Best Dell Desktop

If you want more oomph for running Vista and other applications, you can upgrade to a dual-core CPU for a reasonable price. Dell includes fairly fast memory on these desktops: you get 1GB of 667MHz DDR2 RAM. Storage is a bit more respectable on these desktop computers, with a 160GB 7,200rpm hard drive. Basically preconfigured RAID 1 hard drives, DataSafe comes with a second hard drive that mirrors the first to keep a constant backup of your data. It's not the most cutting-edge graphics option available, but it'll definitely give you a boost over the integrated graphics. *

Price range: $439.00

Dell's first desktops to carry the Inspiron name look good, inside and out. *

Dell's Inspiron 530 desktop is a very flexible system that can be configured as a low cost budget system or as a mainstream system. In terms of those looking for a moderately priced performance system, it has potentional for those willing to go through the process of customization and parts selection to get it configured just right.

Price range: $739.00

The bottom line: The retail version of Dell's Studio XPS 8000 desktop might lack some of the charm of its direct-from-Dell counterpart, but its strong price-performance offering makes it easy to overlook the minor cosmetic deficiencies. That and its admirable power consumption make this system an impressive all-purpose midrange desktop.

The Dell Studio desktop is exquisite with its exterior of black-on-white available online than the all black exterior available in stores. *

There's no doubt the Dell Optiplex 960 is quick, and that its small size and quiet operation make it an ideal unit for a cubicle environment, but it does cost a lot of money.

External ports on this system are generous; on the front you will find two USB ports and the standard two 3.5mm audio jacks. *

There's a decent but not great PC hiding behind the Studio One 19's touchscreen gimmickry.

The bottom line: We suspect lower-end configurations of the Dell Studio One 19 all-in-one desktop will draw consumers looking for a low-cost, "fast enough" PC. But even its multitouch interface can't save our expensive review unit from other vendors' similarly priced all-in-ones with better features for the dollar.

The new Studio One 19 is as nice to look at as it is functional," said Alex Gruzen, senior vice president of Dell's Consumer products. *

Excellent performance. *

The touch interface The main touch interface is even more prominent. *

The Bottom Line