Dell Dimension XPS T450

Dell Dimension XPS T450

SUMMARY

PRO: Affordable, good manuals and support, terrific company reliability CON: Second-tier feature set, monitor picture quality just adequate

For most small businesses, especially those that lack an IS staff, PC reliability and service are key concerns. Dell's unmatched reputation for reliable PCs, well-written documentation, and solid support help make this $2029 PIII-450 midsize tower a solid Top 20 value. A complement of undistinguished features and a couple of design drawbacks keep it from reaching the Best Buy ranks, though.

The quick T450 is an alternative to the more expensive PIII-500 systems occupying the highest rungs on the chart. The T450's features are functional but nothing to e-mail home about. For example, at this price you won't get a 19-inch monitor in the standard configuration. If you don't like the T450's bundled 17-incher, you can upgrade to the winning 19-inch UltraScan 1200HS for an extra $200.

Belying its name, the Dell QuietKey keyboard clacked a bit when we typed on it; nonetheless, it felt comfortable and durable. Images on the 17-inch Dell M780 monitor appeared a tad on the fuzzy side, but the screen works fine for basic business tasks. The bundled Harman/Kardon HK195 speakers yield decent acoustics, though we've heard fuller, richer sound from a number of Altec Lansing models. The XPS 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. The PC's color-coded cables make connecting peripherals easy, and the well-written manuals include lots of helpful illustrations.

The XPS T450's tidy interior provides plenty of room to add more devices--four free expansion slots and four free drive bays. That's a good thing, since the system comes without a Zip drive at this price; you can add one for $79 from Dell. Another nice touch inside: Dell placed a ventilation hood over the CPU to shunt excess heat from the processor directly out the PC's back panel.