eMachines has introduced a mini desktop PC, the EL 1200, priced at less than $300.

 

The EL 1200 is geared toward applications like homework assignments and managing household finance programs. It provides the functionality needed to get online, check e-mail and Watch YouTube videos. eMachines is a part of the Acer (News - Alert) family of technology products.

 

According to Glenn Jystad, senior manager for desktop products at eMachines, “the extreme value of the eMachines EL 1200 is undeniable. 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.”

 

The EL1200 Desktop Series is 40 percent smaller and 55 percent lighter than the smallest tower PC from eMachines. It can be placed right next to the phone on a kitchen counter, thus providing instant access to family photos, address books, calendars, online recipes e-mail and traffic and weather reports. 

 

The EL1200 Desktop Series has 64-bit AMD Athlon processing power, 1GB or 2GB of memory and NVIDIA (News - Alert) GeForce graphics. It handles multimedia activities like creating digital photo albums, uploading videos, and burning personalized music or photo disks. The HDMI port enables easy connection to an HDTV. The amplified stereo speakers included in the series deliver high quality audio.        

 

The EL1200’s design includes a flip down door that hides the optical disk drive, protecting it from dust. The 14-in-one media reader provides fast transfer of videos, photos, and music. Also included are seven USB ports and a built-in eSATA port (for connecting to external drives). An added benefit is the EL1200’s low power consumption compared with standard desktop PCs

 

Monitors for the EL 1200 are sold separately.