eMachines rolls out budget AMD desktop duo

Gateway's starter label eMachines today revealed two desktops aimed at increasing the baseline performance for the entire lineup. The T5234 will cost no more than $485 before a rebate but will hold the most storage of any eMachines system yet at 320GB; it will also provide dual-core performance to an audience used to single-core systems with a 2.1GHz Athlon 64 X2, eMachines says. Built-in GeForce 6150 SE video and 1GB of system memory should also provide it enough power to drive Vista Home Premium's more elaborate Aero Glass interface.

The low-cost PC maker's T3626 system serves the most basic users, according to the company. A 2.2GHz single-core Sempron replaces the Athlon to save costs, as does a smaller 160GB hard drive. Vista Home Premium and other shared features like a DVD burner and multi-format card reader remain intact. Its price drops to $400 without a rebate; both systems are available today.