Dell Dimension 4400 Series, Pentium 4 Processor at 1.8 GHz (Dell-D4418SS)

WHAT'S HOT: The Dell Dimension 4400 we tested features the same sleek black-and-gray case design that the company uses for its higher-end Dimension 8200 line.

The chassis' design and features are great finds in a value business system (value systems are often no-frills beige boxes). It has a nifty flip-up cover on the front that conceals two USB ports and a headphone jack, and it comes with a metal double-loop case lock on the rear to keep outsiders from tampering with internal components. The case folds open like an Apple Power Mac, providing clear access to the interior components--all of which can be inserted and removed without using tools. Bright green plastic tabs and covers indicate which components can be easily popped out. The slot cover snaps off for access to the three open PCI slots, and you can install rails (which are included) that allow you to easily slide drives in and out of the available bays (our test system had two open removable-media drive bays and one open internal bay).

Dell also tosses in Microsoft's Office XP Small Business Edition.

WHAT'S NOT: We've had mixed feelings about Dell's Dimension case design since it first debuted. It has undeniable advantages and aesthetic appeal, but also some annoyances. For example, the first time you try to open the system you may have to spend some time hunting for the button at the bottom of the unit that pops it open. And you'll need to take care when closing the clamshell-style unit, too, so you don't pinch fingers or cables.

WHAT ELSE: Powered by a 1.8-GHz Pentium 4 and 256MB of DDR memory, our Windows 2000-running Dimension earned a PC WorldBench 4 score of 115, just two points below the average for similarly configured systems.

Dell always does a good job of styling its systems--our 4400's keyboard and mouse match the black of the case, as well as that of the 17-inch Dell E771p monitor. The display reproduced our test photo well, delivering vibrant colors and natural-looking flesh tones. At 1024 by 768 resolution, however, 12-point Arial text blurred slightly (although it was still readable).

Our test system came with a helpful setup poster, as well as a thick system manual specific to our model that had loads of illustrations and detailed chapters on upgrading and troubleshooting.

Though useful, the system's 16X/10X/40X CD-RW drive is slow compared with the blazingly fast 32X and 40X drives on the market today (CD-RW upgrades are available when ordering the system).

UPSHOT: Small-business users who want an easily expandable system--that fits easily into their workplace thanks to its useful design and software bundle--should give this Dimension a long look.

SUMMARY

Dell Dimension 4400 PC WorldBench 4 score of 115, 1.8-GHz Pentium 4 CPU, 256MB of DDR SDRAM, Windows 2000, 40GB hard drive, 16X/10X/40X CD-RW drive, GeForce2 MX graphics card with 64MB of SDRAM, 17-inch Dell E771p monitor, integrated sound, Harmon Kardon HKS speakers, network adapter, midsize tower case. One-year parts and labor warranty; paid, 24-hour daily tech support. $1329 800/388-8542 www.dell.com