Dell OptiPlex GX1p 500

Dell OptiPlex GX1p 500

SUMMARY

PRO: Great performance, easy-access case, top-notch company reliability and support policies CON: Somewhat puny monitor for a Best Buy PC

If you're looking for a high-performance corporate workstation and have a healthy budget, put Dell's $2649 OptiPlex GX1p 500 on your shopping list. No other system here matches its combination of speed and features, and no vendor matches Dell for reliability and support quality, according to our readers.

Any IS department would love the conveniences this sturdy midsize tower offers when upgrade time arrives: The case's side panels lift off quickly, and you can easily pull out the card-slot tray, for fast board-swapping. The GX1p 500 is a great choice for any firm deploying a large contingent of PCs that regularly need upgrading.

Our test machine came with Microsoft's Natural Keyboard, on which the keys are optimally arranged for ergonomically proper positioning of your hands and arms while typing. Though we found the keyboard comfortable to use and reasonably easy to adjust to, the reengineered layout won't please everybody; you should definitely test-drive a Natural Keyboard before buying one.

The PC ships with a fairly capacious 14.4GB hard drive and a 100MB Zip drive. The system's six open slots present you with plenty of room for additional adapters, but Dell provides a scant two open drive bays. In keeping with the OptiPlex line's corporate focus, a network interface card comes standard on the GX1p; or for $89 you can opt for an Aztech Rockwell V.90 modem.

The unit's only significant flaw is the 17-inch Dell 1028L monitor--it produced somewhat dark images and slightly fuzzy text. Upgrading to the superior 19-inch Dell UltraScan 1200HS costs you $200.

Setting up the OptiPlex is straightforward. All the ports are color-coded, making it easy to hook up devices, and Dell supplies surprisingly detailed documentation, considering that this is a corporate PC. In addition to separate user guides for all the peripherals, Dell provides an in-depth system installation manual, a big foldout chart, and a general user guide for assistance once you're up and running. If you still need help, Dell maintains around-the-clock technical support. Respondents to our most recent survey give Dell outstanding marks for reliability; Dell's service, while not perfect, still ranks among the best in the industry.