Find The Right Desktops

Dell Studio XPS 8000

The Dell Studio XPS 8000 offers a strong combination of midrange performance parts that should satisfy anyone looking for a midtower desktop for general productivity, digital media editing, or gaming. It lacks a few performance-oriented extras, but it makes up for any deficiencies with its attractive looks.

Specs: Intel CORE I5 750 (2.66 GHz), 8 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 1000 GB Standard, nVidia GeForce GTX260 1792MB GDDR3, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 64Bit, English

Dell Inspiron i545s-1476N

With similar results as its ancestors, the Dell Inspiron 545s-1476N registers decent benchmarks and offers respectable upgradability, but we hesitate to recommend it over the older Gateway SX2800-01 that leaves Dell in the dust regarding both performance and features.

Specs: Intel Pentium E5300 (2.6 GHz), 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 640 GB Standard, Intel GMA 3100, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Personal computer

Dell Studio XPS 9000 (formerly XPS 435)

The Dell Studio XPS 435 successfully overcomes our bias against desktops that claim to be experts at everything through charming case design and a strong configuration at a relatively fair price. It misses greatness because of a handful of minor missteps, but if you need a do-it-all mainstream tower system, this Dell more or less covers all the bases.

Specs: Intel Core i7 920 (2.66 GHz), 6 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 1000 GB Standard, nVidia GeForce GTX 260 1792MB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English, Personal computer

Dell Inspiron 545

Dell seems to have missed a beat in this year's round of back-to-school retail desktops, and the Inspiron 545 is no exception. Its competition has too much to offer in the way of performance and features, leaving Dell with little but its established online support resources to give it an advantage.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 (2.33 GHz), 8 GB DDR II SDRAM, 1 TB Standard, ATI Mobility RADEON HD 3450, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1

Dell Inspiron 545s

The Dell Inspiron 545s cuts a more robust profile than other budget Inspirons by offering better upgrade options and some decent performance for its price. It has a hard time challenging Gateway's strong budget slim tower, but this Dell might sway you, depending on your needs.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 (2.8 GHz), 6 GB DDR II SDRAM, 750 GB Standard, Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1

Dell Inspiron 537s-002B

You might find a better deal from Dell if you configure an Inspiron 537s online, but this retail only model has little to recommend it. From slow performance to a weak feature-set, this budget slimtower is outclassed by too many other retail desktops.

Specs: Intel Celeron 450 (2.2 GHz), 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 320 GB Standard, Integrated Intel GMA x4500 Graphics, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic SP1, 32-Bit

Dell Studio One 19 desktop computer (Intel Pentium Dual Core E5200, 500GB HDD, 4GB)

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.

Specs: Intel Pentium Dual Core E5300 (2.6 GHz), 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 500 GB Standard, nVidia GeForce 9400 Integrated Graphics, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64Bit

Dell Studio XPS-122B

Even though Dell's Studio XPS-122B has the latest Intel CPU, its sparse configuration feels like a throwback. This is not to say it's slow or lacking in features, but you'll find this system has relatively few aspirations aside from serving as a standard desktop. We recommend it to anyone in need of raw computing power for an affordable price.

Dell Inspiron I530-120B

Dell's Inspiron I530-120B is a fine workaday desktop, but we find it could use some more excitement. It has its strengths, and its features are reasonable for its price, but we wish Dell had done more to differentiate this desktop.

Specs: Microsoft Windows Vista

Dell XPS 625

We expect anyone who purchases the Dell XPS 625 will be pleased with its robust midrange gaming components and the software that makes it easy to overclock them. We just wish Dell had been more aggressive with its pricing and that you didn't have to spend more money to make the most of this system's standout features.

Specs: AMD, 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 500 GB, ATI Radeon HD4670 512MB, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-Bit

Dell XPS 430-121B

Dell's XPS 430-121B, sold exclusively at Best Buy, outpaces the competition and carries an impressive set of media-centric features. Heavy gamers can find a more suitable system elsewhere, but digital media enthusiasts will appreciate this Dell in their home network.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Quad, 6 GB, 750 GB

Dell Inspiron 530s Desktop Computer (Intel Pentium Dual Core E5200, 320GB HDD, 2GB)

In its present configuration, the Dell Inspiron I530S-119B won't feel at home in a home theater or digital media environment, but it succeeds in providing high performance at minimal cost thanks to a faster processor than the competition. Future upgrades to this system are limited, but if you're shopping for a budget computer for basic functionality, this Dell will do the trick.

Specs: Intel Pentium Dual Core E5200 (2.5 GHz), 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 320 GB Standard, Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Service Pack 1, Personal computer

Dell Studio Hybrid

If you're considering all of the computers in the $700 to $1,000 price range, the Dell Studio Hybrid is not very compelling. However, if you limit yourself to the very specific niche of small PCs, you'll appreciate this system's clever design and its relatively powerful hardware.

Specs: Intel Pentium Dual Core T4300 (2.1 GHz), 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 160 GB Standard, Intel Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X3100, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Gold, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic Service Pack 1, Personal computer

Dell Inspiron 530 Desktop Computer (Intel Celeron 450, 320GB HDD, 3GB)

Dell's first desktops to carry the Inspiron name look good, inside and out. With a huge range of available components and two equally attractive cases, mainstream consumers ought to be able to find a config that meets their budget, tastes, and computing needs.

Specs: Intel Celeron 450 (2.2 GHz), 3 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 320 GB Standard, Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic Service Pack 1, Personal computer

Dell Inspiron 530 Desktop Computer (Intel Core 2 Duo E7300, 640GB HDD, 3GB)

Dell's first desktops to carry the Inspiron name look good, inside and out. With a huge range of available components and two equally attractive cases, mainstream consumers ought to be able to find a config that meets their budget, tastes, and computing needs.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo E7300 (2.66 GHz), 3 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 640 GB Standard, Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Service Pack 1, Personal computer

Dell Inspiron 530 Desktop Computer (Intel Celeron 450, 320GB HDD, 2GB)

Dell's first desktops to carry the Inspiron name look good, inside and out. With a huge range of available components and two equally attractive cases, mainstream consumers ought to be able to find a config that meets their budget, tastes, and computing needs.

Specs: Intel Celeron 450 (2.2 GHz), 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 320 GB Standard, Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic Service Pack 1, Personal computer

Dell Inspiron 530 Desktop Computer (Intel Core 2 Duo E7300, 500GB HDD, 3GB)

Dell's first desktops to carry the Inspiron name look good, inside and out. With a huge range of available components and two equally attractive cases, mainstream consumers ought to be able to find a config that meets their budget, tastes, and computing needs.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo E7300 (2.66 GHz), 3 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 500 GB Standard, Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Service Pack 1, Personal computer

Dell Inspiron 530 Desktop Computer (Intel Core 2 Duo E7300, 500GB HDD, 2GB)

Dell's first desktops to carry the Inspiron name look good, inside and out. With a huge range of available components and two equally attractive cases, mainstream consumers ought to be able to find a config that meets their budget, tastes, and computing needs.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo E7300 (2.66 GHz), 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 500 GB Standard, Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Service Pack 1, Personal computer

Dell Inspiron 530 Desktop Computer (Intel Core 2 Duo E7400, 500GB HDD, 3GB)

Dell's first desktops to carry the Inspiron name look good, inside and out. With a huge range of available components and two equally attractive cases, mainstream consumers ought to be able to find a config that meets their budget, tastes, and computing needs.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 (2.80 GHz), 3 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 500 GB Standard, Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Service Pack 1, Personal computer

Dell Inspiron 530 Desktop Computer (Intel Core 2 Duo E7400, 640GB HDD, 2GB)

Dell's first desktops to carry the Inspiron name look good, inside and out. With a huge range of available components and two equally attractive cases, mainstream consumers ought to be able to find a config that meets their budget, tastes, and computing needs.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 (2.80 GHz), 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 640 GB Standard, Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Service Pack 1, Personal computer