All Purpose Machine
Written: Aug 07 '02
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Pros: Early delivery, Easy to set up, everything works, No-Hassle Returns
Cons: Tech Support
The Bottom Line: Buy a Dimension 8200 if it meets your needs. If you are looking for a great high end all around computer, then I higher recommend this one.
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| RedLazarus's Full Review: Dell Dimension 8200 Series |
Since I am going off to college in just 3 weeks, I decided that I needed a computer to call my friend for the next 4 years. And since college tuition is expensive these days, I needed to get the most bang for my buck. The old question of laptop vs. desktop was settled when I decided that I would probably lose or drop a laptop. Also, I would have to bring it with me almost everywhere, and I wouldn’t get the same power-to-dollar ratio that a desktop can offer. Laptops are very nice and portable, but, where would I go with it? Nowhere special. Most of the laptop’s life would be spent on my desk. That sounds like a desktop to me. So why not save some trouble and buy a desktop? Good idea. Dell’s offer, the Dimension 8200, seemed to be the best deal. So far, so good!
I knew for a few months that I would go with a shiny new Dell. They were the most customizable, and from what I heard, the most reliable. So I had the type and brand all set, all I had to do was find the “perfect deal”. I waited as long as possible until Dell offered the "perfect deal" for my needs. When it finally came, I jumped at my dream machine.
The Ordering Experience.
One of the largest reasons why I choose Dell was because they make customization so simple. Their web site allows you to build your computer, and tells you then and there how much each upgrade (or downgrade) will cost (or save) you. If anyone is curious to know what I personally opted for, I went with a 2.26Ghz Pentium 4, with 256 RDRAM, 80 gig Hard Drive, 16x DVD Rom, 24/10/48x burner, 4 USB 2.0 ports, basic audio and video, and a 15in. flat panel monitor. I also got the surround sound speakers, multimedia keyboard and optical mouse, for that added touch of flavor.
Ordering the system was extremely simple. Within minutes, I had my system all customized and paid for. And it was estimated to arrive on my doorstep in about two weeks. Much to my surprise, the system actually arrived in one week. Everything came at once, and the system was ready to go right out of the box.
Hardware!!!
All of the hardware works flawlessly, especially the flat panel monitor, which I can't stop looking at. So pretty! Maximum resolution is 1024 x768, which is less than an equal CRT monitor; however this is the setting I use anyway, having no impact on me. Also, its extreme light weight is very impressive. It can be easily transported with one hand, and can be plugged in either digital or analog mode. Both cables are supplied. Impressive. Most impressive. I am using analog mode (because I don't have the digital option with my video card), so I don't know if digital provides any improvement, but analog seems to work just fine and dandy. The computer case itself has handy front access to 2 USB ports and a headphone jack, and one bay for expansion. It also supposedly opens without tools into a nice "L" shape, but I have yet to do this myself. The burner burns, re-burns, and erases without error. And the DVD-Rom reads both CDs and DVDs correctly and efficiently. Copying files with the DVD-Rom was exceptionally fast. And DVD movies play just as they should. Sound is superb. Although you only get 2 speakers and a subwoofer, the sound quality amazes me. While there is no way to add more speakers, it is doubtful that any will be needed, unless you were looking for an extreme entertainment machine. The speakers sound perfect at the computer desk, but the sound does not travel very far. For me, this is perfect. I will be able to enjoy my music in all its glory without causing much bother to those around me who do not bask in the glory of rock. Volume control is on the right speaker, and controls for Bass, Treble, and Surround are on the top of the subwoofer. For basic users this might be too much, for entertainment mongers, the sound might be lacking. But for myself, I consider this a great setup.
Now, as for hardware faults, there are a few. The largest problem I have came from the multimedia keyboard. The music controls would only work with Windows Media Player and the Creative Playcenter 2 included with the computer. But I, like many MP3 "collectors", am a diehard fan of Winamp. Winamp has worked harmoniously with all previous multimedia keyboards I've used, but this one simply wouldn't. This is when I contacted tech support, which I will discuss later on. The keyboard ended up being unable to work with Winamp, and so I sent it back to Dell (hassle free!) for a credit with the company and a basic keyboard (Don’t worry folks, I bought a keyboard with working Multimedia buttons at my local CompUSA.). My other *minor* complaint is the simplicity of the optical mouse. Yes, it is in fact optical and works just as one would like, but it has no bonus features. For a $30 upgrade, I would think it could come with the programmable buttons like on Microsoft's optical mice. Still, I can't complain about the fact that everything is working.
Software!!
The software is pretty much all free, or your choice. Musicmatch was never a favorite of mine, but it came with the system. I can't complain about free stuff. Creative Playcenter 2 does a very nice job of being my new audio ripper, but is confusing to control for simple music playback. A free 90 Day trial version of Norton Anti-Virus was also included, but I'm not activating that until after school starts. Still, can't beat free. I also went with the Microsoft Works suite, which comes nicely with Works, Word, Encarta, and Streets & Trips. Again, this is not too shabby for free. All of these options were upgradeable, but of course, at a price. Since I already had my staple programs set for all of my needs, the software upgrades didn't appeal to me.
As for the actual operation of the system, it is extremely smooth. I tried to use Windows XP on my older system, but it seriously slowed down even the simplest tasks and often ended in tragic freezes. This system has yet to freeze on me. There have been times when programs stopped responding, but they close with ease and reopen like nothing ever happened. Every program installed correctly, and all but 1 (Audiocatalyst) worked correctly. So from the looks of things, almost all of your old programs will be able to work if you are just now making the jump to XP.
Service?
As mentioned earlier, I had some keyboard troubles. I emailed tech support a total of 7 times, until finally I called tech support for some live help. This, I must say, is the least satisfactory part of my Dell experience. The online tech support gave me simple one line answers and links, and often they were the same "solution" over and over again. It was quite frustrating at times when tech support spins you in circles, and after 8 interactions finally tells you that it simply can't work the way you want it to. I have had more in-depth, successful tech support from other companies over Dell. Although I have to say, tech support was very patient with me, and they never stopped being friendly to the picky customer with the keyboard.
Despite my unhappy tech support experience, I have to give kudos to Dell Customer Service. My keyboard was taken back with no questions asked. And, the most impressive part is when I found out that Dell gives a 5% discount to students. I found this out after I received my system, but I still called Dell to see if it could be retroactively subtracted from my account. Customer Service told me that they could not subtract the 5% from my account; however they did offer to send me a FREE printer if I would pay the $9 shipping. This made me more than happy. A free printer! Score! It arrived 2 days after my phone call.
Overall Review
Alright, you now know everything I think about Dell, but should you go for the 8200? I went for the top of the line computer because this is going to have to last me 4 years, and so it will be "up to date" the longest. Also, I have a strong interest in computer technology, so I needed a system that could meet my high standards. For simple tasks, this computer is definitely too much. Word processing, internet, the little things. For these tasks I would still recommend a Dell, but not the cutting edge Dimension 8200. Don't get all the optional upgrades unless you have a need for them. For hardcore computer users, the Dimension 8200 will almost certainly meet most of your demands. I bought a computer that I will use for pretty much everything: entertainment, homework, communications, downloading, gaming, etc. If this is what you are looking for, then I highly recommend this computer. But only make sure you get what you need, not what is hyped up or “recommended” on the Dell website. For example, since I know how to fix or upgrade my computer, I only got 1 year of service. Think ahead and only get what you need, or have a burning desire to have. Happy hunting!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1650
Operating System: Windows
Processor: Other
Processor speed: over 1000
RAM: 256
Internal Storage: CD-RW and DVD
Hard Drive (GB): Over 50
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Epinions.com ID:
RedLazarus
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Member: John Lankau
Location: Centereach, NY (Long Island)
Reviews written: 20
Trusted by: 5 members
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