Dell XPS 210 - Another Great Dell Computer
Written: Oct 01 '07 (Updated Sep 19 '08)
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Pros: Small tower. Can be customized. Easy to set up. Runs well.
Cons: No way not to have AOL or Earthlink included.
The Bottom Line: The Dell XPS 210 is a very good, dependable computer that I am very happy with.
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| dragonfire88's Full Review: Dell XPS™ 210 (DXPS210SP) PC Desktop |
I am far from a computer expert even though I have been using them for many years and have owned several. I decided that I wanted to venture into this area again because I have been very pleased with my newest computer, a Dell XPS 210 desktop computer.
In early April of 2002, I got a Dell Dimension 4400 Computer computer after a few years of using a computer that I absolutely hated and had nothing but trouble with. I didn’t have any trouble with the Dell Dimension 4400 and I have remained happy with the decision to get that computer. After almost five years of use, the computer was still working well, though it was getting to the point where I was limited on programs I could install even after adding more RAM and updating the video card. After how happy I was with that computer, I had no doubts about getting another Dell and I starting checking their website for sales and specials. I took advantage of a special earlier this year and got the Dell XPS 210.
Every so often I had been going to the Dell website to check out the computers and see if there were any good specials going on. When I decided to go ahead and get another computer, I went to the website, started with one of the XPS 210 systems that were available at the time and then made a few changes.
My Computer
The CPU for the Dell XPS 210 is silver and white in color. It is a tower that is much smaller and lighter than my last computer. There is a small front panel door that covers the DVD +/-RW drive, the optional floppy drive or media card reader slot, headphone and microphone connectors, an IEEE 1394 connector and two USB 2.0 connectors. The door has to be opened to gain access to those things. When it is open, the door is raised up and sort of lays parallel to the top of the CPU without actually touching it. I tend to leave the door up so I can easily get to the DVD+/-RW drive or one of the USB ports if I need to. There are two more USB connectors on the back of the CPU in addition to the ones used to connect the keyboard and mouse. There is also another connection for a microphone on the back of the CPU.
With this computer, I didn’t pay extra for a keyboard that had any kind of short cut buttons on it like for accessing email or something. My previous computer had those and I never used them so I didn’t see the need for them on this one. I do think this keyboard is slightly louder than the keyboard for my last computer, but it isn’t so loud that it bothers me. The keyboard is black and the USB optical mouse is silver and black. The mouse has two buttons and a scroll wheel, something I quickly got use to using with my last computer. I haven’t had any problems with the mouse acting up like would happen with my old computer when the little ball in that mouse would get dirty. A Dell mousepad was included, though I still use one that has a gel wrist support.
The Dell XPS 210 system that I choose came with a 250 gig hard drive. That was the smallest size hard drive available for this model. If I remember correctly, there was one or two larger hard drive sizes that could be chosen as well. The computer has an Intel Core 2 Duo 1.86 GHz processor. Intel developed the dual core technology of two computational units in one CPU. The dual core technology allows for increased multitasking ability and makes the computer more efficient. Windows XP Service Pack 1 or later is set up to work with dual core and hyper threading, another Intel technology that has one processor functioning like two. The book that came with my computer said that not all programs will work properly with dual core or hyper threading without an update. I haven’t had problems with any of my programs working on this computer.
1 GB of dual channel DDR2 SDRAM was what the Dell XPS 210 was set to come with originally. Before I got my first Dell computer in 2002, I had a computer that didn’t have enough RAM which caused me many problems and headaches. I learned from that experience, and made sure I got a lot more RAM to avoid that type of issue with my first Dell. I decided that I wanted to get more RAM with this system as well since I plan to have it for several years. I ended up deciding to get 4 GB of dual channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667 MHz. The RAM is in four one GB DIMMs. As far as I know, that is the most RAM this system can have.
My Dell XPS 210 has an 8X DVD+/-RW drive. The drive slides out vertically which was a bit different for me. There is a little spindle like thing in the center of the drive that keeps the discs in place when they are inserted. It is easy to put the discs in place and also to remove them. I have played a few DVDs on the computer since I got it without any problems. The movies loaded up and played fine with wonderful picture quality. I have also played some CDs with no trouble. The computer came with Roxio Creator and Roxio My DVD Plus for burning CDs and creating DVDs. I have burned a few CDs as well as saved some data files to a CD since I got this computer. I had no trouble with either process. I haven’t attempted to save anything to a DVD disc yet.
Since I do like to play a couple of games that require better graphics cards for the best performance, I decided to pick a better graphic card. I decided on the 256MB ATI Radeon X1300. I have only played a few games on the Dell XPS 210 since I got it and I haven’t had any issues with them. I haven’t installed The Sims 2 on this computer yet, but I expect for the graphics to look much better when I do. I also expect to be able to see the cut scenes that I wasn’t able to see on my last computer because that graphic card wasn’t powerful enough to handle them. I can’t remember now what sound card the computer has. I don’t remember if I changed it from the integrated 7.1 channel audio or not. The computer did come with Sound Blaster Audigy software that offers a lot of options for adjusting the sound. I have two small speakers and a subwoofer. The sound quality has been very good for the things I’ve played on the computer or listened to online.
The Dell XPS 210 has an integrated 56k data fax modem. Since I now have cable internet, I have not used the modem. It also came with integrated 10/100 ethernet. I don’t know if the ethernet is needed for DSL connections like it is for cable or not. It was very easy to hook the cable modem up to the computer. I did have a little bit of trouble getting my internet to work at first, but that was because the installation disc I had was out of date. I just had to pick up a new disc at my local cable office and I had no more trouble with the internet connection.
I had been wanting a flat panel monitor for years, so I made sure to get one with the Dell XPS 210. When I got my first Dell in 2002, the prices for that type of monitor were still much higher, which was why I didn’t get one then. I choose a 19-inch plat panel monitor that I have been very happy with. One of my cats hasn’t been as happy with the change since she use to nap on top of the old monitor. I love how much lighter the new monitor is in comparison with my previous monitors. I can easily move this one and can even pick it up with one hand if needed. There was no way that was happening with my old monitor. This monitor has beautiful color and a very crisp, clear picture. The monitor came with a DVI cable and a VGA cable. Only one of the cables is used to connect the monitor to the CPU. I used the DVI cable.
When I got the Dell XPS 210, I was still able to get Windows XP Media Edition 2005. It can be upgraded to Windows Vista, but I am in no hurry to do that. XP works fine for me and I’ve never had any problems with it. XP has a power management feature that if used will cause the computer to use less electricity when it is on but not actively being used. The computer can be put in standby or hibernate mode to save power. Standby mode was already activated when I got my computer and I have left it on. After a certain amount of time, the monitor and hard drive are turned off. Moving the mouse or hitting a button on the keyboard restores the computer to the state it was in before entering standby. I haven’t used the hibernate mode. According to the manual, the power button has to be pressed to end hibernate mode and it could take a little while to return to the state it was in.
Some other software came on the computer. There were other programs that I could have had added to the system, but I really didn’t need any of them. It did come with Norton Internet Security with a fifteen month subscription for updates, Microsoft Works 8, and a few other useful things like the Roxio software for burning CDs. Unfortunately, the computer also came with AOL and Earthlink. I had no need for either since I already have cable internet with my local cable company. There was no way to get the system without AOL and Earthlink, which I find highly annoying. I did remove those things, but it took a little bit of time to get them off.
Set Up
It was very easy to set up the Dell XPS 210. A poster came with the computer that illustrated how the cables would connect to the back of the CPU. The connectors on the cables were also color coded to match the ports that they plug in to. It only took me a couple of minutes to get everything connected and hooked up.
The Dell XPS 210 loaded up very quick the first time I started it. I did have to register my copy of Windows XP, something that only took a few minutes. There is a sticker on the CPU that has the Windows Product key on it. There is also a sticker with a service tag number if I ever need to call Dell support or use support.dell.com. The computer is very quiet while it is on and I haven’t heard any kind of sounds coming from the CPU.
Installing my programs was very quick and easy. I did have a little bit of trouble when I went to install the drivers for my printer, a Lexmark X5150 Printer, but that was my fault because I grabbed the wrong CD at first and was trying to use the one for Mac computers. Once I realized my mistake and got the right CD, it only took a minute or two for the printer drivers to be installed. The printer has worked fine with this computer. I have been able to scan items with the printer and save them on the computer as well. I never had tried to use the fax feature on the printer. I have also used my Lexar JumpDrive Secure II 256 MB USB 2.0 Flash Drive to copy some files from my old computer to this one. I have also been using the Lexar JumpDrive to back up my reviews. I believe that the information on the drive is access faster since this computer has the USB 2.0 connections. I haven’t had any problems using the drive with this computer.
So far I haven’t had any problems with any of my programs not working right on my Dell XPS 210. I believe that all of the programs I have installed so far were made to work with Windows XP. When I got my first Dell, I did have one or two older programs that wouldn’t work with XP. I still have some programs that I haven’t installed yet, but I don’t anticipate any problems with installing or running them. All of the programs I use load up very quickly. Several of them load up faster than they did on my previous Dell. The start up for the computer itself is faster as well. The computer hasn’t crashed or locked up once since I got it.
I ordered my Dell XPS 210 from the Dell website. People can also call a toll free number and order a Dell system that way. It didn’t take me long to find the system I was interested in and make a few changes. The process was easy to follow and I didn’t have any problems with placing the order. I received an email confirming the order and had the ability to track the progress of the computer until it was delivered. I was able to take advantage of a special for free shipping when I ordered my computer. I can’t remember exactly now, but I think it took just over a week from the time I placed the order to getting the computer by UPS.
I have been very happy with my Dell XPS 210 since I got it. I have had very good experiences with Dell computers and I would definitely get another in the future.
www.dell.com
support.dell.com
Computer Related Reviews
Dell Dimension 4400 Computer ~ Lexar JumpDrive Secure II 256 MB USB 2.0 Flash Drive ~ Lexmark X5150 Printer ~ Lexmark z22 Printer ~
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1900
Operating System: Windows
Hard Drive (GB): Over 50
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