Dell - Good Value?

[Shaggy]

I toyed around with the idea of building a PC, however, I'm travelling again with work so my time is limited so based on some recommendations I received in a previous thread I'm considering purchasing a Dell. The model I'm looking at is below and I was wondering if it's a good deal? Any feedback would be appreciated. Price for the machine is $876.75.

Dell Dimension 4700: Series Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 540 w/HT Technology (3.20GHz, 800FSB)

Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition

Memory: 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 400MHz (2x512)

Keyboard: Dell Wireless Keyboard and Optical Mouse

Monitor: No Monitor

Video Cards: 128MB PCI Express™ x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) ATI Radeon™ X300 SE

Hard Drive: 80GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)

Floppy Drive and Additional Storage Devices: No Floppy Drive Included

Network Interface: Integrated Intel® PRO 10/100 Ethernet

Modem: 56K PCI Data Fax Modem

CD or DVD Drive Dual Drives: 16x DVD-ROM Drive + 16x DVD+/-RW w/dbl layer write

Sound Card: Integrated 5.1 Channel Audio

Speakers: No speakers

Limited Warranty, Services and Support Options No Extended Service, Support or Ltd Warranty

[Shaggy]

I forgot to mention... it will be for home use surfing the web, running kids games, and running online games such as Disney's ToonTown. I don't plan to run the more intense games that are available.

[gateways_rule]

That's a very nice machine for that price. It will have plenty of power for what you're gonna use it for. Keep in mind, that doesn't have a monitor..I hope you're aware of that.

[rhettro]

For your intented use I think it would be fine. But as gateways-rule said, no monitor is included, so unless you have one on you already, that'll be an additional expense. Personally, I'd be interested in what the next upgrade in video card Dell offers above the x300. Money spent there would increase the lifespan of this PC considerably.

[Shaggy]

rhettro - The next video card choice would be:

256MB PCI Express™ x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) nVidia GeForce 6800 [add $128 or $4/month3]

Also, I realize it has no monitor. I'm want to buy one that has the speakers built into it and Dell doesn't seem to offer that type.

Thanks Again!!!

[rhettro]

That would be a nice upgrade.

[bigdog77s]

Dell has LCDs that have speakers that clip on to the bottom. IMO the best LCDs out on the market b/c they swivel, moves up and down and has 4 USB ports built in. And if you go all out... 24" cinema screen is incredible will all the hook ups you need (S-video, component) for about a grand. but look into the 17" or 19"... that is if you want LCD.

rhettro - The next video card choice would be:

256MB PCI Express™ x16 (DVI/VGA/TV-out) nVidia GeForce 6800 [add $128 or $4/month3]

Also, I realize it has no monitor. I'm want to buy one that has the speakers built into it and Dell doesn't seem to offer that type.

Thanks Again!!!

[sicko]

I built the exact same system but it was $58 less and it came with a 15" flat panel display. And it had free shipping, which I'm not sure if the one you configured did or didn't. I also built a Dell Dimension 8400 with the same specs and a 17" flat panell display for $938 (with free shipping). And if you wanted to make the Dimension 8400 system more competitive with the price you listed on the first system, for $39 less you can drop the dual optical drives (DVD-ROM & DVD Burner) and just go with a single drive (DVD-Burner), to bring it down to $899. However, these prices involved the use of a $100 Dell rebate and some people really don't like using rebates.

Anyways, check out sites like www.gotapex.com they have a listing of good dell deals on their website every day (most come with "free" flast panel displays). You can either grab any good deal that meets your needs, or wait a little while until one of their sweet deals come around and then jump on that

[Russell]

That would be a nice upgrade.

Except that he doesn't need it for what the computer will be used for.

Still, it's a nice price for anybody else considering such a package.

[Derringer]

Hmmmah, somehow, I think there are other alternatives besides Dells. Have you been looking at the newspaper ads lately? I know there are PCs for far less than the amount you have, but are in some cases more powerful than the components in the Dell.