It may not be the first name that springs to mind when shopping for a desktop PC, but the NEC PowerMate range has a lot to offer. Particularly the new ML470, a professional looking business desktop which can be had with a choice of either dual or quad core processor, three different chassis types and Intel vPro management as standard.

Open up any of the ML470 models and inside you'll find an Intel BTX motherboard, designed to minimise power and cooling requirements yet able to support a variety of processors including the latest Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad chips. However, some care is needed here as the more exotic of these can really bump up the price, the review system shipping with a 3GHz Intel Core 2 Duo E8400, likely to be a popular compromise for buyers looking to run demanding applications without busting the budget.

Our standard desktop system also came with 2GB of DDR2 RAM plus two spare slots to add more, the ceiling being 8GB. The micro-tower chassis can also take this much, but opt for the tiny Small Form Factor (SFF) model and 2GB is all you can have.

Note, too, that the integrated video controller - an Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100 - uses up to 256MB of that memory and looks a little out of place on what's supposed to be a high performance desktop. Indeed, for customers looking to run graphics intensive applications or support multiple monitors, NEC recommends an add- in video card, offering Nvidia adapters as an option although, again, only on the larger two models.

Unless otherwise specified a single SATA hard disk provides the storage on the ML470, the review system shipping with the largest 250GB drive. The on-board controller can also handle additional drives and provide hardware RAID protection (levels 0 & 1) if needed, the only caveat being the need to specify the micro-tower in order to fit in the extra disks needed to take advantage of this feature.

An integrated Gigabit Ethernet interface comes as standard on all versions, together with up to four expansion slots depending on the chassis, plus an impressive eight USB 2.0 ports. You also get support for Intel's vPro remote monitoring and management technology including the ability to remotely power up the PC to, for example, run an inventory or distribute updates. Unfortunately, software to take advantage of this feature isn't included.

Aimed more at the business buyer than the home user, the PowerMate ML470 comes with a three year on-site warranty and a guarantee that the platform won't change for at least 15 months. Windows XP or Vista can be pre-installed, although you have to pay extra for this, and there's a wide choice of flat screen panels in matching livery, again adding to the final price. Finding a reseller could take a while, too, with far fewer NEC stockists than those offering competitive products.

Verdict
Available in a choice of three chassis designs, the PowerMate ML470 is a well built desktop PC aimed at business buyers. Based on an Intel BTX motherboard, vPro management comes as standard and you can specify an Intel dual or quad core processor. However, a monitor is extra and the on-board video controller may not suit users wanting to run more demanding graphics applications.

Company: NEC

Contact: 0844 894 0165

Tags: intel vpro intel core 2 small form factor intel corporation windows xp intel gma desktop computer ddr2 sdram