your media, and capturing live TV and FM broadcasts without any hitches. The TV tuner card, Altec Lansing VS4121 2.1 stereo speakers, DVD writer, multi-format memory card reader, media center remote control and wired optical mouse and multimedia keyboard round off the feature set.

The entertainment platform is powered by Windows Media Center which is a part of Windows Vista Home Premium (64-bit) which comes preinstalled The software package includes something for everyone at home-HCL 1000+ recipes, Microsoft Works 8.5 and free registration for iPerform iPerform Web based Self LearningTechnology Solutions for Schools[/url]) which is a web based e-Iearning solution for students.

PERFORMANCE: Going by the components that have been used to build this PC, the overall performance was just as we expected. Although the performance was stellar, there were a few points of concern. The hinge of the TFT monitor is quite unsteady due to the weight of the screen. Even a slight touch sets the display rocking back and forth for a few seconds. Also, the tray-loading optical drive ruins the looks of the PC when ejected. A slot-loading optical drive would suit its design better.

VERDICT: SO far, this is the most capable home theater PC we have come across with respect to features, performance, and moreover, the value for money.
FOR: Good choice of internal components results in good performance, good software bundle.
AGAINST: A slot-loading DVD writer would look more aesthetically appealing; the TFT monitor doesn't have a DVI input.





Specifications
Dimensions IWxHxD): 100x327x431 mm;
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6320,
1.86 GHz;
Chipset: Intel946 GZ;
Memory: 2 GB DDR2-667;
Hard disk: 500 GB SATA;
Graphics card: Nvidia GeForce 8400 GS,
256 MB;
Optical drive: DVD writer;
Monitor: 22-inch HT;
OS: MS Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit.