The HP Compaq dc5750 comes in either a microtower configuration or
the desktop orientation that we tested. HP calls the latter model a "small form
factor" system, but it's nearly identical in size to Dell's desktop case. It's
moderately attractive, with horizontal black fins and some shiny black
pieces.
The dc5750 ($1251 as of 05/09/2007) uses small, traditional fans
inside--one in the power supply, located against the back of the case, and one
mounted on top of the CPU's heat sink. The HP uses an air scoop to channel
airflow over the heat sink. The system is reasonably quiet, though not nearly
as quiet as the Dell OptiPlex 740 we tested at the same time. HP's
off-the-shelf fans will likely cost less than Dell's, however, should you need
to replace them out of warranty. The Athlon 64 X2 processor used in this PC can
take advantage of AMD's Cool 'n' Quiet technology, which allows the PC to
adjust the speed and voltage to meet the user's needs. AMD says that Vista
systems can take advantage of the technology without a driver, whereas XP
systems require one.
The dc5750 has quick-release mechanisms for its
optical drive, power supply, and expansion cards, but they're not nearly as
well designed as the Optiplex 740's. For example, the expansion slot retainer
is a metal piece that's held in place by the top of the case; remove the top,
and the retainer can rattle around.
Our test system had integrated
graphics, which we worried would slow Vista's Aero interface, especially
because the system came with only 1GB of system RAM from which the graphics
system could steal. But we ran Aero with no problems. Even with integrated
graphics, the HP lets you connect two monitors simultaneously--one DVI and one
VGA. HP charges $95 for a 128MB ATI 1300 card. The HP L2045w LCD monitor that
shipped with our system allows height adjustments, swiveling, and tilting.
In our WorldBench 6 Beta 2 tests, the dc5750 scored a 62, about 11 percent
behind the OptiPlex 740. They're two of the first Vista value systems we've
tested, and compared with the power Vista systems we've tested previously, both
systems are quite slow: The fastest system we tested then scored a 129 on our
benchmark. If you want more power, you can opt for AMD processors with slightly
faster clock speeds, or choose a slightly different system and configure it
with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor.
The dc5750 did not have a
chassis-intrusion-detection mechanism installed, but HP offers it as a no-cost
option. You can buy a port guard to prevent unauthorized USB connections, and
you can disable the front-mounted USB ports in the password-protected BIOS. HP
offers a security sleeve for mounting the system under a desk or on a wall, but
only for use with the desktop version.
You can use the Trusted Platform
Module security chip embedded in the motherboards along with included software
to encrypt passwords and document folders. The chip works with Vista's Bit
Locker security feature, which lets you encrypt your entire hard drive.
HP offers 24/7 tech support and next-business-day on-site warranty service,
and you can tack on same-day on-site service to a three-year warranty for $149
extra. Readers in our most recent
reliability and service
survey scored HP fourth from the bottom, with average marks in every
category but "satisfaction with reliability," where it received a below-average
score.
With its many security options, the dc5750 is a good choice if
you want a PC that won't grow legs. But the OptiPlex 740 line, while perhaps
not quite as generous with the security add-ons, has a better-designed case and
a lower noise output.
Alan
Stafford