RTFS! A "quick" comparison.
Medion - 2.66GHz 810 - 2.53 GHz - Advantage: Medion
Medion - 120 gig HD - 810 - 60 gig - Advantage: Medion
Medion - 256 megs RAM 810 - 512 megs PC 2100 - Advantage: 810 - but, somebody step in here - isn't the memory in the medion faster - 333 MHZ
Video - Medion GeForce4 8X AGP TI4200 w/ 128megs 810 - Onboard AGP w/SIS chipset, 32 megs of shared memory - Advantage: Medion (this was a no brainer...)
CDRW - Medion 40X12X48 Medion 48X12X48 - Advantage 810
Sound - Medion 5.1 Surround 810 - Soundblaster compatible Advantage: Medion
Mouse - Medion: MS Intellimouse 810: Generic - Advantage: Medion
Firewire: Medion: Yes 810: No Advantage: Medion
TV out - Medion: Yes 810: No - Advantage: Medion
Software: Medion: Cyberlink extras, MS Works Suite 810: PowerDVd and not a whole lot more.
So, to recap: Is it worth the $90 to get an extra .13 GHz of processor speed, double the hard drive capacity, a video card that is so much better, and better sound - Yup.
RBB
-The Medions RAM is 333 which even at 256mb as compared to the 512, I'd rather have the 256mb at 333mhz. Most of the DDR RAM is about the same price range for different speeds but the higher speed DDR makes HUGE performance differences on super fast CPU's like the 2.66ghz. I'd just buy another 256mb chip.
-The 2.66ghz CPU is a bit better but also much more expensive.
-The CDRW speeds are really of no matter. I'd actually probably take the 40x cuz its most likely a better made brand.
-Heres the real kicker tho. The Ti4200 128mb
8x AGP vid card over the SiS built in crap. We all know the Built in video is absolute garbage and will handicap the machine as much as 40% of the CPU clock cycles. The amazing thing to me is that Medion decides to not only put in an actual AGP video card, but a brand new top of the line video card that most of us would want to purchase anyways. This video card sells for about $185 - even on pricewatch. Its probably a $250 retail. Very cool. I was looking to buy this card seperately but since I am in the market for a comp, I may check this one out. I wonder if the MB is an 8x AGP? That would just be the cherry on this sweet deal.
O yea and as much as I wanted to put together a system of my own. If this is selling for $900, it will be very hard to create a comparable machine for that price. The P4 2.66 and MB would cost me over $400-450 alone. If its AGP 8x + Firewire which is seems, then the P4 + MB would be like $500. Then a case and decent PSU for $100, RAM $90, Vid card $185, 120gig drive $120-140, burner $50, DVD $35, Win XP $100, kb+mouse $40, NIC and modem $40 total, the audio and software, etc etc etc
We're talking over $1300 to build this myself. And thats the lowest prices from cheapo sites like priceline. The fact that this is warranted and complete also makes a big difference. The components seem very nice. Its not one of those systems you buy and gut it out replaceing everything, especially the video. Wonder how many units are going to the stores? Like how many per store.