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Dell Dimension 4550
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More…| Overall rating | 83 |
| PC WorldBench 4: Performance word scores reflect comparisons of PCs in the same category (power or value) running the same operating system. See Your Guide to the Top 100 for more details. | Good: 118 (Windows XP Home) |
| Base configuration | Very good |
| CPU | 2.67-GHz Pentium 4 |
| System memory | 256MB of DDR333 SDRAM |
| Hard drive (GB): Total capacity. May represent multiple hard drives. | 60GB |
| Monitor size and model | 17-inch Dell E171FP LCD |
| Graphics: Most integrated graphics systems use the PC's main RAM. | 64MB MSI MS-8878 graphics |
| Case type: Vertical cases are towers (over 20 inches), midsize towers (15.5 to 20 inches), or minitowers (under 15.5 inches). Horizontal cases are desktops (5 inches or taller) or compacts (under 5 inches). | Midsize tower |
| Open bays, slots | 1 bay, 2 slots |
| Extra features | Very good |
| Removable-media drives | 16X DVD-ROM, 48X/24X/48X CD-RW drives |
| Sound card | Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live SB0200 |
| Speakers | Harmon Kardon HK395 |
| Communications | network adapter, 6 USB ports |
| Software | Microsoft Works Suite 2002, Image Expert 2000, Paint Shop Pro, Musicmatch |
| Other | N/A |
| Graphics quality: Based on new testing begun in the November 2002 issue. Insufficient data for systems tested in previous months. | Fair |
| Setup and ease of use | Very good |
| Vendor's reliability/service: A vendor's score is based on surveys of PC World readers. Vendors receiving insufficient data scores did not generate enough responses to our most recent survey for us to make a determination. | Good/Fair |
| Support Policy | 1-year parts and labor warranty; lifetime 24-hour weekday toll-free support. |
Bottom Line
A fine small-business or home-office system, the Dell Dimension 4550 offers ample features and an affordable price for general computing applications. You'll want to upgrade the speakers if audio is important to you, and upgrade MS Works if you're using the Dimension for daily work.
Dell Dimension 4550
Dimension 4550 Review, by Mick Lockey March 7, 2003
WHAT'S HOT: Like all of Dell's Dimension line, this model is an easy-to-service box. The clam-shell case opens wide, giving exceptionally good access to all of the Dimension's components. We found a neat and spacious interior with moderate upgrade options: two open PCI slots, two drive bays (one for a hard drive only), plus two additional memory sockets. The drive bays feature latches that, when unhinged, allow you to slip drives in and out without tools, plus rubberized mounts that keep hard drives quiet so they don't reverberate against the case. (See " Your PC Has the Right to Remain Silent.")
The midnight-gray 17-inch Dell E171FP LCD is a nice perk for a system in the under-$1500 price range. In tests for image quality, the LCD produced very sharp text on both a newsletter and a screen showing various font sizes. Colors looked bright overall with good detail on a test photo.
WHAT'S NOT: We weren't impressed with the bundled Harman Kardon HK-395 two-speaker and subwoofer set. The speakers are small and squat, while the subwoofer is quite large. Despite the hefty subwoofer, we had to crank up the volume to full throttle to hear vocal tracks and DVD movies clearly.
It may be hard to believe, but this Dimension's 60GB hard drive is relatively small for value PCs we've tested recently.
WHAT ELSE: Equipped with a 2.67-GHz Pentium 4 CPU and 256MB of 333-MHz DDR memory, our test unit earned a score of 118 on our PC WorldBench 4 tests--which puts it in the right performance ballpark for a system with this processor.
The software bundle--consisting of Microsoft Works Suite 2002 plus preloaded versions of Image Expert 2000 and Paint Shop Pro, as well as an app for recording CDs--suits homes and small offices. The black Dell keyboard is basic fare--it doesn't sport any preprogrammed hot keys for launching e-mail or adjusting the volume.
UPSHOT: A fine small-business or home-office system, the Dell Dimension 4550 offers ample features and an affordable price for general computing applications. You'll want to upgrade the speakers if audio is important to you, and upgrade MS Works if you're using the Dimension for daily work.
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