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SUMMARY

Dell Dimension XPS D333 PRO: Includes 2X DVD-ROM player and Iomega Zip drive, strong support policies CON: Case can be difficult to open

The $2799 Dell Dimension XPS D333 is a fast, loaded midtower PC that reigned as our number one power desktop last month. It's still an excellent value, but even a $130 drop in price can't help the XPS D333 outscore Gateway's impressive new G6-333. The Gateway still costs $130 less ($2684) and performed 9 percent faster than the Dell in our PC WorldBench 98 tests--with a score of 179, versus the Dell's 164.

So why might you still consider the XPS D333? Dell's top-notch support is one reason, and the system's somewhat higher-quality 17-inch monitor is another. Other components are equal: Both models come with a 2X DVD-ROM drive, for example. (Among other ranked PCs, only the 10th-place HP Vectra VL Series 7 and number 17 CompUSA American Pro Ap333L-SE have DVD.) The second-generation DVD drives installed in these PCs are compatible with all CD formats, including CD-R, and provide fairly good performance with CD-ROM apps. And of course, they let you play DVD movies and use DVD-ROM games, general-reference software, and single-disc national phone directories. Unfortunately, the currently available assortment of DVD-ROM apps for general business is rather scanty.

Dell also includes more-standard power fare, such as a generous 64MB helping of RAM, a copious 8GB hard drive, and a 4MB STB Velocity 128 3D graphics card. The full-duplex Sound Blaster AWE64 audio card teams with Altec Lansing ACS290 speakers and subwoofer to deliver good high- and midlevel tones, though bass notes seemed a bit muddy to our ears. The XPS D333 also sports a useful software bundle, including Microsoft Office 97 Small Business Edition v2 and either Bookshelf or Encarta.

The D333 is well marked for easy setup--the back ports have color coding and identification symbols. But as with most Dimension XPS systems, the case is a challenge to open: Tabs that you must simultaneously press and pull to get inside the machine are hard to grip, making it tough to work the panel free. Inside, you'll find little room for expansion cards--the modem and the sound card occupy the two ISA slots, leaving only two PCI slots available. Fortunately, the three available external bays offer a reasonable amount of room to accommodate removable-media devices such as Zip, CD-R, and tape backup drives.

Dell's documentation includes a foldout setup guide that will help you get up and running quickly. The company's support policies are strong, though not quite as good as Gateway's: Parts are covered for three years, labor is covered for one, and toll-free phone support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.