Good All-Round PC (Dell Dimension 4300)

Member Name: KerriLou

Product:	Dell Dimension 4300
Date:	09/04/03 (1701 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fast, Quite, Good Value

Disadvantages: None!

Before everyone wonders why I?m writing about a Dell computer that?s already been superceded, then I?ll tell you, it?s because this computer is so good it really needs writing about and you may be able to base you decision on a new model on this one.

WHY DELL?

The reason I went for a Dell computer is that we used them at work and we had never had any problems with the computers themselves, just the software running on them.

I had already sold my old computer and needed a new one quick as I did the farm records on it. So one quiet day at work I logged on to the Dell website to check a current order we had with them and the Home Office deals came jumping out at me, and the rest ? so they say ? ?is history.

RECEIVING AND SETTING UP

I received my Dell computer by courier a week later. The courier telephoned initially to make sure I would be in and to say that I need some form of identification in order for them to leave the computer with me. A good security measure if you ask me.

So I started unpacking my new pc. The first thing I came across was the start up poster which told me exactly how to set it up ? I didn?t need it as I did this for a living. All the cables and plugs etc are all colour coded so it is easily identifiable where they plug into. My new computer was set up within ½ hr. It looked great, everything was black, from the monitor to the mouse.

COMPONENTS AND CONFIGURATION

I configured my pc on the website. I didn?t need speakers or a modem as I had recently purchased some for my old system so I took them out of the configuration ? which made the pc cheaper. A 17? monitor is included as standard ? not a small 15? one which is normally included with other pc dealers. I changed the mouse from the Logitech one to a Microsoft Intellimouse for an extra £2 as I have never really liked the Logitech ones.

The operating system (Windows ME) and Microsoft Works were all pre-ins
talled and so there was no costly time or confusion installing software. So once I was plugged in I switched on the PC and away I went and everything worked!

My oc came with onboard sound ? I didn?t really use the pc for any high powered games and therefore I didn?t really need a better sound card ? but the sound is still very good even with my cheapy speakers.

I only ordered a cdrom drive with my pc as I don?t really need a cd writer or dvd but the cd is quick and quiet.

My graphics card is a 32mb NVIDIA GeForce2 with TV Out, this was the cheapes card available, but it does the trick. My resolution is set at 1024 x 768 on 32 bit colour with my 17? monitor I couldn?t really ask for more.

The hard disk is 20GB (although other options are available) whichis plenty for home use.

The pc came with 4 USB ports ? 2 on the back and 2 on the front ? also on the front was a headphone socket, all of which is concealled my a nifty little panel which can be lifted up.

I had to install my modem into my pc ? this was extremely easy. The base unit opens up by pressing 2 buttons, and once inside everything is neat and tidy. There is not need for screws to secure the PCI card, as Dell have managed to create a mechanism which unclicks, lets you install the PCI card and then clecks back into place to secure it ? easy as pie!

OVERALL

I have had the PC 12 months now and it hasn?t crashed once! ? A miracle in this day and age. The PC is fast and quiet and highly spec?d. I recommend the PC and Dell as a company to anyone.

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