Power to the Veriton
Buy Now...
For those not too familiar with the Veriton range of computers, the various models have been developed for small, medium and large businesses. Each of the models in the range is powered by the latest Intel Pentium 4 processor with Hyper-Threading technology. This review is based on the Veriton 7600GT model with a Pentium 4 3.0GHz (800 FSB) CPU with 512MB of RAM, 80GB hard disk divided into two partitions and a DVD Super Multi Drive.
The range is available in small form factor, desktop or mini-tower varieties. I feel that the measurements of 410 x 200 x 424MM (H x W x D) hardly qualifies for the use of the mini tag in my opinion but size can be relative.
Issues of size aside, the silver and black two-tone chassis is stylish although I would have preferred a less prominent positioning of the Intel Inside and Microsoft Windows XP badges - maybe on the side rather than the front. There are side-mounted ventilation grills and a mirrored strip featuring the Acer logo on the top. A recessed power button with green LED power, LAN and disk activity lights decorate the front of the unit.
While most of the connectivity occurs at the back of the box, there are a couple of innovations providing more convenient access. Whichever optical type drive is supplied, whether that is a plain DVD, DVD/CDRW combi or DVD Super Multi Drive, the device is hidden behind a drop-down flap that is automatically activated by the eject button. While hardly a must-have feature, it does give a cleaner look to the front of the unit.
The second item consists of a pop-up panel that is normally recessed into the top of the chassis. Just press on this panel and it with pop open revealing four USB 2.0 ports plus sockets for headphones and microphone. Nothing could be simpler and it does negate the need to fiddle round the back of the box as you search for the appropriate connection port. You can still do this if you wish as duplicates are positioned there.
Of course the rear of the box does contain various other connectivity options. There are the standard PS/2 ports for keyboard and mouse. You also get ports for serial, parallel and CRT/LCD monitor connections plus a network port a built-in 1GB network adapter comes as standard .
The Veriton 7600CT comes with Windows XP Pro already installed. To help you get started Acer has included a desktop manager utility. This allows you to set up options that include backup and system monitoring plus checking the hardware configuration along with a feature for the automatic optimisation of the computer. While this utility generally proved useful and had a well set out interface, there was one instance when the program locked up and refused to respond.
While I was reasonably impressed with the appearance of the system box, the same is not true of the keyboard. The layout of the keyboard is standard and should not cause any problems. There are some additional keys, running along the top of the keyboard providing access to Internet, search and multimedia functions. Unfortunately the silver coloured strips along the top and bottom of the keyboard were not to my taste. A two-button, wheeled mouse completed the package.
Performance was fast. However only those involved with heavy-duty tasks will gain the full benefit from the power. The price of this model is £728.50. This might seem expensive considering no monitor is included but speed does have a price premium. If you need the power then this system could be for you.
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