Dell Dimension XPS T450

Dell Dimension XPS T450

SUMMARY

PRO: Good manuals and support, terrific company reliability and performance CON: Monitor quality just adequate; not cheap

For most small businesses (especially those that lack an IS staff), PC reliability and service are key concerns. With Dell's top-notch reputation for reliable PCs, well-written documentation, and high-quality support, this PIII-450 midsize tower is a solid value. And a $210 price drop (the second three-digit price cut in as many months) makes the $1489 Dimension XPS T450 more affordable than ever.

Quick for a budget system, the T450 is a great alternative to the more expensive PIII-500 PCs on the power and budget charts. However, a few features, such as the monitor, are nothing to e-mail home about. If you don't like the T450's bundled 17-incher, you can upgrade to a 19-inch UltraScan 1200HS for $200 more. Belying its name, the Dell QuietKey keyboard clacked when we typed on it; still, it felt comfortable and durable.

Images on the 17-inch Dell M780 monitor appeared a tad fuzzy, but the screen is fine for basic tasks. The Harman/Kardon HK195 speakers yield decent audio, though we've heard fuller, richer sound from a number of Altec Lansing models. The T450's software bundle includes Microsoft Office Small Business Edition and Microsoft Streets Plus.

The Dimension is nicely designed for users who need to get their machines up and running in a hurry. Color-coded cables make connecting peripherals a breeze, and the well-written manuals include many helpful illustrations.

A tidy interior provides plenty of room in which to work. And with four free card slots and four open drive bays, expandability isn't a problem. The system comes without a Zip drive, but you can add a 100MB model from Dell for $79. One nice touch: Dell has placed a ventilation hood over the CPU to shunt heat from the processor out the PC's back panel.