The Dimension 8100 is the latest and fastest machine currently available from Dell. At its heart lies an Intel 1.5 GHz Pentium 4 processor, the second fastest processor available from Intel (the fastest one now a is 1.7 GHz one). It also has an NVIDIA GeForce Ultra video card that handles graphics well and a 7200-rpm Western Digital hard drive. Put this together with a 17” monitor, built-in network interface, and a well-designed cabinet, and you end with an appealing computer.

Aside from these wonderful attributes, it does have a few glitches. The computer comes with 128 MB RDRAM— inadequate considering the rest of the hardware. Also, the two speakers that come with the computer are incredibly inadequate for its sound card—a Turtle Beach Santa Cruz with support for four-speaker output. Apart from these two inconveniences, there is little else to complain.

Processor speeds are fast, and multitasking is a snap...burn a CD while on the internet, create a birthday card while burning a CD, listening to music while doing anything else...you name it, no problem, doesn't miss a beat. Performance is excellent. The machine can satisfactorily run any application you would want to. In 3D gaming, the quality is uncomparable. The Dell Dimensio 8100 Series simply shines above all other desktops, that is if you are a hardcore gamer. Otherwise, these incredible advances in technology may not affect your love for a certain game or program in the slightest.

A processor like the P4 1.5 GHz that comes equipped with the computer will not really make a difference if the majority of work that you do has to do with productivity applications. For such applications, a slower processor will give a similar performance at a much cheaper price. This computer is obviously for the professional and avid gamer. Also, it has been Dell’s standard policy to sell customized machines online. So, you can make alterations to the configuration to suit your needs.

Overall, Dell’s Dimension 8100 PC is a good, but expensive, performer.

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 1149
Operating System: Windows
Processor: Other
Processor speed: over 1000
RAM: 128
Internal Storage: CD-RW and DVD
Hard Drive (GB): 31-40