With 2-2.4Ghz of processing power, 40 GB of hard-drive space, many USB 2.0 and Ethernet connections,  and great E-business security its no wonder why this PC series is one of the most powerful computing solutions for mid-range consumers and businesses all over the globe.

Although the Performance model in the M series (see specs below) is well equipped with a DVD-ROM  drive, 2.4 Ghz Intel Pentium 4 processor, 40 GB hard-drive, 256 MB RAM, and an excellent software package,  the price tag is still a little steep for our liking (starting at around $1900).

First of all if you are paying close to $2000 (retail with tax) for the high end model, it should at least come with 512MB of RAM, 2 good optical devices (CD-RW or DVD drives) instead of just one, even if it is a combination drive. The 64MB ATI Radeon 7000 card is a great video card, but once again not the best video card on the market. In reality it wouldn't cost IBM that much to include a little more RAM and a top of the line video card to make this model the best rated PC in the world, but there's one thing IBM offers which allows them to get away with little cost cutting measures.

IBM has always offered great customer service and the NetVista M Series is no exception. If you invest in any computer in the  NetVista M Series,  you will receive a 3 year ONSITE service warranty covering parts and labor.  The ONSITE warranty covering parts and labor has become a rarity among most major computer manufacturers and makes the NetVista M Series one of the best PC's available on the market, if not the best PC on the market (depending if you actually need more CD/DVD drives or more RAM). The Netvista A Series offers 1.8Ghz processors with a better optical device (standard), but the lower end models only come with a one-year onsite service warranty.

The lower end models on the other hand offer great processing power at  a fraction of the price. I have yet to find another manufacturer with an onsite warranty that offers a 2Ghz PC for less than $1300 (July 5, 2002). The drawbacks are similar to the ones listed above for the Performance M42 model. You only receive one optical device a CD-Rom drive (anything else is extra). Also the monitor on these units aren't as nice as some of the flat panel screens that are on the market. But, low price makes up for all of these drawbacks.

Overall depending on your business or personal needs the NetVista M series offers great processing power at, for the most part, an economical price. If you want a system with that will last you about 3-5 years before it becomes obsolete this is the model for you. For a modest investment it gives you all the processing power you'll need for years to come.

• Integrated IntelŪ Extreme^TM graphics
• IBM Rapid Restore PC (via download)
• TCPA-compliant IBM Embedded Security Subsystem 2.0 (select models)
• Range of optional flat panel and CRT monitors
• Onsite service
• All models Ethernet ready
• Easier-to-access high-speed USB 2.0 port: Two front ports and four back ports provide USB connections up to 40 times faster.
• Maximum performance features include Intel PentiumŪ 4 Processor with stable core chipset, DDR memory (256 standard/1GB max), high-speed hard disk drive, integrated graphics capability and integrated audio.

• Only 1 CD/CD-RW/or DVD-ROM optical device included (more extra)
• Nicer monitors which should be included are extra
• Most models in this series don't include a CD burner (extra)
• Only 40 GB of hard drive space