Dell e521 a mini look at this new AMD machine

[dmw007]

Nice review Dont Hurt Me! 🙂


Although I can not personally stand to use Windows, I understand your frustration with Apple for not offering a mid-range tower (not AIO) that does well for gaming and is expandable.

For $678, you got a nice machine.

 

[dpaanlka]

Perhaps wait for the iTV?

http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/12/hands-on-with-the-apple-itv-prototype/

 

[zflauaus]

Wait a second, how did you get those specs with such a low price?

 

[zflauaus]

Perhaps wait for the iTV?

http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/12/hands-on-with-the-apple-itv-prototype/

I don't know if you we're talking directly to me, but I'm going to respond since I think i'm the only one that talking about buying stuff.

Yes, I have seen the iTV. It just doesn't fit my needs. I actually need a HTPC that can double as a server. My HP is dying. Running Linux on it won't save it. I don't want to put any money in a hard drive since probably the next thing to go would be either the power supply or the motherboard.

I also need to record TV, which th iTV may have functionality, but it would record directly to a remote computer then, unless it has some sort of internal storage. So, the iTV doesn't fit in here either.

So my best solution would be to buy a MCE Machine and use it for that and maybe gaming, that's it.

 

[0007776]

I also need to record TV, which th iTV may have functionality, but it would record directly to a remote computer then, unless it has some sort of internal storage. So, the iTV doesn't fit in here either.

I think I saw on one of the threads about the iTV that it would have some internal storage.

 

[Sesshi]

Perhaps wait for the iTV?

http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/12/hands-on-with-the-apple-itv-prototype/

Taking the hyperbole of the previous comparison on this thread down a notch, this is like offering a shrivelled banana when someone asks for an apple 🙄

 

[dpaanlka]

Taking the hyperbole of the previous comparison on this thread down a notch, this is like offering a shrivelled banana when someone asks for an apple 🙄

I don't see how you think that. Instead of having a big ugly computer on, near, or around my TV, I just have this little box that will get all my content from my big computer that is elsewhere. It's an elegant solution, that maybe doesn't have every single feature you could possibly imagine could be used at some point with a television, but it's worth the tiny footprint and low price.

 

[Sesshi]

I'm not even going to bother starting a discussion with a fanboy of unreleased product. Of course it's right to love all things Apple on an Apple forum, but some people take things too far by being completely blinkered.

 

[dpaanlka]

I'm not even going to bother starting a discussion with a fanboy of unreleased product. Of course it's right to love all things Apple on an Apple forum, but some people take things too far by being completely blinkered.

Well then I won't even try and start a discussion with an overly pessimistic individual who already dismisses a product that hasn't been released yet and about which we know almost nothing as a "shriveled banana"

Fanboy? Well, I am male, and I am a pretty big fan of Apple, so I guess that is what I am. Surprise! Somebody likes Apple on an Apple forum!

Yes, I have seen the iTV. It just doesn't fit my needs. I actually need a HTPC that can double as a server. My HP is dying. Running Linux on it won't save it. I don't want to put any money in a hard drive since probably the next thing to go would be either the power supply or the motherboard.

Fair enough... but for my comfort would you not agree $299 is a pretty good price for the size/feature set of the iTV?

 

[jsw]

I just saw this thread, and, for the record, Dont Hurt Me asked if he could post a review, and both arn and I replied that he could. I suggested that he compare it to a comparably-priced Mac so as to somewhat fit within the scope of these forums. However, given that this is in the Industry forum, I feel that this is a completely legitimate review regardless.

I'm reasonably certain that at least a few members of these forums appreciate a review of competing hardware. I don't own a PC (use 'em at work) and have no use for one now, but, were I more into the gaming aspect of things, I probably would consider buying one.

 

[imacintel]

I will stick with my iMac for now.

Much prettier.


*hugs iMac*

 

[Dont Hurt Me]

Wait a second, how did you get those specs with such a low price?

Wasnt hard I just started with the 2nd from the top priced machine, removed the monitor and started adding or subtracting things. One thing I must say is terrific is the ability to build the machine for just me. Also I forgot to mention that it came much earlier then I expected and it was shipped out of North Carolina and is get this, ASSEMBLED in the U.S.A😱

 

[Killyp]

I bet the airflow is terrible though with all those cables etc... How noisy is it? My Dell runs it's fans all the time, even when it's freezing cold and doing no work. Does yours do the same?

 

[Sesshi]

I bet the airflow is terrible though with all those cables etc... How noisy is it? My Dell runs it's fans all the time, even when it's freezing cold and doing no work. Does yours do the same?

That series of chassis is actually pretty silent most of the time. What's your Dell?

 

[Killyp]

That series of chassis is actually pretty silent most of the time. What's your Dell?

It's the generation before, the completely black box. Dimension 8300, pentium 4...

Cost me £1200 new 🙁 Wish I'd got a PowerMac instead now!!! I didn't think about getting a Mac when I bought it, how short sighted of me...

 

[Rodimus Prime]

Well this is a Mac forum so a lot of people here are going to go attack it because it is not apple. That being said I will add my opinion to the matter.

I think it is a very good review. Most people I know do not really care about how their computer looks. It sits on the floor below the desk and out of the way. A Mac mini eats up the some desk space and I put a high premium on my very limited desk space so a tower on the floor is not a problem for me and as an added bonus it gives me a little more useable spaces to put stuff and like most people I really could care less how it looks and form factor.

Apple biggest weakness in there computer line up is they have next to no real upgradeability in the mid price range and I think that is what really hurts. These cheap dells like this hardware wise are really pretty nice and they do offer the ability to upgraded. And now days upgrading ones computer is seeming to be come more and more common place. Now when most people buy a Mac they are replacing a computer which still has quite a bit of very useable hardware that can be reused. Items like the optical drives and hard drives are highly reused able and most of the times are reused in the new computer. On top of that chance are good they are buying a new monitor so they now have an extra monitor they can use and go dual monitors. My 2nd monitor is a 10 years old 15in CRT (primary 17LCD). I honestly do wish that apple would release a mid range tower because that is one of the biggest road blocks for a lot of people switching over OSX. They want to be able to upgraded the video card and added some extra stuff to it.

All that being said I think this review is very well written and it does look like a very good computer for sub 1k if some needs an windows box for gaming and to top it off it is upgradeable. And lastly DoHurtMe I have to applaud you for posting this review on a Mac forum because that does take some courage to do and I really did enjoy reading it.

 

[Dont Hurt Me]

Rodimus prime..... Im glad you enjoyed it, thanks.
KillyP,.... Air flow is very good and the cables at the back dont seem to impede any flow. The large front fan is pretty quiet and even after a good game I didnt notice much difference in the temp at the rear of the machine. It has lots of air flow in the case. I guess its time to throw in Half 2 & Episode 1.🙂

 

[Rodimus Prime]

I bet the airflow is terrible though with all those cables etc... How noisy is it? My Dell runs it's fans all the time, even when it's freezing cold and doing no work. Does yours do the same?

Well on the airflow part I would like to point out that the cables do not really effect it much at all. After about 1 inch or so out the back of a computer you can not really feel air move any way plus and speed the air is moving it far enough way that it is not going to effect it. It needs maybe ½ in of clear space. After that anything blocking it would have negligible effect on the airflow though the case. (just a little fluid dynamics fun)

 

[Felldownthewell]

Interesting. My family has an older dell box downstairs which I used for a long time before I got my MBP...after using OS X for a few months I really dislike the windows interface, but totally understand why you need the dell. If I had the money to spend between a high end gaming PC and a Mac Pro, I would choose the PC because it is simply aimed towards gaming and I don't use enough pro-apps to utelize the Pro to its full extent.

I think when you get the better card in there and maybe up the RAM (how many slot does it have?) it should feel a good bit quicker. If I can play HL2 at high graphics, 2x AA, HDR, and 1400x900 resolution on a ATi x1600, then you should be able to do even better with a better card than the 7300.

It is true it is not really in the same catagory as the mini, but neither is it in the same catagory as the iMac or Mac Pro...it is low-end tower, something that apple does not make. However, the price point is closest to the mini, and seeing this is an Mac forum, I think the comparison is justified.

Good review, and I hope to hear how it performs with the new card.

 

[zflauaus]

Fair enough... but for my comfort would you not agree $299 is a pretty good price for the size/feature set of the iTV?

Yes, I agree. But the iTV is currently completely useless to me as I don't have an HDTV or a TV with component. So, yeah, doesn't help me out there.

That's what Apple needs to do: Have a Standard Def ($249) and Hi-Def ($299) for each market. Not everyone currently has high-def TVs or TVs with component.

 

[dpaanlka]

That's what Apple needs to do: Have a Standard Def ($249) and Hi-Def ($299) for each market. Not everyone currently has high-def TVs or TVs with component.

I agree.

 

[Dont Hurt Me]

Added a few benchmarks to my review for Doom3/Fear. Also worth noting this is a bare bones bottom line 7300LE card, not GS or GT which are higher performing cards.

 

[Thorn]

Does it run OS X? 😀

Nope, but I bet it runs Linux just fine. 😀

Like Ubuntu, Knoppix, Sabayon, PCLinuxOS, Gentoo, Mandriva, etc...choose your flavor.

Dont Hurt Me, good write up, nice to see the pro's and cons. I actually found this thread by doing a Google for a particular Dell related question.

Me personally I use a home built pc, with Ubuntu and Xp installed on it, but was looking for a second pc, store bought and was actually looking between the 2, Mac Mini and a Dell. Dell caught my interest as of late because as your review stated they finally started using AMD processors, I also am using a AMD in my home built pc, although it's not dual core.

 

[Thorn]

It's the generation before, the completely black box. Dimension 8300, pentium 4...

Pentium 4's were known for running extremely hot, especially the Prescott cores. So I am assuming that is why your machine is noisier, I know it took a lot to cool them. The new Intel Core 2's run much cooler. AMD's always ran pretty cool, although the new Pentiums run cooler, but then again the AMD's are cheaper.

Also the newer machines use Sata drives, smaller cables, and Btx motherboard form factor, making it easier to cool.

 

[lorductape]

he he he... i love comparing macs to pc's... and pc's still use TOWERS!!! HAHAHA!!!

of course, we all know that the only macs that are towers trump all other computers.