Dell Dimension XPS T450

Dell Dimension XPS T450

SUMMARY

PRO: Good manuals and support, terrific company reliability and performance CON: Monitor picture quality just adequate; one of the priciest systems on the chart

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 $1699 PIII-450 midsize tower a solid Top 20 value. And a $330 price drop this month makes the PC that much more affordable.

The quick T450 is a great alternative to the more expensive PIII-500 systems on on the Power Desktops chart. There's a lot to like about the Dimension XPS T450, and most of its features are quite creditable. However, a few are nothing to e-mail home about. For example, at this price you don'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 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 somewhat fuzzy, 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 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 T450's tidy interior provides plenty of room to add more devices--it has four free expansion slots and four free drive bays. That's a good thing, since at this price the system comes without a Zip drive; you can add one from Dell for $79. Another nice touch inside: Dell has placed a ventilation hood over the CPU to shunt excess heat from the processor directly out the PC's back panel.

Our readers consistently rank Dell highly in our Reliability and Service surveys. If you do run into trouble, you can call Dell's toll-free tech support lines any time, day or night. And when you call, you'll likely receive a high quality of service, as we did in our anonymous support checks.