Shopping for HP-Compaq Desktop Computers

Customization is just one option.

Let's see if HP can be any more clear with its Compaq line of computers aimed at the corporate market.

Like Dell, HP has a configurator that lets you go crazy upgrading components--but HP prefers that you select from among a number of preconfigured models, find the one that comes closest to what you want, and buy that. So HP's Web store offers quite a few models that are pretty well configured to begin with; in some cases, all you have to do is add a monitor.

The HP-Compaq dx2000 line is for the budget-conscious business buyer. "Great for office productivity applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, and e-mail." Sounds like just what the doctor ordered. And the Web site offers half a dozen configurations starting at under $400. None was exactly what we wanted. The closest "Recommended configuration," priced at $579, let us upgrade the hard drive to 80GB and add a monitor, totaling $803, but we couldn't buy the Office Suite so it's not comparable.