Joel Strauch

Dell Dimension 4500

With Intel's latest 2-GHz Pentium 4 processor and 256MB of 266-MHz DDR memory, our Dimension 4500 achieved a score of 109 on our PC WorldBench 4 tests--an impressive 8 points higher than the average for similarly configured Windows XP Professional systems.The gray-and-black clamshell case sports headphone and microphone ports on the front, as well as two front USB 2.0 ports that let you easily hook up peripherals that need to be frequently connected and disconnected, such as portable hard drives and digital cameras. Four more USB 2.0 ports are on the rear of the case for those devices that don't need to be disconnected frequently. The midsize tower case includes a sturdy twin-loop case lock, and it offers tool-less entry--after you press buttons on the top and bottom it opens like a clamshell, making it easy to reach all the internal components. Expansion room abounds inside, with three open PCI slots and four open drive bays (two accommodate hard drives only). Both drives and expansion cards can be installed without tools; flipping a green tab pops open the PCI slot cover that holds the cards in place. Dell includes green rails that make it easy to add and remove drives (and are supposed to cut down on vibration noise).
The $1637 price tag is a little on the high side for a value system: Several Athlon-based PCs perform better than this one does and cost less.
The 24X/10X/40X CD-RW drive is a little slower than the 40X/12X/48X drive found on several other value systems, but it is still adequate for everyday data backup purposes (and you can upgrade the drive to a 40X version for $30 extra). The 15-inch Dell 1504FP LCD monitor produced sharp text screens and accurately colored photos that were easy on the eyes. Microsoft's Office XP Small Business suite of applications is a nice find in a value system's software bundle: Most go with cheaper options such as Corel's WordPerfect suite. The black Dell keyboard matches the case's color scheme and includes two USB 1.1 pass-through ports for connecting USB devices such as mice or digital cameras. Typing on was smooth and accurate, and the keyboard includes eight shortcut keys for Internet access. Dell's exemplary documentation includes a setup poster and a system-specific owner's manual that's filled with illustrations and has thick chapters on troubleshooting and upgrading.
An inexpensive system from a respected vendor, this Dell Dimension 4500 would make a great addition to any small office on a budget.

Buying Information

Dell Dimension 4500 PC WorldBench 4 score of 109, 2A-GHz Pentium 4 CPU, 256MB of DDR266 SDRAM, Windows XP Professional, 40GB hard drive, 24X/10X/40X CD-RW drive, GeForce4 MX graphics card with 64MB of DDR SDRAM, 15-inch Dell 1504FP LCD monitor, Sound Blaster Live sound card, Harman/Kardon HK206 speakers, network adapter, midsize tower case, Microsoft Office XP Small Business Edition. One-year parts and labor warranty; free, unlimited 24-hour daily tech support. $ 1637 PC WorldBench 4 score of 109, 2A-GHz Pentium 4 CPU, 256MB of DDR266 SDRAM, Windows XP Professional, 40GB hard drive, 24X/10X/40X CD-RW drive, GeForce4 MX graphics card with 64MB of DDR SDRAM, 15-inch Dell 1504FP LCD monitor, Sound Blaster Live sound card, Harman/Kardon HK206 speakers, network adapter, midsize tower case, Microsoft Office XP Small Business Edition. One-year parts and labor warranty; free, unlimited 24-hour daily tech support. http://www.dell.com 800/388-8542