PC World's got a DVD-R PC for £1,499

Packard Bell with a Pioneer drive

Updated PC World is claiming a UK first - it's selling a PC with a recordable DVD drive from today.

If it is the first, what's everyone else been doing? The Packard Bell machine uses a Pioneer DVD-R drive, probably the same device Apple is calling the SuperDrive, and costs £1,499. A G4 Mac with the SuperDrive will probably set you back a grand more (please don't write and tell me that you'd still prefer a G4).

Here's the rest of the specs of the Video Dre@m Machine as PC World is calling it. The box is powered by a 1GHz Intel PIII, it's got a 17 inch screen, a TV card and TV out to connect the PC to a TV, 128MB SDRAM, a 40GB hard disk, and an Nvidia GeForce2 MX graphics card with 32MB RAM. It also has three IEEE-1394 DV connectors and analogue inputs for importing movies recorded on a DV camcorder or converting VHS footage to digital movies.

It goes on sale today in selected stores.

Packard Bell machines are PC World's biggest selling PC brand, by quite a long way, according to MD Simon Turner.

Update

It seems NEC also has a PC with a recordable DVD drive. The Powermate i-Select XL3 A1300 has a 1.3GHz Athlon, a 19 inch monitor, 256MB of DDR SDRAM, 60GB hard drive, and costs £1585.08 inc VAT. It looks as though it might be a better deal. Check it out here. ®

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