Dell Product Lines

Next up the line is the Dimension 3000, also a budget PC but one that's a bit more configurable, though it's still no powerhouse. But then, you might not need a powerhouse sitting on your administrative desks.

The Dimension 4000 and 5000 lines offer faster processors; these are good all-around systems starting at about a thousand dollars fully configured — PC World said of a model it reviewed that it "does hit a sweet spot in balancing price with performance." PC Magazine called it a good entry-level Media Center computer, so look at this line if you're doing multimedia/graphics tasks. Dell added slick white panels to the 5150 lately so it's not just another dark gray box like the other Dimensions. Isn't that nice?

The Dell Dimension 9000 line is aimed at "power performers," with prices starting at around $800 but quickly heading north as you add features.

The Dell OptiPlex Line

The Dell OptiPlex is the product line to look at when you are buying systems by the dozens, because they are built to be easier to service, and Dell offers software for network administration with this line — OpenManage Client Administrator — which costs an extra $50. Dell suggests them for "the business with 10 employees or more."

The line comes in three main types. The "L" line is entry-level, the "SX" line is next up in price, and the "GX" is top dollar. Unlike the Dimensions, the OptiPlex models come in various sizes, from regular "tower" and "minitower" to slimline versions half as thick. As with everything in this business, there's a lot of confusing overlap in features, prices, and performance among the OptiPlex systems, as well as when attempting to compare them to the Dimension line.

Here are two examples of the OptiPlex:

The Dell OptiPlex SX200 line is a compact model designed for tight spaces. As PC World says of the SX260, "Not much expansion capability, but that doesn't matter as much in most office environments." Network admins will like them because of the remote management tools, including, for example, the ability to disable USB ports remotely for security purposes.

The Dell OptiPlex GX200 line is designed to be the archetype of the standard corporate desktop: good performance, easy to service, and loaded with IT management tools and the Dell Stable Image support option. The GX600 line comes in four sizes — not just the regular Dimension box, but also a half-sized box, a one-third-sized box, and a cute silver slimline dealie.