eMachines EL1200 Mini Desktop PCs From Under $300

eMachines has taken on ASUS' Eee Box desktop PC with their latest range of compact computers, the EL1200 series.  Packing standard AMD Athlon 2650e 64-bit processors (1.5GHz, 512KB L2 cache and 800MHz system bus), a choice of 1GB or 2GB of RAM and DVD burners into chassis one third of the size of a regular PC, the range kicks off from under $300.

Two models are being launched initially, the eMachines EL1200-05w and eMachines EL 1210-01e, each has seven USB 2.0 ports, an 18x DVD burner, 14-in-1 memory card reader and a super-efficient 15W CPU.  The eMachines EL1200-05w has a 160GB SATA II 7,200rpm hard-drive, NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE integrated graphics, 1GB of RAM and runs Windows XP Home.  Meanwhile the eMachines EL 1210-01e switches up to NVIDIA GeForce 8200 integrated graphics, 2GB of RAM and a 320GB SATA II 7,200rpm hard-drive, adding an eSATA port and HDMI port as well.  It also runs Windows Vista Home Premium.

Both PCs are available now.  The eMachines EL1200-05w is available from Walmart with an MRSP of $298, while the eMachines EL 1210-01e is available from Best Buy with an MRSP of $349.

Press Release:

eMACHINES INTRODUCES POWERFUL MINI DESKTOP PC; JUST THE SIZE OF A DICTIONARY, IT'S STILL BIG ON CAPABILITIES AND FEATURES

Starting at just $298, EL1200 Desktop Series PCs Pack a Powerful Punch Despite their Diminutive Size

IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 10, 2008 – Weighing in at just one-third the size of a traditional PC, the new super compact eMachines EL1200 Desktop Series PCs pack as much computing power as most mainstream full size towers, without taking up limited desk space or much out of consumers' wallets. Starting at less than $300, the EL1200 Series is an extreme value that's sure to surprise and please many a shopper this holiday season.

The budget-friendly eMachines EL1200 is powerful enough for homework assignments or managing household finance programs, offering everything consumers need to get online, check email and Watch YouTube videos from any room in the house.

Small and light enough to fit on a shelf, book case or counter with ease, eMachines' new small form factor desktop means consumers can now have a PC just about anywhere in the home.

"The extreme value of the eMachines EL 1200 is undeniable," said Glenn Jystad, senior manager, desktop products. "The ability to purchase a powerful, well-equipped PC for less than $300 is sure to be a welcome option for consumers tightening their budgets in today's tough economic climate."

Stylish, Space Saving Design

Today PCs are being integrated into main living areas such as kitchens and family rooms, so small form factor PCs are perfect for the family den, studio apartments, dorm rooms, smaller bedrooms and home offices.

Forty percent smaller and 55 percent lighter than eMachines' smallest tower PC, the EL 1200 is right at home next to the phone on a kitchen counter, where it can serve as the family's digital hub, providing easy and quick access to family photos, address books and calendars, online recipes, email and traffic and weather reports.

Parents buying a PC for a child will appreciate the EL 1200's price and ability to fit into a small bedroom. Its powerful capabilities and rich graphics deliver fast frame rates and great image quality, easily tackling games and video applications with ease.

Students needing a PC will appreciate its blend of affordability, functionality and size. Stowed away on a bookshelf, it's ideal for smaller apartments and cramped dorm rooms. Powerful technologies make it well equipped for email, Web access and preparing and saving graphic-rich homework assignments, while its multimedia and entertainment features allow it to double as a media center.

Sleek Multimedia and Entertainment Center

Top-notch performance combined with digital media features make the EL1200 a powerful little dynamo. Featuring 64-bit AMD Athlon processing power, 1GB or 2GB of memory and rich NVIDIA GeForce graphics, the EL1200 provides the performance to tackle everyday tasks and more.

Popular multimedia activities, such as creating digital photo albums, uploading videos, and burning personalized music or photo disks are handled with ease. Even connecting to an HDTV is easy via its standard HDMI port, and high-quality audio is delivered with the included set of amplified stereo speakers.

Its sleek design includes a flip down door that hides the optical disk drive, keeping it free from dust and debris. The 14-in-one media reader provides fast transfer of videos, photos, and music, and seven USB ports provide quick connections to printers and other consumer electronics.

Roomy hard drives provide ample space for storing digital photo, video and music libraries. And for quick backups or additional storage, a built-in eSATA port provides a fast connection to external drives.

Smaller Design is Environmentally Responsible

Available with an innovative low-power 15 watt CPU, the energy efficient EL1200 uses less energy than a standard desktop PC. Its low power consumption also helps prolong component life and service costs.

In addition, its smaller size means less metal and plastic will have to be recycled. Its cardboard box is about 60 percent smaller than the one used for eMachines' smallest tower PC, further reducing landfill waste.

Models / Specs / Pricing

eMachines EL1200-05w:

• AMD Athlon(TM) 2650e 64-bit Processor (1.5GHz, 512KB L2 cache and 800MHz system bus)

• NVIDIA® GeForce® 6150SE integrated graphics

• 1MB DDR2 memory

• 160GB SATA II (7200 RPM, 8MB cache) hard drive (1)

• 18x DVD+R/RW SuperMulti Drive featuring Labelflash(TM) Technology (2)

• 14-in-1 digital media card reader

• Microsoft® Windows XP Home with SP3

• 7 USB 2.0 ports (3 front / 4 rear)

• $298 MSRP

eMachines EL 1210-01e:

• AMD Athlon(TM) 2650e 64-bit Processor (1.5GHz, 512KB L2 cache and 800MHz system bus)

• NVIDIA® GeForce® 8200 integrated graphics

• 2MB DDR2 memory, dual channel

• 320GB SATA II (7200 RPM, 8MB cache) hard drive (1)

• 18x DVD+R/RW SuperMulti Drive featuring Labelflash(TM) Technology (2)

• 14-in-1 digital media card reader

• Microsoft® Windows Vista Home Premium with SP1

• 7 USB 2.0 ports (3 front / 4 rear)

• 1 HDMI port

• 1 eSATA port

• $349 MSRP

Pricing and Availability

The new eMachines EL1200 models are available now. The EL1200-05w, available at Wal-Mart, has an MSRP of $298. The EL 1210-01e can be purchased from Best Buy, and has an MSRP of $349.