Systemax Offers Sub-$300 Desktops, Plans Sub-$900 Centrino Notebooks

The new desktop is based on a 1.1GHz Intel Celeron system, and Systemax will make it available through the commercial reseller channel as well as retail outlets, said Sean Aryai, marketing director at the Port Washington, N.Y.-based company.

"It is build to order," Aryai said. "We're not stocking these on shelves. We want to break the price barrier, but we want to enable customers to customize it."

Aryai said Systemax worked with Intel to develop the possible configurations on the new systems. The system builder will offer configurations with processors up to a Celeron 2.6GHz, and each system will have a network-interface card (NIC) for network connectivity. In addition to the CPU, the computer maker said it will also bundle a Lexmark Z705 color printer.

Systemax also plans to take advantage of Intel's recent, across-the-board price cuts on its Centrino platform by offering a new Centrino-based notebook that it will price at $899, Aryai said. That, too, would offer custom configuration capability, he said.

Unlike many other system builders, Systemax and its subsidiaries--including InfoTel and TigerDirect.com--have not been shy about offering aggressive pricing on desktop and notebook systems. Earlier this year, Systemax began bundling white-box desktops with LCD monitors for less $600.