About.com has reviewed the Gateway DX4200-11.

Gateway's DX4200-11 is an example of what spectacular values can be found in desktop computers. The system is based around the AMD Phenom X4 processor. While this isn't as powerful as the Intel Core 2 Quad processors, it does provide a solid experience especially for those looking to use it for heavy multitasking or desktop video. Speaking of video, the Radeon HD integrated graphics are a definitely step up as it even allows low resolution casual PC gaming.

The Inquirer reports that AMD has won the Computer Shopper triple crown. They won best desktop in low, mid, and high end ranges that were all built by Mesh Computers in the UK.

Since the launch of Intel's champion chip Conroe almost three years ago, AMD has been hard pressed to throw a punch, much less win a round in the highly competitive world of pugilistic processor pounding. So a PC-Mega Test win across three price categories bloodys Intel's nose somewhat and indicates things are trending up for AMD, with the advent of Phenom II helping the firm claw its way back into the ring.

CNet has reviewed the HP Pavilion Elite m9515y. It is a multimedia powered box with a blu ray player and 9600gs. The "author" of the review calls the Phenom X4 9850 box under powered. Yes, an underpowered quad core system. He also wonders why the system that has a 9600gs graphics card doesn't do better in Unreal Tournament 3 when compared to a Dell with a Radeon 4850. Clearly computers are not this guys expertise.

This system might be unique for its ability to serve up digital media, but it's also significantly slower than competing PCs in its price range. It can't even keep up with the $900 Dell XPS 430 121B. This HP is certainly fast enough to provide a quality HD video experience. It can also play some games, although we're surprised that it wasn't able to turn in a better score on our forgiving Unreal Tournment 3 test. Overall we'd look elsewhere if your primary concern is system performance and/or gaming capability.

If you are gaming why would you buy a PC from one of the big OEMs?

Hot Hardware has reviewed the Dell XPS 625 powered by a Phenon II. You can search for prices on it here.

Turns out, the years of stories about back-room deals regarding Dell and AMD finally coming together really didn't materialize into anything massive. Dell introduced their first AMD-based systems in 2006, and well, Intel didn't crumble. Having made their way into the final large scale OEM, AMD definitely earned a feather in their cap, but the market situation hasn't changed by any real amount. To this day, Intel based systems make up the lion's share of Dell's sales figures, whereas AMD continues to struggle and fight to keep itself alive on a quarter by quarter basis. Nevertheless, the Dell and AMD partnership has continued over these past three years, and we're finally starting to see Dell get a little feistier with the AMD hardware at their disposal.

The San Fran Chronicle expects PC shipments to drop this year the most ever.

Worldwide PC shipments are expected to plunge this year to 257 million units, a drop of 11.9 percent - the biggest ever in the industry, according to a new report. Mobile phone sales are also declining.

Ouch, repairs are going up. Good news for Tek Republik.