*DEAD*
I know eMachines is garbage but for whats inside is well worth buying for small upgrades.... some details on what you get for 199.99 + 5.00 SH

Features:
Intel Pentium D 820 Dual-Core 2.8GHz processor
2×1MB L2 cache with 800MHz front side bus
Intel 945G DH Viiv chipset
1024MB DDR2 dual channel (2 × 512MB), 533MHz (PC4200) Expandable to 2GB
7200RPM 250GB SATA II with 8MB cache hard drive
DVD±RW 16x Multiformat Dual-Layer Optical Drive, burns up to 8.5GB with Dual-Layer Media
6 USB 2.0 ports (2 in front, 4 in back)
15-in-1 Digital Media Manager
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 with PCI-Express (PCI-E x16) slot available
Intel® 10/100Mbps Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 port)
56K ITU V.92-ready fax/modem (RJ-11 port)
Windows Vista Home Premium operating system

Specifications:
CPU
2.8GHz Intel Pentium D 820 Processor (Dual-Core)
64-bit processor with Intel® EM64T Technology
2 x 1MB L2 cache
800MHz FSB
Operating System
Windows Vista® Home Premium
Chipset
Intel 945G DH (Viiv™)
Memory
1024MB DDR2 dual channel
2 x 512mb
533MHz (PC4200)
Expandable to 2GB
Hard Drive
250GB SATA II (7200rpm, 8MB cache)
Optical Drive
DVD±RW 16x Multiformat Double-Layer Optical Drive
Write max: 16x DVD±R
6x DVD-RW
8x DVD+RW
4x DVD+R DL
40x CD-R
24x CD-RW
Read max: 16x DVD-ROM
40x CD-ROM
Media Reader
15-in-1 Digital Media Manager xD-Picture Card
CompactFlash® I (CF)
CompactFlash® II
Secure Digital™ (SD)
Mini Secure Digital™ (Mini SD)
Multi Media Card (MMC)
Reduced Size MMC (RS-MMC)
MMC Mobile
MMC Plus
Memory Stick (MS)
Memory Stick Duo
Memory Stick Pro®
Memory Stick Pro® Duo
SmartMedia
IBM Microdrive
Video
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950
PCI-Express® (PCI-E x16) slot available
Sound
6-channel (5.1) high-definition audio
Communications
56K ITU V.92-ready fax/modem (RJ-11 port)
Intel® 10/100Mbps Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 port)
Ports
6 - USB 2.0 ports (2 in front, 4 in back)
1 - VGA
1 - Parallel port
1 - Serial port
2 - PS/2 ports (keyboard and mouse)
3 - Audio (Rear): Line-in/Side (Stereo), Front/Headphone (Stereo), Microphone
2 - Audio (Front): Microphone, Front/Headphone (Stereo)
1 - RJ-45 Ethernet port
1 - RJ-11 Modem port
Dimensions
14.50" (H) x 7.25" (W) x 16.50" (D)
Weight
21.2 lbs. (system unit only)

In the box:
eMachines T5224 Desktop Computer
Mouse
Keyboard
Speakers
Power Cable

LINK HERE

I would put the price in the title.

Hasn't emachines improved their reputation?
i.e. I recall they used to be garbage , but thought that I heard that they improved.
Is that true?
Any different than a compaq?

I've had emachines laptops and desktops and have had no problem at all with them. Got one my kids use now that has been running great for them for 2 years. No repairs, no problems at all. They use the heck out of it too!

eMachines desktops arent junk anymore. The quality has vastly improved over the years, however it takes time to shake a bad reputation.