Dell Dimension XPS T700r: WOW!!
Written: Jul 29 '00 (Updated Apr 02 '01)
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Pros: Fast, reliable, excellent Internet support
Cons: None that I can think of!
The Bottom Line: In short, I highly recommend this computer because it's reliable. It's manufactured with top-notch components, unlike my previous system, a Gateway.
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| jgegner's Full Review: Dell Dimension XPS T700r |
In February of this year, on the advice of a friend, I ordered a Dell Dimension XPS T700r desktop system. I got it with the following:
- 128MB 100MHz SDRAM
- 30 gigabyte hard drive
- 17" Trinitron monitor (Dell P780)
- 32MB nVidia GeForce 256 AGP video card
- 8X DVD-ROM drive w/software decoding
- 8X/4X/32X CD-RW drive
- Sound Blaster Live! Value sound card
- Altec Lansing ACS-340 three-piece speakers with subwoofer
- Too many other goodies to mention
I had previously owned a Gateway system, but had nothing but problems with it (see my review of Gateway computers in general). The main reason I chose the Dell over other brands such as Compaq, Hewlett-Packard and IBM was because of Dell's record of providing top-notch service and support. If you read computer magazines regularly, you know that whenever a magazine does a review of desktop PCs, if a Dell is one of the systems being reviewed, then it usually gets the highest ratings.
Not only that, Dell routinely wins awards from many computer publications, such as PC Magazine, Computer Shopper, and PC World. In fact, Computer Shopper readers have voted Dell as the provider of "Best Service and Support" and "Best High-End Desktop PC" the last two years.
Dell computers come pre-loaded with a fair amount of software, including of course, Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition/Internet Explorer 5/Outlook Express 5, Norton AntiVirus 2000, Microsoft Works Suite 2000,
some faxing software, and another program that allows you to use your computer as a telephone answering machine. It also includes a program called "I Learn My Dell PC," which is a tutorial mainly aimed at first-time users.
Now, being that I've had this system roughly 4 1/2 months, I can't judge long-term reliability, but so far, I haven't had any trouble with it. Now, I have had a few software glitches along the way, but nothing serious enough to warrant a call to Dell's technical support.
If I ever need support, help is either a phone call or a mouse click away. What I really like about Dell is the way they do Internet support. When you buy a Dell PC, you get a support website that's geared to your specific system. To set it up, all you do is enter either your Express Service Code, or System Service Tag found on the back of the computer. Once it's set up, you can download files to update your system, post messages to other Dell customers or Dell technicians in the DellTalk area, and you can also register for FileWatch, a free service by e-mail that notifies you of new files you can download to update your system.
All in all, this system is an excellent choice for power-users who don't want to spend the money on the very best, but yet want a fast, reliable, good-all-around system to handle everyday computing tasks. I definitely will recommend Dell to anyone considering buying a computer.
*** UPDATE 4/2/2001 ***
It's been a little more than a year now since I purchased my Dell Dimension XPS T700r, and I am absolutely thrilled with my purchase. I still haven't had any major problems with this machine, but I did have to call Dell's technical support when the sound didn't work (luckily, the problem turned out to be a loose connection from the speakers to the sound card). All in all I couldn't be happier with my computer. I firmly believe I made the right decision in choosing Dell.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 2,483.58
Operating System: Windows
Processor: Intel Pentium III
Processor speed: 601-700
RAM: 128
Internal Storage: CD-RW and DVD
Hard Drive (GB): 21-30
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Epinions.com ID:
jgegner
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Location: USA
Reviews written: 12
Trusted by: 0 members
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