Product of the week: PC - Cube247 Taurus

Product of the week: PC - Cube247 Taurus

This is not a multiple-exposure error by the photographer, the Taurus is the latest in a line of computers from Cube247 that uses three separate TFT monitors. Far from being superfluous additions, the Taurus’ multi-monitor set-up has its advantages over a single large display. All three screens can be used to separately display the same image but, more usefully, the PC desktop can span across all three for a combined resolution of 3,840 x 1,024.

This provides a far greater desktop area, allowing for three maximised application windows or scores of smaller windows. This configuration also benefits gamers. In titles such as Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004, players can use each screen for a separate view. The Taurus also includes a digital TV tuner card, so it is possible to use one screen as a semi-permanent TV display, with the other two working as normal.

Unfortunately, Cube247 doesn’t quite get it right with the Taurus. The problem lies in its choice of monitor – an important decision if supplying three of them in one go. The Taurus uses the relatively unknown 17in Difusion F176 displays. Each has a thick outer bezel, which places a wide border between each screen. Another slight issue is that they are let down by relatively poor reproduction of colours near peak white, but unless users are image professional, it’s very difficult to notice any real problems.

The rest of the PC is very ordinary, but it is pleasing to see that Cube247 didn’t skimp on the core components. At the heart of the PC is a 3.4GHz Pentium 4 CPU paired with 1GB of double data rate 400 RAM from memory specialists Corsair. This provides good performance across a range of applications, as indicated by its Sysmark 2004 SE score of 196. A pair of 200GB Seagate hard drives supply ample storage space and are configured in a striped Raid array. Rory Reid