IBM tops NetVista range with P4 PCs

IBM will this month add three models to its NetVista range of corporate desktops, including one with a combined system unit and flat-panel display. The new PCs will be the first NetVista machines to use Intel's Pentium 4 processor.

IBM had planned to introduce the PCs last month, but the release was delayed following the terrorist attacks on the US. The systems should ship in the UK during the next few weeks.

The new NetVista X is notable for its integrated flat-panel display. IBM said this design takes up to 75 percent less space than traditional desktop computers. The system will be available with 15in or 17in displays. Although some NetVista X Series models are already available, the new machines are the first to use a Pentium 4 processor, at speeds of up to 1.8GHz. The systems also feature Intel's new 845 chipset, which uses standard SDRAM memory rather than the more expensive RDRAM.

The NetVista X Series comes with a tuck-away optical bay that can house a CD-RW/DVD-ROM combination or other media drives, plus integrated speakers. Some models will offer a wireless keyboard and mouse, along with IBM's embedded security subsystem. The security features include a dedicated security chip and software for encryption and identification. Prices for the NetVista X Series start at $1,500 (£1,000).

But price, rather than design, remains the most important factor in a firm's purchasing decision, according to Gartner analyst Ranjit Atwal. "There is still a reluctance to change at the moment and a small footprint is not a significant reason to purchase," he said.

The other two lines to be introduced by IBM use a more conventional PC format. The M Series is also based on the 845 chipset and offers speeds of up to 2GHz. M Series PCs have four USB ports, two at the front and two at the rear, and can be fitted with a wireless LAN (WLAN) adapter or a Bluetooth UltraPort module. Prices start at $995 (£675) without display.

IBM's A Series is aimed at the low end of the corporate desktop market. These systems will be available with a choice of Pentium 4, Pentium III or Celeron processors and SDRAM memory. Like the M Series, the machines come with two front and two rear USB ports, while Bluetooth and WLAN options are also available. Prices begin at $630 (£430) without display.

All three models are likely to ship with Windows 2000 rather than Windows XP, according to IBM. Windows XP started to appear pre-installed on new systems last week, a month before the official launch.