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Dell XPS Desktop

Rod

Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Jan 4, 2001
Messages
10,611
Location
Upland, CA
First Name
Todd
I've been buying Dells for the past 7 years. They're the only PC manufacturer that I've had really good luck with. I never call tech support (if I had to call tech support, I better find a new career :)), so that's not an issue w/ me. I've always purchased the Dimension line, and am now looking to buy an XPS. This is their top of the line desktop, and am just interested in getting some feedback from some XPS owners.

They phased out the Dimension line, and now only offer Inspiron and XPS. Not sure how powerful the Inspiron's are, but they are definitely cheaper.
 
My bud has an XPS laptop...he is very happy with it...he is a flash programmer and photoshop guy, pretty graphic intensive stuff. He grabbed the docking station for his setup, as he has a 3 monitor setup, all in all he really like it for his applications.
Gaming, if that's what you are into, I would grab a Velocity Micro, or on from Dell's new sister company, Alienware.
 
A couple years ago I was the Dell repair man. At the time, the XPS was a pretty good machine. If they have phased out the demention, then the XPS is the new demension. Chances are, there is a new super powerful gaming machine due out soon, since that was the role of the XPS.

Bottom line, high end dell products worked pretty well. Low end didn't.
 
My bud has an XPS laptop...he is very happy with it...he is a flash programmer and photoshop guy, pretty graphic intensive stuff. He grabbed the docking station for his setup, as he has a 3 monitor setup, all in all he really like it for his applications.
Gaming, if that's what you are into, I would grab a Velocity Micro, or on from Dell's new sister company, Alienware.
I agree with the Alienware recco. In two years, I only worked on two and my shop was the only game in town for that service contract. Not to mention, there customer service is tops.
 
I thought you crossed over to the Mac world Rod?


I used to support a straight Dell shop and the XPS line did a fine job for the Autocad and design weenies. I had one on my desk too and it never gave me any problems but I didn't do anything to strss it either.
 
Not into gaming - only care about graphic design, programming, making movies, etc.

AVB - I had a 24" iMac for a few weeks, but got rid of it. Didn't do everything I wanted it to do, and I'm not a fan of running Windows on top of another OS. I decided that since the PC allows me to do everything I need to easily, no point in keeping the Mac. They're nice computers, but I also don't like being restricted to only their hardware. Until Apple realizes that people want to use other hardware, their OS market share will continue to suffer.
 
I was reading somewhere...a new XPS is due out, I will try to dig up that article, might mean a price drop on the beginner XPS systems.
NM...was about the new M1330 laptop.
 
Not into gaming - only care about graphic design, programming, making movies, etc.

AVB - I had a 24" iMac for a few weeks, but got rid of it. Didn't do everything I wanted it to do, and I'm not a fan of running Windows on top of another OS. I decided that since the PC allows me to do everything I need to easily, no point in keeping the Mac. They're nice computers, but I also don't like being restricted to only their hardware. Until Apple realizes that people want to use other hardware, their OS market share will continue to suffer.

If money's no object get an alienware.. I'm sure you have a local BOTL that'll put one together for you.. I'd put one together for ya if you wanted, its super easy and takes all over about 30 minutes once you pick the components you want. The hardest part is installing windows.

Dell's are good machines, but you can build a better more customized "to you" for the same money. Dell builds standard machines that are good for all.
 
I suspect the XPS (having never had the cash to spend on one) would be a good purchase if money wasn't as much of an issue.

As I see it, there's some cash being spent on the brand name, but in return you get some pretty good hardware support, warantee and such. Also 'burnin' time is golden, and you should consider the 4 year hardware warantee as well. On another note the other customers of Dell can sometimes be of assistance when figuring out random errors etc. The other flip of the coin is:

I know for sure that if you've got a good monitor, speakers, mouse / keyboard, network card / modem and CD rom drives (slow evolving tech), designing one would probably save you a few hunnret bucks with a few smart searches on www.newegg.com. If you're not interested I'd be happy to spec something out for ya.

All this being said, It all boils down to money. I wouldn't say any other vendor of PC's is any better overall. I'd be happy to assist if you want to bounce ideas about your specific needs and the machine to match if you're in need.

Cheers,
Rob
 
Hi Rod,

I bought an XPS about two months ago and it has been a peach. I spent a few bucks and got the good stuff and I am glad I did. It came exactly configured as requested and has performed perfectly. It is my first Dell and I am happy with that choice.

They have a no interest for 12 months promo now on the XPS.

jason
 
I've got an XPS Rod and have had one for about 3 years now.

Funny you mention it now because I'm heading out in about 2 hours to buy a new video card for it. It's the first part I've had to replace.

Overall I'm very happy with the system. The tech support is not good, as it is all foreign speaking folks, but as you said...you don't use tech support so that shouldn't matter.

Bottom line.....I'd buy another one again.
 
A buddy of mine does some very intensive engineering (i.e. 3-D crash simulation), autocad and 3-D rendering applications. Everyone pointed him to the XPS. He's had the new systems for about 2 months now and he's telling me he's loving it so far - they're doing everything he needs to do with no major problems on anything he's doing... He's really impressed with the speed.
 
I'm on an XPS400 desktop right now. I love it, been going solid for 2 years now, absolutely no problems. Great for surfing por- I mean cigar boards and stuff. :)
 
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