"In an age when Linux has become a powerful platform for development work, graphics processing and video production, it’s a welcome relief to see a mid-range system built for people who may or may not have experience with Linux. The HP Elite 7000 Microtower is quite capable: it has an Intel i7 860 2.8GHz quad-core processor with an 8MB L2 cache and an ATI Radeon HD 4550 graphics card built for Blu-ray movie playback. Meanwhile, with just 3GB of RAM, an 160GB SATA hard disk and little design flare, the Elite 7000 is not exactly a performance rig. The saving grace: the system can come equipped with Novel SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 11 and is extremely easy to upgrade.
"The all-black design screams ‘corporate deployment’ more than any sort of style statement. In fact, other than a silver plate with an HP logo, you might think the Elite 7000 is home-built, and the understated design is likely intentional. HP used a hex locking nut on the back of the PC as if to warn the non-technical that they should not mess with the innards. We did, of course, noticing that the spacious interior is just ripe for upgrades, especially more RAM (up to 8GB) and a larger drive."
