A quad-core, Blu-ray, Windows 7 desktop for $650

[Why Syzygy]

If you're in the market for a new desktop that's equally well-suited to games and movies, HP has a ridiculously good deal going. It's the HP Pavilion Elite e9110t, which you can get for $649.99 shipped after a few configuration tweaks and a coupon code.

The tiger in the tank, Intel's 2.33GHz Core 2 Quad Q8200 processor, roars along with 6GB of RAM, a 500GB hard drive, and a 512MB GeForce G210 video card. Those are some kick-ass specs.

Other highlights: a Blu-ray drive with LightScribe-DVD capabilities, an 802.11n Wi-Fi adapter, and a 15-month subscription to Norton Internet Security 2009 (aka the good version).

Perhaps best of all, the system comes with Windows Vista Home Premium but is eligible for a free Windows 7 Home Premium upgrade come October 22.

By the way, this is a new Pavilion, not a refurb, so you get HP's full one-year warranty. Here's how to put it all together, courtesy of DealNews:

Ctrl-click this link to open the product page in a new tab.
Click the Customize & Buy button next to the $649.99 option.
Click the Memory option and choose the free 6GB upgrade.
Click the Primary CD/DVD Drive option and choose the Blu-ray player.
Click the Networking option and choose the Wireless-N LAN card and external modem.
Click Review & Buy, then apply coupon code DTM4558.

Presto! That should get you out the door for $649.99. In an ideal world, this system would also have a TV tuner (which you can add for $80), but it's still one of the best desktop deals I've ever seen.

HP's various discounts on this system end Aug. 15, so you've got a little time if you want to shop around. I'll be mighty surprised if you can find a better configuration for the money.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13845_3-10308077-58.html

EXPIRES 8/15/2009

[canetoad]

1. A few of our biggest retailers

in Oz are publicly opting out of the coupon/cash back schemes because the manufacturers are reneging on their committments or being extremely slow to pay.

I wont compare prices, as I don't know exactly what is 'cheap' in the US but I wouldn't exactly call those 'kick ass specs'; for one, the video card is ordinary, second, a blu-ray drive sounds good but who exactly would use it.

And knowing HP, does it come with system discs or a recovery partition? Sorry to rain on your parade, but the whole deal seems pretty ordinary to me.

[Why Syzygy]

2. No worries.

Wasn't really having a parade. Just an item of possible interest. ;)