Dell Company

Dell, Inc. is a multinational company which develops, manufactures, sells, and supports personal computers and other computer-related products. Based in Round Rock, Texas, Dell employs more than 88,000 people worldwide.[3]

Dell grew during the 1980s and 1990s to become (for a time) the largest seller of PCs and servers. As of 2008, it held the second spot in computer-sales within the industry behind the Hewlett-Packard Company. The company currently sells personal computers, servers, data storage devices, network switches, software, computer peripherals and televisions.

In 2006, Fortune magazine ranked Dell as the 25th-largest company in the Fortune 500 list, 8th on its annual Top 20 list of the most-admired companies in the United States.[4] In 2007 Dell ranked 34th and 8th respectively on the equivalent lists for the year. A 2006 publication identified Dell as one of 38 high-performance companies in the S&P 500 which had consistently out-performed the market over the previous 15 years.[5]

Dell XPS

Dell XPS M1330 Reviewed on June 26, 2007
Dell has finally put design first with the head-turning XPS M1330 laptop, emphasizing both the "thin" and "light" aspects of the thin-and-light category without sacrificing features or performance.
TAGS: Dell XPS, Apple MacBook, PC Card, laptop computer, DVD-drive, memory card, USB 2.0, display, speakers, design, keyboard, USB
CNET review: 7.9
Very good
Pricing not available


Dell XPS 630 Reviewed on February 26, 2008
With its second full-fledged gaming PC, Dell shows that it understands the mainstream gaming desktop as well as the high-end. The Dell XPS 630 delivers everything a gamer would want in a sub-$2,000 PC, from its components, to its case, to its powerful software. We've seen no better system in this newly competitive category.
TAGS: Velocity Micro, quad-core, Intel Core 2 Duo, Dell XPS, CPU, Gateway Inc., dual-core, video card, games, Intel
CNET review: 8.7
Excellent
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$1,269.00


Dell XPS M1530 Reviewed on December 16, 2007
Dell's turn toward a "design-first" philosophy continues to pay off with the XPS M1530, easily the best-looking 15-inch laptop in recent memory.
TAGS: Dell XPS, laptop computer, DVD-drive, Dell Inspiron, IEEE 802.11, Intel Core 2 Duo, Ethernet, memory card, speakers, Wi-Fi, LCD, Bluetooth, keyboard, Intel
CNET review: 7.8
Very good
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$1,549.00


Velocity Micro Edge Z15 Reviewed on September 8, 2008
Velocity Micro's Edge Z15 represents one of the best deal's we've seen this year in midrange gaming PCs. It has all the power necessary to play current games (even Crysis) at smooth frame rates, and its clean, spacious interior gives you plenty of upgrade room. We recommend this system to any PC gamer looking for a sub-$2,000 desktop.
TAGS: Maingear, Velocity Micro, Dell XPS, ATI Radeon, video card, ATI Technologies, PC
CNET review: 8.2
Excellent
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$1,499.00


Dell XPS M1710 Reviewed on April 18, 2006
If you're a hard-core gamer looking to play the newest games at the highest settings, this is the best system that (a lot of) money can buy.
TAGS: Dell XPS, Dell Inspiron, Toshiba Qosmio, Toshiba Satellite, Toshiba, laptop computer, speakers, Gateway Inc., games, Microsoft Windows
CNET review: 8.2
Excellent
Pricing not available


Dell XPS 420 Reviewed on October 23, 2007
Dell's new XPS 420 offers almost all of the latest in PC-based digital-video capability, as well as a few unique features you won't find elsewhere. The default configuration fares poorly against the other new PCs, but if you're willing to spend money on upgrades, you can turn this system into a powerful digital-media nerve center.
TAGS: Dell XPS, digital media, digital video, home network, Blu-ray, Intel Core 2 Duo, LCD, Microsoft Windows Vista, Intel, DVD, PC, video, Microsoft Windows
CNET review: 7.5
Very good
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$937.00


Dell XPS M1330-126B Reviewed on August 26, 2008
Dell offers a suitable competitor to the 13-inch Apple MacBook in its XPS 1330, but we wish this retail version had some more recent components.
TAGS: Apple MacBook, Dell XPS, Intel Core 2 Duo, IEEE 802.11, thin-and-light, SD card, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, speakers, Bluetooth, battery, Apple Computer
CNET review: 7.0
Very good
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$1,099.99


Dell XPS One (with Blu-ray drive) Reviewed on November 16, 2007
It's outclassed as a computer by Apple's iMac, and as a home entertainment system by a recent HP, but in the weird niche of high-end, digital-media-friendly all-in-ones (of which we know of one other competitor) the Dell XPS One gets our nod. If you're not shopping in that narrow market, move on.
TAGS: Blu-ray, HP Pavilion SlimLine, Dell XPS, IEEE 802.11n, Sony Vaio, Intel Core 2 Duo, Blu-ray drive, burner, TV Tuner, wireless networking, Gigabit Ethernet, HP Pavilion, Sony Corp., networking, ATI Technologies, HP
CNET review: 7.9
Very good
Pricing not available


Dell XPS M2010 Reviewed on May 31, 2006
A striking feat of engineering that's sure to garner attention in a stylish home or on a multimedia-intensive sales call, the Dell XPS M2010 is simply too expensive and impractical to be anything more than a curio for the rest of us.
TAGS: laptop computer, Dell XPS, desktop computer, display, keyboard, multimedia, PC
CNET review: 7.3
Very good
Pricing not available


Dell XPS 600 Desktop Computer for Business Reviewed on August 12, 2005
If you can live with knowing that a handful of PCs out there are still faster than yours, we recommend Dell's versatile XPS 600 for the extensive features and the good value it provides.
TAGS: Dell XPS, Nvidia Nforce, chipset, NVidia, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center, video card, Intel Pentium 4, CPU, Intel Pentium, 3D, Intel, games, PC
CNET review: 7.4
Very good
Pricing not available


Dell XPS 730 H2C Reviewed on May 1, 2008
Dell's updated flagship gaming desktop incorporates the latest hardware from Intel, Nvidia, and AMD into a system that delivers some very impressive gaming scores. We'd give it a higher recommendation if it wasn't so expensive compared with systems from the competition.
TAGS: Maingear, motherboard, Dell XPS, ATI Technologies, Intel Core 2 Extreme, Nvidia GeForce, ATI Radeon, video card, NVidia, Intel, Intel Core 2 Duo, hard drive, HP, PC
CNET review: 7.7
Very good
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$6,554.00


Dell XPS M1710 (GeForce Go 7950 GTX, Metallic Red) Reviewed on October 27, 2006
Dell's latest update to the XPS M1710 doesn't make it any cheaper but allows it to maintain its position as the leader of the mobile gaming pack.
TAGS: Blu-ray, Dell XPS, desktop replacement, set-top, Roxio, Blu-ray disc, set-top box, Nvidia GeForce, Gateway Inc., optical drive, Sony PS3, NVidia, games, laptop computer
CNET review: 8.3
Excellent
Pricing not available


Toshiba Satellite P105-S921 Reviewed on April 18, 2006
The Toshiba Satellite P105 offers a thorough set of features and strong gaming performance at a relatively affordable price.
TAGS: Toshiba, Toshiba Qosmio, Dell XPS, Toshiba Satellite, desktop replacement, satellite, laptop computer, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center, Gateway Inc., games, resolution, speakers, keyboard, mouse
CNET review: 8.2
Excellent
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$799.95


Dell XPS 700 (Intel Core 2 Extreme X6800) Reviewed on July 13, 2006
Dell's XPS 700 high-end desktop lives up to our expectations and delivers a polished, powerful, cutting-edge gaming PC. We still have a few issues, but nothing deal-killing and nothing that overwhelms our positive opinion. Dell can now hold its head high in the high-end gaming space, and this is a PC you should consider.
TAGS: Dell XPS, Velocity Micro
CNET review: 8.1
Excellent
Pricing not available


Toshiba Satellite P105-S9722 Reviewed on October 27, 2006
The Toshiba Satellite P105-S9722 will bring you close to top-of-the-line gaming performance at nearly half the cost of hard-core gaming rigs.
TAGS: Toshiba Satellite, Toshiba, Dell XPS, Intel Core 2 Duo, Alienware, Velocity Micro, satellite, Nvidia GeForce, NVidia, Adobe PhotoShop, video card, games, Intel
CNET review: 8.2
Excellent
Pricing not available


Dell Dimension 9100 (Pentium 4 3GHz, 512MB RAM, 160GB HDD, XP Home) Reviewed on August 1, 2005
With a glossy white case, Dell's new-look Dimension 9100 does double duty as a versatile Media Center and a respectable gaming PC.
TAGS: Dell Dimension, Dell XPS, dual-core, Media Center PC, asset based security, DVD-drive, Intel Pentium, dual-core processor, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center, hard drive, multimedia, CPU, Microsoft Windows XP, LCD, TV, mouse
CNET review: 7.0
Very good
Pricing not available


Gateway P-6831FX Reviewed on February 11, 2008
We loved the pitch for the Gateway P-6831 FX: a 17-inch laptop with 3GB of RAM and Nividia's GeForce 8800 graphics card for only $1,350. But keep an eye on price changes to get the best deal.
TAGS: Gateway Inc., Intel Core 2 Duo, Dell XPS, laptop computer, Best Buy Co. Inc., CPU, keyboard, games, Intel
CNET review: 8.5
Excellent
Pricing not available


Velocity Micro Edge E2250 Reviewed on May 1, 2008
The Velocity Micro Edge E2250 is a very fast midrange PC, and it's one of the best PCs in its class for digital media editors. Gamers will find a strong foundation with some upgrade potential, but they can get better performance for the dollar elsewhere.
TAGS: Velocity Micro, quad-core, Dell XPS, Intel Core 2 Duo, Nvidia GeForce, NVidia, Gateway Inc., 64-bit, multimedia, Microsoft Windows Vista, Intel, Microsoft Windows
CNET review: 7.6
Very good
Check prices
$1,799.99

DELL Inspiron 1520

Reviewed by: Michelle Thatcher
Reviewed on: 06/26/2007
Released on: 06/27/2007

The Dell Inspiron 1520 series consists of two models. The Inspiron 1520 is built around an Intel Core 2 Duo processor and (in the case of higher-end models) the new Centrino Duo platform, while the Inspiron 1521 trades Intel for an AMD Turion 64 X2 processor and chipset. Aside from processor choices, Dell is also offering color choices: if buyers don't like the traditional white or black case, they can opt for red, blue, green, yellow, brown, or pink. We've seen colorful laptops before--most recently in the Sony VAIO CR series--but we've never seen a colored laptop with as many configuration options as the Dell Inspiron 1520 series offers. Add to that such media-friendly options as a built-in Webcam or Blu-Ray disc drive, and the Dell Inspiron 1520 series will definitely appeal to home users who want a solid all-around laptop with a high degree of customization.
Starting price $749
Processor AMD Turion 64 X2 up to 2.2GHz or Intel Core 2 Duo up to 2.2GHz
Memory Up to 4GB of 667MHz
Hard drive Up to 160GB
Graphics Integrated: ATI Radeon Xpress X1270 or Mobile Intel GMA X3100

Discrete: Nvidia GeForce Go 8400M GS (128MB) or Nvidia GeForce Go 8600M GT (256MB)
Chipset ATI 690T/600SB or Mobile Intel Express 965PM/GM
Operating system Windows Vista (all editions)
Dimensions (WDH) 14.1x10.6x1.5-1.7 inches
Screen size (diagonal) 15.4 inches
System weight 6.4 pounds
Category Midsize



Though the Inspiron 1520 series' feature set is largely average for the midsize category, a few key items stand out. For example, the laptop's 15.4-inch wide-screen display can be configured with a sharp 1,440x900 or even sharper 1,920x1,200 native resolution. Users who want always-on connectivity can opt for integrated WWAN from Sprint, Verizon, or AT&T (though you'll have to subscribe to the carriers' data service). And buyers of the Intel-based Inspiron 1520 will have the option to include a Blu-Ray drive in their system--still a rare choice outside the realm of premium desktop replacement laptops. Of course, these finer features will drive the Inspiron 1520 series well above the $749 starting price, but many home users will appreciate the option to customize their laptop to fit their needs and lifestyles.

Dell has also borrowed a few handy design features from its other laptop lines and incorporated them into the Inspiron 1520 series. First, media controls along the front edge, similar to those found on the XPS line of laptops, let you easily control disc playback. From the Latitude line, the Inspiron 1520 has adopted a built-in Wi-Fi Catcher, which lets you detect wireless networks even when the laptop's lid is closed or the computer is powered off.
Dell Inspiron 1520 series Average for midsize category
Video VGA-out, S-Video VGA-out, S-Video
Audio Stereo speakers, headphone/microphone jacks Stereo speakers, headphone/microphone jacks
Data Four USB 2.0 ports, a mini-FireWire, and a multiformat memory card reader Four USB 2.0 ports, a mini-FireWire, and a multiformat memory card reader
Expansion PC Card slot PC Card slot
Networking Modem, Ethernet, 802.11a/g/n Wi-Fi, optional Bluetooth, optional WWAN Modem, Ethernet, 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi, optional Bluetooth
Optical drive CD-RW/DVD-ROM or DVD burner, Blu-ray drive optional on Intel-based models DVD burner


As often happens with configurable laptops, the price of the Dell Inspiron 1520 series can vary widely depending on your component and feature choices. But we even like the look of the baseline Inspiron 1520 configuration, which incorporates a Core 2 Duo T5250 processor (based on Intel's previous-generation architecture), 1GB of RAM, an 80GB hard drive, and a CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive for $849. Buyers looking for an even lower price can opt for the baseline Inspiron 1521, which trades the Intel processor for an AMD Turion 64 X2 and costs just $749. These budget-friendly processors won't outrun the latest-generation components, but they should prove sufficient for most home users' needs.

Dell Inspiron 1420

CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: Dan Ackerman
Edited by: Matthew Elliott
Reviewed on: 06/29/2007
Released on: 06/26/2007
With its latest Inspiron update, Dell adds some major improvements, both inside and outside, to its workhorse line of laptops. And in the case of the Inspiron 1420, Dell has introduced a new screen size--a spacious yet portable 14-inch wide screen. The 1420's baseline price is a reasonable $819 and offers a host of upgrade options--everything from Blu-ray drives to Intel's latest Centrino Duo processors--that make the Inspiron line one of the most flexible systems out there. Our review unit packed in a discrete graphics chip, a Centrino Duo CPU, and mobile broadband from Sprint, driving the price up to nearly $1,700. You can configure a well-equipped system for much closer to the baseline price, however, that would prove more than adequate for most mainstream users. The Inspiron 1420 isn't nearly as attractive as Dell's other new laptop, the higher-end XPS m1330, but it still improves on the last-generation Inspiron's biggest flaw--its bulky, boxy chassis.

Price as reviewed / Starting price $1,698 / $819
Processor 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7300
Memory 2GB, 667MHz DDR2
Hard drive 160GB 5,400rpm
Chipset Intel 965
Graphics Nvidia GeForce 8400M GS
Operating System Windows Vista Premium
Dimensions (WDH) 13.1x10.3x1.5 inches
Screen size (diagonal) 14.1 inches
System weight / Weight with AC adapter (pounds) 6.0/6.8 pounds
Category Mainstream


While Dell is offering similarly revamped version of its 15- and 17-inch Inspiron laptops, the 14-inch 1420 model is a new addition. We continue to see vendors--Lenovo with its ThinkPad T61, Gateway with its E-265M, and Sony with its VGN-CR190--redefining their mainstream laptops as 14 inches instead of 15 inches. We welcome this trend; after working with 14-inch laptops for a time, we find that they offer the optimal balance between portability and usability.

The new look for Inspiron is an evolution rather than a revolution, offering softer, rounded edges and a thinner lid while scrapping the two-tone, white-on-silver design that never looked particularly inspiring. Instead, you get your choice of eight different colors for the back of the lid. Our Ruby Red model, which looked an awful lot like the Crimson Red on the 13-inch XPS m1330, had an appealing satin finish that seemed to be virtually fingerprint-proof. If you fear colorful laptops, black and white are also options for the lid.

The basic Dell laptop keyboard remains unchanged and is comfy to type on, but we were pleased to see the old Inspiron's excessively chunky mouse buttons reduced to a more manageable size, along with small square media control buttons replacing the older round ones, which were notoriously hard to hit. A 2.0-megapixel Webcam sits above the screen, or you could forgo it and save $30. Like the XPS m1330m, a small, credit-card-size remote control that pops into card slot on the side.

The 14.1-inch wide-screen LCD display offers a 1,440x900 native resolution, which is a $50 upgrade Dell offers over the standard 1,280x800 screen (standard on both 14- and 15-inch laptops). For a screen this size, the difference is honestly negligible, but people working with digital photos, for example, may want the slightly higher resolution. Neither screen would be able to play back Blu-ray movies in full 1080p resolution.
Dell Inspiron 1420 Average for mainstream category
Video VGA-out, S-Video VGA-out, S-Video
Audio Stereo speakers, headphone (2) /
microphone jacks Stereo speakers, headphone/microphone jacks
Data Four USB 2.0, mini-FireWire, multiformat memory card reader Four USB 2.0, mini-FireWire, multiformat memory card reader
Expansion ExpressCard slot PC Card slot
Networking Modem, Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth; mobile broadband. Modem, Ethernet, 802.11 a/b/g Wi-Fi, optional Bluetooth
Optical drive DVD burner DVD burner



Our review unit was tricked out with every networking option under the sun. While you can order the Inspiron 1420 with just a basic 802.11g Wi-Fi card, we had Draft N Wi-Fi , Bluetooth, and mobile broadband from Sprint (AT&T and Verizon are also available). The EV-DO cards are an extra $150, but all the major carriers offer some kind of rebate with a service plan.

While older, non-Santa Rosa CPUs are also available, they knock only $100 off the cheapest Centrino Duo option. We suggest choosing one of the three Core 2 Duo 7000-series chips that feature Centrino Duo's faster 800MHz frontside bus. Trading the integrated graphics up to an Nvidia GeForce 8400 is likewise $100. Add in options such as Bluetooth ($20) and a second GB of RAM ($150), and the $819 starting price can easily climb.

Our Inspiron 1420 featured a 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 CPU, and compared to other similarly configured systems, such as the Lenovo ThinkPad T61 and the Gateway E-265M, the performance differences were negligible, especially in CNET Labs' Photoshop CS2 and iTunes encoding tests, where less than 20 seconds separated these three 14-inch laptops. It's a point we harp on, but any current Centrino Duo laptop will be able to easily handle the multiple simultaneous tasks (Web surfing, media playback, document editing, and so forth) that average users engage in on a regular basis, and the Dell Inspiron 1420 was no exception.

The only discrete graphics option available, the 128MB Nvidia GeForce 8400, isn't going to turn this laptop into a gaming powerhouse, but we got a very playable 29.8 frames per second in Quake 4 at 1,024x768, even with high-end options such as anti-aliasing turned on.

The 1420 ran for 3 hours and 29 minutes on our DVD battery-drain test, using the included nine-cell battery (a $50 upgrade), making it the longest-lasting 14-inch laptop we've seen. A smaller six-cell battery is also available if you absolutely hate batteries that stick out from the back of the system. Our DVD battery-drain test is especially grueling, so you can expect longer life from casual Web surfing and office use. Going for integrated graphics instead of the aforementioned GeForce 8400 will likely result in better battery life as well.

Dell includes an industry-standard one-year parts-and-labor warranty with the system. Upgrading to a three-year plan will cost an extra $250, which includes on-site service. Support is accessible through a 24-7 toll-free phone line, an online knowledge base, and driver downloads; Dell also included 3GB of online backup space free for the first year.