EMachines Mini-e Desktop ER1402-05 – Best Bang-For-Your-Buck Nettop

Nettops are often considered netbook systems without the screen and keyboard. For the most part, this is true as most nettops still use the same underpowered Intel Atom processor and weak graphics that most netbooks use. The eMachines Mini-e ER1402-05 nettop is different in that it is one of the few nettop systems to run on an AMD processor.

Thankfully, this does not mean an increase in size or design as the diamond-shaped eMachines Mini-e ER1402-05 looks as cool as other designer nettop systems. While it does come with a stand and an LED, it also has an optional bracket that allows you to stick the nettop at the back of your HDTV. The system comes with a wireless mouse and keyboard, both of which are quite comfortable to use for computing purposes. The nettop takes up very little space and will not look out of place in any home.

Unfortunately the eMachines Mini-e ER1402-05 is filled to the brim with bloat-ware or useless software, so you're going to have to do a little clearing up before the system will not stop nagging you about something. Thankfully, this is easy to do as the AMD Athlon II Neo K125 processor is as powerful as a dual-core Intel Atom processor. The system is stable due to its 2GB of DDR3 memory while the 160GB hard disk drive offers plenty of space for movies and images. The nettop has wireless n / g / b wi-fi and four USB ports but what makes it really special is the HDMI port and S / PDIF out port as these allow direct connections to your HDTV and HD audio sound system.

Performance for the nettop is good enough for simple 3D games like Spore and the Sims while HD video is smooth up to 720p. The nettop does not become too hot even under load as it is designed to save power. Priced at a lot less than other single-core Intel Atom nettops the eMachines Mini-e ER1402-05 makes for an awesome ultra-compact Home Theater Personal Computer (HTPC) that is the best bang-for-the-buck deal you could hope to get for a performance nettop system.