Has the Core Duo lost its luster? The Zoostorm 4-6610 has power, but that doesn't make it exciting

The Zoostorm 4-2354 is the first sub-£500 quad-core PC to break into Budget PCs category. Current software doesn't take full advantage of quad-core systems' power, and the Zoostorm's WorldBench 6 processing-speed score is some distance behind the...

Zoostorm has built a reputation as a company that can pack a PC with a dizzying array of components within a tight budget. The mid-price Zoostorm 4-4428 has a fantastic processor – although its other components are less outstanding.

In an otherwise dependable but slightly dull PC from Zoostorm, the 4-2353's Samsung DVD writer may just tip the scales if you need the fastest write speeds.

This new entry from Zoostorm doesn't quite top the chart but, in fairness, there wasn't a great deal to choose between the Top Five. The 4-6405 will certainly have its admirers - not least those who are swayed by a 22in display, a mighty size at this...

When we tested the ACi Matrix 1425 this month, we were impressed by its WorldBench processing-speed score of 101, which is a great performance for a budget laptop. Its moment of glory, however, was shortlived. The Zoostorm 4-6610 stormed in and earned...

The Zoostorm 4-2354 is the first sub-£500 quad-core PC to break into Budget PCs category.

Zoostorm has built a reputation as a company that can pack a PC with a dizzying array of components within a tight budget. The mid-price Zoostorm 4-4428 has a fantastic processor – although its other components are less outstanding.

In an otherwise dependable but slightly dull PC from Zoostorm, the 4-2353's Samsung DVD writer may just tip the scales if you need the fastest write speeds.

The arrival of Intel's well-received Core 2 Duo chip on a laptop deserves a triumphal fanfare. After all, it's a fast processor with low power requirements and doesn't churn out heat like an exploding volcano.