Is this Dell bundle good value?

Question

Building a Dell as a replacement desktop - the Vostro (in the Small Business section) seems to be better value than the home desktops (in the Home section), even when VAT & delivery are added. I'm building a Vostro 200 (basic package) and spec'ing it up a bit for home use; given that it will be connected via an Ethernet cable to a BT Home Hub router, do I need to include the v92 data/fax modem? (it's not included in the default spec so I'm guessing it's unnecessary).

Here's the spec - let me know if you think this is good value for £249+17.5%VAT+£20 shipping (£310-ish) - I might like to play the odd game on it and I'd like to know it could handle this as well:

Intel® Core™2 Duo E4600 Processor (2.40GHz,800MHz,2MB cache)

XP Pro (free upgrade to Vista comes with PC)

3072MB 667MHz (2x1024 + 2x512) Memory

320GB (7200rpm) Serial ATA/100 Hard Drive with 16MB DataBurst™ cache

128MB ATI® Radeon™ HD 2400 Pro graphics card

16x DVD +/- RW Drive

What do you think?

Answer 1

The dell computer you have described seems excellent value but i'm a bit concerned on how you intend to order a business deal? it seems a bit iffy, as you are a private person.

Answer 2

I think it is a little overpriced.

Answer 3

Shame about the 17.5% VAT. Its a pretty good package your getting there. I definatly would get it!

Answer 4

It's okay but the graphics card lets it down. And by the way I think you need to give your company details when buying a Business PC from Dell. This may give you a bit of an issue. All but the 4000 series ATI graphics cards are rubbish but for just the odd game (as long as its an old game, you should upgrade to the 2600 PRO or XT 256/512MB

Answer 5

I personally think you could do better, but that is my personal opinion, and I must admit I am bios towards Dell.

I build and repair computers, and mostly what I get to work on are Dell systems, and I consider them garbage. Cheap made components, very little upgradable, and just all around low end systems.

It would handle mid speed games, but not high end ones, due to the video card.

Personally, I would buy the cheaper and yet far superior Acer brand, they are very trouble free, and when I get to work on them it is always something very minor, rarely hardware, mostly software related, unlike Dell systems.

Two years ago I bought a high end Dell system, for a customer, and I really couldn't believe that such poor quality systems were available from a company that for the most part is very suscessful in the computer market. I still can't believe that people actually buy their systems and praise them, I suppose if you have the name then you get the market.