The experience of buying a computer can be a harrowing ordeal -- with the amount of jargon and information being thrown around, inexperienced users or people purchasing their first PC may find it all a bit daunting. Hallmark has done a brilliant job by making available a system that’s not just affordable but also good quality -- by including those extra little bits and pieces you think about when you’re purchasing a system.

By dimming down on the graphic capabilities somewhat, this system has focused on the other home functions of the PC experience, including printing and scanning. Combined with this package is a Canon CanoScan D646UEX flatbed scanner and S200SPx Bubble Jet printer. The D646UEX is capable of a decent 600 x 1,200 dpi resolution, which is more than adequate for most home scanning tasks. Also bundled with the scanner is optical character recognition software that allows you to input documents and cards to your word processor.

Unlike many of the systems in the roundup this month, the Viewmaster Raven does not contain a DVD burner, instead going the modest road of a Sony combination DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive, still allowing you to archive data and watch DVD movies. This still provides plenty of functionality for both the novice and experienced user.

Performance suffers due to the low-end GeForceFX 5200, which gives the Raven a significantly below average Performance score. Given that, it does have redeeming qualities in its above average Feature score, bringing it just shy of on-par when considering value for money and the all-encompassing Overall score.

Another advantage of this system is its quietness; passively cooling the graphics card alleviates the sound of whirring fans, while the case deadens much of the internal working noise. The housing has an open vent in the side to allow warm air to be extracted through ducting, while a rear 80mm fan blows cool air into the processor cooler.

For the gamers: look more towards the Labs Winning Civic 3200.dX for raw speed. For a better rounded package for the novice and basic home user: look no further than the Viewmaster Raven.