Processor:
Intel Core Duo E8400 (3.0 GHz)
Clock speed:
3.0 GHz
RAM installed:
4 GB DDR2 SDRAM
Hard drive:
640 GB Standard
OS provided:
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium w/ Digital Cable Support SP1
System type:
Personal computer
Description:
The Dell XPS 420 Desktop Computer (Intel Core Duo E8400, 640GB HDD, 4GB) is a Core Duo-based, basic desktop PC.
Compared to other value-oriented PCs on the market, it is expensive at around $885.
This desktop comes with 4 GB RAM, and a 640GB hard drive.
Pros:
Has an ATI Radeon HD 3450 graphics chip, which is considerably better performing than some similarly priced PCs.
Also, this PC has a DVD? RW disc drive.
Also, the 640GB hard disk installed on this machine is roomy enough to store thousands of applications and files.
However, the Core Duo based processor installed on this machine is fast enough to handle demanding applications, such as digital video.
Cons:
None noted, given available product data.
Suitability:
A budget PC, suited for basic computing tasks, such as word processing, e-mail, and web browsing.
The ATI Radeon HD 3450 graphics installed on this desktop is moderately fast when it comes to handling 3-D graphics.
Store massive amounts of data on DVD using the DVD recorder included in this computer.
Make sharing photos through the mail easier: put them on a disc with the CD recorder in this desktop.
Value:
Despite its expensive price, this PC has great features for the money.
However, this desktop combines burly processing power with plenty of storage.
Suggestions:
(1) Using this PC's Firewire (1394) port, you can connect to many digital camcorders and other equipment and rapidly upload data to the computer's hard drive.
(2) If you plan to be playing the latest 3-D games, you may want to invest in a more powerful
video card
from NVidia or ATI, which are popular with the gaming community (requires an open AGP or PCIe slot).
CNET's Product Briefs are generated by a software tool that combines
product specifications with knowledge of our editorial experts. They do
not reflect hands-on assessment or labs testing. For more information
about how we create Product Briefs,
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