The new quad core I5 and I7 processors are out and the new Dell XPS 9000 and 8000 can provide the best bang for your buck. Expect long delays though.Dell seems to have quite an issue with customer service as they are shutting down one of their larger desktop building plants, but that doesn’t mean they are going out of style just yet. The Dell XPS 9000 and 8000 are quite comparable to any mac and will save you at least a grand. Want a gaming PC who’s ability to process multimedia software like final cut pro or Photoshop at lightning speeds? This is the one for you. Although it doesn’t quite peek as high as the designated multimedia machines, the XPS 9000 can cost under $1,200 with a widescreen HD monitor with the best equipment you can currently buy (see common system specs at the bottom of this post).
Utilizing the 64 bit processor and Windows 7 capabilities, this bad boy works like a dream. It will kick on under 2 minutes from a cold start up and closer to 15 seconds for a sleep mode wake up. Although there are several options to increase the clocking speeds for the processor, unless you are editing a vast amount of video or creating flash files you won’t need it.
Pros:
- Sexy casing that often is missed in desktop computers.
- Tray on top of the tower for your iPods, hard-drives and a place to connect your earbuds.
- Hides all the regular ugly disc trays.
- Built in card readers, easily accessible.
- Fast as hell.
Cons:
- Major power hog, not exactly energy star compliant.
- Very large tower, but it’s sexy for a big gal.
- A strange high frequency sound emanates from it when in sleep/off modes.
- Only room for one full sized graphics card.
- Cramped insides.
Yup, it rocks. It beats my super computer at work any day.
Yup, it rocks. It beats my super computer at work any day.