Dell run-down

This was a little page I threw together about a year ago, hence the older stats.
I've left it for educational purposes.

Dell offers an entry level system with:

Pentium® 4 @ 1.80GHz w/ 512K L2 Cache

Not the fastest chip out there, probably not running @ 533mhz bus since they don't specify.

256MB DDR SDRAM

DDR @ 133mhz is much slower then RDRAM, 1.2GB/sec vs 3.2+GB/sec with RDRAM running @ 533mhz

30GB2 Ultra ATA/100 7200RPM Hard Drive

30GB isn't much room for MP3s

17 in (16.0 in v.i.s., .27dp) E772 Monitor

It's flat panel, but with a high .27dp VGA, not digital connector
CRTs start at .24, good ones are .22 or lower.

Integrated Intel® Extreme 3D Graphics

Throw in another $50 and you have a great 3D card, $100 and you've got a polygon pushing machine, maybe add a TV tuner card, or TV out to watch you movies and/or games on the big screen.

CD/DVD ROM Drive

Run of the Mill CD-ROM, most people don't even use it.

40x/10x/40x Max CD-RW

Reads CDs just as well as the above drive, why have 2 when one will do?

Integrated Audio

They give you good speakers to hide the fact that you have onboard audio. Speakers are only as good as what goes into them.

Harman Kardon® HK-206 Speakers

$50 to $100 depending on your audiophile status

56K3 PCI Data/Fax Modem

Do you still use a modem?

Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition¹²

Windows XP is retail, no matter what. Of course Dell gets a deal... they buy their licencing in the hundreds of thousands.

Dell® Quietkey® Keyboard

Your everyday run-of-the-mill keyboard, for only $25-50 more you can get wireless, quick task buttons, volume & CD control

Logitech® Optical USB Mouse

Optical is the way to go, bright blue, red, and more available all the time.

3.5 in Floppy Drive

Floppys are hardly necessary, but for those of you holding on, they are available. With the advent of CD-RW, they're just not used.

1 Year Limited Warranty Any part you buy will be covered by it's manufacturer - and it's just a question of having someone to call to do it all for you.

Pentium® 4 @ 1.80GHz w/ 512K L2 Cache	Not the fastest chip out there, probably not running @ 533mhz bus since they don't specify.
256MB DDR SDRAM	DDR @ 133mhz is much slower then RDRAM, 1.2GB/sec vs 3.2+GB/sec with RDRAM running @ 533mhz
30GB2 Ultra ATA/100 7200RPM Hard Drive	30GB isn't much room for MP3s
17 in (16.0 in v.i.s., .27dp) E772 Monitor	It's flat panel, but with a high .27dp VGA, not digital connector CRTs start at .24, good ones are .22 or lower.
Integrated Intel® Extreme 3D Graphics	Throw in another $50 and you have a great 3D card, $100 and you've got a polygon pushing machine, maybe add a TV tuner card, or TV out to watch you movies and/or games on the big screen.
CD/DVD ROM Drive	Run of the Mill CD-ROM, most people don't even use it.
40x/10x/40x Max CD-RW	Reads CDs just as well as the above drive, why have 2 when one will do?
Integrated Audio	They give you good speakers to hide the fact that you have onboard audio. Speakers are only as good as what goes into them.
Harman Kardon® HK-206 Speakers	$50 to $100 depending on your audiophile status
56K3 PCI Data/Fax Modem	Do you still use a modem?
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition¹²	Windows XP is retail, no matter what. Of course Dell gets a deal... they buy their licencing in the hundreds of thousands.
Dell® Quietkey® Keyboard	Your everyday run-of-the-mill keyboard, for only $25-50 more you can get wireless, quick task buttons, volume & CD control
Logitech® Optical USB Mouse	Optical is the way to go, bright blue, red, and more available all the time.
3.5 in Floppy Drive	Floppys are hardly necessary, but for those of you holding on, they are available. With the advent of CD-RW, they're just not used.
1 Year Limited Warranty	Any part you buy will be covered by it's manufacturer - and it's just a question of having someone to call to do it all for you.