Get an all-in-one media-center desktop for $699.99

iMac style, Windows pricing. This sexy all-in-one is a steal at $699.99.

(Credit: CNET)

Call me crazy (you won't be the first), but I have a soft spot for all-in-one desktops. And with my noisy, hulking Pentium 4 tower just about ready for retirement, I'm seriously eyeballing this CompUSA deal: The Averatec D1002UHCE-1 all-in-one desktop for $699.99.

This is a new system, not a refurb. Ground shipping will run you a reasonable $23. Interestingly, Circuit City has the same system for the same price with free shipping, but you'll most likely have to pay sales tax (about $42 in my neck of the woods).

The iMac-like Averatec offers some impressive specs, including an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 22-inch LCD, 320GB hard drive, built-in webcam, and analog/digital TV tuner. Particularly geek-tastic, the wireless keyboard sports a stowaway media-center remote.

CNET rated the Averatec three stars out of five, dinging it for mediocre performance and its lack of Blu-ray and 802.11n wireless. I don't consider Blu-ray an essential feature in a system with a 22-inch screen, but 802.11n would certainly be nice.

As for performance, it's gotta be faster than my four-year-old P4, right? Also, keep in mind that CNET's rating was based on a $1,299 price tag. At $699.99, I put this all-in-one in the "steal" category, especially for someone looking to replace an aging desktop. Very, very tempting to yours truly.

[rickbroida]

Forgot to mention that the system comes with a free 1GB flash drive that contains CA Internet Security Suite 2009 5-user Edition -- which you can promptly delete if you're more interested in the drive. :)

[unwritten_law9]

I'm still not ready for the all-in-one market yet. With the lack of ways to expand internally you are forced to spend extra cash buying external devices.

[anuerism]

Hey Rick-
Have you seen the 1.5TB internal drives are now $129? I got mine for $137 shipped.
http://www.compusa.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=4138742&sku=TSD-1500AS&SRCCODE=COMEM168WI&cm_mmc=Email-_-Main-_-COMEM168-_-compo

[rickbroida]

A little off-topic, but, yep, also saw a 1TB internal for $79.99 from the same place. Woo!

[loose_screw]

Please post the link to the 1TB internal drive for $79.99. I'm building a new system, and am looking at 640GB internal drives for $75. $5 more for a 1TB would be awesome.

[rickbroida]

Here's the link: http://tinyurl.com/8k4d7c

[MakaiOokami]

I have my PS3 for my multimedia stuff and not a whole lot of money right now. I'm waiting for Starcraft II and Diablo III to come out with official specs though cause I'm not going to spend that much money now, and then thousands later in order to play those games. I'll just wait for the best deal once I can play them.

[medezark]

And. add one of these nifty things and you've got a touch screen. http://www.touchwindow.com/magic.html